Whats it worth - Activa

tomsheppard · Unread post by **tomsheppard** » 09 Jul 2005, 23:08

I'd argue that a CX is a lot less complex than an Activa. It is less complex than a BX and much less so than a DS.

Stinkwheel · Unread post by **Stinkwheel** » 09 Jul 2005, 23:17

Tom is totally correct, apart from a GS/A the CX is probably the least complicated hydraulic cit there is. By now citroen had tried Tractions, H-vans, DS, ID and SM and GS with hydraulics so they knew exactly what worked and what didnt and more importantly whats needed and whats not. a CX is my favourite hyro cit to drive and more importantly to work on, mainly because they are not difficult.
Activa is as you all say a technically brilliant car and in my opinion overly complicated for the average owner (or garage). This equals big bargains for people who know what they are buying.

FDV · Unread post by **FDV** » 09 Jul 2005, 23:52

Never having worked on a CX I couldn't say for certain. But I mean complex in general, not just the hydraulics.
A guy at my work used to PDI CX's at a dealer aswell and mechanics. A clutch on a N/A GTi was an engine out job.

Stinkwheel · Unread post by **Stinkwheel** » 10 Jul 2005, 00:15

Thats true, all the 'citroen' engine CX's are lump out for clutch, but its not difficult

just time consuming.

tomsheppard · Unread post by **tomsheppard** » 10 Jul 2005, 00:46

Matt, that just isn't fair! You didn't tell him that the bodyshell shrinks in three dimensions by about four inches all round when you take the engine out![:D]

Stinkwheel · Unread post by **Stinkwheel** » 10 Jul 2005, 00:49

You wanna try taking a petrol turbo lump out. Every which way you turn it it hits something, I've only done it once a few years back and its less than fun.
Ask Shane Levo who appears here sometimes, he's just done it i believe.

tomsheppard · Unread post by **tomsheppard** » 10 Jul 2005, 00:59

In that case, I don't!

DoubleChevron · Unread post by **DoubleChevron** » 10 Jul 2005, 06:46

Hi Guys,
you mean something like this:
http://www.aussiefrogs.com/shane/cx2500 ... lutch1.htm
I'm about 1/2way through a clutch change right now, I'm in the process of rebuilding the wiring harnesses that run across the motor (there bloody terrible, the harness material just breaks away as you touch it [V]).
seeya,
Shane L.
PS: I'd have an Activa for my wife to drive tomorrow. I think in years to come they will be looked upon very favourably.

ActivaV6uk · Unread post by **ActivaV6uk** » 10 Jul 2005, 17:11

When you see Activa’s drop to £250-£300 a piece you will see me do what I did with the bx 16v, if there is no interest above that amount I will buy them and break them.
This seems harsh but when you have a car that’s suspension system could cost you £1500 easily (a friend who reads this forum was quoted this recently for a wiring fault/ecu fix!) I would rather that I have a ton of one off spares to call on and the people, who do look after these cars like the BX16v boys in the past, will know exactly ware to come when they need cheep parts and a helping hand.
The Activa I broke (which was 100% working fine bar the link that had popped of on the rear height corrector) has gone to help/fix 20 cars now! Ranging from HA blocks (Bernie) to turbo (my cousin) other than the body shell it self everything has been used even the internal loom has been used partly by me and partly by some one echo needs it for there Xantia.
the sad fact is in 1-2 years this will be the case and Activa's will be worth virtually nothing, part of it down to owners on forums complaining because something failed or doesn’t feel right what you don’t hear is that people look forward to getting up and driving to work because its fun! Or the people who sell them and regret it so much that they find another with in a few months (I've been talked to 6 Activa owners who have done this).
My suggestion to those of you who would like an Activa is buy one now if you wait 3 years the only good ones in the UK will be owned by people who are loathed to sell them or who wont sell them until a car as capable came out (I have my fingers crossed for the C6 but have to be honest, lost my faith in Citroen recently).
Andy

patneenan · Unread post by **patneenan** » 10 Jul 2005, 18:28

I sgree with you.
I wish I had kept my Rover 3500 VDP, which I scrapped in Spain as no-one then (in 93) could repair the autobox for me.
There must be a load of cars out there just waiting to be a future classic.
I think the activa will become one in 10-15 years time.
I'm going back to Spain to live ,where the climate is a lot kinder to the cars and I have a very friendly Cit mechanic who knows Xantias like the back of his hand ,and always bends over backwards to help the "POOR LITTLE ENGLISHMAN"
So R295 HKV , barring accidents ,is up for a nice long life in sunny Madrid

DoubleChevron · Unread post by **DoubleChevron** » 11 Jul 2005, 11:07

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by tomsheppard

If the activa system were to go anywhere, then a CX would be the place.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Nah,
the CX doesn't have the torsional strength (jack it up at a jacking point and try opening & closing one of the doors ....).
A DS DOES have massive strength in it's structure. It would be an excellent car to fit the activa too. I imagine activa in a CX would bring a whole new meaning to body twist on a CX. I've heard of someone fitting Activa suspension to a CX in the distant past. Apparantly the windscreen would nearly pop out under the severe torsional loading applied when cornering hard.
seeya,
Shane L.

Kowalski · Unread post by **Kowalski** » 11 Jul 2005, 15:07

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by patneenan

I sgree with you.
I wish I had kept my Rover 3500 VDP, which I scrapped in Spain as no-one then (in 93) could repair the autobox for me.
There must be a load of cars out there just waiting to be a future classic.
I think the activa will become one in 10-15 years time.
I'm going back to Spain to live ,where the climate is a lot kinder to the cars and I have a very friendly Cit mechanic who knows Xantias like the back of his hand ,and always bends over backwards to help the "POOR LITTLE ENGLISHMAN"
So R295 HKV , barring accidents ,is up for a nice long life in sunny Madrid
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
My Xantia has the same letters on its numberplate as yours, but different numbers. No doubt a result of Citroen block registering several thousands cars.

Daniel B · Unread post by **Daniel B** » 11 Jul 2005, 18:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by patneenan

I have a very friendly Cit mechanic who knows Xantias like the back of his hand
So R295 HKV , barring accidents ,is up for a nice long life in sunny Madrid
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Hi Pat,
any chance you could send me details of this mechanic/garage?
My parents are living near Murcia, but should I ever drive/move over there, it would be invaluable information to have.
if you prefer to mail, then send to [email protected]
Cheers
Dan