1999 Citroen Saxo VTR? The long and winding road....
Discussion
Live from a hotel room In Brugge!
Well, that isn't Bruges, that's clearly Blackpool! Saxo plodding on quite well. Done about 850miles in just over three days now. Hasn't been a faultless run, but all in all we've done well so far.
Now have a run back down the Belgian coast to the Euro Tunnel. Hopefully that'll go smoothly!
Well, that isn't Bruges, that's clearly Blackpool! Saxo plodding on quite well. Done about 850miles in just over three days now. Hasn't been a faultless run, but all in all we've done well so far.
Now have a run back down the Belgian coast to the Euro Tunnel. Hopefully that'll go smoothly!
Kitchski said:
Live from a hotel room In Brugge!
Well, that isn't Bruges, that's clearly Blackpool! Saxo plodding on quite well. Done about 850miles in just over three days now. Hasn't been a faultless run, but all in all we've done well so far.
Now have a run back down the Belgian coast to the Euro Tunnel. Hopefully that'll go smoothly!
Don't forget, the natural environment for a Saxo in France is on the wrong side of the road overtaking everyone at +2mph, usually on a bend.Well, that isn't Bruges, that's clearly Blackpool! Saxo plodding on quite well. Done about 850miles in just over three days now. Hasn't been a faultless run, but all in all we've done well so far.
Now have a run back down the Belgian coast to the Euro Tunnel. Hopefully that'll go smoothly!
pomp1 said:
My first car was a Furio. It was absolutely brilliant until I crashed it a year later.
I still miss it.
The Citroen Saxo sold incredibly well I think due to some helpful insurance offers?
Enjoy
I had a Furio too (see beginning of thread). Not the earlier one with the multi-colour seatbelts, as per the Westcoast and Eastcoast, but a later one, with even more basic trim, and yet....alloy door handles. That's how I knew about them, and why I wanted them for this!I still miss it.
The Citroen Saxo sold incredibly well I think due to some helpful insurance offers?
Enjoy
Yup, lots of insurance dealys!
littlebasher said:
Don't forget, the natural environment for a Saxo in France is on the wrong side of the road overtaking everyone at +2mph, usually on a bend.
Well, I'm back and just about all caught up. That was a cracking weekend away!
To recap, it was 20 years ago on the 25th September that the little Saxo rolled out of the doors at Citroen's Aulnay plant, near Paris (if you've been under that tunnel at Charles De Gaulle airport, you've passed it before).
Due to work commitments, we couldn't go to France on the 25th September, but we did manage to steal away on the 25th October. The plan was to tour France a bit (which I could happily do all week long), stop off at some places of note (including Aulnay itself, hopefully to grab some photos before security came) before swinging through Belgium on the route home.
I'd faffed and faffed trying to prepare the car for the trip. I didn't know how many miles it would be all in, but I knew it was more than the car has probably done in the past 3-4 years! I wanted it to run sweetly and confidently, with no knocks, leaks, clunks or bumps. Breaking down in France wasn't something I was keen to try out!
In the build-up to the trip, I'd discovered that although I'd improved the car more than I thought I might, I still hadn't cured the intermittant stuttering/cutting out. There's no pattern to it; It's literally a case of it either just shutting down while idling (sometimes just as you're coming off the clutch to pull out into a junction!) or, if the car is alright on the move, a brief hiccup as it cuts out, but is then immediately bump started again. It's proving to be quite an annoying little gremlin, though sometimes it can go two weeks without incident!
Friday
But, I wasn't able to put this right, so the trip to France begin the Friday before last at midday. First leg - Hampshire to the Euro Tunnel terminal near Folkstone, which we made in good time, despite the weather and the conversion to 'Smart' motorways along various stretches of the route:
No hiccups along the way, I'm pleased to report. The car drove beautifully all the way down.
Into the tunnel slightly late as an Ambiwlans had been called to the train before ours. We had until 8pm to check-in, and things were going to be tight!
GB sticker applied, and headlight gummy things stuck on, we offloaded from the train around 5:20pm French time. No sooner had we got going off, the first stutter appeared. Great! Nothing like a bit of potential breakdown anxiety to make the trip more enjoyable! So, we set off down the world's most boring motorway (the one from Calais to Paris):
Two things occured to me en-route. Firstly, that the Saxo is difficult to keep at a steady motorway speed (likely because it's doing 4k rpm at around 75mph, so is always 'on cam', and secondly, that there seemed to be no Saxo VT* models around, anywhere! Last time I went to France, I didn't see a single BX (I got over it though, can you tell?!) This time, I'm seeing basic 'flat-archers', but no kitted Saxos anywhere. Can't say I'd ever really looked before!
French A-roads are different to the UK's, because you can drive for miles and miles, and see no signs of towns or people. There are no 'cats eyes'; very little street lighting and seemingly no pattern to which sharp bends they use signs to warn you in advance of. When you've got gummy beam deflector things on old basic headlamps, and a Frenchman sitting about 2in from your tailpipe in a diesel Megane (or something), making progress is hard work!
It all comes to a head when heading to Soissons out in the sticks, and a car comes the other way. They're on main beam, and are a little tardy switching back to dip (when I say 'little', I mean 'very'). After a slightly stressful journey, and the angst of getting to the park before the gate closes, this irks me enough to flash them, which I do...just as they switch to dip. This annoys the French native, who proceeds to then switch back to main beam. Being a child, I respond with main beams, foglamps, the bird....everything in my limited arsenal.
Luckily, my wife had spotted that we were rapidly approaching a crossroad at about 90km/h...in the wet...with no ABS. I managed to both avoid the totally unmarked concrete traffic island in the middle of the road, and stop the car before the white line of death. There were casualties in the luggage.
On arrival at the campsite (a Eurocamp no less!), we found it to be even darker than the roads we've just driven on. No people; no cars; no lights...nutt'in. We head to reception, which is still open, but being 8:30pm, the staff have buggered off. This is bad! A night of sleeping in the Saxo appeals no more than heading back out on the roads we just nearly expired on.
Then, my wife notices a row of envelopes on the desk, one of which has our name on. Contained within...a key! Cashback!
We muddle over to the darkest corner of wherever we are, unload the car, figure out how to operate the heating and then head to the onsite burger joint (which is still open...just) and order some bang average burgers. A northern man is having a conversation on his mobile phone, only he has it on speaker phone, and is holding it near-horizontal, close to his mouth ala. any of the 'contestants' on The Apprentice. Why do people do this?! The guy was doubly-simple too, because he was slagging off the burger joint, while in the presence of the English-speaking French ladies operating said joint, and MAKING HIS BURGER! Extra gozz in that one, I suspect. Our burgers were fine, and the fries were actually really nice!
The next day, the weather made an outstanding start, so I ventured out to see where we were:
Reminded that the little Saxo had just got us to base, I gave it a pat on the bonnet. You know, because it's an inanimate object with no feelings, and as humans we feel the need to anthropomorphise literally anything we can!
Saturday
So, awarded with a sunny Saturday, we decide today is the day to visit Reims. The city, sure, but of course the old Grand Prix circuit-de-Reims. Every petrolhead at some point seems to go here, and I never had, depsite it being relatively easy to access. Time to right that wrong!
We had a picnic there, after which I managed to engage in some shinanegans with a local in a Focus ST. It was all innocent - basically I wanted to get some footage of the Saxo blatting through the site, as many others were doing when we got there. Well, actually when we got there, there were a row of Mercedes AMG things (the ones with the V8 engines that sound like a cheap V8 sound effect machine made by Sony, and the X-plod button has been pressed and has stuck, thus rendering it permenantely on LOUD mode. Sorry, I don't like them much!)
Different strokes for different folks, but if the absolute helmet who held his baby out of the window frame like a trophy, while a few stories up is reading this (my guess is, he's not) then you, sir, are a collossal plum. Your kid deserves better.
Anyway...there's a Clio there, and then a Mini Cooper S which spends the morning whining up and down the straight about 238 times. Yes mate, we get it; You've got a supercharger.
Before we leave, a load of bikers turn up, as well as some sightseers. I wanted the video of le Saxo hammering down le straight, but didn't want all the people which much faster machinery to mock me. Eventually, my wife points out that the day is ebbing away, and that I don't know these people...so just crack on! Which, I did. I pulled out, blatted up and down a few times while she filmed it - nothing crazy at all, just some revs in 2nd and 3rd.
On the last run, I pull in to the 'pits', slow right down to let traffic pass, then pull back out, this time giving it large m8 in 1st gear, with all the ensuing drama, wheelspin and rev limiter action. Barrels of fun.
However, unbeknownst to yours truly, a Frenchman was behind me in a Focus ST (5-pot howly type). He had witnessed my buffoonery, and decided he wanted to join in. The first I knew of his actions where when I saw his face in my rear view mirror approaching the roundabout at the end of the straight. I couldn't see his bumper or headlamps, or even his bonnet. In fact, I couldn't even see his wiper blades, he was that close. I could has switched the engine off to save some fuel, because he could have just pushed me the rest of the way.
Two things went through my mind: Firstly, what kind of dinlow in a Focus ST (the majority of which are R3M4PPED fam!!) sees a standard-looking Saxo VTR, and wants to play with it? Pick on someone your own size!
The second thought I had was how could I 'win' this situation (whatever 'winning' equated to). I'm not gonna bother 'racing' the man, because despite it being probably about the safest environment you could try it, it was still not only a public road, but a public road in a country where I did not speak the langauge, and where the local law enforcement would financially enforce their law up my jacksie...dry.
But, the child in me still wanted to make a point of some kind, so as I negociated the roundabout, I backed off very gently (any more and he'd have hit me), and started to take an odd line through the curve, where I went wide enough that I was well off-course, but tight enough so that he couldn't pass. Then, as I approached the exit, I moved tighter to the inside (straightening my exit). I knew there was a nice camber on the exit, as well as an apex I could hit, and I knew I could do this flat out in second gear without breaking traction (that's why some cars are fun...they give you enough 'feel' that you know how they will react to something before you'd even tried it).
So, with the speed right down (sorry if I'm boring you all here), and as tightly as I can now get to the inside of the roundabout, I pick my line, select 2nd gear, and, knowing that I wouldn't need to back off the power again, I plant the throttle and tug the wheel to the right to initiate my stylish exit. I don't know if any 18-19yr old French girls were nearby, but I'm sure they were, and I'm sure all their knickers instantly fell off. But although the car may suggest otherwise, I'm now a 36yr old man, not an 18yr old chav, therefore I feel obliged to let the local lads attend to them, and continue with my conquest. Sorry ladies.
This has caught the Focus driver napping, as I hoped. He attempts to apply power through the corner too, but as planned, it goes badly for him on account of his car effectively carrying a Caterham on the roof compared with the Saxo, and on account of the fact that he actually has more than a modest 130bhp (likely 2-3 times more), which causes tyre smoke and understeer on his part.
The plan is working. He's been caught napping, and the Saxo is making him look silly. At the top of 3rd gear, a gap has opened, but it's not to last, as the road straightens and the Focus rapidly starts reeling the Saxo in for the kill. It's David vs. Goliath, and there are no rocks. However, there are some pits! And, I've done what I needed to do, so just as he starts to move out to pass, I indicate to my left, and gently begin to slow down. He decides against zipping past me, probably as I've already been unpredictable once, and as I slow to manouvring speeds, I perform a gentle 180deg turn to park up, thus denying him the opportunity to 'beat' me. YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!
Later that day, we visit Reims itself. among my many, many fascinating pastimes, I like football grounds. I mean, I like football too, not just the grounds, but if I go somewhere new and there's a stadium there, I like to check it out. My wife LOVES this aspect...no, wait...HATES, not loves; She HATES this aspect of the day.
Behold, Stade de Reims!
Normally, I'd park up, get out and trot around the ground to take it all in. Maybe even peak inside. Dunno what the obsession is, possibly years of reading footy annuals and playing FIFA - the grounds were always something I was interested in.
Sadly, Reims are playing at home tonight against Nimes. All the carparks are barricaded, and all through-routes blocked off. Balls! (hehe)
I manage to park up where said pic above was taken, and checked this was kosha by nodding at the security guard as I walked past. He nodded back. I took that as "Yes young man, you may alight here!" Thought it was possibly him thinking that I was insutating "You're going to tow my car away aren't you?" while nodding, and him saying "Yes, I'm definitely going to tow your car away, you English pig dog roast beef etc."
Defeat was admitted for having a good wander (I'd have to drive off and park miles away, and walk back), which was music to my wife's ears. However, there was a shop (in the background of that pic), so I nipped inside for a small token or souveneir. Maybe a magnet, or a sticker...something small. What I end up with is a pair of last seasons' home shorts from the clearance bin, for 5euros! Bargain! I can actually use these!
The security guard was of the nice, non-racist, non-judgemental type, and the Saxo was waiting for us when we got back. We hear some commotion as we get in, and see rival fans driving around cheering, jeering, beeping horns, hanging out of sunroofs and throwing beer cans around, scarves blowing in the breeze. It's 2:30pm, and kick-off is meant to be 7:00pm, but it looks like it's going to get tasty before that. I decide to Google where Nimes is, assuming it's about 3 miles down the road, and this is the build-up of a fierce local derby. Nope. It's somwhere miles away, totally irrelevant.
Next stop is the car museum (a bit of a 'me' day so far, this) that I almost forgot was there! There are quite a few dotted around France, and I have a feeling this will be peak French motoring heaven. I wasn't denied my feeling when I pulled into thescrapyard car park...
Yes, I moved around the car park and took pictures of the Saxo posing next to other old French cars. Look, I'm married already! I've snared one. It doesn't matter if I repel women! Unless I start repelling the one I'm married to....
Anyway, the museum....yes. Pretty cool. I would share tonnes of pictures on here, but it's such a faff uploading pics to this that I just haven't got time. Suffice to say, there were two Peugeot 505s, a 305, a Simca 1310 (aka Talbot Solara), a Renault 14 next to a Renault 19 - both billy basic spec....there was a LOT.
The highlight?
Notable inclusions:
Yes, this place is good. My only disappointment was the shop, just because I wanted it to be even more full than it already was!
I've got an Instagram thing (@richykitchy) so if anyone genuinely wants to see the rest of what I took, I'll stick them on there.
Then we went into Reims, which is actually a really pretty city in itself (most French cities are, in fairness). We went in a big church, and I'm not totally sure what was occuring, but I think you could pay money and colour in some of the windows....or something:
We returned to the dark plastic box that night, and switched the oven on to cook a bolognase pizza (abroad really is better than here!) Just as this was nearly completion, the power died, and we were plunged into further darkness! My wife's old Huawei P9, which we'd brought along as a satnav came to the rescue, and provided enough light for me to admire my purchases at the museum's shop:
Still not seen any Saxo VT* models, anywhere. Tonnes of 205s still around (ish), but sporty Saxos? Non.
Sunday to follow, if I can be arst to type it, and y'all can be arst to read it. I appreciate this is less about a car, and more a holiday snap-sharing session!
To recap, it was 20 years ago on the 25th September that the little Saxo rolled out of the doors at Citroen's Aulnay plant, near Paris (if you've been under that tunnel at Charles De Gaulle airport, you've passed it before).
Due to work commitments, we couldn't go to France on the 25th September, but we did manage to steal away on the 25th October. The plan was to tour France a bit (which I could happily do all week long), stop off at some places of note (including Aulnay itself, hopefully to grab some photos before security came) before swinging through Belgium on the route home.
I'd faffed and faffed trying to prepare the car for the trip. I didn't know how many miles it would be all in, but I knew it was more than the car has probably done in the past 3-4 years! I wanted it to run sweetly and confidently, with no knocks, leaks, clunks or bumps. Breaking down in France wasn't something I was keen to try out!
In the build-up to the trip, I'd discovered that although I'd improved the car more than I thought I might, I still hadn't cured the intermittant stuttering/cutting out. There's no pattern to it; It's literally a case of it either just shutting down while idling (sometimes just as you're coming off the clutch to pull out into a junction!) or, if the car is alright on the move, a brief hiccup as it cuts out, but is then immediately bump started again. It's proving to be quite an annoying little gremlin, though sometimes it can go two weeks without incident!
Friday
But, I wasn't able to put this right, so the trip to France begin the Friday before last at midday. First leg - Hampshire to the Euro Tunnel terminal near Folkstone, which we made in good time, despite the weather and the conversion to 'Smart' motorways along various stretches of the route:
No hiccups along the way, I'm pleased to report. The car drove beautifully all the way down.
Into the tunnel slightly late as an Ambiwlans had been called to the train before ours. We had until 8pm to check-in, and things were going to be tight!
GB sticker applied, and headlight gummy things stuck on, we offloaded from the train around 5:20pm French time. No sooner had we got going off, the first stutter appeared. Great! Nothing like a bit of potential breakdown anxiety to make the trip more enjoyable! So, we set off down the world's most boring motorway (the one from Calais to Paris):
Two things occured to me en-route. Firstly, that the Saxo is difficult to keep at a steady motorway speed (likely because it's doing 4k rpm at around 75mph, so is always 'on cam', and secondly, that there seemed to be no Saxo VT* models around, anywhere! Last time I went to France, I didn't see a single BX (I got over it though, can you tell?!) This time, I'm seeing basic 'flat-archers', but no kitted Saxos anywhere. Can't say I'd ever really looked before!
French A-roads are different to the UK's, because you can drive for miles and miles, and see no signs of towns or people. There are no 'cats eyes'; very little street lighting and seemingly no pattern to which sharp bends they use signs to warn you in advance of. When you've got gummy beam deflector things on old basic headlamps, and a Frenchman sitting about 2in from your tailpipe in a diesel Megane (or something), making progress is hard work!
It all comes to a head when heading to Soissons out in the sticks, and a car comes the other way. They're on main beam, and are a little tardy switching back to dip (when I say 'little', I mean 'very'). After a slightly stressful journey, and the angst of getting to the park before the gate closes, this irks me enough to flash them, which I do...just as they switch to dip. This annoys the French native, who proceeds to then switch back to main beam. Being a child, I respond with main beams, foglamps, the bird....everything in my limited arsenal.
Luckily, my wife had spotted that we were rapidly approaching a crossroad at about 90km/h...in the wet...with no ABS. I managed to both avoid the totally unmarked concrete traffic island in the middle of the road, and stop the car before the white line of death. There were casualties in the luggage.
On arrival at the campsite (a Eurocamp no less!), we found it to be even darker than the roads we've just driven on. No people; no cars; no lights...nutt'in. We head to reception, which is still open, but being 8:30pm, the staff have buggered off. This is bad! A night of sleeping in the Saxo appeals no more than heading back out on the roads we just nearly expired on.
Then, my wife notices a row of envelopes on the desk, one of which has our name on. Contained within...a key! Cashback!
We muddle over to the darkest corner of wherever we are, unload the car, figure out how to operate the heating and then head to the onsite burger joint (which is still open...just) and order some bang average burgers. A northern man is having a conversation on his mobile phone, only he has it on speaker phone, and is holding it near-horizontal, close to his mouth ala. any of the 'contestants' on The Apprentice. Why do people do this?! The guy was doubly-simple too, because he was slagging off the burger joint, while in the presence of the English-speaking French ladies operating said joint, and MAKING HIS BURGER! Extra gozz in that one, I suspect. Our burgers were fine, and the fries were actually really nice!
The next day, the weather made an outstanding start, so I ventured out to see where we were:
Reminded that the little Saxo had just got us to base, I gave it a pat on the bonnet. You know, because it's an inanimate object with no feelings, and as humans we feel the need to anthropomorphise literally anything we can!
Saturday
So, awarded with a sunny Saturday, we decide today is the day to visit Reims. The city, sure, but of course the old Grand Prix circuit-de-Reims. Every petrolhead at some point seems to go here, and I never had, depsite it being relatively easy to access. Time to right that wrong!
We had a picnic there, after which I managed to engage in some shinanegans with a local in a Focus ST. It was all innocent - basically I wanted to get some footage of the Saxo blatting through the site, as many others were doing when we got there. Well, actually when we got there, there were a row of Mercedes AMG things (the ones with the V8 engines that sound like a cheap V8 sound effect machine made by Sony, and the X-plod button has been pressed and has stuck, thus rendering it permenantely on LOUD mode. Sorry, I don't like them much!)
Different strokes for different folks, but if the absolute helmet who held his baby out of the window frame like a trophy, while a few stories up is reading this (my guess is, he's not) then you, sir, are a collossal plum. Your kid deserves better.
Anyway...there's a Clio there, and then a Mini Cooper S which spends the morning whining up and down the straight about 238 times. Yes mate, we get it; You've got a supercharger.
Before we leave, a load of bikers turn up, as well as some sightseers. I wanted the video of le Saxo hammering down le straight, but didn't want all the people which much faster machinery to mock me. Eventually, my wife points out that the day is ebbing away, and that I don't know these people...so just crack on! Which, I did. I pulled out, blatted up and down a few times while she filmed it - nothing crazy at all, just some revs in 2nd and 3rd.
On the last run, I pull in to the 'pits', slow right down to let traffic pass, then pull back out, this time giving it large m8 in 1st gear, with all the ensuing drama, wheelspin and rev limiter action. Barrels of fun.
However, unbeknownst to yours truly, a Frenchman was behind me in a Focus ST (5-pot howly type). He had witnessed my buffoonery, and decided he wanted to join in. The first I knew of his actions where when I saw his face in my rear view mirror approaching the roundabout at the end of the straight. I couldn't see his bumper or headlamps, or even his bonnet. In fact, I couldn't even see his wiper blades, he was that close. I could has switched the engine off to save some fuel, because he could have just pushed me the rest of the way.
Two things went through my mind: Firstly, what kind of dinlow in a Focus ST (the majority of which are R3M4PPED fam!!) sees a standard-looking Saxo VTR, and wants to play with it? Pick on someone your own size!
The second thought I had was how could I 'win' this situation (whatever 'winning' equated to). I'm not gonna bother 'racing' the man, because despite it being probably about the safest environment you could try it, it was still not only a public road, but a public road in a country where I did not speak the langauge, and where the local law enforcement would financially enforce their law up my jacksie...dry.
But, the child in me still wanted to make a point of some kind, so as I negociated the roundabout, I backed off very gently (any more and he'd have hit me), and started to take an odd line through the curve, where I went wide enough that I was well off-course, but tight enough so that he couldn't pass. Then, as I approached the exit, I moved tighter to the inside (straightening my exit). I knew there was a nice camber on the exit, as well as an apex I could hit, and I knew I could do this flat out in second gear without breaking traction (that's why some cars are fun...they give you enough 'feel' that you know how they will react to something before you'd even tried it).
So, with the speed right down (sorry if I'm boring you all here), and as tightly as I can now get to the inside of the roundabout, I pick my line, select 2nd gear, and, knowing that I wouldn't need to back off the power again, I plant the throttle and tug the wheel to the right to initiate my stylish exit. I don't know if any 18-19yr old French girls were nearby, but I'm sure they were, and I'm sure all their knickers instantly fell off. But although the car may suggest otherwise, I'm now a 36yr old man, not an 18yr old chav, therefore I feel obliged to let the local lads attend to them, and continue with my conquest. Sorry ladies.
This has caught the Focus driver napping, as I hoped. He attempts to apply power through the corner too, but as planned, it goes badly for him on account of his car effectively carrying a Caterham on the roof compared with the Saxo, and on account of the fact that he actually has more than a modest 130bhp (likely 2-3 times more), which causes tyre smoke and understeer on his part.
The plan is working. He's been caught napping, and the Saxo is making him look silly. At the top of 3rd gear, a gap has opened, but it's not to last, as the road straightens and the Focus rapidly starts reeling the Saxo in for the kill. It's David vs. Goliath, and there are no rocks. However, there are some pits! And, I've done what I needed to do, so just as he starts to move out to pass, I indicate to my left, and gently begin to slow down. He decides against zipping past me, probably as I've already been unpredictable once, and as I slow to manouvring speeds, I perform a gentle 180deg turn to park up, thus denying him the opportunity to 'beat' me. YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!
Later that day, we visit Reims itself. among my many, many fascinating pastimes, I like football grounds. I mean, I like football too, not just the grounds, but if I go somewhere new and there's a stadium there, I like to check it out. My wife LOVES this aspect...no, wait...HATES, not loves; She HATES this aspect of the day.
Behold, Stade de Reims!
Normally, I'd park up, get out and trot around the ground to take it all in. Maybe even peak inside. Dunno what the obsession is, possibly years of reading footy annuals and playing FIFA - the grounds were always something I was interested in.
Sadly, Reims are playing at home tonight against Nimes. All the carparks are barricaded, and all through-routes blocked off. Balls! (hehe)
I manage to park up where said pic above was taken, and checked this was kosha by nodding at the security guard as I walked past. He nodded back. I took that as "Yes young man, you may alight here!" Thought it was possibly him thinking that I was insutating "You're going to tow my car away aren't you?" while nodding, and him saying "Yes, I'm definitely going to tow your car away, you English pig dog roast beef etc."
Defeat was admitted for having a good wander (I'd have to drive off and park miles away, and walk back), which was music to my wife's ears. However, there was a shop (in the background of that pic), so I nipped inside for a small token or souveneir. Maybe a magnet, or a sticker...something small. What I end up with is a pair of last seasons' home shorts from the clearance bin, for 5euros! Bargain! I can actually use these!
The security guard was of the nice, non-racist, non-judgemental type, and the Saxo was waiting for us when we got back. We hear some commotion as we get in, and see rival fans driving around cheering, jeering, beeping horns, hanging out of sunroofs and throwing beer cans around, scarves blowing in the breeze. It's 2:30pm, and kick-off is meant to be 7:00pm, but it looks like it's going to get tasty before that. I decide to Google where Nimes is, assuming it's about 3 miles down the road, and this is the build-up of a fierce local derby. Nope. It's somwhere miles away, totally irrelevant.
Next stop is the car museum (a bit of a 'me' day so far, this) that I almost forgot was there! There are quite a few dotted around France, and I have a feeling this will be peak French motoring heaven. I wasn't denied my feeling when I pulled into the
Yes, I moved around the car park and took pictures of the Saxo posing next to other old French cars. Look, I'm married already! I've snared one. It doesn't matter if I repel women! Unless I start repelling the one I'm married to....
Anyway, the museum....yes. Pretty cool. I would share tonnes of pictures on here, but it's such a faff uploading pics to this that I just haven't got time. Suffice to say, there were two Peugeot 505s, a 305, a Simca 1310 (aka Talbot Solara), a Renault 14 next to a Renault 19 - both billy basic spec....there was a LOT.
The highlight?
Notable inclusions:
Yes, this place is good. My only disappointment was the shop, just because I wanted it to be even more full than it already was!
I've got an Instagram thing (@richykitchy) so if anyone genuinely wants to see the rest of what I took, I'll stick them on there.
Then we went into Reims, which is actually a really pretty city in itself (most French cities are, in fairness). We went in a big church, and I'm not totally sure what was occuring, but I think you could pay money and colour in some of the windows....or something:
We returned to the dark plastic box that night, and switched the oven on to cook a bolognase pizza (abroad really is better than here!) Just as this was nearly completion, the power died, and we were plunged into further darkness! My wife's old Huawei P9, which we'd brought along as a satnav came to the rescue, and provided enough light for me to admire my purchases at the museum's shop:
Still not seen any Saxo VT* models, anywhere. Tonnes of 205s still around (ish), but sporty Saxos? Non.
Sunday to follow, if I can be arst to type it, and y'all can be arst to read it. I appreciate this is less about a car, and more a holiday snap-sharing session!
Right, let's get up to date!
Sunday
So, Sunday was to be the day we planned to venture into the capital. While Saturday brought with it sunny skies and 16-18C temps, Sunday was miserable! Grey skies and rain was the order of the day.
Having left the plastic box, I set Google to direct us to some co-ordinates sent by my brother-in-law, as he and his wife had stayed at the same place about 6 months previous, and he informed me of a little village with an old building with 'Citroen' emblazoned across it that they managed to stumble upon while on the way to Paris. It was only about 5km from where we were, and pretty much enroute, so we got going!
On arrival, it was decided to take a photo, or forty.
And, before any locals loaded their 12-bores, I poked the camera through the fence, and went back to the car with a mighty erection.
We carried on our merry way, completely forgetting that we were still running on the fuel I filled with near Portsmouth! The Saxo was already showing 420 miles on the trip counter, and the last time I researched it, I believe the average range of a VTS is 398! We needed fuel, and we needed it fast!
Eventually we found a station, and topped up. 42.2mpg had been averaged since we left home, from click to click. Not bad! The fact it took nearly 49 litres was a bit worrying...I think the tank only takes 50!
Next stop, it was genesis; The place it all began, and the reason for coming here (in part, anyway)...Aulnay-sous-Bois. This is where the Saxo was built just over 20 years ago:
Aulnay was one of Citroen's historical plants. It built everything from the last few DS', through to the Dyane, and Ami, and then the GS and CX. Most AXs were built here, as were all Saxos. C2s and C3s followed, before the final car rolled off the line a few years ago, much to the distress of the workforce and local area. Seems its cheaper to build cars away from big cities.
The place reeked of both history, and lost industry.
I forget the name of the company, but my wife used to work in a Citroen dealership about ten years ago, and she said that in her role as a sales admin, she used to liase with the logistics company who used to bring the cars over, which from Aulnay was by road. That company's yard was still there, as cars assembled in various other plants were still stored, ready for delivery. The factories may have gone, but it was still registering a faint heartbeat...
It was at this point that security arrived. I knew the conservatoire was nearby, so asked for directions (knowing full-well where it was). Drove to the car park, which had a treat hiding in it this time!
We popped into the shop there (or what was the shop), expecting to be told we weren't allowed in (as it wasn't open to the public), only to find it now is, sometimes! Then we were asked if we'd like to see the collection!
"No", my wife replied. He's seen it already.
Denied.
It was fair, as we still had to get to Paris, which we managed!
I won't bore you with the holiday snap stuff. You all know what Paris looks like!
Monday
Now it was time to leave France, and head to Belgium for an overnight stop In Bruges (deliberate). This was going to be via Lille, where we'd stop for a wander round (and I'd forget to check out their rather impressive stadium), and then Ypres, for some WW1 reflection.
However, the next stop was Auchan. Nope, that's not a picturesque village, it's a supermarket. The best supermarket. Ever.
Why? Well, I wanted to stock up on mags. I'd already made a purchase at the supermarket near our temporary residence:
The fact I couldn't read it didn't put me off!
However, I posted this in the Citroen Car Club Facebook group (it's as 'hip' as it sounds), as I felt I would share my spoil with the group, and see who else was aware.
A few people knew of this publication (and also suggested Youngtimers, which I'm now bang into). I was immediately saddened to hear the issue I'd just bought, which covered Citroen's 100 year anniversary bash in lots of detail and images, was the last...as in, the final issue. Baffled, I asked why?! It was good quality, well-edited and laid out; It was a mag I'd subscribe to.
Turns out the fella who basically is 'Chevroannes' had suddenly passed away, aged only 43
The fact that it was the last one on the shelf made that even more poigniant, and it seemed to be the last one in existence, too, as a couple of mates asked me to grab them one, and we couldn't find them anywhere!
At the Auchan on the way to Lille, however, I got lucky, and secured two more. I then hit double points and snared all these:
And, if Carlsberg did magazines...
Lille was pretty, and we parked in a super-cool underground car park in the centre, while Ypres was a touch on the moving side:
As well as pretty:
From Ypres, it was on to our overnight stopover In Bruges. Monday was the worst day, as far as the car was concerned. There were periods on the motorways in the north of France where it hiccup'd, and actually cut out for a good 4-5 seconds. Interestingly, the rev counter continues to function at this point, while all other dials die. Bedtime reading of wiring diagrams in the Haynes manual has proved baffling so far...I can't figure it out, and it seems it's going to be a case of waiting for it to actually break down and refuse to start again.
But, it got us to In Bruges, where we were able to relax, and enjoy a nice meal out.
I'd been wandering round pretty cities and towns like Reims, Lille, Paris & Ypres, and thinking "Bruges is probably a bit overrated. These are all equally as nice!"
Nah. They're not. They're nice, but touristy as it is, In Bruges is just beautiful, and so chilled.
Not much to report of day four. We left In Bruges early afternoon, and bimbled around on the coast of Belgium, including a trip to a Belgian McDonalds (thank god for those touch screens!), where they offered beer, a 'Royal Crispy Bacon' and WINGS! Chicken Wings! And they were delicious! So factor in French MaccyD's having wedges and Croque M-Do (something like that), continental McDs comprehensively piss all over ours.
We missed our Eurotunnel thanks to the tasty junk food, but this was no big deal as we'd only hit rush hour the other side anyway. The Saxo completed the european leg of the journey at around 5pm, and I relaxed a bit, knowing that breaking down in the UK is preferable to breaking down not in the UK. I mean, not breaking down at all is ideal, but beggars can't be choosers.
We arrived in the UK half an hour before we left, and hit the M20. I miss the junction for the M25 and we end up going miles out of our way, and having to endure MORE of the M25. I'm overwhelmed at this point by the state of our driving. It's always a shock when you come back from France and realise just how bad lane discipline in the UK is. People are cunce.
So, we're merrily barrelling along on some E85 cheapo Ethanol-laden petrol I picked up in Belgium, though the Saxo is loving it! Pulling quite nicely in fact, while the cylinder head erodes.
We arrive back at base around 8:45pm, pretty much four days after we arrived at base in France. In those four days, the Saxo has covered 1041 miles, and I have to be honest, it didn't break me! No headaches, no backache, no cramp. It ate the miles far better than it had any right to.
When I think about it, cars are just great, aren't they? In a car worth about as much as a box of Shreddies (and about as strong), I stayed in two different countries, visited four cities (three of which were new to me), saw Tine Cot cememtary and Menin Gate, created some memories and had some laughs. All in the space of four days, and all for very little outlay. It was fun, it was cheap, and I was sad when it ended. My respect for that car increased after that.
Until today. Today it failed the MoT on the steering rack boot AGAIN!!!!! And the horn has died (guessing it got overused in Paris!)
f
king car!!
Sunday
So, Sunday was to be the day we planned to venture into the capital. While Saturday brought with it sunny skies and 16-18C temps, Sunday was miserable! Grey skies and rain was the order of the day.
Having left the plastic box, I set Google to direct us to some co-ordinates sent by my brother-in-law, as he and his wife had stayed at the same place about 6 months previous, and he informed me of a little village with an old building with 'Citroen' emblazoned across it that they managed to stumble upon while on the way to Paris. It was only about 5km from where we were, and pretty much enroute, so we got going!
On arrival, it was decided to take a photo, or forty.
And, before any locals loaded their 12-bores, I poked the camera through the fence, and went back to the car with a mighty erection.
We carried on our merry way, completely forgetting that we were still running on the fuel I filled with near Portsmouth! The Saxo was already showing 420 miles on the trip counter, and the last time I researched it, I believe the average range of a VTS is 398! We needed fuel, and we needed it fast!
Eventually we found a station, and topped up. 42.2mpg had been averaged since we left home, from click to click. Not bad! The fact it took nearly 49 litres was a bit worrying...I think the tank only takes 50!
Next stop, it was genesis; The place it all began, and the reason for coming here (in part, anyway)...Aulnay-sous-Bois. This is where the Saxo was built just over 20 years ago:
Aulnay was one of Citroen's historical plants. It built everything from the last few DS', through to the Dyane, and Ami, and then the GS and CX. Most AXs were built here, as were all Saxos. C2s and C3s followed, before the final car rolled off the line a few years ago, much to the distress of the workforce and local area. Seems its cheaper to build cars away from big cities.
The place reeked of both history, and lost industry.
I forget the name of the company, but my wife used to work in a Citroen dealership about ten years ago, and she said that in her role as a sales admin, she used to liase with the logistics company who used to bring the cars over, which from Aulnay was by road. That company's yard was still there, as cars assembled in various other plants were still stored, ready for delivery. The factories may have gone, but it was still registering a faint heartbeat...
It was at this point that security arrived. I knew the conservatoire was nearby, so asked for directions (knowing full-well where it was). Drove to the car park, which had a treat hiding in it this time!
We popped into the shop there (or what was the shop), expecting to be told we weren't allowed in (as it wasn't open to the public), only to find it now is, sometimes! Then we were asked if we'd like to see the collection!
"No", my wife replied. He's seen it already.
Denied.
It was fair, as we still had to get to Paris, which we managed!
I won't bore you with the holiday snap stuff. You all know what Paris looks like!
Monday
Now it was time to leave France, and head to Belgium for an overnight stop In Bruges (deliberate). This was going to be via Lille, where we'd stop for a wander round (and I'd forget to check out their rather impressive stadium), and then Ypres, for some WW1 reflection.
However, the next stop was Auchan. Nope, that's not a picturesque village, it's a supermarket. The best supermarket. Ever.
Why? Well, I wanted to stock up on mags. I'd already made a purchase at the supermarket near our temporary residence:
The fact I couldn't read it didn't put me off!
However, I posted this in the Citroen Car Club Facebook group (it's as 'hip' as it sounds), as I felt I would share my spoil with the group, and see who else was aware.
A few people knew of this publication (and also suggested Youngtimers, which I'm now bang into). I was immediately saddened to hear the issue I'd just bought, which covered Citroen's 100 year anniversary bash in lots of detail and images, was the last...as in, the final issue. Baffled, I asked why?! It was good quality, well-edited and laid out; It was a mag I'd subscribe to.
Turns out the fella who basically is 'Chevroannes' had suddenly passed away, aged only 43
The fact that it was the last one on the shelf made that even more poigniant, and it seemed to be the last one in existence, too, as a couple of mates asked me to grab them one, and we couldn't find them anywhere!
At the Auchan on the way to Lille, however, I got lucky, and secured two more. I then hit double points and snared all these:
And, if Carlsberg did magazines...
Lille was pretty, and we parked in a super-cool underground car park in the centre, while Ypres was a touch on the moving side:
As well as pretty:
From Ypres, it was on to our overnight stopover In Bruges. Monday was the worst day, as far as the car was concerned. There were periods on the motorways in the north of France where it hiccup'd, and actually cut out for a good 4-5 seconds. Interestingly, the rev counter continues to function at this point, while all other dials die. Bedtime reading of wiring diagrams in the Haynes manual has proved baffling so far...I can't figure it out, and it seems it's going to be a case of waiting for it to actually break down and refuse to start again.
But, it got us to In Bruges, where we were able to relax, and enjoy a nice meal out.
I'd been wandering round pretty cities and towns like Reims, Lille, Paris & Ypres, and thinking "Bruges is probably a bit overrated. These are all equally as nice!"
Nah. They're not. They're nice, but touristy as it is, In Bruges is just beautiful, and so chilled.
Not much to report of day four. We left In Bruges early afternoon, and bimbled around on the coast of Belgium, including a trip to a Belgian McDonalds (thank god for those touch screens!), where they offered beer, a 'Royal Crispy Bacon' and WINGS! Chicken Wings! And they were delicious! So factor in French MaccyD's having wedges and Croque M-Do (something like that), continental McDs comprehensively piss all over ours.
We missed our Eurotunnel thanks to the tasty junk food, but this was no big deal as we'd only hit rush hour the other side anyway. The Saxo completed the european leg of the journey at around 5pm, and I relaxed a bit, knowing that breaking down in the UK is preferable to breaking down not in the UK. I mean, not breaking down at all is ideal, but beggars can't be choosers.
We arrived in the UK half an hour before we left, and hit the M20. I miss the junction for the M25 and we end up going miles out of our way, and having to endure MORE of the M25. I'm overwhelmed at this point by the state of our driving. It's always a shock when you come back from France and realise just how bad lane discipline in the UK is. People are cunce.
So, we're merrily barrelling along on some E85 cheapo Ethanol-laden petrol I picked up in Belgium, though the Saxo is loving it! Pulling quite nicely in fact, while the cylinder head erodes.
We arrive back at base around 8:45pm, pretty much four days after we arrived at base in France. In those four days, the Saxo has covered 1041 miles, and I have to be honest, it didn't break me! No headaches, no backache, no cramp. It ate the miles far better than it had any right to.
When I think about it, cars are just great, aren't they? In a car worth about as much as a box of Shreddies (and about as strong), I stayed in two different countries, visited four cities (three of which were new to me), saw Tine Cot cememtary and Menin Gate, created some memories and had some laughs. All in the space of four days, and all for very little outlay. It was fun, it was cheap, and I was sad when it ended. My respect for that car increased after that.
Until today. Today it failed the MoT on the steering rack boot AGAIN!!!!! And the horn has died (guessing it got overused in Paris!)
f
king car!!I'd really love a vts to be honest my first car was a 1.1 posi blue 52 plate desire. had it from 2009 to 2015. Loved it was fun to drive as well. Missed the boat for prices though you would need about 2k to get a decent well looked after one now. Can't justify that. Thinking of just getting a c2 vts for about a grand for an 09. Not as raw but 0-60 8 seconds and 35-40mpg not bad.
Glad you could be arsed to do the writeup - very entertaining. The thing that always hits me about the M20/M25 when coming back from abroad is how st the road surface is. I'd done 2000 miles in Europe with the kids in the back of my CSL without any complaints, as soon as we hit the M20, they're moaning about how uncomfortable my stupid car is...
t the road surface is. I'd done 2000 miles in Europe with the kids in the back of my CSL without any complaints, as soon as we hit the M20, they're moaning about how uncomfortable my stupid car is...Glad to see its back in use, makes me miss mine even more!!
As an aside, my VTS used to do the cutting out whilst driving thing, and I seem to remember I had to repair the loom to the crankshaft sensor as it had gone brittle and was breaking down. Also had a new injector loom. Seem to remember I did the injector loom first, then the crankshaft sensor bit and then that particular problem was solved. Could be talking rubbish though as it was 10 years ago!
As an aside, my VTS used to do the cutting out whilst driving thing, and I seem to remember I had to repair the loom to the crankshaft sensor as it had gone brittle and was breaking down. Also had a new injector loom. Seem to remember I did the injector loom first, then the crankshaft sensor bit and then that particular problem was solved. Could be talking rubbish though as it was 10 years ago!
miken2k8 said:
I'd really love a vts to be honest my first car was a 1.1 posi blue 52 plate desire. had it from 2009 to 2015. Loved it was fun to drive as well. Missed the boat for prices though you would need about 2k to get a decent well looked after one now. Can't justify that. Thinking of just getting a c2 vts for about a grand for an 09. Not as raw but 0-60 8 seconds and 35-40mpg not bad.
I think decent VTS' still pop up quite cheaply, and fortunately they'll always be the less sought-after cousin of the Peugeot 106 GTi. I expect very early, original cars will creep up to decent money, but typically the later ones (particularly the ph2) do pop up from time to time. Personally, I'd buy a chavved one and then make it my 'project' to un-chav it! The parts are still out there. Even a VTR would be worthwhile, if it was something like a '96 spec (grey dials/keypad immobiliser).C2 VTS? Mmmm. Drive one. It's not the same thing (though a 'Code' edition in Iron Grey looks nice).
Shadow R1 said:
Superb write up. 
You must be easily pleased! Thanks outnumbered said:
Glad you could be arsed to do the writeup - very entertaining. The thing that always hits me about the M20/M25 when coming back from abroad is how st the road surface is. I'd done 2000 miles in Europe with the kids in the back of my CSL without any complaints, as soon as we hit the M20, they're moaning about how uncomfortable my stupid car is...
I know. Even the smoothest surfaces in the UK don't seem a match for the same in France (though France has its fair share of awful roads, too!) But the motorways and major roads are normally pristine. It's like the type of aspalt they use is a finer grain, or something. The downside, I found, was wet-weather driving! t the road surface is. I'd done 2000 miles in Europe with the kids in the back of my CSL without any complaints, as soon as we hit the M20, they're moaning about how uncomfortable my stupid car is...The other thing I notice is how few broken down cars they seem to have. I don't think we passed any, yet in the UK there's something on the hard shoulder every day. Stricter annual tests perhaps?
mattfuey said:
Glad to see its back in use, makes me miss mine even more!!
As an aside, my VTS used to do the cutting out whilst driving thing, and I seem to remember I had to repair the loom to the crankshaft sensor as it had gone brittle and was breaking down. Also had a new injector loom. Seem to remember I did the injector loom first, then the crankshaft sensor bit and then that particular problem was solved. Could be talking rubbish though as it was 10 years ago!
Thanks for that. I agree, I think there's a good chance there's a 20yr old French wire somewhere that's had a life of sitting next to something hot, or sharp. I can see me pulling the loom out and stripping it all back at this rate! Crankshaft one shouldn't be the issue, as the rev counter keeps reading. It's like it just loses the spark and the fuel. I suspect it's related to the feed to/from the main relay under the ECU.As an aside, my VTS used to do the cutting out whilst driving thing, and I seem to remember I had to repair the loom to the crankshaft sensor as it had gone brittle and was breaking down. Also had a new injector loom. Seem to remember I did the injector loom first, then the crankshaft sensor bit and then that particular problem was solved. Could be talking rubbish though as it was 10 years ago!
stichill99 said:
Excellent really enjoyable write up! Plus your photos are excellent. I have seen countless pics of cars at Reims but they are all the same where yours show some originality.Well done!
Wow! Really? I know nothing about photography (like many Instagram 'photographers', I imagine!) I just see something and snap it. All the Reims Circuit and Aulnay pics were taken on my camera (Canon EOS200D), but the rest was just my phone (Honor View 20).Holy thread revival!
Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of my wife buying this car, so to celebrate I (finally) did a video about the story on it.
https://youtu.be/2NEV65W-pnQ
(I'm not going back through this thread to find I've got loads of the dates wrong...)
Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of my wife buying this car, so to celebrate I (finally) did a video about the story on it.
https://youtu.be/2NEV65W-pnQ
(I'm not going back through this thread to find I've got loads of the dates wrong...)
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