The Citroen Commute Weapon - Saxperience

D4MJT · 25th June 2014, 10:15

For the last 2 years, the wife unit has minced about in this:

It would do 30mpg however you drove it, and the comically small tank means 230 miles from a tank pretty much. She's just got a new job with an 85 mile a day commute 4 days a week, and the thought of spannering away on the bastard over the winter when it inevitably breaks led us to looking at newer options.

Not being keen on finance / leasing, it's not really something I've looked into before, however, it turns out it's basically the cheapest way to get her to work for the forseeable, which is sort of a sad state of affairs lol.

So here starts a 2 year foray into the world of leasing a car, as opposed to my preferred choice of bangernomics. Behold, the Citroen C1.

Stop laughing at the back there! It turns out, these are being replaced with a slightly larger newer model, so Citroen / Toyota / Peugeot are doing really competitive deals on these till the end of the month, when they start taking orders for the newer ones. To that end, it's actually cheaper to lease AND fuel the C1 over 2 years and 40,000 miles than it is to just fuel and tax the Ka, which sadly, you can't really argue with for a commute weapon.

The huge attraction for me is that it's new, so it's warrantied the entire time we'll have it, it shouldn't break and I shouldn't need to spend any time replacing bits on it over the next 2 years. It's also much easier to budget and plan costs for it, as we have the servicing plan which will be pennies, it'll likely need 1 set of tyres during it's time with us, the VED is free and we'll not have it long enough to MOT it.

In comparison, the Ka is on 86,000 miles on the original clutch, I know it needed rear shocks, 4 wheel bearings and 4 tyres, and who know what else would have cropped up over the next 2 years.

I'll basically not be doing anything to it, bar keeping it tidy, servicing it, and tracking the costs to see if my math's has been correct. Since they're doing deals on it I ordered the 'Platinum' spec one, which now that it's arrived I'm pretty happy about, as the bobby basic one must be basically the most depressing driving experience known to man.

I've never had a 'new' car as I'm pretty much 'old tat', so this was weird to see:

Sharp put that right though lol. That's got to be the most optimistic speedo going.

For your 'Platinum', you get the worlds gashest rear spoiler, alloys, DRL's (urgh), gloss black interior trim, black doors strips, metallic paint, rev counter (oh aye), tints bruv, remote central locking, leccy windows, air-con, and the only really useful option, an MP3 CD audio system with bluetooth, syncs up to wife's iPhone so she's got handsfree and can play as much backstreet boys / james blunt etc as she like. The Platinum comes with a Carlinite Grey roof, mirrors and spoiler in whatever colour you order, so we ordered a Carlinite Grey car so it didn't look gash.

I told you the spoiler was appalling:

In all honesty I have no idea what it's actually like as I've not driven it yet. I'm hoping it's reliable, and cheap to run.

Giraffe · 25th June 2014, 11:27

Well, I read this by accident. For some reason I forgot you'd bought one and thought you'd been keeping secrets from me.

Prickle^p · 25th June 2014, 11:36

Nice looking little car

chompy · 25th June 2014, 11:38

We used to have them as pool cars. surprisingly nippy for what they are and quite fun to chuck about if you can keep yourself in the seat.

Great MPG-age though

MuZiZZle · 25th June 2014, 20:49

When you say the wife unit minced about in it.........

That said, this makes utter sense, I too shall be joining the realm of the lease soon, ish, maybe, a bit, possibly.

I've said it before and I'll say it again "TRACK IT"

blackie_2k5 · 25th June 2014, 22:20

Do awesome mpg

VTS_16v_Boy · 20th July 2014, 10:26

Little 3cyclinders sound like little supercars lol

Seen some nice euro'd ones but as it's the missis's, leave it alone and just keep it wash'n'polished... Although, never hurts to throw some colour on the front callipers, maybe French pressed number plates, few stickers... Etc etc

hazlo · 20th July 2014, 11:11

Fair play that was a good read!

Jamie · 21st July 2014, 09:26

Propper fannys car that mate. It's not really your wifes is it

Looks nice bar the spoiler! Still from what you say and what I've read the running cost must be really good.

Last of all, at least it's not a 206 lol

D4MJT · 21st July 2014, 09:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie

Propper fannys car that mate. It's not really your wifes is it

Looks nice bar the spoiler! Still from what you say and what I've read the running cost must be really good.

It was either this or a 206, but I don't hate myself enough for that yet, so you know....

haha, cheers dude.

Well.... so far, it's working out. Since the 106 is in various states of disrepair, we took it to the Bolton Abbey meet yesterday and it did fine. We've just clocked over 1,300 miles in it since delivery, and the mpg has markedly increased in the last 400 miles. The handbook says that by 1200 the engine should be run in and the fuel consumption should settle out.

Yesterday was baking, and we did a 260 mile round trip, 2 adults, a cake, a picnic hamper, coolbox, giant jenga set, impossible to erect outdoor awning, and 3 outdoors chairs which basically packed it out, intermittent air con use, and it averaged 66.9mpg for the trip. On a general motorway run without the skipton hills and tourists, I'd say it will easily crack 70mpg on a run.

As planned, currently it's working out cheaper to pay the lease for the C1 and fuel it, than it was to cover the same mileage and simply fuel her StreetKa, so we're quids in thus far.

The spoiler is horrific, but it's fairly easy to ignore. It's a pretty good "white goods" vehicle to be honest, the speakers are absolutely appalling, but bar that it's not bad at all. Based on yesterdays economy on a run, to fill the tank from the light is £42.90 and we're getting around 485 miles from that. It's basically cheaper than walking.

D4MJT · 21st July 2014, 09:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTS_16v_Boy

Little 3cyclinders sound like little supercars lol

Seen some nice euro'd ones but as it's the missis's, leave it alone and just keep it wash'n'polished... Although, never hurts to throw some colour on the front callipers, maybe French pressed number plates, few stickers... Etc etc

It's leased dude, so bar servicing it and keeping an eye on running costs to see if it actually does save us money in the long run, it'll be getting nothing lol.

I'm half tempted by a huge #YOLO sunstrip like...

MuZiZZle · 21st July 2014, 10:20

Looks shit, needs lowering

Jamie · 21st July 2014, 10:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by D4MJT

It was either this or a 206, but I don't hate myself enough for that yet, so you know....

haha, cheers dude.

Well.... so far, it's working out. Since the 106 is in various states of disrepair, we took it to the Bolton Abbey meet yesterday and it did fine. We've just clocked over 1,300 miles in it since delivery, and the mpg has markedly increased in the last 400 miles. The handbook says that by 1200 the engine should be run in and the fuel consumption should settle out.

Yesterday was baking, and we did a 260 mile round trip, 2 adults, a cake, a picnic hamper, coolbox, giant jenga set, impossible to erect outdoor awning, and 3 outdoors chairs which basically packed it out, intermittent air con use, and it averaged 66.9mpg for the trip. On a general motorway run without the skipton hills and tourists, I'd say it will easily crack 70mpg on a run.

As planned, currently it's working out cheaper to pay the lease for the C1 and fuel it, than it was to cover the same mileage and simply fuel her StreetKa, so we're quids in thus far.

The spoiler is horrific, but it's fairly easy to ignore. It's a pretty good "white goods" vehicle to be honest, the speakers are absolutely appalling, but bar that it's not bad at all. Based on yesterdays economy on a run, to fill the tank from the light is £42.90 and we're getting around 485 miles from that. It's basically cheaper than walking.

Hahaha!

Holy moly those figures are good. I'm averaging 26 atm (do drive tosserish to hear the pops though). I'd actually love something like this for bouncing around in. My sister has one of the new KA's and although not the same, possibly similar to run and I just couldn't believe how cheap it was to keep moving!

I know what you mean with the StreetKa's they aren't great on fuel! Infact my ex's was terribad, and things always went wrong like ABS module, water pump housing *I think* no warm air through blowers, central locking went doolally and god knows what else lol.

One day I think I'll end up with something like this as a second car, it makes so much sense. I never used to think about MPG etc but as I'm heading towards 30 in a few yrs I'm having to realise it's not all about performance and what those figures can actually translate in to, I.e more comfortable life etc.

Spoiler isn't that bad really, just bizarre they lobbed it on lol. Car looks respectable without!

D4MJT · 21st July 2014, 10:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie

Hahaha!

Holy moly those figures are good. I'm averaging 26 atm (do drive tosserish to hear the pops though). I'd actually love something like this for bouncing around in. My sister has one of the new KA's and although not the same, possibly similar to run and I just couldn't believe how cheap it was to keep moving!

I know what you mean with the StreetKa's they aren't great on fuel! Infact my ex's was terribad, and things always went wrong like ABS module, water pump housing *I think* no warm air through blowers, central locking went doolally and god knows what else lol.

One day I think I'll end up with something like this as a second car, it makes so much sense. I never used to think about MPG etc but as I'm heading towards 30 in a few yrs I'm having to realise it's not all about performance and what those figures can actually translate in to, I.e more comfortable life etc.

Spoiler isn't that bad really, just bizarre they lobbed it on lol. Car looks respectable without!

That's it basically, it's like a super cheap way to get about, and means I can tinker on with the 106 whenever without having to keep it "roadworthyish" in case her car breaks.

If ever my commute has gone nuts, I've bought something like a 106 diesel for £500, as they do insane economiez as well, maybe I'm getting old but the idea of never having to fuck on with this to keep it running / MOT'd really really appeals lol.

Jamie · 21st July 2014, 10:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by D4MJT

That's it basically, it's like a super cheap way to get about, and means I can tinker on with the 106 whenever without having to keep it "roadworthyish" in case her car breaks.

If ever my commute has gone nuts, I've bought something like a 106 diesel for £500, as they do insane economiez as well, maybe I'm getting old but the idea of never having to fuck on with this to keep it running / MOT'd really really appeals lol.

That's what is also really appealing to me, when the 206 goes wrong, which lets face it, it it's eventually going to being a 2003 car it would be nice to have something sitting there that doesn't need anything that can run on bloody air! I sit pissing around with that car and tend to forget that the next day I need to use it lol!!

Maybe a 106 derv could be the way for me soon. I just know I need to stop being a plank and spunking shit tones on a stupid little car that returns no mpgs lol!!

I do like this car.

D4MJT · 21st July 2014, 10:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamie

I just know I need to stop being a plank and spunking shit tones on a stupid little car that returns no mpgs lol!!

I don't so much mind this bit, I'll always be tinkering with something I think, but it's nicer and far more enjoyable if it doesn't "need" to work all the time haha.

MuZiZZle · 21st July 2014, 11:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by D4MJT

I don't so much mind this bit, I'll always be tinkering with something I think, but it's nicer and far more enjoyable if it doesn't "need" to work all the time haha.

I'll be joining you soon, maybe, sensible commute car, not homosexuality

D4MJT · 21st July 2014, 11:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuZiZZle

I'll be joining you soon, maybe, sensible commute car, not homosexuality

Replace the sticker pack with a single one?

'Mo Cheapz'

Jamie · 21st July 2014, 12:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by D4MJT

I don't so much mind this bit, I'll always be tinkering with something I think, but it's nicer and far more enjoyable if it doesn't "need" to work all the time haha.

Nor do I dude but everything for mine seems to cost too much mula and when things go I have no alternate ride, not even a bike anymore. LOL.

I just don't know if I could actually not modify something in some way it's like a disease!