Confessions of a Citroholic

[RichardW]

If only I, the family, and stuff I tend to cram in them from time to time would fit, small cars would be alright!

Used the old one to go down past Dumfries yesterday - needed to take the bikes and no bar on the new car. It still does the job admirably, so maybe I'll just keep it! I'm not convinced it doesn't need a new wheel bearing however, it's still a bit noisy at times.

Oh, and I might have got a speeding ticket yesterday as well passing a lorry just north of Dumfries on a nice straight piece of road, speed up to indicated 70, and just as I got past the wagon I spotted the camera van on the side of the road. Gits... Watching the post for the next couple of weeks....

[CitroJim]

Oh, and I might have got a speeding ticket yesterday as well passing a lorry just north of Dumfries on a nice straight piece of road, speed up to indicated 70, and just as I got past the wagon I spotted the camera van on the side of the road. Gits... Watching the post for the next couple of weeks....

Doesn't exactly sound like an accident blackspot Richard...

I guess their tea club was getting a bit short of funds...

I trust the post will contain nothing from the constabulary in the coming weeks...

[RichardW]

I suspect it has been the location of many a dodgy overtake attempt as it one of the few straight bits on the 20 miles or so from the M74 to Dumfries to/from the North... we shall see. Was doing enough to get a ticket, depending on how tight they have the tolerance set!

[RichardW]

307 was dragged off to meet the crusher today back to roadworthy cars out weighing the un-roadworthy ones!

[RichardW]

Rear wiper on the old C4 has gone batty now... Started with it wiping as many strokes as it likes rather than just the one; but now progressed to parking randomly after the random wipes! Wiring diagram appears to have live and earth to it, plus a pulsed live from the BSI, with some internal switching to park. My guess is it's broken inside somewhere.... new one is £120, no doubt it is riveted together a la the Xantia one. Provided it doesn't start running all the time, probably just leave it.

Wondering if a 2008 might be big enough - these come with Grip Control as std on higher spec cars so plenty available, and the right age car will save 500 - 700 a year over the C4. Almost pay for itself on Man Maths

[RichardW]

Went to the garage this afternoon - 2008 is not big enough! With driver's seat set for me, there is only room for a legless dwarf (no offence intended...) in the back. 3008 he also had there was OK - I rather like the split tailgate which makes a good place for pulling boots on or having a picnic. So now I just need to wait for a blue hdi 120 with grip control to come up for sale.... they started to come out in Sep 2015 so there may be some coming off 3yr lease in Sept.

[CitroJim]

Went to the garage this afternoon - 2008 is not big enough! With driver's seat set for me, there is only room for a legless dwarf

For such a modern car that's unforgivable! P-poor design however you look at it....

[Gibbo2286]

Went to the garage this afternoon - 2008 is not big enough! With driver's seat set for me, there is only room for a legless dwarf

For such a modern car that's unforgivable! P-poor design however you look at it....

Not every car maker that can cater for a guy nine feet tall Jim.

[RichardW]

I'm only 6ft, but quite long in the leg, so I tend to have the seat right back, and I also need to recline it a bit otherwise it makes my back hurt = no room in the rear!

I wondered about buying a Defender, as I've always like them, but 22mpg and £535 a year tax would ruin me!! Even a C-Crosser at 30 mpg and £240 tax adds £1500 to annual running costs.

[Mandrake]

Went to the garage this afternoon - 2008 is not big enough! With driver's seat set for me, there is only room for a legless dwarf (no offence intended...) in the back.

Isn't the 2008 an SUV or Crossover ? That's pretty poor.

You're about the same height as me and when the drivers seat is set for me in the Ion I can still sit behind it - just, with my knees pushed into the fabric. And that's a tiny car, it's only 3.47 metres long...

And of course in the Xantia I can sit behind the drivers seat with many inches to spare... so the legroom in the 2008 sounds a bit disappointing...! Is it a smaller/shorter car than a Xantia ?

[CitroJim]

Issigonis managed plenty of leg room for all in his Mini...

[RichardW]

Right, that's it. Had enough. Selling all my French cars and buying Fords instead

[CitroJim]

Right, that's it. Had enough. Selling all my French cars and buying Fords instead

Can I interest you in a Ka that needs just a little welding Richard?

[RichardW]

Odd one this week.... driver's side washer jet on the old one went all wonky. On inspection there appeared to be something sticking out of it, and I was able to carefully tease out a sliver of what looked like cling film about 1" long stuck in the nozzle! Works much better now...

Had to adjust the washers on the new one as well - they were pointed too low and were pretty much useless. On inspection they are fitted on a hinge, and can be easily clicked up; having done this they work as they are supposed to!

[RichardW]

Thought I would have a look and see if the rear wiper on the old C4 might be amenable to being opened up to see what is wrong with it - taking the boot liner off only takes a few seconds really. The good news is that it does indeed look like it could be opened as it is bolted together. The bad news, however, is that it is riveted to the door, not bolted on, so can't be removed without drilling out the rivets!! In which case, it can stay wiping for extended periods and parking in odd places!!