Faults:

The car was very reliable for the period I had it on the road (1989 - 1996) I had to change the clutch once (undo 8 bolts and 2 people pull the engine out - no other lifting gear needed).

Since 1996 it has been in a garage, as I had bought another car (Currently a Citroen Xara) for a big commute that I do each day. I am currently working to get it back on the road again. It has some holes ion the body work, but the chasse is in fine form. The engine runs, but there is a nasty noise from the drive shaft that will require attention.

General Comments:

Have I really had this car 15 years? good grief! It was my first car, bought before I learnt to drive, and I won't be parted from it! Fortunately my wife fell in love with it as well as me.

My 2.0 HDi diesel Xara has 3 times the power of the Dyane, but not 3 times the fun or satisfaction! I must get on with the battle against tin worm and get it back on the road soon.

Faults:

Apart from normal service items such as oil filters, plugs, points, wiper blades, tyres and the like, the following ar the major items needed:

The car has needed two new roofs in the time I have owned it.

A second-hand engine was fitted in 1994 after I "cooked" the original by driving on a motorway with the grille muff on. (Not the car's fault!)

A second-hand speedometer was fitted in 1997.

In 1998 a new alternator was fitted, also a refurbished tailgate.

In 1999 a new galvanised chassis was fitted.

In 2000 a second hand gearbox replaced the original and the clutch was replaced at the same time. A new ignition switch unit was also needed in this year.

Finally, in 2001 a replacement wiper motor was needed - second hand of course. Also a new accelerator cable.

General Comments:

I have owned Dyanes continuously since 1969 as my everyday car. This is one of the last sold in the UK. It is still as much fun to drive as the first was over 30 years ago.

The cars (four in all, all bought new except the current one) have been extraordinarily reliable and have taken me and some very heavy loads all over Europe and the UK.

Dyanes were very rare in 1969 - now they are very rare again! I wonder how long it is possible to go on using it as an everyday car - not for lack or performance or inability to cope with modern traffic, but in doing battle with the ever-present tinworm.

Cheap motoring? This car has cost under 17p per mile to run over ten years, and that is including ALL fuel, servicing, repairs, maintenance, insurance etc. It will still do 80mph with the wind behind it and stiil returns over 40mpg, driven hard.

Yes, I am an enthusiast!

Faults:

Mechanically nothing major - just the usual bits like battery and new king pins when I bought the car.

Not too slow, but the rust makes the car that little bit quicker.

Latest problem - skidding on snow straight into a tree during the winter. Hefty damage to chassis, but nothing that can't be fixed with a credit card and a hammer.

General Comments:

Fantastic car, looks better than your common as muck 2CV!

Good fuel economy too with 50mpg being a realistic average if you are careful.

Faults:

Nothing really until the rust fairy won a long battle. The original engine was changed (120,000 miles) as oil was leaking out from everywhere. That engine still pulled me and my mates to Blackpool and back in one night from Birmingham!

General Comments:

I did 12,000 miles on an already well-used car with absolutely no problems. Not bad for £365! These little Citroens are fantastic! I now own a van which I intend to restore and am a member of the 2CV club of Great Britain, working to preserve the cars that are left.