BX or not to BX? (and new MOT!)

[deltic]

Well the BX sailed through another MOT yesterday - I'm sure you all know the joy when that happens!

As to the title of my post I guess you'll all say BX rather than not BX, but I do have a bit of a dilemma, what do I do with the BX? Tax and insurance are due at the end of the month, the car lives on a street where it is rather at risk of getting damaged and it is very hard to justify running two cars, let alone one sometimes. I commute by train and some weeks I don't even use a car. So I've three options:

1. Sell. Well I guess a new MOT has probably at least trebled the car's value! But selling it would be like getting rid of faithful pet - we've had the car for 12 years now which is pretty much how long we've been married so lots of memories of trips, holidays and car sickness... Perhaps that's why Laura doesn't have the same sentimental value as me and thinks we should sell. Then there is a question of what I'd get for it. We all think our cars are worth far more than everyone else does (especially on this forum... ) and given how well my BX has been looked after I know I'm not going to get much back on my "investment".

2. Store. Not really good for the car and even if I paid only £10.00 a week that would be around what I'd pay in tax and insurance for the year if not more. However if anyone does know of any good storage in Kent please let me know.

3. Keep. Well it's such a lovely car to drive and so smooth compared to the C4. And I like having something that is little bit different and getting rare now. I used to hate the look of BXs but now I love it and I also still enjoy driving it. Odd to say that I love GSA's but there wasn't the same thrill every time I drove my X1. But just how long do I hang on to the BX in the hope that we'll be able to move to a house with parking/garage? Then there is the consideration that it would be nice to deal with all the "imperfections" and would that be money well spent if it just deteriorates again on the street or the locals use it as target practice for their Mitsibushi L200s?

If any of you have got this far you'll probably say sell the C4 especially when the BX is so easy to fix. Trouble is I really like the C4 too and it's not really an option to sell as Laura sometimes uses it for work. I think she, like I, appreciates that the C4 is a very safe car and I do like the gadgets... Anyway the C4 is bound to go wrong and I'll be able to justify running the BX won't I?

Thanks for reading and, seriously, if anyone has any ideas about storage let me know.

Jonathan

[Tim Leech]

Storing is fine, if its done properly, keep it mobile and dry.

[Paul296]

If you can afford to store it, I'd store it - If you decided to sell you'd probably regret it before very long (I know I would).

[MULLEY]

I'm storing my valver very cheaply at the mo down in Hampshire, if you're interested get in touch with Kitch as he knows the chappy. I wouldn't personally worry about locals damaging the car, you'd never own any car if that was the case. Just use it at the weekends, get the work done on it & keep it as a working show car It'll only go up in value & at least in your hands you know its fate, in someone elses it may get scrapped within 12mths or written off because they are a chump. It's only money, you can't take it with you

[Thread Bear]

Ignoring age you kind of answer the question.
C4 - can only loose money. BX - Might make money, but unlikely to loose that amount the C4 will. What price a known quantity?
To the buyer its unknown so the value is only restricted to a few people who know. Is this not part of what a trader is banking on, a seal of some element of better quality, to charge a higher price. Hard to achieve as a private person.
So its down to if you can store it or if it really matters to have a more modern car. I spend my time rejecting them on the basis I do not do a high mileage. Why do you need a new car for low mileage is something I never really understood, but its all the rage round here. Nigh on a new car to take the dog for a walk, an excuse for a chunky monkey, clearly the recession bites shallower than a terrier!
Logic suggests lower and unstressed mileage is a preserve in which you can run a classic. The only real bumage in all this is the highish tax disc for the some BXs.
Lastly the BX and its ilk are on the cusp of computers and crap. After these cars it gets more complicated and expensive to do home maintenance. I would suggest this will have an effect on values and in area values dependent on the availability of specialist knowledge applied correctly. Already a huge problem with 6 year old cars. My take is to keep it simple and have the chance to fix the car using simple tools.

[Tim Leech]

Getting a nice BX these days can be hard work, so if you know the one you have and its a good one, I would try and hang on to it, as replacing it in the future if you should choose to may be a chore.

C4? rebodied 307.

[Defender110]

If any of you have got this far you'll probably say sell the C4 especially when the BX is so easy to fix.

Yup, that's exactly what I was going to reply

[deltic]

I'm storing my valver very cheaply at the mo down in Hampshire, if you're interested get in touch with Kitch as he knows the chappy. I wouldn't personally worry about locals damaging the car, you'd never own any car if that was the case. Just use it at the weekends, get the work done on it & keep it as a working show car It'll only go up in value & at least in your hands you know its fate, in someone elses it may get scrapped within 12mths or written off because they are a chump. It's only money, you can't take it with you

Some wise words from you all. You're right about the money - I keep saying that!

[deltic]

Ignoring age you kind of answer the question.
C4 - can only loose money. BX - Might make money, but unlikely to loose that amount the C4 will. What price a known quantity?
To the buyer its unknown so the value is only restricted to a few people who know. Is this not part of what a trader is banking on, a seal of some element of better quality, to charge a higher price. Hard to achieve as a private person.
So its down to if you can store it or if it really matters to have a more modern car. I spend my time rejecting them on the basis I do not do a high mileage. Why do you need a new car for low mileage is something I never really understood, but its all the rage round here. Nigh on a new car to take the dog for a walk, an excuse for a chunky monkey, clearly the recession bites shallower than a terrier!
Logic suggests lower and unstressed mileage is a preserve in which you can run a classic. The only real bumage in all this is the highish tax disc for the some BXs.
Lastly the BX and its ilk are on the cusp of computers and crap. After these cars it gets more complicated and expensive to do home maintenance. I would suggest this will have an effect on values and in area values dependent on the availability of specialist knowledge applied correctly. Already a huge problem with 6 year old cars. My take is to keep it simple and have the chance to fix the car using simple tools.

Interesting perspective! As much as I'd like a new (or newer) car it has never been a priority, indeed cars would probably come way behind a nicer house, a new camera or an exotic trip somewhere to photograph trains. As you say if one only does a low annual mileage a cheap old, car is ideal and has always been my motoring history. The BX can be a little temperamental at times and I know how to deal with or fix its quirks whereas my wife doesn't have that confidence and as relatively new driver she wanted a manual rather than an auto BX. Although I think in reality she finds the BX easier to drive - at least I'd sooner be a passenger in the BX! There is another factor for me where the C4 wins over the BX and that's safety. And as this part of Kent seems to have an excess of idiot drivers I'd prefer Laura to be in the C4.

[deltic]

Getting a nice BX these days can be hard work, so if you know the one you have and its a good one, I would try and hang on to it, as replacing it in the future if you should choose to may be a chore.

C4? rebodied 307.

Absolutely, better the devil you know! The C4 is way better looking than the 307, whereas the 306 was better looking than the ZX. As for the Xsara...

[deltic]

If any of you have got this far you'll probably say sell the C4 especially when the BX is so easy to fix.

Yup, that's exactly what I was going to reply

I'd sell the C4 for a Land Rover!

[Tim Leech]

If a Citroen has steel suspension then why buy one?

[Thread Bear]

There is another factor for me where the C4 wins over the BX and that's safety. And as this part of Kent seems to have an excess of idiot drivers I'd prefer Laura to be in the C4.

I doubt it is just Kent! Imagine owning Microcars and wanting to drive one? Bikers have my sympathy as they have to go round the potholes as well.

[mat_fenwick]

There's also the perceived reliability of newer cars to consider, and without discussing whether they are significantly more reliable, even if they aren't then at least parts availability generally isn't a problem.

It's likely the BX will appreciate slightly, which will offset to some extent the costs of storage or keeping it taxed and insured. So it's a question of whether that reduced (on paper) outlay is worth it for the pleasure you'll get from keeping ownership?

[deltic]

If a Citroen has steel suspension then why buy one?

There are many good Citroen's with steel suspension, e.g. A-series. And it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't drop hydropneumatic suspension entirely as after all it's only available on top spec C5s. Laura very awkwardly asked me the other day why if Citroen's suspension is so good all cars didn't use it?