R9UKE's French Car Blog...

[Citroenmad]

Ill ignore the Neon being a brilliant car remarks, I guess we will always disagree on some cars

Ah, so that is almost the same engine in my Xantia too then, I thought it was.

If I was going for a Vel it would need to be a 2.0T, they appear the most hardy and less complex. Second on the list would be the V6 Dci. Didn't you say your aunt is wanting to downsize her Vel, why not buy that back as your winter car?

[lexi]

I would not pick any of those Vels Chris. Even the V6 Mitsubishi diesel has had some problems......surprisingly.

Nope,the V6 Initialle is da baby Nissan engine, Hitachi fuel injection. Aisin ( Toyota) gearbox. No daft turbo and no DMF. 32MPG easy on a run.

All that is left are Renaults leccy implementation, BANG! what was that? and the rubber on the suspension.
About the best throw away money I ever spent on a car and is basically still minted instead of rust everywhere like many others. I have just about had my moneys worth out of her already.

[R9UKE]

Chris, your Xantia would have the same engine as the old generation Laguna, like the maroon RTi I had.

Glad to hear you're still lapping up the Velocity and Satisfaction, Lexi! Just to correct you, Isuzu are the people behind the 3.0 dV6, and yes, it isn't free of issues by any means.

Well Chris, it's funny how you mentioned my aunt's Vel Satis. I picked her up a replacement a few days ago which I'm thoroughly impressed with.









A 2003 Citroen C2 1.1 LX with one owner from new and 48k miles. I didn't expect to be impressed, but I really am. That 1.1 is a very capable engine and according to the trip computer, is doing 47 MPG around town. The aim of this exercise is cost cutting, and I think the C2 is going to really excel at it. Yes, the size difference will take getting used to, and there's quite a few luxuries that she's used to amiss, but the seats are comfy, it doesn't feel particularly cheap and has come from a really good home. The boot is tiny, but those two rear seats slid and flip forward very easily, so that's a massive bonus. The only thing that has disappointed me is no ABS It's such a chuckable little car, lovely gearbox, light steering and plenty of character. Not sure I'll say that after a 5 hour motorway drive with a 1.1 litre and no cruise but hey

I'll be bringing the Vel Satis back here, apparently to sell, but I fear I may completely fall for it again and buy it back myself. REALLY looking forward to driving one again, I've missed them!

[Citroenmad]

That looks like a nice little motor Luke, im glad you like the C2. I have only ever driven the VTS model but that was impressive. I think it was a bit too bare for me, rock hard suspension and very low gearing. I think I would much prefer a normal C2 like that one. That is aht best colour too, poseidon blue, we bought a Saxo desire new in that colour.

Im sure your aunt will like the C2, despite them being small they can be made to be very roomy if they have the sliding rear seats. The 1.1 is a much better engine than it sounds, again our Saxo had this engine and it was both nippy and bomb proof. If I wanted to downsize to a car which costs peanuts to run, it would be either a Peugeot 206 1.4HDI or a Citroen C2.

I hope you do end up having the Vel Satis DCi V6 for yourself, that has got to be a keeper for you

[R9UKE]

Thanks for the name of the colour, Chris!

To be honest, the suspension is still pretty unforgiving, it crashes over any major imperfections, but it's not as bad as a Seat Ibiza - friend has one; hateful car.

[CitroJim]

Poseidon Blue is an absolutely lovely colour and one of my all-time favourites. The C1 opposite me is in that colour and it makes it look very presentable indeed...

Very closely related to Miami Blue, a very good and popular 205 colour. The GTi looked wonderful in it.

[Citroenmad]

Thanks for the name of the colour, Chris!

To be honest, the suspension is still pretty unforgiving, it crashes over any major imperfections, but it's not as bad as a Seat Ibiza - friend has one; hateful car.

That is a shame, if only they had retained the Saxos very good ride but excellent handling.

I used to like Seats and I have owned a few. I had an 2005 Ibiza for 3 months, the ride was pretty harsh. That was only an SX spec, I did drive a 1.9TDI 130 Sport with a view to buying. The rise really was nonexistant, Ive never been in anything so firm, just terrible, it put me off the car totally.

[CitroJim]

Ive never been in anything so firm, just terrible, it put me off the car totally.

Try any small Poxhall or an Audi A3

Actually, to get an idea, drive any Hydraulic Citroen on service high or service low. Actually, I think even that is better than some of the above...

[Citroenmad]

Ive never been in anything so firm, just terrible, it put me off the car totally.

Try any small Poxhall or an Audi A3

Actually, to get an idea, drive any Hydraulic Citroen on service high or service low. Actually, I think even that is better than some of the above...

I have driven an A3, what a dull bit of metal.

Yes, your quite right, there is more suspension movement with a Citroen in high or low than many small (well they dont even need to be small) cars.

[R9UKE]

Does the C5 let you drive in low? I haven't dared try for fear of fecking the whole car up as it says not to drive on the display! Whereas service high I think it says up to 6 MPH is permitted?

[Citroenmad]

Yes, you can drive but only up to 5mph and then it automatically raises back to normal. Same for high, it will let you but then it will drop to intermediate over 5mph. It also drops from intermediate back to normal at 25mph. You can't really go wrong

[R9UKE]

Foolproof! Thanks Chris - will have a play tomorrow!

[myglaren]

Yes, you can drive but only up to 5mph and then it automatically raises back to normal. Same for high, it will let you but then it will drop to intermediate over 5mph. It also drops from intermediate back to normal at 25mph. You can't really go wrong

But comfortable it isn't!

My daughter had my C5 while her Clio was being repaired and she taxiid her boyfriend from South Shields to Gateshead in it and said he was almost sick with the floating sensation. He doesn't travel well, bikes everywhere normally.
Haven't tried her Clio yet, must swap with her one day.

When I bought my GS I was told that they made a lot of people car sick but I found the reverse to be true.

[lexi]

Lexi! Just to correct you, Isuzu are the people behind the 3.0 dV6

Yeah....... I knew it was one of them fourby truck engines in it

[CitroJim]

I found the reverse to be true.

Siany was only little when I first got a Xantia and she suffered terribly from car sickness in all cars, my 405 being no exception. I was told she'd be a lot worse in the Xantia but you know, not once has she ever been sick in a Xantia

She carried on being sick in her mum's Fiesta and that amused me as she was the one who really gave me ear-ache for getting a Xantia. Poetic justice