Citroen C1 Airscape Flair
Discussion
mwstewart said:
You are a real enthusiast - it's nice to read your posts. I remember the fun and adventure in my first car - yours is a not newer and nicer than mine was!
Thank you, I normally get told the exact opposite! Most people don’t consider me an enthusiast because I quite like electric cars, see the point in SUVs (wouldn’t buy one though) and I don’t see the huge hatred towards automatics! The internet can be a great place! You’re not the first person to say that! I also would have had a complete banger but a death in the family meant I got a bit of inheritance, so of course I bought a newer, better car than i was originally planning on. What did you have?
5er said:
Good thread, nice to see a young enthusiast enjoying their little car.
There's nothing wrong with a cheap, low powered vehicle and it doesn't mean you're any less of a car person - it's a mindset thing and nothing more. I've had a few quick-ish cars, and sold my 414bhp M3 to now run around in a 59bhp Skoda Citigo (also have an MX5 with a heady 160bhp as my weekend car, which is genuinely more fun than the M3) and the Skoda is a hoot; willing, thrummy 3 pot engine, utterly tenacious chassis and fantastic levels of grip, even on Bridgestone Eco-something-or-other tyres.
Keep it up, OP.
The eco-tyres at strangely grippy. Don't know why, but I know I'll be replacing the tyres with the same Continental Eco-Contacts when they need done (very soon)There's nothing wrong with a cheap, low powered vehicle and it doesn't mean you're any less of a car person - it's a mindset thing and nothing more. I've had a few quick-ish cars, and sold my 414bhp M3 to now run around in a 59bhp Skoda Citigo (also have an MX5 with a heady 160bhp as my weekend car, which is genuinely more fun than the M3) and the Skoda is a hoot; willing, thrummy 3 pot engine, utterly tenacious chassis and fantastic levels of grip, even on Bridgestone Eco-something-or-other tyres.
Keep it up, OP.
mwstewart said:
Y16 SES said:
Thank you, I normally get told the exact opposite! Most people don’t consider me an enthusiast because I quite like electric cars, see the point in SUVs (wouldn’t buy one though) and I don’t see the huge hatred towards automatics! The internet can be a great place!
You’re not the first person to say that! I also would have had a complete banger but a death in the family meant I got a bit of inheritance, so of course I bought a newer, better car than i was originally planning on. What did you have?
A Mk3 Fiesta 1.1L (Google image below). You’re not the first person to say that! I also would have had a complete banger but a death in the family meant I got a bit of inheritance, so of course I bought a newer, better car than i was originally planning on. What did you have?
The 'L' was a trim level which equated to a five speed gearbox, a glovebox lid, and digital clock amongst other things. Can you imagine?
I loved it all the same and spent most of my spare funds on fuel
brickwall said:
This is great to read.
My first car was a Peugeot 107. Was great fun, and I learned a lot. I remember properly hammering it around some country lanes; the steering and chassis feel actually wasn't bad, and it made a great little noise.
Everything went to pot as soon as you put a fat passenger in, though.
Fat passenger comment is spot on! Had to pick up my parents from the bus station after a long weekend holiday they had, two adults (which are admittedly a bit overweight) and their suitcases in the car. It didn't like it, only time it set off nicely was when we were pointing downhill, and the handbrake was holding it it was all heavy!My first car was a Peugeot 107. Was great fun, and I learned a lot. I remember properly hammering it around some country lanes; the steering and chassis feel actually wasn't bad, and it made a great little noise.
Everything went to pot as soon as you put a fat passenger in, though.
Pig benis said:
Welcome to PH dude.
Excellent post and I'm loving your first car. I'm a wee bit older than you, however my first car was a Citroen. I absolutely adored my Saxo, all 1400cc rampant French horses. In my first year I racked up 20k, both on and off road.
I haven't had a chance to drive a modern day Citroen, but I bet they are superb.
Keep up the good work
Modern day Citroens are lovely, although people still turn their noses up at them because of the past.Excellent post and I'm loving your first car. I'm a wee bit older than you, however my first car was a Citroen. I absolutely adored my Saxo, all 1400cc rampant French horses. In my first year I racked up 20k, both on and off road.
I haven't had a chance to drive a modern day Citroen, but I bet they are superb.
Keep up the good work
20k is a lot! I thought I was driving an excessive amount!
zarjaz1991 said:
I bought a Mondeo at 17 and loved it. I know have two at 26.
In this thread there are some people having a go and criticising. Do not take any notice of them!
It is great to see a young lad enjoying his first car so much, and it is a fantastic car to have too.
It is also smart looking and very presentable which is what you need.
I get stick because my Mondeo is not considered ph-worthy, I don't care.
Enjoy your car, you could buy a top of the range <insert favourite dream car here> and it will NEVER be as good as that 'first car feeling'.
A Mondeo at 17? That's certainly a different first car! I bet you had many "dad's car" joked...In this thread there are some people having a go and criticising. Do not take any notice of them!
It is great to see a young lad enjoying his first car so much, and it is a fantastic car to have too.
It is also smart looking and very presentable which is what you need.
I get stick because my Mondeo is not considered ph-worthy, I don't care.
Enjoy your car, you could buy a top of the range <insert favourite dream car here> and it will NEVER be as good as that 'first car feeling'.
It looks smart from a distance, but up close it isn't as in good a nick as I would want. Dent from being door dinged, humongous scratch from rear wheel to front wheel from a hit and run incident and for some strange reason there is a lot of tiny little scratches just above the passenger door. In reality it needs a full, proper detail, which I don't have the skills to expertise to carry out. Thinking of getting it done professionally in the summer.
Many people do say that selling your first car is the worst thing you can do and you will forever want it back, so it seems this first car feeling really is true!
WarrenB said:
I came here from that parking thread!
I really do enjoy reading owners write-ups of 'ordinary' obtainable cars. I like the look of yours too, the higher spec ones look great in darker colours.
They're pretty bomb proof too from what I've heard. A security company that looks after some of our buildings at work had a fleet of them a few years back. All as basic as they come, with the diddy 3 cylinder engine, but were used to run between all their sites across the north of England. As they were pool cars they were given a pretty hard time as they didn't have regular drivers to look after them. They all had well over 150k hard miles on the clock when they got rid of them, but apart from routine servicing and tyres they didn't have any major issues with any of them.
There's no finer feeling though than having the freedom to go where you want, when you want in your first car.
I remember shortly after I bought my first car, a 5 year old five-door Astra, my dad was quite surprised when I turned up in it. 'It's a grandads car'. Grandads car maybe, but it was cheap to run, insurance was cheaper than a Corsa with a smaller engine, and my mates could all fit in it. Our first road trip was to Southport on a nice summers day. Did about 170k miles in it in the 5 years I had it, and apart from one random breakdown that even confused the AA man (as it fixed itself!) it never let me down.
So many great memories are made in your first car, and they're always so much more special than any other car you'll own because of that.
Looking forward to future updates with the C1!
That parking thread blew up much more than I wanted to!I really do enjoy reading owners write-ups of 'ordinary' obtainable cars. I like the look of yours too, the higher spec ones look great in darker colours.
They're pretty bomb proof too from what I've heard. A security company that looks after some of our buildings at work had a fleet of them a few years back. All as basic as they come, with the diddy 3 cylinder engine, but were used to run between all their sites across the north of England. As they were pool cars they were given a pretty hard time as they didn't have regular drivers to look after them. They all had well over 150k hard miles on the clock when they got rid of them, but apart from routine servicing and tyres they didn't have any major issues with any of them.
There's no finer feeling though than having the freedom to go where you want, when you want in your first car.
I remember shortly after I bought my first car, a 5 year old five-door Astra, my dad was quite surprised when I turned up in it. 'It's a grandads car'. Grandads car maybe, but it was cheap to run, insurance was cheaper than a Corsa with a smaller engine, and my mates could all fit in it. Our first road trip was to Southport on a nice summers day. Did about 170k miles in it in the 5 years I had it, and apart from one random breakdown that even confused the AA man (as it fixed itself!) it never let me down.
So many great memories are made in your first car, and they're always so much more special than any other car you'll own because of that.
Looking forward to future updates with the C1!
It's sometimes better to get something most people don't have, as crash statistics are lower, so your Astra was probably a very good call!
170k in 5 years!? You must have had a hugely long commute or something.
It looks in very good nick in that picture, do you still have it?
WarrenB said:
My job involves a lot of driving, so during the week it was on the road a lot, as well as random road trips at weekends which racked up the miles.
Every 6 months regardless of mileage I'd have it fully serviced, which I think helped a lot with the reliability. With around 204k on the clock the engine was still mint, quiet, pulled well, good on fuel still, etc.
Unfortunately I don't have it anymore, I traded it in against a new Land Rover Defender in 2009. Even more unfortunate, I came across the Astra in a local scrap yard a couple of months later. I can understand why really, who'd want a mid range, mega mileage 10 year old Astra? As much as I loved the Defender, specced just how I wanted, it just wasn't as special to me in the same was as the Astra was.
Oh, that's a bummer. Couldn't you have given the scrapper a coupe of hundred quid to get the Astra back? Even if it wasn't allowed back on the road, you might have been able to do something else?Every 6 months regardless of mileage I'd have it fully serviced, which I think helped a lot with the reliability. With around 204k on the clock the engine was still mint, quiet, pulled well, good on fuel still, etc.
Unfortunately I don't have it anymore, I traded it in against a new Land Rover Defender in 2009. Even more unfortunate, I came across the Astra in a local scrap yard a couple of months later. I can understand why really, who'd want a mid range, mega mileage 10 year old Astra? As much as I loved the Defender, specced just how I wanted, it just wasn't as special to me in the same was as the Astra was.
Not an exciting update, just showing what happened to today (nothing exciting)
Had to go to a local Post Office to hand in some packages for the charity shop I currently volunteer for however the car park was very busy, despite the fact there was only one person in the building and there was only one space available; next to a badly parked Triumph (not badly parked in my "defensive parking" sense, just badly parked). I parked next to it (never normally would) as my thoughts were: Classic Car, owned by an enthusiast or an old guy, both of who I assumed wouldn't hit my car. Didn't have to worry, I was in and out in like 3 minutes and the Triumph was still there. So, my parking:
I know this is Pistonheads and thus there are many "driving gods" who will say they could have driven their Range Rover in the gap with one smooth swoop but I don't care, I'm pretty proud of how close I got to the wall.
Had to go to a local Post Office to hand in some packages for the charity shop I currently volunteer for however the car park was very busy, despite the fact there was only one person in the building and there was only one space available; next to a badly parked Triumph (not badly parked in my "defensive parking" sense, just badly parked). I parked next to it (never normally would) as my thoughts were: Classic Car, owned by an enthusiast or an old guy, both of who I assumed wouldn't hit my car. Didn't have to worry, I was in and out in like 3 minutes and the Triumph was still there. So, my parking:
I know this is Pistonheads and thus there are many "driving gods" who will say they could have driven their Range Rover in the gap with one smooth swoop but I don't care, I'm pretty proud of how close I got to the wall.
Edited by Y16 SES on Wednesday 11th April 15:17
WarrenB said:
Y16 SES said:
Oh, that's a bummer. Couldn't you have given the scrapper a coupe of hundred quid to get the Astra back? Even if it wasn't allowed back on the road, you might have been able to do something else?
I did consider it briefly, but by the time I found it again the MoT had expired, and I didn't have anywhere to keep it. I did consider getting it back and then giving it an explosive send off by taking it banger racing or something, one last hurrah, but don't think I'd have been able to destroy it considering how many memories it held. I thought an update was overdue, even though nothing exciting has happened and very little people actually want to read about a 1.2 3 cylinder!
However, let's get to it:
After parking the car up against the wall, I realised my life is pretty sad that I was taking pictures of parking (as are many people on this page) so thought best to go for a drive. Ended up here:
This trip, due to it raining, made the car absolutely filthy despite it only taking about 2 hours in total. As a result we gave the car a wash (well my dad and myself gave my dad's and my car a wash)
That is how dirty the car was, I actually have more pictures but can't be bothered to put them up. Also, car was much dirtier in person, my phone camera doesn't pick up all the crap very well
Gave it a nice wash, just a normal one though, nothing too in depth. Looked sparkling afterwards:
Just drove it to the charity shop I currently volunteer at for a while, nothing exciting. On a whim I decided to drive for about 4 hours to Silver Sands of Morar, absolutely lovely place, incredibly peaceful. Not going to bore you with tourist style pictures, but here is my car in the car park:
Top Tip; Don't go if you have a low car, those potholes are deeper than they look.
However, of course, country roads and many hours of driving caused the car to look terrible again... This time howeber the weather was very nice so a full valet was done:
The inside of the drivers well, again, looked worse in person (I'm also extremely picky)
Even after the valet it wasn't up to standards, joys of a really old Dyson.
I finally remembered about the existence of Glen Etive (thanks to the person who told me about it here) and so popped off there, absolutely gorgeous place, although I don't think my suspension particularly enjoyed it...
Oh, and here is a random picture I took of the car from a distance, a bit up a hill:
How it sits now: Covered in mud and crap from the Glen Etive and from when it rained in Alloa (another random drive I went on, 20 minutes away from my house is Alloa Asda).
However, let's get to it:
After parking the car up against the wall, I realised my life is pretty sad that I was taking pictures of parking (as are many people on this page) so thought best to go for a drive. Ended up here:
This trip, due to it raining, made the car absolutely filthy despite it only taking about 2 hours in total. As a result we gave the car a wash (well my dad and myself gave my dad's and my car a wash)
That is how dirty the car was, I actually have more pictures but can't be bothered to put them up. Also, car was much dirtier in person, my phone camera doesn't pick up all the crap very well
Gave it a nice wash, just a normal one though, nothing too in depth. Looked sparkling afterwards:
Just drove it to the charity shop I currently volunteer at for a while, nothing exciting. On a whim I decided to drive for about 4 hours to Silver Sands of Morar, absolutely lovely place, incredibly peaceful. Not going to bore you with tourist style pictures, but here is my car in the car park:
Top Tip; Don't go if you have a low car, those potholes are deeper than they look.
However, of course, country roads and many hours of driving caused the car to look terrible again... This time howeber the weather was very nice so a full valet was done:
The inside of the drivers well, again, looked worse in person (I'm also extremely picky)
Even after the valet it wasn't up to standards, joys of a really old Dyson.
I finally remembered about the existence of Glen Etive (thanks to the person who told me about it here) and so popped off there, absolutely gorgeous place, although I don't think my suspension particularly enjoyed it...
Oh, and here is a random picture I took of the car from a distance, a bit up a hill:
How it sits now: Covered in mud and crap from the Glen Etive and from when it rained in Alloa (another random drive I went on, 20 minutes away from my house is Alloa Asda).
avenger286 said:
Love the fact you take so good little day trips. It was most likely me who was on about Glen Etive! Was there not so long ago.
It certainly was you! I take far too many day trips, it costs a bloody fortune in fuel, and I can't see the suspension being too happy about all the bumpy country roads I'm on... Due to the way my life has meant I plan on having a full time job before summer (although I'm not sure if it is possible) so sadly my trips will be cut down to basically non-existent (I never drove for pleasure for the 5 weeks I had a full-time job before).
Have you got any more suggestions on locations? That don't involve ferries etc
I'm going to try and keep this thread updated consistently so there isn't a large random update every few months.
So today; 18-21°C weather, car with large openable sunroof and a full tank of fuel. I, like anyone would, went on a drive. Ended up in St Andrews; which was a mistake, bank holiday in tourist town with great weather meant the number of people and cars was idiotic. No scenic picture, just one of the car in the only free space I found:
I know it doesn't look busy, a picture can be deceiving! The roof isn't retracted as I was just walking back to it after sauntering around, hence the folded wing mirror as well.
So today; 18-21°C weather, car with large openable sunroof and a full tank of fuel. I, like anyone would, went on a drive. Ended up in St Andrews; which was a mistake, bank holiday in tourist town with great weather meant the number of people and cars was idiotic. No scenic picture, just one of the car in the only free space I found:
I know it doesn't look busy, a picture can be deceiving! The roof isn't retracted as I was just walking back to it after sauntering around, hence the folded wing mirror as well.
Nutty9000 said:
Fantastic first car, nice one.
Here's my daily driver, same engine; 1.0 3 pot, surprisingly great fun, 50 mpg round town, paid only 1200 with 60k miles and FSH and only 20 quid a year to tax!
Thank you!Here's my daily driver, same engine; 1.0 3 pot, surprisingly great fun, 50 mpg round town, paid only 1200 with 60k miles and FSH and only 20 quid a year to tax!
Mine actually has the 1.2 but a friend has the 1.0, found out mine was more fuel efficient because it wasn't being worked as hard. My average MPG is 53.1 but I'm not someone who will hypermile or drive to conserve fuel in general.
You got a cracking deal! Next time you have the opportunity park next to one of the new shapes. Despite the fact the new shape is a small car the size difference between yours and mine is much larger than you expect! Will be why you still get 50mpg around town (around town I'm at 35-40)!
So, Wednesday was a nice day... Another drive!
I am sad enough to keep a spreadsheet detailing every penny the car costs me, so I know that I can't continue with the long runs thus meaning Wednesday's had to be quite short.
I decided to go to North Queensferry (about half an hour from my house), and park where I shouldn't for a couple of minutes to get these pictures:
The pictures aren't great because I tried to avoid getting the boats in shot, there was also a van just in front of my car in those pictures. I also was very worried of slipping on seaweed or something and falling into the river (stupid I know) and ended up closer to the wall than I would have liked.
I am sad enough to keep a spreadsheet detailing every penny the car costs me, so I know that I can't continue with the long runs thus meaning Wednesday's had to be quite short.
I decided to go to North Queensferry (about half an hour from my house), and park where I shouldn't for a couple of minutes to get these pictures:
The pictures aren't great because I tried to avoid getting the boats in shot, there was also a van just in front of my car in those pictures. I also was very worried of slipping on seaweed or something and falling into the river (stupid I know) and ended up closer to the wall than I would have liked.
Braintax said:
Nice little cars these, I put around 24,000 miles on one over two years — The only problem I ever had was a leak from the aerial mast. Strangely I had exactly the same fault with a previous generation Aygo!
They definitely drive a lot better than most give them credit for, plenty of body roll but I never managed to get mine to stop gripping at the front wheels! Mine had the 1.2, but I did have a 1.0 as a courtesy car and actually ended up preferring the smaller engine.
You get loads for your money with these, particularly now with the lease deals available.
I've managed to get an absolute minimal amount of tyre sqeal on 2 occasions (I think the term is tyre sqeak) but both scared me sThey definitely drive a lot better than most give them credit for, plenty of body roll but I never managed to get mine to stop gripping at the front wheels! Mine had the 1.2, but I did have a 1.0 as a courtesy car and actually ended up preferring the smaller engine.
You get loads for your money with these, particularly now with the lease deals available.
tless and were completely accidental (going round a corner too fast). I have since calmed down with the frankly reckless driving (I used to think it was fun but now I'm scared if crashing)I've not driven a 1.0 and I don't think the Citroen dealer is going to allow an 18 year old drive one of their cars "just to see what it is like" with no intention if buying but if I do get the chance I'll be sure to jump at it. I can imagine it's even more revvy, which is probably more fun, but mine gets better fuel economy (a sample size of myself and a friend)
Are the lease deals good? I don't agree with leasing (I find it literally chucking money down the loo) so never check to see what they are. All I know is that I bought my car for £5000 less than list at 1.5 years old but since I've had it it's only lost about £2000 so I can imagine leasing is incredibly cheap with the lease companies getting huge discounts of list.
(For anyone reading this, DO NOT DERAIL THIS THREAD TO DISCUSS LEASING!)
Integroo said:
Your enthusiasm for your little Citroen is endearing! Glad you are still enjoying it (and making good use of it). The West coast of Scotland, especially around the Glens, are some of my favourite driving roads - nice pictures!
I'm local to you so will keep an eye out! Got a Pistonheads sticker yet?
There great to drive, but I've slowed down on them for fear of crashing so they aren't as much fun now (although I still love going on them)I'm local to you so will keep an eye out! Got a Pistonheads sticker yet?
Another local! I didn't realise Scotland had such a large car enthusiast following until recently. I'll be sure to look out for a brand new Fiat 124 Spider with 2 "N's" on the plate (Only way I'll know it's you compared to some random individual)
I haven't got a sticker, don't know where to get them and I have no clue where to put it so it isn't enormously obvious but also not completely hidden.
mustdash said:
Integroo said:
Your enthusiasm for your little Citroen is endearing! Glad you are still enjoying it (and making good use of it). The West coast of Scotland, especially around the Glens, are some of my favourite driving roads - nice pictures!
I'm local to you so will keep an eye out! Got a Pistonheads sticker yet?
Everyone knows a PH sticker adds at least 20bhp to any car adorned with one! Well, that's what the PH lads told me when I bought one at a Sunday Service a while ago!I'm local to you so will keep an eye out! Got a Pistonheads sticker yet?
Loving the write ups OP. Regardless of what car you own, it's great to see such enthusiasm! I love the shot near the Forth Rail Bridge! Looks brilliant! In regards to the comment you made earlier about the rear screens shattering - Mk2 Renault Meganes are known to suffer this as well. I can't remember the reasoning for it though unfortunately.
Inspired by many other pictures I see from groups and here but I felt really horrible stopping there even if it was only for like a minute.
Can't think about the reasoning for the Megane BUT I think the reason for these cars smashing rears is because the whole boot lid is glass. There is no metal or plastic (other than windscreen wiper) so they just shatter if too much force is applied. I seriously hope it doesn't happen to me, but I do worry every time I close the boot.
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