1983 Citroen CX 2400i Pallas review from UK and Ireland

Alternator and starter motor went around the same time, at approx 120,000 miles. Coil expired soon after (can get damp which doesn't help).

Radiator was replaced at about 150,000 miles.

Occasional electrical faults - earthing to lights would sometimes go on the blink.

Rust made a gradual appearance before leaking heater matrix made me scrap the car.

Other than that general wear and tear.

You can't buy an old CX and expect it to look brand new - though mine was a later series 1 it was starting to rust in the normal places - bottom of the doors and tailgate.

However the car was mechanically very strong and extremely comfortable as you would expect. It carried huge loads with no fuss and would cruise at 100 mph all day long. Fuel consumption could be heavy, with 20 mpg or less around town and 27-28 mpg at best on a motorway run. Engine not the smoothest, but torquey and good at high speed. Autobox blunted its edge a bit - 5 speed manuals feel much quicker.

The car was looked after by a local Citroen mechanic who sprayed the underside of the car with oil every 6 months or so - helps to prevent the hydraulic pipes corroding. Spheres were recharged when necessary; the hydraulic system was perfectly reliable. Access to some parts of the engine could be awkward, especially oil filter.

Though visually a bit of a wreck it was still going strong when the heater matrix sprung a leak. Though it is possible to cut into the floor and replace it, saving a very lengthy job removing the dashboard, I scrapped it. But I missed driving it -whatever else I drove it was always a pleasure to get back into the CX.