Archive for category Citroen
Citroen C3 Review
Posted by in Citroen on June 29, 2011
There’s no doubt Citroen’s pretty C3 was a breath of clean air as soon as it been invented in 2002. Inspired by the 2CV, the five-door super mini seemed to be perfectly geared up and also, thanks to the firm’s significant cash bonuses, very affordable, too.
As a result, chosen examples characterize excellent value – although along with so numerous engine and equipment combination’s to pick around, what hatch is the best?
Cheap running costs add to the beauty, still a couple of C3s are not as good to drive as competitors. Patchy build and flimsy trim are other well-known problems, so although the C3 is a lot of vehicle regarding your finances, it’s essential you take your time in order to acquire a good one.
Checklist
Fragile trim: in fact on new examples, the interior trim is flimsy and causes plenty of noises, creaks and rattles. The older the car, the worse this is probably to be… so always check not a thing is absent on every potential buy, and assure every little thing works as it preferably should.
Engine problems: fuel-injection pump failure could ruin 16-valve powerplants. Before you will purchase, assure the engine functions evenly as well as go through the services historical past and receipts to find out if the jobs has been taken out previously.
Air-con: generous levels of standard equipment mean many C3s will have air-conditioning provided. And while this is a necessity for summer, the models can leak. Check the footwells regarding indication of liquid and run the system to make certain it actually cools the air.
Electrics: gremlins are a common base of problems on the little Citroen, so look at pieces such as the remote central lock, power windows and hi-fi system are all working very well. Don’t leave any control keys unpressed inside!
Rust: paint protection might be intermittent * mainly upon the roof – so make sure that there’s absolutely no mark of corrosion wherever. Get a torch and check under as most efficient you can, too. Thinner body sections, particularly the doorways ( blank ) are as well susceptible to parking marks.
Prices
You could bag a low-mileage one-owner 1.4-litre petrol C3 on an 03-plate for 4,000. An equiv-alent HDi can cost you an extra 500, when a 54-reg petrol or diesel engine would set you back about 7,000. Read the rest of this entry »
The History of the Citroen 2CV
Posted by in Citroen on June 29, 2011
The used Citroen 2CV (deux chevaux vapeur) meaning 2 tax horsepower was first released on the market in 1948, and continued to stay on the production line until 1990. This funny little car was technologically advanced and innovative, with unconventional looks, which were inspired by the bodywork of the Bauhaus.
Originally only designed to move the French peasantry on from their horse and carts into the automotive world, it still remains one of the most iconic used Citroens to date! It was designed for its low cost, simplicity of use, versatility, reliability and it’s off road driving ability. With its light, easily serviceable engine and extremely soft and long travel suspension, it was certainly suited to the rugged French countryside.
During production which spanning over 42 years 3,872,583 2CV’s were produced and many of these used Citroens are still on the roads today – although are getting rare!
Research shows that the original design brief was to enable 2 people or peasants as it was stated, to drive 100kg of their farm goods to their local market at a speed of around 60km/hr (37mph), across muddy unpaved roads if necessary. Under this same brief it was stated that the car would use no more than 3L of gasoline to travel a distance of 100kms, which would have given this little used Citroen a return of 78mpg, and of course one of the most famous parts of the brief was that the Citroen 2CV would be able to drive across a ploughed field without breaking any of the eggs that it was carrying!
Many different special editions were produced including the SAHARA, which was built for the more difficult off road journeys – with only 694 of these made. At peak time of production a new Citroen 2CV could have taken anything from 3 years to 5 years for delivery, so at the time used Citroen 2CV’s were more expensive than the new as customers were not willing to wait.
Originally built with an air cooled, flat twin, four stroke 375cc engines, giving the driver a tiny 9bhp, followed by a slightly bigger 425cc engine in 1955. Then finally a 602cc engine arrived giving a much better 28bhp but only at 7000rpm! At the time, due to the tax classification of the car changing it then made this a 3cv engine, but the commercial name remained the same. One of the other small advantages to owning one of these used Citroens was that if the motor of the battery ever failed then the 2CV had the option of hand cranking, with a jack handle serving as a starting handle, and Citroen cleverly kept this on the cars until the end of production in 1990. Apart from the pre-war cars, this is the only used Citroen you can buy with a hand crank! Read the rest of this entry »