Do you want an Activa?

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 09 Oct 2008, 18:42

For it won't be long before they've all gone!!

The end of the road for Activae?

At least RHD one's as they've hit rock bottom and are barely fetching scrap
weight value now and the only folk who want to buy them are guys with small
cars who can't wait to scrap this fantastic and getting rare Xantia.
Obviously there will be the odd few surviving in the hands of an enthusiast
owner so there is some hope! I've tried to rescue them when they do
appear but my home for 'fallen Citroens' is currently at full stretch and
there's no more room in the paddock - I have 5 Activas already on top
of the other rabble!!

Long term regulars here on FCF will know my personal feelings about these
Puggerised Activas and the idiots that throw away the shell after ripping
the engine out IF they actually see their 'project' through to completion
and are completely bona fide legal and insured/mot'd etc etc. I've read
some boasting about being insured on a 1.4 policy...

I can understand completely how owners will let one go that will struggle
to return vaguely decent fuel economy in these days where there isn't
much of an economy left, in a bid to stretch the remaining £'s but to coin
the old phrase, when they've gone they've gone and that's it!

How many more are going to struggle through ebay between 130 to 250
quid to get picked off by Barry and his mates remains to be seen, but
this current situation really cannot go on indefinitely! And the cars aren't
basket cases either and many have excellent 60-70k mileages!!

I don't know if the 900 registered figure is accurate but certainly in the
past 5 years I've watched literally dozens getting scrapped by buyers
ending up with them from ebay; like I say, if you want one now is a good
time to save one, When was the last time you saw a BX 16v'er available,
or at least one that wasn't getting a lot of attention for all the wrong
reasons?

Andrew

red_dwarfers · Unread post by **red_dwarfers** » 09 Oct 2008, 18:56

I would really like to save an Activa, I've even checked out insurance prices (im 18 you see

) and it appears to be "only" a couple hundred more than my 1.9TD Xant.
If I could justify running 2 cars, and had the space then there would be one sitting outside my house

Maybe in a couple of years time when the killer insurance prices come down 8)

admiral51 · Unread post by **admiral51** » 09 Oct 2008, 20:19

Hi Andrew does this mean you may be willing to lose an Activa to a good home for the right price as a project is in the offing i feel

Lost out on one on fleabay yesterday just too far to go to Kent work got in the way

went for £132 but it did have issues

SWIMBO has yet to be informed of this desire of mine ( now now boys lets keep on topic

) but im sure i can squeeze a bit of cash from somewhere............... who needs a new bathroom these days and the boy can walk to school why does he need a new bike

Im sure she will come round to my way of thinking soon

Colin

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 09 Oct 2008, 23:08

Shame you didn't bag it Colin. Aty least it would have gone to a good home

As it is, it looks like it was bought up by a salvage outfit of some kind. That'll be the end for sure of the complete car. Sadly it's worth more in bits I guess. Look for it being broken on the 'Bay very soon

Not only are the engines finding homes in 205s but also 306s and people will pay good money for the engines

It is always sad to see the end of another Activa and they do seem to be heading the same way as the BX Valver although the few remaining Valvers are now being actively preserved. Shame is, there is only a handful left. Hundreds upon hundreds lost their lives to make 205GTi Mi16s and so sadly, did a lot of Pug 405 Mi16 versions, including the Mi16x4 - the only Pug to have Citroen hydropneumatic suspension, albeit only on the rear.

There is a hard fact that has to be taken into consideration with Activa ownership. They are complex and cost a lot of moneyn and need some skill to put right. A lot of the eBay offerings are likely to be right old dogs and will need upwards of £1000 spending to make them basically good again. They will have had a hard life. Just to re-sphere them is £300 (ten spheres, nearly all Activa specific) and the only choice now is to buy genuine Citroen or have yours regassed. If you need to replace Activa Rams they're getting on for £300 each. Budget for a rad and a heater matrix job. This sort of cost (and work) puts many off and as a consequence, they get run into the proverbial ground until they are just barely alive. Activas, like any Xantia, will soldier on for a long time until everything is in such a state that major work and expense is needed.

I bought my first Activa from the 'Bay. I paid good money for it as it looked sound. It was a near-wreck under the veneer and in the time I owned it, spent sums of money on it that I still dare not add up. I know it runs well into four figures. Despite seeming superficially OK at first glance, it had a lot of very serious issues and at one point I came close to breaking it. Recall one of my signatures: "Activa - Tears and Joy"? It says it all.

Happily, there are a fairly sizeable band of us actively (sorry!) preserving the Activa so they will not disappear into obscurity. What will happen is that many of the rough ones will be broken and what will be left will be the good examples that have been cherished. As I say, the same situation as we now see with the BX Valver. Remaining rough ones will be spares donors to keep the select few cherished ones going. In fact, the normal progression that any car takes from banger to classic status. The Activa will one day surely end up a very desirable classsic car.

If anyone is after an Activa, my advice is to buy a good one from a reputable source and be prepared to pay. Also, try to get a higher spec. one. Not all Activas are equal. Not all have leather for instance. It is best to buy a good one at the outset and keep it in tip-top condition rather than buy a rough one and spend maybe more on getting it right than a good one would have cost in the first place.

Even a good one will keep you busy and amused. Mine does

Buy a cheap project Activa by all means but don't underestimate how much it'll cost in the long-run to make good and how steep the learning curve is. If you think a normal Xantia is quirky, that's nothing compared to how many stange quirks an Activa has! On the plus side, the engines and gearboxes are practically bombproof and like any Xantia, they resist the rust.

Every job on an Activa is difficult. I've yet to find an easy one. Part of the charm for me.

Another problem with the Activa is that few parts are shared with lesser Xantias. Bizarrely perhaps, the only one that does share a lot of parts is the 2.1TD and they're not exactly common. The CT Turbo Estate shares many common bits but they're even rarer than an Activa. The upshot of this is that GSF and other major parts factors don't stock a lot for them so many spares have to come from your Stealer at Citroen prices.

Bottom lines is that an Activa is a great experience and once bitten, forever smitten

I think everyone should experience a good Activa at least once in their lives just to see and feel what should be standard on every car today and to experience just how far Citroen did go and to lament that fact that they should have pushed further on still.

Get an Activa, love an Activa but don't underestimte the cost of running one and keeping them in top order.

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 10 Oct 2008, 00:42

I do wish you'd won that blue one yesterday too Colin; I sat and agonised
over whether to bid on it or not but have set my heart on a TCT VSX
Estate Xantia now! That's the only thing on my shopping list (unless of
course I see a nice s1 V6 Xantia!

). I've gone on record as saying too that
I mustn't have any more so I'm a hopeless lost cause really. I need to be
more disciplined...

The cars I do plan shifting include a few CX's, Xm's and Xantiae but the
Activae a planned to be long termers!!

When it comes to getting an Activa, I can see all the arguments and
pitfalls/advantages for paying the highest price possible for one (and this
goes for any car really) and keeping your fingers crossed it is what it
purports to be = a good'un!

With something quite as rarefied as a mint and working honest to goodness
Activa being rare in an already small gene pool I can't see many appearing
very often. It's not like a TD Xantia estate where another will be along
with lower mileage, a sunroof AND a lower asking price as there's currently
so many of'em!

The 'good' Activa's I've seen have been that slipping clutch red one on
ebay earlier in the year originally pitched IIRC at around £1k which was
reduced to 800quid and heaven knows what became that in the end...

Another, a green one was offered on the Activa forum a week ago which
didn't sell at first though I believe it eventually did for nothing like the
initial asking price. It was a forum member/enthusiast owned with few
vices and plenty of new spheres; like I say, if you've set your mind to
have one, I think you need to take the plunge now where at least you
have a moderate chance to decide on the colour, spec etc before more
have disappeared yet further!

It depends what work that may be required is, and how DIY orientated
you want to be. I've always ascribed to the view that I cannot and will
not trust anyone else's say so on work carried out (and that includes
main dealer FSH), and any prospective purchase in vetted purely on how
is sits and drives before me and I'll aim to pay low budgeting/preparing
for obvious deficiencies to be fixed by myself and nobody else!

If this, like Jim says his first one did, costs a lot more than a sorted one,
I don't rightly care as I KNOW what I've sorted out the car and am happy
with - I have no plans to sell it on or show it off but buy all mine to use
and enjoy and if they're not car show examples, then so what,
whoopydoo...

It won't to the first or last time I've bought something and been shocked
to find the wrong pads/sphere tyre etc have been fitted onto cars where
the previous owner trusted (and was likely £ abused) what the garage
said/did! Half the time the main dealers don't have a clue themselves
when compared to a good specialist Indy.

Bottom line is an alternative equivalent model from any manufacturer
would be hard to find out there in the marketplace for twice what
Activae are selling for. Can anything really offer the practicality,
comfort, astounding handling and even a moderately peppy performance
notwithstanding the pikey engine Citroen offered the Uk when we can
see what could and should've been available? Ok, a V6 Xantia, which
at least will have VSX/Exclusive hydractive!!

Andrew

Bren · Unread post by **Bren** » 10 Oct 2008, 00:51

Its not just activa Xantias' that have this problem - I am a Rover sd1 nut and you would'nt believe how many cars were broken up for ther V8 engines and manual gearboxes. I know of one chap who lives locally who broke up good , clean examples because they were worth more as parts than as a going concern. Natural selection perhaps?

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 10 Oct 2008, 01:00

You're quite right Bren, there'll ALWAYS be examples of more mainstream
big cars donating their engine into smaller lighter machinery to give a bit
of gung-ho seat of the pants motoring.

Where this isn't so 'fair' for want of a term or at least make sense, is where
the v rare models (like a BX 16 v'er or Activa or yes, SD1 V8 ) that should
be valuable and coveted are being bought at worthless values to make
equally worthless crap small hatchbacks go faster when there were
hundreds of thousands of them.

Well, natural selection? I guess! I believe the sentiment of the point made
here is whilst there's a collective admiration and appreciation for Activa's
on the forum, but when the decision is made to look for one there won't be
any left available for sale at any price!! I've even read on the forums folk
say they'd set their heart on a CX GTi Turbo2 or a BX 16v'er but couldn't
find one so had to compromise to something else!

If you 'need' an Activa, bag one NOW!!

Andrew

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 10 Oct 2008, 07:38

The blue one was in the same town as me first time, just missed out on it, had i not moved house i would have got it, even if just for spares to donate to other Activa's but it was actually in fairly good nick. First time it sold was £262, a week or so later the trader sold it for £132 and has now gone to a salvage yard. The parts will almost definatly go to waste now.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 10 Oct 2008, 08:14

As a direct result of this thread, I woke up this morning and decided I was going to take my Activa to work. Mine does not get a lot of use so it's a nice change to give it a spin. Basically, If there is a chance of it getting wet, scratched or dirty, it stays at home and the 2.1TD does the job. I must stop treating it like a rare Ming vase and enjoy it.

Did I ever enjoy it this morning. My journey is all bends along country roads and there was nobody in my way.

It just makes me realise just what fun and joy an Activa is. I really must enjoy mine more rather than just looking at it

Activas are just marvellous. Despite mine being a bit bouncy at the rear (new spheres needed) it still handles and rides like nothing else.

I really do second Andrew's comment that if you feel the "need", go and get one whilst you can but don't under-estimate what you're taking on. That's what I was trying to say in my previous post. Don't let it put you off but do be aware.

If you do seriously consider getting one, take someone who knows an Activa inside-out for a look with you.

Maybe time for a buyers guide?

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 10 Oct 2008, 09:21

I'm a bit confused by the Activa designation. Bear in mind our model range here (Australia) was somewhat restricted.

Does it just refer to the cars with the suspension ECU and active roll control? (As in, Hydractive with the extra button on the dash or console.) This seemed to exist here only in the Series I VSXs and in Series II Exclusives. Sedans only, too - VSX spec was only offered on Series I Australian wagons; all Series II estates were poverty pack SXs.

Regards, Adam.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 10 Oct 2008, 09:44

Hi Adam,

Sadly, I don't think any reached your part of the world

The Activa as imported into the UK was basically a VSX/Exclusive with Hydractive and active anti-roll (SC/CAR) and fitted with the 2.0L Turbo CT engine (XU10J2CTE) as fitted to the XM Turbo CT.

Some had fabric upholstery and other full electric leather.

The Continent enjoyed (in LHD form) additional engines such as the V6, 2.1TD, HDi and a 16 valve petrol in their Activas. We never saw those in RHD form sadly.

The great feature of an Activa is that apart from some discreet badging on the door rubbing strakes (as shown in the shot of Andrew's Activa in the first post), it looked just like any other Xantia. It is a bit of a Q-Car (or sleeper) with nothing obvious to give the secret away.

To drive one is a magical experience. They really do flat-corner however hard you push them and grip like a leech

They are not a rorty out and out sports car but rather a refined and sophisticated GT in the Grand Tourer sense. They excel at long journeys.

They are fun with a capital F but hard on the pocket. The fuel economy, if you get enthusiastic, is rubbish!

I love them. If you are ever in the UK you MUST come and find one of us and sample the delights of an Activa!

KP · Unread post by KP » 10 Oct 2008, 10:04

Would it not make sense for someone to buy one that has had its engine gutted to stick the 2.1td engine in it??
This way it would be more economical to run as well??

I tried one many moons ago when i was looking around for new toys to buy and the one i had was owned by a disabled person before the garage got it.
The thing was a heap and it was a green one, scratches all round and to be honest was just a harder ride than my dads LX TD at the time. It didnt feel that planted round corners and the turbo was definately on borrowed time from the spool up noise it made...

Its such a pity that Citroen dont get their bums in gear as they could stick the activa setup on a C4 with a potent turbo engine and call it a WRC replica.

Come on Citroen get your heads together!

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 10 Oct 2008, 10:40

Just wondering out loud here; wouldn't it be quite something to use an Xm
2.5TD engine!? After all, the 2.1 shared the same engine bay as the 2.1 and
a 2.5 Xm saloon I've just bought has been quite a revelation being a real
flying machine!

I know, another targeted and needlessly being scrapped for an engine
transplant so that'd be as bad as targeting Activae for their engines really!
Actually, surprisingly a lot of 2.5 Xm estates are turning out to be quite
badly riddled with rust leaving good mechanicals spare; a surprise
considering they're supposed to be galvanised!

Andrew

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 10 Oct 2008, 10:59

Jim - thanks for the rundown. I think a few Turbo Activa Series I were possibly sold here, but the only CT I've been in was a VSX.

Of course I would love to ride or drive in one of the UK spec cars but with the dollar worth less than Monopoly currency (

), the furthest I can envisage travelling is Wagga Wagga.

Also, I'm confused on whether the pushbutton switch with the little spring symbol, is part of regular Hydractive, or the Activa kit.

Regards, Adam.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 10 Oct 2008, 11:35

addo wrote: Also, I'm confused on whether the pushbutton switch with the little spring symbol, is part of regular Hydractive, or the Activa kit.

That one is common to all Hydractive cars Adam. It's the Normal/Sport switch and pushing it in altrers the thresholds at with the suspension switches from soft to hard. Pushing it in under normal circumstances is a bit disappointing as nothing, except for the swich lighting up, seems to happen..

However, in spirited driving and cornering you do notice the effect as a general tightening of the handling.