1987 Citroen 2CV 6 speciale 602cc air cooled flat twin cylinder
Summary:
A really cool and fun car that is reliable and versatile. What more can you ask for!
Faults:
Though its overall condition was excellent the cars service history was not known when I bought the car so many things needed to be replaced through neglect and wear and tear such as the battery, heating ducts, window catches, spare tire, front disk brake pads and its parking brake pads.
Alternator wore out so it ceased to output a sufficient charge. Battery was damaged as well so both had to be replaced.
Some of the elastic rings in the drivers seat have snapped so the seat has started to sag. As always parts are cheap and easy to come by so this should be easy to repair.
General Comments:
The car is very reliable. It may not be fast, but it does get you there. The engine will happily buzz away all day at seventy miles per hour, its top speed. However it is noisy so holding a conversation is difficult.
Fuel economy is good as you would expect from 602cc! Not as impressive as used to be since bigger and more powerful engines can match this or exceed it, but it will always exceed 40mpg.
The road holding is good for this type of car with little under or over steer so don't be alarmed when it leans alarmingly as it turns into a corner. It hasn't yet threatened to topple over.
Parts are cheap, but the servicing can be difficult and expensive. For example the brake pads only cost ten pounds, but they cost ten times that to fit them.
The car is very simple, thus making repairs accessible. Simple ingenuity is the order of the day, there are no black boxes and chips to contend with.
This car will go anywhere thanks to its high ground clearance and incredibly soft ride. You really can't feel the bumps and hollows you ride over. Speed bumps present no problem as it will easily ride over them at 30 mph where most cars would struggle over them at just 20mph.
This has to be the cheapest convertible you can buy and possibly the most fun. As an added bonus you can carry really big and bulky items just by rolling the roof back its full length. I once carried a bicycle, its front wheel pushing above the roof line. If you stand up to look over the windscreen it has an excellent vantage point from which you can take pictures or make drawings from. It also allows plenty of headroom as it was designed at a time when people wore top hats. Its even cheaper than most steel saloons and certainly a lot more practical.
It has tremendous character, its distinctive pram like shape with curved lines everywhere make it a real head turner and give it an almost comical appearance. People always talk about it whether admiringly or when making derisory comments about its appearance. Girls seem to find it particularly appealing and there is nothing quite like driving down the motorway, hood down, with a full compliment of female passengers. People are always sounding their horns and waving - especially truck drivers when they pass by.
This has to be one of the few cars that inspire any real kinship. Fellow 2cv drivers are always hooting and waving at me.
Yes I really enjoy driving this car as there is no other car quite like it.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 15th April, 2005
5th Apr 2006, 05:25
I must stress people using the term "convertible" for the 2CV, a 2CV does not "convert" from hard top to soft top, it is simply a roll back roof or large sun roof if you like. but apart from that it is a good true review.