Why I won't be buying a . . .

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white exec
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Why I won't be buying a . . .

Post by white exec »

Our Citroen starts every time, first tweak of the key, even in the depths of winter.
It does 36-44mpg, and topside of 125mph.
The battery never goes flat, and tends to last five years+.
The tailgate performs immaculately.
The wipers operate and park in perfect sync.
All the electrics work, and nothing needs re-programming if unplugged or replaced.
The steering doesn't leak.
I can let the wheels hang, willy-nilly.
There are no 100-amp fuses.
It tells me if fluids are low, pressures down, it's over-hot, and which CD I'm listening to.

It's 22 years old.
What happened?
Chris
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Re: Why I won't be buying a . . .

Post by myglaren »

^ Also exceptionally comfortable!
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Re: Why I won't be buying a . . .

Post by moizeau »

Completely agree, if you've got an old 'un that's good, keep it. Salt corrosion has eaten the sills on the 406, and I've just found a partially rotted RH rear suspension arm mount. So they're dead at the next MOT. The rest, engines, gearboxes, electrics are fine. I'd quite like to find an XUD powered estate to replace the BX.
It's our fault though Chris (the consumer) because 'we' want more safety (heavier) , more power and better fuel consumption (electronics). I still believe that keeping an old car on the road (regardless of emissions) is better than than changing every 2 or 3 years (manufacturing emissions) for the environment, especially if you replace the parts from the tat yard.
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Re: Why I won't be buying a . . .

Post by MikeT »

white exec wrote: 25 Aug 2018, 17:53 What happened?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_obsolescence is one part of the equation.
After I replaced the BSI relay I was thinking, whatever happened to consumer-replaceable relays?
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Re: Why I won't be buying a . . .

Post by Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur »

I don't know what happened Chris, and I'm not sure how the complexities, styling or drag co-efficients (remember the days of manufacturers Cd boasts?) of the modern age came to be so readily accepted today?

Equally baffling.... how did Bleached Blonde Hair and Tattoo's on women get accepted similarly?!

If you've time and enthusiasm for it, have a go at rectifying the corrosion to the 406 Moizeau, it sounds like its probably reached that 'nothing to lose' stage, my 405 did ages ago and thankfully things haven't yet gone horribly pear shaped...

XUD powered Estates.... not impossible, but difficult. Seems one probably has to go further south than France 36 for them. Easier if you can manage with a Saloon or Hatchback, but I like an Estate.

Talking of likes, I was drooling over this at the weekend: £975 is probably considerably more than its actually worth, but what a fabulous car for not much money! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peugeot-605- ... SwoKpbcetK ...nothing to do with me by the way.
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Re: Why I won't be buying a . . .

Post by moizeau »

Can't do the corrosion issues on the 406, similar with the rear RH suspension hanger on the BX. Here in France any structural bodywork repairs need to be done at a registered bodyshop and you need to produce the receipt for the next MOT!!! Takes the responsibility away from the MOT tester I suppose... There are plenty of XUDs running round here, Xants, 406, 306 etc. It's just a case of finding a 1/2 decent one at a reasonable price. The price bit being the hard bit, though since the new MOT regs the prices are slowly coming down. An ideal one would be a good condition Xant with the octopus leaking.
Nice 605 by the way, and the mileage is excellent. Would be a good buy even though it's slightly over priced. £300 pounds more than I paid for my 407.
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Notice the BX is still top the list but sadly gone
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Re: Why I won't be buying a . . .

Post by zs&tas »

I agree, just mot'd my xantia, it was easy, just welded a tiny hole in the exhaust. That's £300 to buy. 2years. a few cheap fixes. And 25'000 comfortable miles . 8-)
Getting a new car every 3years to have the latest badge or plate can not be saving the planet ?
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Re: Why I won't be buying a . . .

Post by Gibbo2286 »

zs&tas wrote: 28 Aug 2018, 10:33 I agree, just mot'd my xantia, it was easy, just welded a tiny hole in the exhaust. That's £300 to buy. 2years. a few cheap fixes. And 25'000 comfortable miles . 8-)
Getting a new car every 3years to have the latest badge or plate can not be saving the planet ?


Difficult to decide about the 'saving the planet' bit, my old neighbour buys a new car when the manufacturers guarantee runs out, he often has under 20k miles on the clock but he's frightened of getting stuck somewhere :( the car however is not finished with it might go on for another twenty years or more with different owners so the cost to the planet for that car will still be quite low.
Man is, by nature, a lazy beast, he does not need twice encouraging to do nothing.
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Re: Why I won't be buying a . . .

Post by Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur »

moizeau wrote: 27 Aug 2018, 18:34 ....Here in France any structural bodywork repairs need to be done at a registered bodyshop and you need to produce the receipt for the next MOT!!!
That's harsh! It'll keep older cars off the road and have quite an effect on the supply of Classic Cars in a decade or two's time; shame!

....even more so when you consider that in some cases the job would be done a lot better by an Amateur than a Bodyshop, whom in fairness; might be doing it 'to a price'.

But sometimes I think there's an over-trusting attitude towards the 'Experts'. People seem to be 'Blinded' by a professional looking Outfit.
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moizeau
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AND a 1980 Z1000ST
AND a 1983 GPz1100 inj
AND a 1995 Zephyr 1100
AND a 1980 Z650 (my moped)
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Re: Why I won't be buying a . . .

Post by moizeau »

Yep that's what the regs are trying to do. In a previous life I welded, and repaired, brand new cars in the factory. I also signed off repairs...not allowed to get my SIP out. Under water welder can't repair his own car.
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Re: Why I won't be buying a . . .

Post by dnsey »

Make sure that you do any necessary work before the MOT, and use plenty of undereal?
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Re: Why I won't be buying a . . .

Post by Gibbo2286 »

moizeau wrote: 28 Aug 2018, 20:45 Yep that's what the regs are trying to do. In a previous life I welded, and repaired, brand new cars in the factory. I also signed off repairs...not allowed to get my SIP out. Under water welder can't repair his own car.



Like me, mechanic for sixty plus years, REME vehicle inspector, qualified MOT tester when the test was first brought out but have to take my car to the eighteen year old who's 'done the course' to be told if it's roadworthy. :(
Man is, by nature, a lazy beast, he does not need twice encouraging to do nothing.
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Re: Why I won't be buying a . . .

Post by Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur »

is concluding that the World's Gone Nuts a by-product of age?

....or is it simply a fact?

I suspect that some here might've experienced their 50th Birthday already.... while I've yet to reach it (its not very far off, mind)

Refreshing to see in WH Smith today while leafing thru 'Modern Classics' that the verdict of 4 'Germany v Japan' car comparisons went entirely the way of the Far East. An enjoyable 5min browse.
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moizeau
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407 HDI 136 auto
C4 2l petrol coupé
2010 Dispatch III HDI 90
AND a 1980 Z1000ST
AND a 1983 GPz1100 inj
AND a 1995 Zephyr 1100
AND a 1980 Z650 (my moped)
x 314

Re: Why I won't be buying a . . .

Post by moizeau »

Don't knock the 18 tr old. You were one once. As were we all! God it was good, no responsibility, bikes, pool and beer. :rofl2:
Pete
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Re: Why I won't be buying a . . .

Post by Gibbo2286 »

moizeau wrote: 29 Aug 2018, 19:45 Don't knock the 18 tr old. You were one once. As were we all! God it was good, no responsibility, bikes, pool and beer. :rofl2:



For me it was National Service, Egypt and not the tourist areas. :(
Man is, by nature, a lazy beast, he does not need twice encouraging to do nothing.
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