recently picked up my Citroen CX and now have two 70/80/90s car in the fleet. Both started being made in the 1970s and production lasted until the 90s.
So why did I buy them you may ask...I actually didn't look at them previously, but have always wanted their sister cars.
262c:240
SM:CX
So decided to get the next best variation IMO of these cars. I always either look out for the earliest production year or the last production year of these cars. So I have a 1993 240 SE Estate and a 1989 CX Saloon.
Exterior
Cannot be any more different, whilst the 240 is very boxy, the Citroen is sleek and was sold as a car with low CD, I won't bore you with the name etc. You know what they look like anyway, so...you can tell the difference.
Interior
Again, boxy vs sleek, each to their own. The Volvo's interior is substantially more robust than the Citroen's but the Citroen's just look so much more advance. Both are practical, although I am still getting used to the stereo being sideways near the gear stick... Both have velor interior and Volvo's is better quality and both still look fresh. The Volvo has a more upright driving position but both seats are comfortable. Rear passenger space is better in the Citroen though... Headlining is better quality on the CX, whilst the Volvo's vinyl is more practical. The Volvo's interior is more sombre and the Citroen's is more flamboyant.
Driving
Being petrol, the Volvo is lighter off the mark, but the Citroen would easily catch it up with its turbo diesel at mid range. Both are surprisingly similar when it comes to wind and road noise at motorway speed, the Citroen is more stable at motorway speed. The driving position on the 240 is more commanding and upright. Both have good brakes but the Citroen's is very very sensitive and I can honestly say it makes sense. For those of you who have driven a P38a Range Rover, it feels like it is constantly on the second pump on the brakes. Steering is light on both, Citroen definitely more so due to the Diravi steering, but none feel overly assisted.
Handling
Rear wheel drive vs front wheel drive...the Volvo has a tendancy to kick the back out on roundabouts after some understeering, whilst I have not yet experienced understeering in the Citroen, seems to be very grippy. I would prefer the Citroen in the rain. The Citroen seems to grip much better and body lean is very similar on both cars. I remember picking up the Volvo in the Wind and it felt like a boat, but after getting used to the Volvo, the Citroen isn't any worse, body roll wise.
Comfort
Both cars are soft, although the Volvo can feel unsettle by potholes, the Citroen has no problem. Having said that, there is trim rattle on the Citroen which does not occur in the Volvo, making it feels less solid, it looks like the cubbies in the dash are loose on the Citroen, as common with all of them...
Engine
Citroen's diesel is noisy but very quick for a 28 years old car, it is surprisingly quick when the turbo kicks in and due to the large capacity, turbo lag is minimal when compared to my previous Yeti and the Wind. Volvo's power delivery is more lenient as expected but it is tuned to low down torque and therefore can feel a little out of breath mid range and there is no point revving the nuts off both cars as it does not make it go any quicker, to go quick change early and let the torque take you to speed.
Practicality
Volvo is an estate...I have not yet been in a CX Estate but I would imagine that to be ginormous inside. I would happily take both on long trips and they both feel very solid and can cope easily with current traffic and motorways.
The "X" factor
I "think" the Citroen has always been a "cool" car, whilst the Volvo has recently become "cool". I just like them for what they, one serious, one weird. If I am going to a fancy hotel with valet parking, I will happily turn up in both just to be different...having said that, I might actually turn up in my cab, which is perhaps slightly weirder.
So why did I buy them you may ask...I actually didn't look at them previously, but have always wanted their sister cars.
262c:240
SM:CX
So decided to get the next best variation IMO of these cars. I always either look out for the earliest production year or the last production year of these cars. So I have a 1993 240 SE Estate and a 1989 CX Saloon.
Exterior
Cannot be any more different, whilst the 240 is very boxy, the Citroen is sleek and was sold as a car with low CD, I won't bore you with the name etc. You know what they look like anyway, so...you can tell the difference.
Interior
Again, boxy vs sleek, each to their own. The Volvo's interior is substantially more robust than the Citroen's but the Citroen's just look so much more advance. Both are practical, although I am still getting used to the stereo being sideways near the gear stick... Both have velor interior and Volvo's is better quality and both still look fresh. The Volvo has a more upright driving position but both seats are comfortable. Rear passenger space is better in the Citroen though... Headlining is better quality on the CX, whilst the Volvo's vinyl is more practical. The Volvo's interior is more sombre and the Citroen's is more flamboyant.
Driving
Being petrol, the Volvo is lighter off the mark, but the Citroen would easily catch it up with its turbo diesel at mid range. Both are surprisingly similar when it comes to wind and road noise at motorway speed, the Citroen is more stable at motorway speed. The driving position on the 240 is more commanding and upright. Both have good brakes but the Citroen's is very very sensitive and I can honestly say it makes sense. For those of you who have driven a P38a Range Rover, it feels like it is constantly on the second pump on the brakes. Steering is light on both, Citroen definitely more so due to the Diravi steering, but none feel overly assisted.
Handling
Rear wheel drive vs front wheel drive...the Volvo has a tendancy to kick the back out on roundabouts after some understeering, whilst I have not yet experienced understeering in the Citroen, seems to be very grippy. I would prefer the Citroen in the rain. The Citroen seems to grip much better and body lean is very similar on both cars. I remember picking up the Volvo in the Wind and it felt like a boat, but after getting used to the Volvo, the Citroen isn't any worse, body roll wise.
Comfort
Both cars are soft, although the Volvo can feel unsettle by potholes, the Citroen has no problem. Having said that, there is trim rattle on the Citroen which does not occur in the Volvo, making it feels less solid, it looks like the cubbies in the dash are loose on the Citroen, as common with all of them...
Engine
Citroen's diesel is noisy but very quick for a 28 years old car, it is surprisingly quick when the turbo kicks in and due to the large capacity, turbo lag is minimal when compared to my previous Yeti and the Wind. Volvo's power delivery is more lenient as expected but it is tuned to low down torque and therefore can feel a little out of breath mid range and there is no point revving the nuts off both cars as it does not make it go any quicker, to go quick change early and let the torque take you to speed.
Practicality
Volvo is an estate...I have not yet been in a CX Estate but I would imagine that to be ginormous inside. I would happily take both on long trips and they both feel very solid and can cope easily with current traffic and motorways.
The "X" factor
I "think" the Citroen has always been a "cool" car, whilst the Volvo has recently become "cool". I just like them for what they, one serious, one weird. If I am going to a fancy hotel with valet parking, I will happily turn up in both just to be different...having said that, I might actually turn up in my cab, which is perhaps slightly weirder.
