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

[demag]

Glad you like it Jim. I think the reason it's enjoyable is it's "pure" driving. You are driving "it", its not driving you like a modern car. Even in the C5 I feel a bit detached, in the BX the feeling is totally different and much more engaging.

[Michel]

Glad you like it Jim. I think the reason it's enjoyable is it's "pure" driving. You are driving "it", its not driving you like a modern car.

It's exactly that. That's also the reason I'm simply not "getting" the Focus ST. It's fast, it sticks to the road and handles well but it drives me. It's too fast to be fun too..

[demag]

Yes I know what you mean Mike. I had a 1.4td Skoda Roomster and it was an absolute hoot to drive on B roads. It stuck well and had just the right balance of power to be fun. The only reason I got rid was the heater was useless. In the winter it would freeze inside and out. Otherwise a lovely car.

[bobins]

James Hunt used to use his old A35 van as a daily driver as he could drive it on the ragged edge around town and no one would notice ! He liked it because he actually had to drive it. He could get it sliding sideways at normal town speeds if he wanted to

[Michel]

James Hunt used to use his old A35 van as a daily driver as he could drive it on the ragged edge around town and no one would notice ! He liked it because he actually had to drive it. He could get it sliding sideways at normal town speeds if he wanted to

Yes, I remember reading about JH and his A35. That's exactly the problem with the Focus. You can't thrash it anywhere! If you ragged it through first, second and third you'd be doing well over 90 in not much over 9 seconds. It was a bad idea, lovely car though it is, it will be for sale this week. I've decided it can have two weeks in Autotrader then WBAC can have it!

[Michel]

Yes I know what you mean Mike. I had a 1.4td Skoda Roomster and it was an absolute hoot to drive on B roads.

is the Roomster the one that looks like a dodgy cut'n'shut? My missus likes them, but I prefer the Yeti/Tiguan thingy.

[bobins]

That's one thing with my Mrs' VW Up! - if you want to get anywhere in a hurry, you really have to work it : up and down the gears to keep it on the boil, but it sticks to the road like a go-kart. Around the country lanes it brings a smile to the face It's never going to win any prizes for comfort or luxury, but it's good at making you think how you drive

[Zelandeth]

Roomster is very much the modern day Fiat Multipla. Odd looking but supremely well thought out. The Yeti is essentially the same car I believe, but with the styling reigned in to slightly more normal levels.

I reckon the Activa has about the ideal level of get up and go - it feels *plenty* fast, but it's not ridiculous like some motors.

Had a shot of a friend's Monaro VXR8 (the nuts supercharged one), and it was hilarious - but you were being very illegal within 5 seconds of putting your foot down. Would be a hoot on a track, but I reckon trying to really use it in the real world would wind up with your driving licence being an ex-licence in pretty short order.

You going to be about this week Jim?

[Michel]

The Roomster is Fabia based, whereas the Yeti is a Tiguan/Audi Q3 in a cheaper dress. I might go and look at a Roomster, they look quite interesting, though I'd like more go than their diesels have, for motorway use - especially over the channel where one can go a bit faster. Perhaps an Octavia Estate would be nice. That said, I'm still in negotiations about swapping the Focus for a C1.

The problem with the Monaro is exactly the problem I have with the Focus. I recently got away with doing (in the Policeman's words..) "well over a ton" ) I saw 130 at a glance , and I'd hit that speed very quickly indeed between the southernmost and A4 exits on the A404 - about 3/4 mile, and managed to pull off at the 2nd exit in complete safety at said junction, with no drama whatsoever. Damn good job he wasn't traffic and was on his own! Can't be arsed with it any more, perhaps I'm getting old!

[daviemck2006]

If I had the choice between your focus and a c1, for one day I would take the focus, for long term I’ll have the c1 thanks. You can have fun driving the thing every journey in a c1/107 whereas in a focus rs, yes a blast of sheer power would be magic overtaking’ but normal day to day you are not using the cars capabilities so it’s boring. That’s also what I think of my 407, and probably why I haven’t been interested in fixing it’s running issues, and why I prefer both the 205 and the xantia over it.

[bobins]

It's a yin and yang thing. You need the little go-karts to make you appreciate the fast luxury stuff, and you need the fast luxury stuff to make you appreciate the little go-karts.

[Michel]

If I had the choice between your focus and a c1, for one day I would take the focus, for long term I’ll have the c1 thanks. You can have fun driving the thing every journey in a c1/107 whereas in a focus rs, yes a blast of sheer power would be magic overtaking’ but normal day to day you are not using the cars capabilities so it’s boring. That’s also what I think of my 407, and probably why I haven’t been interested in fixing it’s running issues, and why I prefer both the 205 and the xantia over it.

Had the same problem with the Impreza and the Audi TT, just too fast to be any fun. I took the TT out one afternoon and absolutely caned it everywhere around the country roads, smoky brake pads, smelly tyres, the lot. Didn't come close to anything like a thrill! All the Focus has made me do is swear a couple of times involuntarily at it's speed. At least with the Impreza, the brakes were abysmal for the performance, so you got a perverse adrenaline rush trying to slow the thing down again!

[Michel]

It's a yin and yang thing. You need the little go-karts to make you appreciate the fast luxury stuff, and you need the fast luxury stuff to make you appreciate the little go-karts.

It'd be really nice if someone made a really torquey, diesel go-kart type car that was quiet on the motorway that could cruise in relative silence at 80-90mph. I'd buy one immediately. I don't need a big car, but they're always so much quieter. I like to be able to stick bikes in the back but that's not an essential.

[CitroJim]

Back home again after a truly excellent day all-round... The Ka gave a very good account of herself and has proved herself in very good mechanical condition...

She's nowhere near as frugal on fuel as Sally though

Seats and driving position are both surprisingly good in the Ka and she's quite good on a long trip...Acid test was that I could drive her all the way from Romsey to home without getting an aching bum...

The only other car that achieves the same accolade is Sally...

Everything else is literally a pain in the bum after about 50 miles...

[CitroJim]

It'd be really nice if someone made a really torquey, diesel go-kart type car that was quiet on the motorway that could cruise in relative silence at 80-90mph. I'd buy one immediately. I don't need a big car, but they're always so much quieter. I like to be able to stick bikes in the back but that's not an essential.

They did... It was called the Peugeot 205 STDT

A true automotive gem...