"lecrab" (superservaas)
11/22/2015 at 04:45 • Filed to: citroen, cactus, c4, etg5
6
26|
"lecrab" (superservaas)
11/22/2015 at 04:45 • Filed to: citroen, cactus, c4, etg5 | 6
| 26 |
Hello everyone,
As you know (or not), I received my Citroën C4 Cactus in july. Well, the end of july, to be exact. And now that I have done over 10k kilometers in it, it’s about time for some words.
The good.
After having driven all kinds of vehicles for the pas 10 years, I have now come to understand what it is that certain (very) french cars possess, that I probably best describe as character. The cactus definitely has it. Between the excellent front seats, the sticky tyres, the small but quick engine and the excellent steering (well, precise and vague at the same time), I certainly love this car. After 10k with me at the wheel, it still feels, looks and smells new. Now that temperatures are dropping, I have been introduced to the heater, which smelled a little (newish) but heats up the car fast, which I appreciate, as I do not enjoy being cold, especially in the morning. The ETG5 is adequate, pretty smooth, but, as I have said before, the computer makes the car shift gears at odd times sometimes, driven by the desire to be as economical as possible. The engine is great, the tiny 1.2 3cil runs fine, is great at highway speeds, and roars when you push it a little.
The gps is very good. I am still impressed. I have used three different phones in the car and they all work well with the built in bluetooth. Speakers are pretty good for a car of this size and price, more than adequate.
The bad.
If you want to get rolling fast from a full stop, you’re in for a surprise. The cactus will do it, but it’s not very smooth or otherwise sophisticated. Then again, it is not a full automatic, and this is where it shows. At a red light, when driving off, and a car in front of you decelerates, you let go of the gas, and the transmission clearly doesn’t like you. I suspect that at that point the transmission is getting ready to upshift, and needs time to change that plan. As a result, the robot quickly clutches, and it feels like the first time you drive a manual, the car shakes as if you made a mistake. It’s pretty annoying, but you get used to it. When you pick up speed, all is fine and the car does its job as usual.
When you come to a red light, and you start braking, the car starts to downshift, resulting sometimes in slight stutters as each time it downshifts, it slows the engine just a little faster than you are braking. It is probably me, I like a smooth and calm driving style, I probably wouldn’t notice this if I drove around like a dutch man (always go full speed and hard brake everywhere for some reason).
Sometimes the car turns the engine off at the moment you want to pick up speed, and it takes a moment for the car to realise you just lifted your foot of the break and you would like to engine to start.
The other.
A few weeks back, I got rear ended at a light. Fortunately, it was minor damage but I was still pretty upset, and I was with my whole family on the way to school. Everybody is fine though, and we have mostly forgotten the whole thing. I got the chance to drive a Toyota Auris Hybrid Station while the cactus was being fixed up, and that wasn’t a bad experience either.
The great.
The kids love it. I really enjoy it. I just took the kids to stay with their grandparents in Belgium for the weekend, and the drive is just great. I don’t race, I usually keep it around 111km/h (which looks great on that funky dashboard), and it is nice and comfortable, not too loud, just fine.
The car is humble. It has a nice presence from the outside, but it still is the gentle little Citroën, inside and out. I really like that aspect. As it is small, it parks easily anywhere.
Questions?
FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
> lecrab
11/22/2015 at 04:56 |
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How large/small are the exterior dimensions? I can’t quite judge from videos and pictures.
bob and john
> lecrab
11/22/2015 at 05:02 |
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I saw a couple in Europe when i was there over the summer...
tell me, are those ‘air bumps’ or w/e they are called worth anything? or jush a gimmick? louder compared to regular steel doors? replacement cost?
desertdog5051
> lecrab
11/22/2015 at 05:23 |
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Don’t mean to split hairs here. Break and brake are two different words with different meanings.
Cé hé sin
> bob and john
11/22/2015 at 05:35 |
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They just stick on the standard doors so no noise issues. All they are is big rubbing strips.
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Cé hé sin
> FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
11/22/2015 at 05:36 |
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It’s Focus sized, more or less.
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FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem
> Cé hé sin
11/22/2015 at 05:53 |
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Ah okay. Thanks
Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder
> lecrab
11/22/2015 at 06:39 |
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How many dutch people are on Oppo? we should do a meet sometimes
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Cé hé sin
> lecrab
11/22/2015 at 07:46 |
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How much fuel does it use? Interesting to see if the stop/start, automated gearbox and small petrol turbo actually work in real life.
Van Man, rocks the Man Van
> lecrab
11/22/2015 at 09:45 |
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Which engine is yours? How are the air bumps?
Amoore100
> lecrab
11/22/2015 at 10:02 |
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These things are awesome...like a Juke but with more French flair and weirdness...glad to hear that you're enjoying it! It's fun to hear about things we don't get in the states...
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lecrab
> Cé hé sin
11/22/2015 at 10:38 |
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It uses about 5 liters per 100 kilometers. I do drive calm, which probably helps.
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lecrab
> desertdog5051
11/22/2015 at 10:38 |
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You are correct. My bad.
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lecrab
> Amoore100
11/22/2015 at 10:38 |
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That’s what I thought!
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lecrab
> Cé hé sin
11/22/2015 at 10:39 |
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Well, there is air in them, but other than that, as you said, rubber protecting strips.
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lecrab
> Cé hé sin
11/22/2015 at 10:40 |
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Yep that’s about correct. Pretty roomy inside, that was quite a surprise.
Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
> lecrab
11/22/2015 at 11:32 |
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Sorry - I saw ‘cactus’ and immediately thought of my favorite drink from when I was a child.
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Cé hé sin
> lecrab
11/22/2015 at 15:03 |
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That’s very impressive for a petrol car. I hired a Fiat 500 on a recent trip to Italy (1.2 engine, automated box) and I thought the 5.8 l/100km that it achieved was good. The best I’ve ever seen is 4.3 on my father’s diesel Focus.
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lecrab
> Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing.
11/22/2015 at 16:03 |
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Ha! Nice. I found myself buying cacti (the plants) ever since I got the car. Go figure.
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lecrab
> Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder
11/22/2015 at 16:05 |
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No idea. A meet is definitely an option!
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Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder
> lecrab
11/23/2015 at 08:17 |
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Slight problem though, my car needs to be off the street in 7 days, untill March next year. maybe a springtime meet? I hope i have it finished by then.
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lecrab
> Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder
11/23/2015 at 12:16 |
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Sure, I’m not going anywhere...
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lecrab
> Cé hé sin
11/23/2015 at 12:16 |
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I checked today, and I have to correct it a little. Average so far is 5.7.
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Cé hé sin
> lecrab
11/23/2015 at 14:46 |
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Yes, 5.0 did seem a bit too good to be true. 5.7 is still very good though.
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lecrab
> Cé hé sin
11/24/2015 at 04:50 |
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That’s what I think, and that’s average. I often see 4.2 on the highway at 110 km/h, 2 kids on board and some stuff. Pretty cool if you ask me. The car only ways about 900 kg, that is obviously a factor.
Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever
> lecrab
12/04/2015 at 13:06 |
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Man, why can’t I buy a Cactus here in the US. What a cool little family car.
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lecrab
> Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever
12/05/2015 at 02:51 |
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Sorry my friend. It is fun, even though it’s not perfect.