Faults:

Battery replaced.

Coil replaced.

2 x Tyres replaced.

Window clips replaced a few times.

Exhaust replaced a few times (easy DIY job)

Welding on floorpan for MOT.

Citroen dealers were extremely poor in both knowledge and service- find a specialist 2CV mechanic.

General Comments:

This is one of the gretest cars designed.

It's slow- relatively- but the engine is a gem spinning easily and very smoothly right up to it's limit without any distress. Benefits greatly from sympathetic maintenance- oil change every 3000 miles. Given it's capacity of only 602cc performance is very respectable... mainly due to low vehicle mass.

The dash mounted gearshift is excellent... interesting to note that quite a few current models have adopted this layout.

Flat floor and simple dash maximises interior space, really comfy seats allow you to sit in a naturally upright position- great for visibility too. Usefully sized boot, mine also had a fibreglass boot extension- great for carrying long loads and bikes.

Suspension is unique and unequaled- for such a light car it rides superbly and deals with speed bumps as if it were designed to ignore them.

Handling it roly poly, but it grips very well, ultimately leading to understeer. Roadholding is amazing given the car's age and light weight. Steering is heavy at parking speed, but full of feel once on the move- puts many a modern car to shame.

Amazing detachable body panels makes for easy maintenance and replacement. Body is quite thin and fragile and rusts easily. Opening roof is superbly simple and effective and lasts a long time provided it is cared for.

Superb owners club- 2CVGB. If you own a 2CV membership should be mandatory.

I now drive a hand-built high performance car, but I have regretted every day since 1998 when I sold my 2CV.

Faults:

Where do I begin?

Dirt in the fuel line - rectified by adding a fuel filter.

Dozed engine mounts, any clamp involved in the exhaust system was thus shaken loose.

Actual exhaust had huge holes from rust.

Passenger door seal fell off, but this is due to a very dodgy restoration job.

Main wiring loom decided to short and melt a while back - I was quite upset and punched the door which now has a large dent.

Major rust problems all over (Blame Portugal).

Basically all problems with this car are due to the restoration before I owned it - it was not very thorough and this is evident in the reliability of the vehicle.

Difficult to start in cold weather.

General Comments:

I love this car, it has character, personality and is an icon. It is cheap, simple and fun especially in the summer with the roof back.

Essentially it is made from mechano and anyone with the most basic mechanical ability should be able to maintain one.

The engine never complains and can be run at high revs forever. Although not fast on motorways etc, it is so much fun to drive and drive hard. If mine was a better put together example it would be one of the best cars I've ever owned.

Practical sizewise - you can pack it full and remove all the seats for more space. There is little I can say that is bad about 2CVs.