Are you ready for the French moments in life?
There are three Saabs parked in front of my house. A 9000, a 9-5 and a 9-3. And that in 2022. 11 years since the brand no longer exists. A Saab reservation that will hopefully accompany me for a long time. But, the monoculture of Swedish cars is slowly coming to an end. Those French moments come to life again. In the form of a smart new car, that's for sure. Perhaps a classic from the long line of ancestors of the Citroën brand will also enrich my Swedish reserve in the near future.
I have in mind, in the truest sense of the word, a Citroën CX, BX or XM. Hydropneumatics are indispensable when it comes to Citroën. Maybe, if I'm daring, I'll even try a DS. Wait, a model is already parked on the desk. I approach the subject carefully and slowly and, based on many years of experience, put the bridle on the horse from behind. Which means that I first look for the right, trustworthy screwdriver who can use the topic.
Then select the right car for it.
Does my pending idea challenge the Saab stories, this reserve and the blog? She won't, on the contrary. Everything is in flux, moving and changing. Fresh aspects bring new ideas, help creativity and are invigorating. What is good for me is also positive for the blog and the daily Saab stories.
Citroën and I have a longer history than with Saab, the sympathy was always there and never went away. So a bit of France is moving in on the blog. A gentle breeze of fine French cuisine that will not displace any Saab theme.
Does that fit at all?
A few weeks ago there was already the Citroën topic. Only intended as a short guest appearance, because I have mail from my other favorite brand received. I was amazed how many readers have a link to the French avant-garde.
And how the tastes are similar and sometimes also the automotive CVs. Not only did I get to Saab via Citroën as a stopover, some readers felt the same way. Since the brand has been part of the family again for a few years and, alongside Saab, is part of our everyday automotive life, there is of course always a story to tell.
French car culture from the present and the past, and whatever else I can think of. A change from the Swedish saga about an exceptional brand, with accounts of another major European brand that is also notable.
To be honest, I certainly wouldn't have implemented this idea a few years ago. Back when Saab was still offering young used vehicles and was in competition with other brands. That is past. In the meantime we have become a youngtimer and classic show, but unfortunately not entirely voluntarily. Anyone who still wants to drive Saab today simply does so out of heart's sake and conviction, and Citroën is in no way in competition with the Saab relics.
Our French moments will start with a report in the next few days. 50.000 kilometers with the Citroën Berlingo, which they claim to drive, is like vacationing in France. Is it really like that?
The experience report is exciting because it is authentic. Because, at Citroën we were just a normal customer for 3 years, nobody suspected anything of the media background.
Otherwise certain things would certainly not have happened the way they are.
Of course, not every reader will warm to my soft spot for the double angle. That too is clear, and therefore no one who has subscribed to a newsletter will be bothered with it. You can subscribe to my personal Citroën stories, but you don't have to.
If you don't, the mailbox remains empty and everything is as it always was.
……just noticed it now, yes citroen in any case, plus alfa and lancia.
basta……pasta.
all brands were made by clever and greedy pillars of society
robbed of their identity until only the valuable company logo remained.
my recommendation for buying a citroen:
6 volt duck......brilliant
dyane…….instead of the fashionable, contemporary 2 cv 6
ds as id .... with a manual transmission a bissle sporty (also Montesieger like the 96er).
So I would lean towards the BX, I've had a BX 19 GTI myself since 1991. Anything without electronics in the suspension is best.
CX, DS, GS like to rust, Xantia, XM... already have too much electronics on board. However, Saab 901 and DS have similar driving characteristics due to the weight on the front axle.
Admittedly, the BX 19 GTI is a dream. If my memory serves me correctly, the fantastic engine comes from the 205 GTI. Let's see what will happen 😉
Go ahead, a friend became interested in an XM just as I recently acquired my new, now even older SAAB. Of course I advised her against XM, too insecure, the hydropneumatics, spare parts supply, the lack of workshops with expertise and, and, and. But the Citroën have always been fascinating, but also reliable? More like Italians? I am excited!
Saw two C6s in a private parking lot over the weekend... it's actually a shame that they don't exist anymore. You also knew that the driver ticked a little differently….
.. and please continue to report about NEVS, nobody else does. I always found the reports and backgrounds from China very exciting!
I'm afraid there could be a disappointment in the next few days. The NEVS topic is on the exit list (among other things).
I find that really interesting that some people are used to it with Saab and Citroen! I also came to SAAB from the French, but from a 2CV to a 900 i! That was already worlds, already when closing the doors...
I see this with skepticism. When Tom starts writing about lemons, he spreads the lemon infection like the Saab infection. I can already see what will be parked in front of my door in a year. 😉
But I would much prefer lemon as a topic than NEVS, I have to say that. Better driving culture from France than speculators from China.
Yes. What Tom is doing here is really bad. Already have a few Citroen on the fateful "You should look at" note.
The Lizi
It's probably because of my young age that I would rather like the younger models like the C6, DS5 or now just the DS, the DS9. I can't really identify with the older models
I can understand. The CX and BX (I had several) are the cars of my youth. I looked at a DS5 in the Frankfurt branch. Great car with a remarkable design. But then it became a Saab again.
Yes, there are always more loves in life. My favorites are Saab, BMW, Jaguar and Citroën. A perhaps completely unusual mixture, but e.g. Lancia or Alfa Romeo, Audi, Volvo and Co. - I don't get a spark from that...
I dare a bet: in the end it will only be a CX of the 3 models originally mentioned (if it doesn't end up being a DS). In addition to Saab, I'm also very fond of Citroën and Francophile, but a BX or XM aren't really my cup of tea... then even more a C6...
Maybe yes. There are always very nice, well-kept CXs on the market, the temptation is great. Let's see how the bet goes.
Yes, DS / ID was ahead of its time at the time, unfortunately little has remained. Experience with DS Break for several months, unfortunately not that reliable, repelled and ended up at SAAB.
Stumbled upon the Citroen Museum by chance during the holidays in Provence last month. Castellane Route Napoléon N 85. Worth seeing, but only vehicles (100!) up until the merger with Peugeot (www.citromuseum.com) (1936 – 1976). All still drivable, with a few kilometers and everything in the original condition, as purchased. Wankel is also there.
To this day I regret parting with my Xantia V6. Suspension, seats, automatic and the restrained design. Especially indoors – an extremely effective sedative. And Citroen could also leather.
Unfortunately, we only understand some things with increasing age and a certain maturity.
The youthful fear of appearing stuffy and boring would like to be served by the early 30s. After that, the situation calms down.
I can only agree with Aero50: some car brands always work. And maybe you will actually find the Citroën paradise. Several times I've been close to putting a CX, XM or - my favorite - a C6 in my garage. So far, reason has always triumphed. Although I would call it panic before repairs anyway. I keep my eyes open while driving Saab.
The Lizi
It's the repair panic that's holding us back...
Citroen, Lancia and Saab always work! Are somehow kindred spirits. Front-wheel drive connects.
and of course; Anything but ordinary!
Before the SAAB I had two Citroëns. Both C5 Tourers, one with steel suspension, one with Hydractiv 3+, the successor to classic hydropneumatics. I still have a vague comparison to the BX of our neighbors back then, which was noticeably softer than the C5. It was... more sporty. Which disappointed me. An XM is of course very chic. He also already has the Hydractiv suspension, i.e. electronically controlled hydropneumatics. But it is noticeably more comfortable than the last Citroën models. How about the Xantia? It was available with hydropneumatics and hydractiv suspension.
It becomes somewhat problematic with the spare parts. Citroënists are not as well off as you are at SAAB.
“The Grand Tour” brought a nice homage to the CX last year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTHJ7G8J8OE
😉
Yes, the Xantia. I briefly drove one with hydractive suspension back in the days when my Citroën dealership still existed. I found the suspension to be so perfect that the Xantia was boring. I prefer the older, less perfect but charismatic models like the BX, CX and maybe the XM. But the (internal) trend is more towards BX and CX, whereby it is almost more difficult to get a good BX than a CX.
Of course I'm leaving the Saab paradise with the topic of spare parts, that's clear to me. But it's not that bad, the Saab always drive 😉
Ridden CX Break (“Tin Camel”) and CX for years and really liked the sedan chair glide, but how should I put it? DS is nice from the outside but still quite old and impractical, and therefore hmnaja for everyday use. All in all, I would have ended up back with Jaguar from the brand, which Brexit has spoiled for me a bit. And as a convertible, the only option for me is Saab and nothing else, so the matter with the car brands has been clarified for me. a focus is on Saab, my second car is an MB, and if I ever find a suitable 9-5 NG ....
I'm afraid the DS thing is true.
It's always exciting to read about other car brands in our Saab lives. I think it would be a good idea if the blog picked up the topic, just to see what other brand identities warm our hearts. Perhaps a trend can be discerned, from which corner of Europe the second, third... car culture is coming.
@Flens99 Shall we start a poll? What other automotive love is there beyond Saab (or something like that)?
I am amazed at how similar the paths of many SAAB fans are. After GSA with boxer and double carburettor, AX, CX, the famous Xantia V6 Break, an interlude with Renault VelSatis, I actually wanted to buy a C6 a few years ago. I always had SAAB on my radar and when the gates were closed in Trollhättan, I had the feeling that I had to access it now or never.
I can't get used to the current Citroën models. They go under in the automotive monotony.
I would be happy about one or the other story about a Citroën with radiance.