CitroJim's AX, C3 Picasso, Cycling and Running Tales

[Skull]

I'll miss the £20 VED though...[This might hurt ]

Any thoughts? Preferably not German - that really is a step too far!

As said, any thoughts would be appreciated.

https://ebay.io/m/Iu8eH2

Spoiler: show

I know it’s ’German’ engineering but looks lovely

Rover 75 Auto with BMW V6

[RichardW]

Looks a nice thing, but I imagine the running costs are on the eeek side!

Small ish autos are in demand and as a result prices are bonkers! I20 is a well regarded motor, dull but dependable (as long as it's not the 1.6 GDI petrol....).

PSA went over to a Torque Convertor auto in about 2015/6 depending on model - EAT 6 (and later 8). This is an Aisin box, and seems to give no trouble. Whether you could get a C3 Picasso with it I don't know. Facelift Mk2 C4 Picasso came with it from later 2016, and slip in under the cheap tax, but may be too big for you. Given your low mileage, and general need not to be on a schedule, an EV might suit? Kia Soul perhaps - although the earlier ones have small batteries? I would avoid anything EV from PSA however, they are pretty rubbish! Leaf with a 40kWh battery?

[Rp0thejester]

Given your low mileage, and general need not to be on a schedule. I love that post above, so passive aggressive, your always late....

[CitroJim]

Thanks Gary, much as I like the Rover 75, it's now too old and too big.

And all good thoughts Richard. I did consider an EV bit likely out of my price range just now. What I'd really like is an EV Renault 5 but that's not going to happen just yet!

I shall start my search and I will take care and not rush it. Meanwhile my box of goodies have arrived from Autodoc

I'm currently enjoying an awesome weekend down in that there London. Yesterday I ran Crystal Palace parkun with my younger daughter Crystal Palace Park is a magical place - especially the dinosaurs!

[Huskyxantia]

I wondered why that police helicopter was flying around yesterday. Put that Renault 5 ev back Jim, that's a good lad lol

[Rp0thejester]

If you enjoy dinosaurs may I suggest Knebworth house. Great place for adults and kids. Fort Knebworth is amazing and the slides are great. https://knebworthhouse.com/

[CitroJim]

If you enjoy dinosaurs may I suggest Knebworth house. Great place for adults and kids. Fort Knebworth is amazing and the slides are great. https://knebworthhouse.com/

I do and so does Autumn Thanks for that Ryan, that'll be on our list of places to visit... Crystal Palace has a rather awesome playpark too

I got home yesterday afternoon after a truly magical weekend and retrieved my box of goodies from Autodoc. I cracked on with Bluebell's alternator and in no time I fitted the new regulator and put the alternator back on Bluebell... 20 minutes from start to finish!

The alternator is now working beautifully although I do have a slightly high resistance somewhere which showed up whilst testing at full electrical load... The voltage at the battery is a little below what it is when measured between the alternator and engine block - about half a volt of drop. The voltage drop is very small when running with light electrical demand.

I shall investigate before she goes back on the road...

Soon, I'll be getting all the new bits fitted to the van but before I do, I want Bluebell fully functional.

[MattBLancs]

I'll miss the £20 VED though...[This might hurt ]

Any thoughts? Preferably not German - that really is a step too far!

As said, any thoughts would be appreciated.

https://ebay.io/m/Iu8eH2

KV6 is a Rover design I believe, the 75 diesels had a BMW lump though.

[MattBLancs]

Older Peugeot auto options: 207 or 207 SW could be had with 1.6 auto, couldn't they?
A bit bigger but will have a look if the 2016-2017 automatic 308 (or SW) sneak in the £20 or £30 tax brackets??

Off the wall suggestion 1007 with the wacky doors, also 1.6 auto and think the oddness keeps their prices low

[Skull]

KV6 is a Rover design I believe, the 75 diesels had a BMW lump though.

Not arguing but I believe the late KV6 had modified plastic intakes from BMW….possibly other tickles as well irrelevant really as Jim doesn’t want one …

[CitroJim]

KV6 is a Rover design I believe, the 75 diesels had a BMW lump though.

Not arguing but I believe the late KV6 had modified plastic intakes from BMW….possibly other tickles as well irrelevant really as Jim doesn’t want one …

It's not that I don't want one Gary, I love the 75 but these days it's just far too big for me and I thought it was a saloon at first look. Saloons don't work for me as I might still have an occasional need to carry a bike...

And whatever I get, it should be a petrol auto and I'll be looking for something new'ish. Not brand-new but still very much in its youth if you get my meaning. I want something that will be free of aggro for a good while. In that respect, my C3 has been very good

Dull and dependable works for me for this vehicle. I have my AXs for fun and character...

A diesel is pointless these days as I just don't do the mileage any more.

On the clutch/knee issue, I find it's not a problem when driving the AX... Drove one of mine a good 20 miles yesterday to and from a club run and not a peep from my knee, either whilst driving or running. It seems it's a relationship between seat and clutch pedal and how it sets the knee angle in the C3... Likely as a result of it's van-like 'sit up and beg' driving position. Very different to that of the AX.

I checked over Bluebell's high current-carrying cable/termination bits yesterday and found a bit of corrosion on the spade termination onto the bodyshell from the the battery negative. Cleaned up and all appears a bit better...

I'll now swap the little ones over so I can get on with Strawberry's planned major overhaul.

It'll be good to have Bluebell back on the road

[CitroJim]

Bluebell is back on the road and seems very happy after a little shakedown drive

Strawberry is now in the garage and awaiting work being done on her.

Yesterday I spent a good deal of time researching the new car dilemma and a look around at what's available and at what price...

I'm genuinely shocked at just how well small automatics hold their value and just how much they cost. It's madness

After a lot of cogitation, long discussions with my chief advisors in these matters and taking into consideration my small annual mileage and overall needs, I have abandoned any plan to swap cars for now so will keep the Pic. and manage the knee problem. I really can't justify how much a change of car will cost. For now, the knee soon recovers with a bit of post-drive exercise.

I will now keep the Pic. until it either develops major issues or otherwise dies. Then I'll just scrap it. Hopefully by then the EV market will be a bit more mature and I can get the car I'd really like for a reasonable outlay: the new R5.

So, I now commence running the Pic. into the ground. When I've finished with it I'll have got full value out of it

The only caveat is that as time goes on, the knee may decide this plan needs to be modified...

I did give the Pic. a bit of TLC yesterday - a new pollen filter

[Huskyxantia]

The second hand car market prices are rising Jim due to the ev market turning out for many people who purchase an ev then realise how problematic things can get then want to go back to a normal way of driving to which this is the cause of the prices going up.

As for cars that don't hurt the knees what about the fiat panda ? Or the hyundi i10 or i20 ,ive seen an i20 with bike rack on the rear .

[Stickyfinger]

I think this might solve your saloon/estate/camper/increasing child care-transport dilemma Jim.

[Zelandeth]

There's also a hole in the used numbers at the moment due to the depressed sales numbers (particularly in the fleet markets) during the COVID period. Number of people continuing to work from home afterwards and deciding that they actually don't need to change cars every three years, five will do, has also thrown a bit of a spanner in the works.

Also new cars have just got more expensive between materials costs and the ever increasing amount of automation hardware needed to meet the current safety regs - that's going to have a knock on effect on the used market as well.

Think in your case Jim most likely it won't be a case of scouring the ads etc - you'll randomly hear that someone you know is thinking about selling something that suits you. Likely get a good deal because they know you and know they'll have a hassle free sale. Probably when you're least actively looking for it!