Citroenmads Citroen blog.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 12 Jul 2011, 21:58

I have done something stupid today, I got the Activa out a day early and now I can't stop driving it! I have worked 10 hours today but still managed to drive 80 miles, even though my commute is only 25

Ill probably use it the next few days for commuting etc.

I did find a excellent feature about my Activa today, it can virtually be an automatic ... My ankle got run over today by a big wooden sign which is on large free wheeling casters, really hurts! I had to drive home using the clutch as little as possible, as it was my left foot. Once I got it into 5th that was pretty much it unless I had to stop, it crawls along at 900rpm in 5th and then accelerates away, couple that with its slightly insane roundabout speeds and it was quite a comfortable drive home

Tomorrow the Activa should receive a good wash, polish and hoovering. I might even get out for some pictures in it if its not thunder and lightening. If it is then it wont be out of the garage until im ready to set off to the National

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 13 Jul 2011, 22:08

I have now got the Activa ready for its weekend outing, its clean inside and out, has been fully checked over, the slight ram leak has been stopped and its even seen a bit of polish too. I say a Bit as after I did most of half of the car I decided it really needs claying and so ill leave it for another time, its looking good though

After the cleaning this evening I pottered out for some dusk pictures:

It just needs a final fluids and tyre check before the off

Citroening · Post by **Citroening** » 13 Jul 2011, 22:14

Looking very nice Chris - I see you've been busy! I've been lazy really and haven't touched my Activa, XM or Visa 14TRS yet but have been very busy (see my Gallery in Blogs section).

My particular favourite picture is this one...

...very nice!

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 13 Jul 2011, 22:55

Thanks Franklin, im quite happy with how some of those turned out, definitely some of my better dusk pictures

That last one was taken at a demolished steel works, all that is left is that tower, its massive.

DickieG · Post by **DickieG** » 13 Jul 2011, 23:52

Citroenmad wrote:That last one was taken at a demolished steel works, all that is left is that tower, its massive.

Just as well Fred Dibnah's no longer around

CitroJim · Post by **CitroJim** » 14 Jul 2011, 05:55

Sorry to hear about your ankle Chris, hope it's all good soon...

Citroenmad wrote: I did find a excellent feature about my Activa today, it can virtually be an automatic ...

Yes, that's the joy of the TCT engine

Your flexible friend when you need it to be. This shows just how 'Constant Torque' it is.

Now you need to sample a proper automatic. May I recommend a Xantia V6?

bxzx16v · Post by **bxzx16v** » 14 Jul 2011, 15:40

Great pics, silver is the colour

Mark

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 14 Jul 2011, 21:32

CitroJim wrote:Sorry to hear about your ankle Chris, hope it's all good soon...

Citroenmad wrote: I did find a excellent feature about my Activa today, it can virtually be an automatic ...
Yes, that's the joy of the TCT engine Your flexible friend when you need it to be. This shows just how 'Constant Torque' it is.

Now you need to sample a proper automatic. May I recommend a Xantia V6?

Thanks Jim, it is almost back to normal now, it felt broken and swelled up but its ok now.

Definitely, its an good engine the TCT in my opinion, gutsy, fairly refined and seems pretty reliable too.

Hmm a proper auto, maybe at some point as I do fancy one and your suggestion sounds a good one

bxzx16v wrote:Great pics, silver is the colour 8-)Mark

Thanks Mark, it is indeed

XantiaMan · Post by **XantiaMan** » 15 Jul 2011, 10:17

Silver is indeed the colour! The TCT engine really is quite pokey when you dump the original boost control for a manual controller.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 15 Jul 2011, 14:08

Its been a while since I have been in a standard Activa, but I am impressed with the performance of mine with the manual boost control.

Deanxm · Post by **Deanxm** » 15 Jul 2011, 19:36

you should have a go in a chipped one running 13psi then Chris.
They are no bolts of lightning but for a 1400kg luxury barge of a car they are ok and the suspension makes it handle like a go-cart and that makes up for the low power to weight ratio in a big way imo.
I still think at stock boost with its stock controler its a bit wet though

D

CitroJim · Post by **CitroJim** » 15 Jul 2011, 20:13

Deanxm wrote: I still think at stock boost with its stock controler its a bit wet though

I find the stock set-up plenty lively enough Dean

I've not driven a tweaked one though, I must confess. If I had, I may think differently...

Deanxm · Post by **Deanxm** » 15 Jul 2011, 21:55

Dont get me wrong Jim they are ok but i think Citroen lost their way a bit with the Activa, it was marketed as a safety feature, given an engine that didnt exactly blow away the same cars in its class so it kind of put dedicated citroenists off but didnt really catch the attention of the performance lover either, i just think a tweaked one makes more sense, still pulls well from idle but that extra bit of ooomph just helps liven it up a bit, i dont know what anyone else thinks but i would say Citroen killed an awesome car with bad marketing and engine setup.

D

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 15 Jul 2011, 23:16

How about a matching bookend Chris?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0630579970

Chuffed to bits with mine and silver does work surprisingly well:
understated yet looks classy/expensive even.

CitroJim · Post by **CitroJim** » 16 Jul 2011, 05:53

Deanxm wrote: i dont know what anyone else thinks but i would say Citroën killed an awesome car with bad marketing and engine setup.

I totally and utterly agree Dean...

There was an opportunity for a Xantia GTi that was totally lost

And also lost was a Xantia coupe.. I believe the 406 Couple was originally planned to be the Citroen Activa...

Just imagine that and weep

A GTi-type car with Activa suspension would have been received very differently and I'm sure now would be a very revered vehicle commanding high values.

It's staggering beyond belief that Citroen missed such a golden opportunity.