Various on the bay of dodge

Kitch · Post by **Kitch** » Mon May 05, 2008 2:07 pm

Dear Schoolboy Vanny. You can tell you live near Liverpool, because someone has clearly theived all traces of rational thought from your head

70mph average speed? I could get somewhere in the TVR with a very good average speed, but I really wouldn't want to! Its not down to speed, it's mile munching ability.

Citroen don't make a GT car? Are you sure??! While I'm on the side of the camp that thinks the auto's aren't really what you want, I can see the logic. Personally, an auto is pointless for me if it isn't bolted to something that has less than 6 cylinders, and even then I'd want a manual. The mk1 1600 auto I had was horrific! Slow, thirsty and pointless. Definately not a GT car, no matter how smooth it is.
But some BX's do make good GT cars. I'm with you on the 16v front....most wouldn't have it down as one, but aside from a slightly stiffer ride than other BX's, it's one of the best purely down to the fact that so little effort is required on the go pedal to have it sitting at a ton all day long. Only drawback is that it won't do it quietly, thanks to a hugely cool but unrefined engine and a short set of gear ratios.
However....the spirit of that kind of BX lives on.....the GT! Much softer than a 16v, with softer seats and taller gearing, yet with the same effortlessness. Not a fast car, but an easy car to drive fast (ish). If I had to tour the country in a BX, it'd be a GT (it'll actually be a 16v when it happens though!)

As far as the diesels go, the n/a is too basic and workaday to be a good comfy cruiser and the TD's have never really impressed me so I wouldn't thnk about one. Besides, you wouldn't save much £££ over the journey, what with the 12p difference between petrol and derv right now!

Agreed the XM and newer models like the C6 are way better with a big engine. The old C5 was a great ride and if you can master walking up to your car without ever looking at it, it would have been fine. The new C5 has the C6 suspension (at the top of the range) and the 2.2 and 2.7 V6 HDi engines. I think it'll be more of the same.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Mon May 05, 2008 2:27 pm

Vanny wrote:Dear Grandad Childlow...

Well, I wasn't exactly saying we should limit our discussions to the BX. Of course not.

To get back to the topic, that GTi does indeed look a good eBay BX.

In my aged, grey-haired grandaddy way, I find the GTi auto a nice drive. The 16v is great - really it is - but it can be a little irksome to have to stay in the 4,500-7,000 rpm range to realise its full potential.

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Mon May 05, 2008 2:44 pm

No need for being snotty, i think Phil took the comment as it was meant. You'll also find im no longer at school, so you can have that and stick it in your TVR (i believe they run well on fumes, and have to cos there always there). On the speed i was staying PC incase the forum police turn up.

Yes the GT/GTi have the more comfortable ride, though not in agreement with the seats, my reckord continous drive in a BX is 36 hours (with a few breaks and a 4 hour nap) and those 16v seats might seem a little harsh in comparrison to the standard seats, but there comfort is in the longevity you can stay in them. Being better supporting you dont sag into them and through the car, go ask a physio what is better. No to say there not nice fro a short bimble, but where talking 5000+miles a day.

But the issue is that no BX is a dream to drive. The 16v is a handfull, and fun, but a handful, but it can overtake so long as you wind it up right. The suspension setup might be okay for in town driving and the odd field, but i've never been in a BX that felt frimly planted, and i suspect thats mostly down to the weight.

I've only had one short drive in an 8v GTi (it was white had a towbar and i dont remember anything else about it) and while it was easy, and pretty much drove it self, and seemed to have a good auto box setup, it just seemed rather dull. I know thats partly because auto's aren't meant to rev, but i've been in other autos in various makes that have a decent power plant attached and they just seem a little bit more bothered about getting to the destination. The BX Auto seems just as happy to sit on the road and take in the scenery which is not what a touring car is about.

It's difficult to choose a deffinative GT car though, something like an XJS might do the trick, hmm this could be a new thread.

Kitch · Post by **Kitch** » Mon May 05, 2008 3:11 pm

Vanny wrote:No need for being snotty, i think Phil took the comment as it was meant. You'll also find im no longer at school, so you can have that and stick it in your TVR (i believe they run well on fumes, and have to cos there always there). On the speed i was staying PC incase the forum police turn up.

Phil might have taken your comment as intended, shame you didn't follow suit with mine

I don't know if you're technically at a school of some kind, I also don't know whether Phil is technically a Grandad or not.

I don't think TVR's run well on fumes, cos if they did they'd be very cheap to run. But you're right, there are always fumes there (petrol produces fumes).

Back to the more pressing issue......I think for the size, a BX is a great GT car. Compare it to it's rivals of the day and it walks all over them. I think the closest contender would have probably been the mk2 Cavalier as that was a bit of a motorway king. But the BX has the suspension and aerodynamics. The Cav does not (although it was probably more reliable back when rust wasn't an issue!)

In the grand scheme of things, I wouldn't go Jag personally, as I've only ever felt they were a total anti-climax having travelled in them. I'd put forward the old 2.8 Granada's and possibly the W124 shape Merc's of the 80's (nothing against the owners on those as the old cars are now cheap to buy and prove no point to the neighbours).

Vanny · Post by **Vanny** » Mon May 05, 2008 4:08 pm

The Granada, now thats not bad as a tourer. I only have young memories of them, but they where pretty comfortable and stable and the better ones have some oompff

Lotus Carlton, but thats quite good for touring

Kitch · Post by **Kitch** » Mon May 05, 2008 5:27 pm

Yup, if you like arriving 10mins early everywhere anyway!

Great car for a job interview.

stuart_hedges · Post by **stuart_hedges** » Mon May 05, 2008 6:15 pm

Don't talk about XMs, please, I'm doing very well at putting it out of my mind <flounces off, cries>

cavmad · Post by **cavmad** » Mon May 05, 2008 7:26 pm

Feel free to talk about Lotus Carltons though. They are, without doubt, the greatest car ever made.
The Cav Mk2 did rust but to be fair not for a long, long while after they'd been launched (except the Commander model which rusted before it got into a showroom due to them having been stored in a wet field).

toddao · Post by **toddao** » Mon May 05, 2008 7:34 pm

Vanny wrote

5000+miles a day

That's some car you got there!

Kitch wrote

As far as the diesels go, the n/a is too basic and workaday to be a good comfy cruiser

I have to disagree, having crossed the continent several times in 1.9D style and comfort ( it does have higher spec seats) - chews up Europe!

As for the BX GTI - my opinion will be available once I've had a chew on Europe with it this summer a couple of times between S.Germany and the U of K ( 2000k return).

These days even a Nissan Micra can eat the continent ( be it with quite minimal style) but if it really has to be something, not a Citroen, my money's on this - in it's own class

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Mon May 05, 2008 11:03 pm

Neat Nissan

PS I'm not a grandad - well I hope not, my eldest is under 15

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Mon May 05, 2008 11:04 pm

BTW

Good thread this

Kitch · Post by **Kitch** » Mon May 05, 2008 11:20 pm

I personally found the 1.9D to be a bit lethargic at long journeys. Do them it will, but its not the most refined or swift vehicle for the job.

But to be fair, it's more refined than an R32 GT-R!!

GT car, that is not! Bone shaking ride, no sound insulation and power that is only there when you boot it! As Nissan's go, they're not even that reliable! If you want to set a lap record around the Nurburgring, ideal however.

But if you really wanted a Nissan to cross continents in, it'd be this:

But why you'd want a Nissan to leap countries in when the European's (and even Yanks) are much better at the game, I'm not totally sure mate. Too many nights in that van have gone to your head

stuart_hedges · Post by **stuart_hedges** » Tue May 06, 2008 12:27 am

I found the opposite, Kitch - the two 1.9Ds I had were better at long journeys than anything else. They took a long time to get to cruising speed and were therefore crap around town and on fast A/B roads as the acceleration was non-existent, but once you were up at motorway speeds they'd happily cruise all day. Like all Citroens, they get better the faster you're going.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Thu May 08, 2008 9:50 am

£310 for the GTi auto. A steal IMHO.

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Thu May 08, 2008 12:51 pm

Philip chidlow wrote:£310 for the GTi auto. A steal IMHO.

Really was!

Looked good in the photo's as if it had really been looked after. Hopefully the new owner will look after it in the same way.