Latest French Drive

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lexi
(Donor 2020)
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Joined: 17 Apr 2008, 17:51
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Latest French Drive

Post by lexi »

Picked up this nice Vel Satis a couple of weeks ago. I wanted something with big seat space and leg room. I don't crouch down into and out of
cars the same since the bad leg break . I found the Xantia quite tight in this respect. I had considered one of the more mainstream Picasso type cars but this fitted the bill for
my taste of something a bit different.

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This is a Nissan 350 Z V6 engine. Slightly detuned to just over 240bhp. It can be reasonably economical on runs but the usual warning is against traffic crawling.
It drives more like a very tight Range Rover. There is no inclination to throw it about but straight line speed is vary capable and gobbles up long journeys in a fatigue free manner. The auto gearbox is Toyota type Aisin/Warner which are fitted to every type of vehicle from Volvo to RR Evoque.

Just changed the oil /filter and air filter. All readily available items and cheap. Things are tight for space as you would expect. Wishbone suspension is not bad at all having come from the Cits. It may need fettling with shocks or whatever due to 77k. The tyres are not top notch make on it either so it can be improved. Underneath it is immaculate and all the subframes /wishbones are galvanised, very high build quality. This one being Initiale is high spec inside. The seats and leather are top top quality .


I know that the Avantime had Bridge of Weir leather seats and interior and I would not be surprised if these were too. That leather is some of the finest of it's type Worldwide due to our climate here in Scotland.

Usual sat nav and cd player problems but I don't use these things myself. All else works and it has some very neat control functions and toys inside.

This will do very nicely for now :-D
Citroen C5 1.6 HDI 110bhp Estate 06 plate

French Mistresses gone.
Citroen C5 HDI Mk 1 hatchback
Vel Satis 3.5 v6
ZX 1.9D Est.
ZX 1.9DHatch
Xantia 1.9td est.
Xantia 2.0 hdi Est.
Xantia V6 MK1
Xantia V6 MK 2
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Re: Latest French Drive

Post by Citroenmad »

An unusual choice, I like those a lot 8-)

Have you got any interior pictures?
Chris
07 Citroen C6 V6 HDi Exclusive - Red
07 Citroen C5 HDi VTR - Red
09 Citroen C3 1.4i VTR - Silver
01 Citroen Saxo 1.1i Forte - Mango Orange
.
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lexi
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 2803
Joined: 17 Apr 2008, 17:51
Location: Scotland
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Re: Latest French Drive

Post by lexi »

Will put some up tomorrow Chris.
Citroen C5 1.6 HDI 110bhp Estate 06 plate

French Mistresses gone.
Citroen C5 HDI Mk 1 hatchback
Vel Satis 3.5 v6
ZX 1.9D Est.
ZX 1.9DHatch
Xantia 1.9td est.
Xantia 2.0 hdi Est.
Xantia V6 MK1
Xantia V6 MK 2
addo
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Location: NEW South Wales, Australia. I'll show you "Far, far away" ;-)
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Citroën Berlingo
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Post by addo »

I'm honestly not a fan of the Vel Satis look. Should have a cracking rate of oomph, though - decent motor in a smallish body.
lexi
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 2803
Joined: 17 Apr 2008, 17:51
Location: Scotland
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Re: Latest French Drive

Post by lexi »

Yes Adam it is a funny look. Some angles it looks great..........different ,that's for sure. I appreciate it more from the inside really and in driving it. Weighs about 1.8ton I think
as there is lots of stuff on it like most cars of it's type. It sat next to same year Laguna estate today outside the house. Looking from height at the two of them the Lag looked very neat and smaller. Are there any down under?
Citroen C5 1.6 HDI 110bhp Estate 06 plate

French Mistresses gone.
Citroen C5 HDI Mk 1 hatchback
Vel Satis 3.5 v6
ZX 1.9D Est.
ZX 1.9DHatch
Xantia 1.9td est.
Xantia 2.0 hdi Est.
Xantia V6 MK1
Xantia V6 MK 2
R9UKE
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Re: Latest French Drive

Post by R9UKE »

Really glad to see another person fall for the Vel Satis on here :-D
French is best.
addo
Sara Watson's Stalker
Posts: 7098
Joined: 19 Aug 2008, 12:38
Location: NEW South Wales, Australia. I'll show you "Far, far away" ;-)
My Cars: Peugeot 605
Citroën Berlingo
Alfa 147
x 93

Post by addo »

lexi wrote:I appreciate it more from the inside really and in driving it.
That's the most important bit IMO. If we worry about what others think, or how it looks outside, it erodes any genuine sense of enjoyment.

They didn't sell any here, AFAIK, nor Espaces. Just Meggies, Lagunas and Clios. Oh, plus the Kangaroodoodoo.
lexi
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 2803
Joined: 17 Apr 2008, 17:51
Location: Scotland
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Re: Latest French Drive

Post by lexi »

Mrs Lexi loathed all the Xantias. She loves this and is angling to get it I think.

Will she give up the Prelude? :shock: Sacrebleu! Will she not miss getting chased by Chavs?

It is not often you have what a woman wants! :-D
Citroen C5 1.6 HDI 110bhp Estate 06 plate

French Mistresses gone.
Citroen C5 HDI Mk 1 hatchback
Vel Satis 3.5 v6
ZX 1.9D Est.
ZX 1.9DHatch
Xantia 1.9td est.
Xantia 2.0 hdi Est.
Xantia V6 MK1
Xantia V6 MK 2
addo
Sara Watson's Stalker
Posts: 7098
Joined: 19 Aug 2008, 12:38
Location: NEW South Wales, Australia. I'll show you "Far, far away" ;-)
My Cars: Peugeot 605
Citroën Berlingo
Alfa 147
x 93

Post by addo »

Aye; she's on Fleabay right now. Buying it a pair of those mini boxing gloves for the rearview mirror and some burberry seat covers.
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Timmo
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Re: Latest French Drive

Post by Timmo »

one of the directors at the renault garage i was at for a while had one of these when they were new, So much car! the space in the back was fantastic, always liked them, something out the ordinary, and sublime levels of comfort!!
lot of car for the money now!!
After All, I am the Cornish one!

'58 C2 Code
'58 partner teepee outdoor
lexi
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 2803
Joined: 17 Apr 2008, 17:51
Location: Scotland
My Cars:
x 138

Re: Latest French Drive

Post by lexi »

lot of car for the money now!!
This is the point Timmo. Two doors up there is a 3 yr old Beemer. That car is losing 30 quid every week on depreciation alone.

I hate to think what was paid and it is not a patch on this is any way from start to finish.......and this still drives like new and is like new underneath and all round.

I could drive this for a year and write off it's cost as a luxury for that time :-D
Citroen C5 1.6 HDI 110bhp Estate 06 plate

French Mistresses gone.
Citroen C5 HDI Mk 1 hatchback
Vel Satis 3.5 v6
ZX 1.9D Est.
ZX 1.9DHatch
Xantia 1.9td est.
Xantia 2.0 hdi Est.
Xantia V6 MK1
Xantia V6 MK 2
lexi
(Donor 2020)
Posts: 2803
Joined: 17 Apr 2008, 17:51
Location: Scotland
My Cars:
x 138

Re: Latest French Drive

Post by lexi »

Interior pics Chris.
Image

Image

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Image

Image

Image
Citroen C5 1.6 HDI 110bhp Estate 06 plate

French Mistresses gone.
Citroen C5 HDI Mk 1 hatchback
Vel Satis 3.5 v6
ZX 1.9D Est.
ZX 1.9DHatch
Xantia 1.9td est.
Xantia 2.0 hdi Est.
Xantia V6 MK1
Xantia V6 MK 2
R9UKE
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Joined: 21 Mar 2010, 21:18
Location: Belfast, N.Ireland
My Cars:
x 3

Re: Latest French Drive

Post by R9UKE »

Optional part-wood steering wheel :)
French is best.
Citroenmad
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Location: Northeast
My Cars: 07 Citroen C6 V6 HDi Exclusive - Red
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09 Citroen C3 1.4i VTR - Silver
01 Citroen Saxo 1.1i Forte - Mango Orange
93 Ford Mondeo 2.0i GLX
19 Hyundai i10
x 110

Re: Latest French Drive

Post by Citroenmad »

What a fantastic interior they have 8-)

Ive not noticed that pull out drinks holder before, very neat.
Chris
07 Citroen C6 V6 HDi Exclusive - Red
07 Citroen C5 HDi VTR - Red
09 Citroen C3 1.4i VTR - Silver
01 Citroen Saxo 1.1i Forte - Mango Orange
.
93 Ford Mondeo 2.0i GLX
19 Hyundai i10
bxzx16v
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Re: Latest French Drive

Post by bxzx16v »

What a beauty !

Mark
2009 Landrover Freelander 2 TD4se (killed an Audi) , sadly now gone .
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