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

[CitroJim]

Does yours have the 1 litre 3 cylinder petrol engine Jim ?

Yes, that's the one Simon although mine has the new generation one that qualifies for free VED. The earlier one that'll be in the ones you're looking at don't quite qualify and I think they cost £20 a year!

Mike, you beat me to it!! but yes,

Weaknesses in early ones I know of are marginal clutches, which I believe was fixed quite early in production and weak water pumps.

Apart from that they seem pretty much indestructible despite their willingness to be thrashed unmercifully They certainly feel well screwed together. First French car I've had that's free of rattles!

Both jobs are easy to do. The engine is dwarfed by the alternator and the gearbox looks like it came from a moped.. Chris was commenting on the driveshafts and oil filter the other day. Bic pens and a thimble respectively

Basically, apart from the clutch and an slightly cleaner engine I see no discernible difference in the earliest 55 platers right up to mine although they did have a bit of a cosmetic job around 2011'ish. It's not very obvious though...

Needles to say I thoroughly recommend them... Remember a Pug 107 or a Toyota Aygo is exactly the same car wearing a slightly different outfit...

Mike, tell me more about water ingress

[citronut]

when i was looking into the clutch failure on my daughters friends 05 C1 30Kish people were telling me this was a usually fault on C1's up to 09

[CitroJim]

Think the newest ones are water free (ours is ... it's on a '12' plate)

Ahh - sigh of relief! I hate water ingress with a passion. Fought it enough times on Xantias

when i was looking into the clutch failure on my daughters friends 05 C1 30Kish people were telling me this was a usually fault on C1's up to 09

That wasn't very early in production then That'll be up until the first facelift then...

Simon, there was a second slight cosmetic again later when they got DRLs and a restyled front end...

[daviemck2006]

Anything after 09 plate which my 107 was is ok. They had the bigger clutch and improved seals. Any that are older than that I would think has had a replacement clutch upgraded to the 110 mm unit, and the leaky seals replaced. We're I to buy one again it would be 09 or newer, but Citroen chuck out new and pre reg so cheaply why buy a 4 or 5 year old one?

[CitroJim]

We're I to buy one again it would be 09 or newer, but Citroen chuck out new and pre reg so cheaply why buy a 4 or 5 year old one?

Indeed. It makes sense to go new and especially at the moment with the new model coming in dealers will be keen to shift old model stock...

[Mandrake]

We're I to buy one again it would be 09 or newer, but Citroen chuck out new and pre reg so cheaply why buy a 4 or 5 year old one?

Indeed. It makes sense to go new and especially at the moment with the new model coming in dealers will be keen to shift old model stock...

It only makes sense if you can afford it Jim

There's still a big difference between ~6k and ~2.5k, especially if its just a cheap runabout you don't intend to keep for a long time.

(Although that's coming from someone who has only once bought a car newer than 10 years old )

[addo]

I'm afflicted with the "need" to consider how much a car costs me every day; some of them I am happy about the cost (whether high or low), others annoy me. It's not a deal-breaker, just one of those things I think about. Uniqueness rates high on my scale of accepting the costs.

[Northern_Mike]

I agree with Addo. I've had some cars which have cost me very little to run which I have detested (306, Xantia 1.8, Jeep, Punto etc) and some that have cost a fortune but I really liked.

I generally work out how much I'll lose if I get bored and it ends up scrapped, that's the only true measure.

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[Mandrake]

I'm afflicted with the "need" to consider how much a car costs me every day; some of them I am happy about the cost (whether high or low), others annoy me. It's not a deal-breaker, just one of those things I think about. Uniqueness rates high on my scale of accepting the costs.

Same for me.

I'm a lot more willing to accept a bit of hassle and cost to maintain something a bit more unique and special like a good Xantia V6 - it's something that puts a big grin on my face every time I drive it too. (At least it did back when it worked properly...and I'm sure this new one will put a grin on my face when I drive it too)

On the other hand if it was something like a Xantia 1.9TD LX (or even a C1 for that matter) that started giving me a lot of grief it would go quick smart....as they're both neither that unique or special by comparison. I certainly don't get a grin on my face driving a 1.9TD

[Northern_Mike]

I certainly don't get a grin on my face driving a 1.9TD

I disagree. Driven hard enough, you can get a grin on your face driving just about anything

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[CitroJim]

I certainly don't get a grin on my face driving a 1.9TD

I disagree.

I disagree too. My little C1 never fails to put a smile on my face... Try one Simon. You won't be disappointed I promise.

I'm frankly surprised at my C1 having that effect. I was bought to do a job; that it is fun is a big bonus for me.

My Activa does the same and there I agree that a high cost of running is more than compenasted by the pleasure. Same almost for the V6 when you want a cosset

[citronut]

the valater next to my work shop has a brand new new style pre registered C1 in today to clean for the local Cit dealer ( Wilmoths )

this car is silver with a bright orange cloth/vinyl sun roof, door mirrors dash center fascia, multi coloured pin striped seats and B post trims

it realy dont look right

[addo]

I've seen C3 Pluriels with orange interior and silver-grey outside. They were horrid enough!

[Northern_Mike]

Small cars are meant to be made with questionable colours

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[daviemck2006]

I was in past Citroen Glasgow today just to see a new C1. The only one there was exactly as Malcolm described and I did not think much of it. Colours all wrong, and sitting in it I thought it felt less roomy than the old model, although the salesman insisted it is slightly bigger in and out. I think they have taken away the basic ness of the old model which is what appealed to me so much. It's a small basic car, doesn't need all the fancy stuff.