I CAN HAZ RATZLUKE CX

[j-j]

SIR! this has all the makings of a truly biblical shite story! Makes my easy jet jaunts to Cornwall, Stansted, Bristol and Newport to collect buyer unseen Shitroens positively gay.

 

As an aside: the top picture is a different CX: it's a '74-'81 type whereas your one (and it is yours!) is a post '81 type (like a series 2 of the series 1 if that makes sense) It has the bonus shite of having the shared Renault-Volvo-peugeot-Citroen 'Douvrin' engine too which is a right revvy little thing so long as its had the cambelt changed.. piece of piss to do though: accessed via the RH wheel arch.

 

"this isn't Honest John.." also, that's my quote of the week!

[Skizzer]

The cost of flying to sofia and driving back

 

Sod that mate, we're driving down in the Dedra

[pandamonium]

I wholeheartedly approve. The CX is one of the only french cars I'd own.

[scooters]

The cost of flying to sofia and driving back

 

Sod that mate, we're driving down in the Dedra

 

lol! - we'd better get a tow bar fitted to the Dedra - actually coming to think of it the Scoob we're picking up tonight has a tow bar - the only thing is with the cost of gas you could get a flippin taxi to Sofia for cheaper than driving a scoob.

 

#J-J thanks for your advice JJ - are you the CX chap who lives over in Weegie and posts on RR etc? Your CX knowledge is great and certainly better than the vendors! So we are looking at a series 1.5 rather than aseries 2 - I have had a CX with a Douvrin engine before - the douvrin engine is a fantastic bit of kit - really tough, not too gutsy for its time and only as bif as a suitcase! (which of course is what douvrin means) Interestingly enough my small block BX16 with its XU5 engine shares the similar aluminium construction and off side offset which makes changing the cambelt a piece of piss throgh the wheelarch as well.

 

There are a good number of CXs to be had in France - if I was after a minter then a Prestige from there would be the choce for WINAZ but the French market has been showing bullish prices for the CX the salt on our roads makes UK shite CXs a tricky option. The other option I have been considering is getting a Safari or Family - cracking cars and you do find the occasional excellent UK one - there is one in ebay at the moment, But I always found the salon, although less practical - an awesomely looking motor.

 

JJ How do you find the CX in Scotland - the pisspoor dash ventilation used to drive me up the wall in winter, I would keep caravan dessicant packs under the seats to keep the moisture inside as low as possible so I would have at least a small chance of seeing where I am going between November and April

 

#pandemonium - For the shitter I would also recomend the BX - rare these days and whilst invariably scruffy, never ceases to amaze me daily on the reliabilty, drivability and capability - it's a bit like a Cav in that way...just go on and on. Whilst the tdis are the sensible choice IMHO the 14 and the 16 have more citroen 'pedigree' around akting a relatively odest block to excellent suspension in a very light chassis - Citroen was all about efficiency of effort and despite the excellent XUDs they are a bit brutal to really appreciate the brilliance of the chassis and suspension - I've owned tdis, gtis and this is the only smaller petrol egined one I have owned. Maybe it's just me I always preferred my CX22 over my CX25Gti even though the Gti was a pretty quick and more modern car because of it...it didn't have that 'hollow' moan you get from the douvrin

[scooters]

The cost of flying to sofia and driving back

 

Sod that mate, we're driving down in the Dedra

 

London - Sofia:

 

1st night Wurzburg/Nurenburg

2nd night stay with Matt or Gordon in Budapest (not Gordon, he'll have a new born)

3rd night Bulgaria

 

return journey similar although it would be fun to take a detour into Austria and scoot over the Grossglockner!

[nigel bickle]

I've a small flat up the hill in Budapest -if you get stuck. Owned since the mid 90's when I worked out there.

 

Not seen it in 2 years -but the neighbs let me know if there's an issue

[scooters]

I've a small flat up the hill in Budapest -if you get stuck. Owned since the mid 90's when I worked out there.

 

Not seen it in 2 years -but the neighbs let me know if there's an issue

 

thanks Nige,

 

much appreciated - BTW my mate Gordon runs a letting company out there there is quite a demand for rental property in the area at the moment - let me know if you want his details

[nigel bickle]

I did that -and got a severe mullering -twice. Cost me far more in time/money sorting it than i ever made in rent.

 

It owes me very little -bought well before the Housing explosion, so I'm content to leave it locked up

[scooters]

I did that -and got a severe mullering -twice. Cost me far more in time/money sorting it than i ever made in rent.

 

It owes me very little -bought well before the Housing explosion, so I'm content to leave it locked up

 

You should do holiday lets to known shitters - I know the Scooters family would be interested!

[Angrydicky]

That is absolute class and I wish you the very best of luck bringing it home

[nigel bickle]

Ta -but no thanks.By all meansborrow it o/night- but holiday lets -no thanks.

 

Got 2 just outside St Tropez though- if you're serious.

[scooters]

Ta -but no thanks.By all meansborrow it o/night- but holiday lets -no thanks.

 

Got 2 just outside St Tropez though- if you're serious.

 

Mr B you never cease to amaze me!

[andrew e]

Come on Scooters bail out on this while you still can, with some dignity.

[scooters]

Come on Scooters bail out on this while you still can, with some dignity.

 

 

NEVER! ....

 

what dignity????

[andrew e]

Bugger. I was hoping if you had any left, you might be willing to sell some

[AnthonyG]

If the sellers already claimed that two different cars (the mint one and the tatty one, re J-Js comment) are the same car I would be very wary indeed.

 

Also if its been bodged with anything easily available in Bulgaria rather than OE Citroen parts, arn't you concerned some bodges might be unfixable?

 

Generally bodges I've soon on older, rarer vehicles my mates have had have so complicated the actual repair process sometimes the car got scrapped.

[j-j]

#J-J thanks for your advice JJ - are you the CX chap who lives over in Weegie and posts on RR etc?

'tiz I for sure! Though not posted on RR for like a whole year!

[M'coli]

^^ Surely this calls for posting a picture of the mighty Aphrodite?

[j-j]

^^ Surely this calls for posting a picture of the mighty Aphrodite?

 

like theeez?

 

[scooters]

If the sellers already claimed that two different cars (the mint one and the tatty one, re J-Js comment) are the same car I would be very wary indeed.

 

Also if its been bodged with anything easily available in Bulgaria rather than OE Citroen parts, arn't you concerned some bodges might be unfixable?

 

Generally bodges I've soon on older, rarer vehicles my mates have had have so complicated the actual repair process sometimes the car got scrapped.

 

That is why I am in 'negotiation'...of course I'm not going to travel 2000 odd miles to buy a dog as an experienced SHITTER I will see detailed photos as well as all the paperwork relating to the vehicle.

 

There are a lot more of these in eastern Europe than in the uk. In tje early 90s there was great demand for up market cars and many western examples were exported. My experience of the eastern European owner is that if a car is still working after 30 odd years then it usually has had decent mechanical care...on the whole owners of older chod over there are typically more mechanically competent than their British counterparts.

 

Yes there may be botches but the CX is not the sort if car you can bolt non oem parts on because it is so flipping odd to begin with.

 

Another point is that the CX is a much misunderstood car especially by British drivers.

 

Yes it is complex but mostly because it has systems not commonly found on other cars but once these are learned they are straightforward. Sure if you are going to outsource every issue to a specialist then its going to cost but the same is true with any exec car of the period...The CX is also a lot tougher than it looks the steel is thin but the body is strong, the suspension and brakes are tough and the engines especially the douvrins are exceptionally reliable tough and straightforward. This is a car penned by designers that learned their trade in the rural French roads of the 50s.

 

Look, if I was buying for the car I would be spending five times the dosh and buying from France. But this is more about buying for the adventure. The car in its current condition is probably worth 700 in the UK, maybe a bit more as it is a MK1 pallas. The car is priced accordingly to make it feasible to drive it home...and it is the drive home that is the fun here....this isn't Classic and Sports Car THIS is Autoshite and travelling 2000 miles on an ill advised chod buying mission is merely an extension of the UK trips I do already and is what the site is about. For me the thrill in buying and collecting chod is greater than the owning of the said chod.....for me the prospect of driving a disreputable shitroen halfway across Europe is my idea of a perfect vacation!

[whitevanman]

/\ amen brother

[Skizzer]

This is magnificent

 

I agree with Scooters that this is about the adventure, although it would be a pretty major bonus to end up with something not a million miles from j-j's.