Do I need this gift?

toddao · Post by **toddao** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 1:17 pm

It's an '86 RD just like mine with 160,000 KMs and generally better condition and has a Catalyser fitted too - meaning it's €300 rather than €800 to tax each year. The body of water in the background is The Baltic which is a mere 1000kms from here!

( probably closer to you lot in Uk)
The owner ( we became friendly through Mk.1 Break ownership) has a new job, baby etc. and has given it to me if I can collect. I could get 'red' plates for a few days, go up there and hopefully drive it home ( no TÜV), but do I really need two of the beasts?? Ask a stoopid question!

XBXG · Post by **XBXG** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 1:44 pm

That looks nice. If it's a gift and if you want to give it away, please let me know.

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 1:54 pm

Todd, if your wife says "Yes" to yet another BX, then:
a) You're a lucky lucky man
b) It would be rude to say no!

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:24 pm

You have to really. It would be rude not to.

The interior looks lovely and clean!

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:26 pm

I'm with Mat if you want to continue "living the 80s dream" to the full - and you can remind her that :

(1) Children don't get any smaller, and tend to acquire friends who need to be transported along with their gear (possibly siblings, too).

(2) Estates can carry quite a lot more than a hatch - a great deal more, at times

(3) Conversely, you may not need to put down the back seats as often in an estate during normal load-carrying.

(3) Adults can sit comfortably in the back of a BX estate without grazing their heads on the roof.

(4) The rear vision is very much better in an estate than in a hatch (hence making it easier to learn to drive in - if that's relevant.

(5) The current BX probably doesn't have a sunroof, but if it does, the estate doesn't have the same potential for random leakage from the headlining.

(6) There's no boot lip, hence that particular rust trap is eliminated and loading up is easier too.

(7) The Baltic isn't that salty (if getting your retaliation in first is needed)

Assuming it's as good as you say (and as cheap to tax), my instinct would be to think of it in terms of a replacement if it's going to take the trip back and get a TÜV without drama. She may think so too.....

And... you'd be able to beat Ken on "longest-distance BX rescue Mission" .

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:29 pm

i think i might even be tempted by that if it was offered to me, and i'm not normally a fan of the estate (asthetics rather than build and practicality mind)

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:41 pm

Slightly O/T, Am I right that ALL - Mk 1 and Mk 2 - estates were built by Heuliez in Cerizay? -

- and is it found they suffer less from rot than the Hatchback (or is that my wishful thinking?).

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 5:17 pm

The simple answer is YES of course you do! Can't so no to a free car! we'll I can't anyway

Seriously though, it has to be an investment, the price of these now will only go one way. /\

toddao · Post by **toddao** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 6:27 pm

Capt. DLM sang

The Baltic isn't that salty

right, I'm sold then!

toddao · Post by **toddao** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 7:45 pm

Thankyou for all the excellent answers. I'm working on it. I personally probably don't have the space but I'm trying to foist it on my father-in-law who's become gradually more interested in the BX 'disease' ( borrowing from one of Phil's posts) through exposure!
I'm probably taking on that pranged GTI from that 'barn of parts' to remove various parts including A/C for the 16v so I'm already 'running in the red' as far as the wife's concerned!

How we egg each other on - just seeing Wee Kenny McNewbold's recovery got me salivating. Is there any cure for this disease??

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 9:05 pm

Phil, yep all the estates, and the ambulances, and the 4TC's (hand built) and the EVO racers. There is a lot of coverage on the Hueliez website.

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 9:07 pm

yes, Xanti@'s they'll put you off citroens for life

Post by **mat_fenwick** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:59 pm

toddao wrote:Is there any cure for this disease??

My dad was 'cured' by a C5. He now owns a Passat...

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:36 pm

That looks ace Todd, Hatch mk1's are rare, but estates are even rarer i reckon as most will have been used & abused so less survive. Go for it, you can always sell it to someone in the UK if you dont have room when you next come visiting

XBXG · Post by **XBXG** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:51 pm

The Mk1 Estate is especially rare as it has only been produced between september 1985 and the 1st August 1986.
In the Netherlands they are extremely rare too.