Off-topic: Citroen CX (and love of W123!) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rstl99 · #1 06-17-2006, 07:41 PM

I look at local forsale ads to relieve occasional boredom at work, and saw an ad for a 1984 Citroen CX Pallas, being sold by a guy who's a member of a local Citroen club. He imported the car from Europe 3 years ago, bought it off a used car dealer on the internet (oh oh). Turned out the engine was bad and he then had to import a replacement used engine for it (shipping costs were incredibly high, more than for the entire car!), had to replace brakes which were worn out, exhaust, etc. Not a good deal for him. He owns a few Citroens and has decided he's spent enough time and money on this one, so is unloading it. Sounds like he got a lemon, and it's still a lemon. Price is attractive, but car will need floor repairs, body work, a bunch of electrical wiring issues, new headliner, etc. Bit of a restoration job, as it turns out. I have no appetite for that but thought I'd go take a look, not having seen a Citroen up close. Very interesting piece of engineering, I must admit. Instrument cluster was unlike anything I'd ever seen. Very comfortable ride, cushy leather interior. He stopped the car to let me take the wheel, 10 minutes down the road. Car stalled and wouldn't start again! He had to call a tow truck. I had to hitchike back to his house so I could get in my 82 240D and get back home. Boy, was I ever glad (and proud) to be back in my old faithful and reliable rust-free 240D, 210,000 miles but runs like a top. Citroen could have been an interesting car to play with, for a change of pace. Too bad this specimen wasn't as good as the guy had made out to be. Nice lines on it though, will probably be a classic one day. But driving something like that sure made me appreciate the solid engineering of the 240D!!

Veloce300DT · #2 06-17-2006, 10:55 PM

For being such rare cars in the U.S., I am surprised at how many I run across in the Bay Area, or for sale in the general vicinity. Maybe once a month I see a CX, and maybe 2-3 old ID/DS models.

They are VERY interesting cars! Citroen used to be far ahead of the game in the design department. The pre-80's models are relatively solid and simple cars, durable workhorses when in great shape. Parts are the inconvenience (naturally).

The CX was introduced in Citroens "transition" era- manufacturers at the time were introducing cars with more electronic features- advanced power plants, and cabins. Citroen needed the CX to be able to keep up with the likes of Audi, BMW, Lancia, and Alfa Romeo, and M-B. The CX was marketed as a car for discerning executives whom preferred to not be in the norm- the CX offered unmistakably Citroen styling, modern amenities on par with other cars of the same vintage and class, and then some- panoramic sunroofs, LWB versions with added rear seat legroom- foot rests, rear seat tray tables, etc.

VERY neat cars. They sold well in certain markets, and was a well recieved car for its notable styling and amenities. They were ultimately overshadowed by other European luxury cars of the era- which were less quirky, and less controversial, and easier to live with day to day.

After the CX, citroen departed from the sling shot angular styling, to producing more round bulbous generic looking cars. Less character, and more mass appeal.

But it seems that Citroen hasnt given up on where they left off in the early 90's with the XM.

The New Citroen C6 is everything that a Citroen lover could want.

http://www.citroen.co.uk/c6/

Very Cool cars indeed!

greasybenz · #3 06-18-2006, 01:19 AM

http://www.craigslist.org/nby/car/172296582.html

Dont know if this one is a diesel..

http://www.craigslist.org/sby/car/170161844.html

Top Gear said it was their most favorite car since it was ahead of its time.

rstl99 · #4 06-18-2006, 10:18 AM

Yes, that CX looked like a VERY NEAT car. Would have taken too much work (and $$) to get it back to a solid shape, in my opinion. So what looked like a bargain at $3K cdn (the guy had invested over $8k into it, considering the cost of shipping from Europe, then shipping a replacement engine!) is not really that. I figured it would take a bunch of work to work out all the foibles, there were still some uncertainties about condition of hydraulic system, engine, etc., and it needed a significant amount of undercarriage (floor, frame) and body work. It's not a car that means that much to me to put the monkey on my back, and be stuck trying to sell it myself in a few years, after soaking $$ and time into it. Felt sorry for the guy, he really got burned on the internet deal, and no recourse to get back to the used car dealer in Europe, evidently... In retrospect, would have been worth his while to fly over there and check it out with his own eyes before buying.... I can imagine what must have been going through the guy's head when I had to leave him on the side of the road, waiting for a tow truck, as I hitchiked back to my 240D...

In familiarizing myself with the car before having a look at it, I read a bunch of information on sites (they seem to have a strong following, Citroens in general I mean), and the engineering that went into these cars was quite impressive and innovative! The owner told me, though, that they cheaped out on things like electrical connectors (shades of Lucas the prince of darkness in UK cars!), causing endless aggravation and hassles.

Well, I'll see what else my perusings of local forsale ads will yield....

Cheers all, and happy Father's Day to all!

KylePavao · #5 06-18-2006, 10:28 AM

That C6 you linked is slick! It's a nice combination of new and old, but still distinctly Citroen.

Boardmonger · #6 06-18-2006, 03:33 PM

There is a place across the street from my mechanic that has 3 of those bad boys sitting out in front. They make me think of the movie European Vacation.

A very unique car as there is nothing that is even remotely similar to it.