Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[badhuis]

Seeing that 80s cars are being discussed here, I would like to ask for experiences wit the Citroën BX. Although not seen by many as a classic, including me, it can be a very good daily car even now.

For sale near me is an excellent 1991 GTi automatic. This has the Peugeot 205 GTI engine (1900) and combined with the light weight of the BX makes for a very nippy car.
I plan to have a look at it and drive to see if it suits me. Replacing our Subaru Outback 3.0 with something like this BX would save us around 100 pounds per month. We do not use our "modern" much, I always take the Jaguar or TR but if the weather really is bad then the modern is used.
Also, the modern will be used by our two grown ups.

But what are the negatives of owning a BX?
I have owned a CX more than once and absolutely love that car for its smoothness and mechanical reliability. But it would not be practical to buy a CX again - more expensive road tax and running costs (fuel). If I would have a CX again it has to be an automatic and that would mean a 2400 or 2500 engine.
The BX seems to be a good compromise. Same fluid suspension, good mechanics.

The car I am going to see has had a replacement engine and reconditioned automatic. Two owners, no rust, good paint, what is not to like? Cheap too.

Negatives of having an 80/90s car is that it is missing airbags, aircon and electronics like ABS and EPS which our Subaru has. But then again this car will not be using for home-to-work trips so this argument weighs less.

There is a big club and there are many online forums to help DIY maintenance.
The more I think about it the more they appeal!

Do you have negative or positive experiences with the BX?



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a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment

[Fatbloke]

We ran a 1991 BX 1900 TZD for 6 years 1st as my hack to work 120mile round trip on motorways and then as my wife's car.

I bought it off my father in law who'd had it from new. and then gave it back to him and he ran it for another 5 years. (Total 16 years and 140k miles most of which by me)

It didn't give a moments bother other than the speedo cable breaking.
in all that time, I don't remember doing anything other than routine maintenace. It was a great car.

Being a 1.9 NON Turbo Diesel, it was no great shakes in the acceleration department but the suspension meant that you didn't have to slow down for corners!

I loved it's quirkyness and completely mad instrument and control pod.

After My Alfa, it is the 2nd favourite "Modern" I've been the custodian of.

Go for it. They're fantastic cars. It definately features in my lotto win fleet.

PS. I definately see it as a "Classic" and am prepared to defend that position to the death!
PPS. There is a buyers guide for the BX in last months Practical Classics magazine.
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Mike,

A Fatbloke in a Herald.

[Penman]

Hi
I'm probably telling everybody something they already knew, but I only recently found out the origin of the Citroen badge.


http://tinyurl.com/oswhfzg
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Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

[badhuis]

Latest news: daughter and wife say no.
Ugly car, colour is too bright and repulsive rear spoiler. I agree with the spoiler, I would have removed it.
Colour I would not mind.
Model is a taste thing, again I agree the BX is not the most handsome model. I could live with it though.
Not sure what to do now - my veto is more powerful but I do not want to have two ladies in the house who refuse to drive "that car".

Looking out for another one - but it will be very hard to find ne i n a similar good condition / maintenance history etc etc.
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a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment

[D4B]

I very nearly bought a Citroen XM for the same reasons you like the BX (I too would buy the BX) but just like you, my wife n kids said no,
too ugly / old etc etc. So I settled on a Peugeot 406 Estate, as my "modern" and they are quite happy with it, so am I

[Bitumen Boy]

[Ashley]

I had a nearly new BX19GTI and loved it. It was extremely fast amd comfortable if noisy. Twice I drove it to the Dordogne and back non stop and for hours on end at 100mph. It was a fantastic car, but in some ways the 1600, although not as fast, was a better car with a softer ride and smoother engine.

BXs are a piece of history and they have that fantastic suspension, so if it's a good car grab and tell the family that they can't see it once their inside and that it'll be the most comfortable they've travelled in.

I had two XMs after the BX and years earlier I had a GS1220 new too, it was also incredibly good and unbreakable.

Now I have a boring old C Class Merc, but I still hanker for Citroens. I'd have loved a C6, they were incredible, but troublesome and expensive as well as being huge.

[peter scott]

I had 19DTR for a few years. I put 100k miles on it and enjoyed it. The seats weren't very supportive but otherwise it was quite comfortable and quiet. The electric windows and sunroof all packed in eventually. If memory serves me correctly it was made of pretty thin metal and only weighed about 900kg. I used to get 50mpg on my commute to work and 60 mpg on long runs.

I didn't like the steering wheel and swapped it for a Peugeot one.

Although the rev range was fairly small it did pull well and you could race boy racer cars off the lights by changing up to second as if you weren't trying and then the torque gave you lead.

In the end I traded it in for a Mondeo diesel but the clutch wouldn't disengage latterly and I had to drive the last 100 miles or so clutchless. That wasn't difficult but it was a little scarey because the alternator had also failed and I wasn't sure the battery would last the course.

Peter
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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[badhuis]

Sold our Subaru Outback 6 cylinder 3.0 automatic on Monday and bought a 1989 BX GTI automatic today.
From its second owner who owned it from 1999. He bought it from a friend who bought it new. 166K kms (100K miles) which is not a lot for a 26 year old car.

The second owner recorded all tank stops and all maintenance in a small notebook. He also kept all garage invoices.
The car is not immaculate, it has always been stored outdoors. As a result the roof paint and rear spoiler has discoloured slightly, the matt black around the side windows as well. No rust to be found and the rest of the grey paint is very good. Interior is very good as well, a plush black / grey cloth and as new carpets. Bumper finish could be better.

There are some things that need addressing: the suspension spheres need a refill or replacement, they are from 2002 which I think is too old. The suspension is much too firm.
Radio and speakers need replacement, and there is a hesitation from around 70 mph upwards. The car was used very little in the last 5 years.

Very pleased with it, it looks to be a good car. The maintenance history is a nice thing.




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a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment

[mikeC]

Nice car! So, did you sell the wife and daughter too?