R4 lover in 2CV land

[Tigger 64]

Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a Citroen Dyane owner, no don't condemn me out of hand, I also have a soft spot for R4s.
The family had several, started with an 850, three speed, I think, RLE 877E, and ending with a 1976 white one OUD ???P.
I found this forum from a discussion on the 2CV forum on the relative merits of the two cars. On that I think you missed the point, the 2CV is nothing like the R4, the Dyane is closer.
Oh and whilst I'm here, well done at Santa Pod in Sept. a fabulous day, lots of support for another in 2cv land.
If I can be of any help to any of you, give me a yell.

John

 

[malcolm]

There's a discussion on the 2CV forum? Where is it? I feel I might need to join in with my balanced views.

La Poste came up with an unbeatable argument in favour of Renault 4s when we had a similar discussion over here: "(r4s have) those funny little handles attached to the front wings, which are the last word in automotive chic!" See the R4 vs 2CV thread.

 

[Tigger 64]

Your welcome Clementine, the 2cv forum had a link to the thread you mentioned, which is how I found you in the first place.
If you fancy a gander at the rubbish we spout in 2cv land go to WWW.2CVGB.CO.UK and have a look around

 

[malcolm]

I've been hanging around the 2CVGB forum since Santa Pod. It's a fun place to be. Noticed you are going to be treated to a brand new (faster? :eek forum soon - looking forward to that. Still can't find the thread where you discussed R4 vs 2CV.

There are a lot more 2CVs than Renault 4s knocking around these days which makes the 2CV club scene much more fun.

 

[Tigger 64]

That may have something to do with the parts supply situation. For 2cvs it's great, for my Dyane a little bit trickier. I did look at a four when looking for my Dyane, it's condition wasn't good and I did wonder wher/how to get bits for it. If I had known you were here I would have been a bit more keen.

 

[malcolm]

The parts situation for R4s isn't too bad. I've never heard of anyone being off the road through lack of parts. There are one or two rare parts, but generally these can be found second hand. Nothing like the 2CV situation where there are specialists supplying everything you could possibly need.

The cars were marketed in very different ways. The Renault was marketed as a cheap car, and the 2CV as a fun car. Even now the R4 is run as a cheap car by people with no interest in getting together with other owners. That's how I've run them for most of the last 14 years, and my current yellow thing on the driveway (Yvette not Ermintrude) is a poor excuse for a loved classic.

Having said that there's been a surge of interest in the R4 as a classic over the last year. Now is the time to get one as the prices have risen a lot.

 

[Tigger 64]

The same is true of the 2cv, only recently has it become a "classic" and prices are now reflecting this. An interesting aside is that the Dyane still remains the poor relation, you can pick a good one up for £500, a similar 2cv will cost over £1000, I can't work out why when the Dyane, in my opinion, is a much better car.
There are still a lot of bits you never need for 2cvs though, as one of the club t shirts says:
No Distributor, No Radiator, No Water Pump, No Hoses, No Sweat!:smile:
or the flip side:
New Hood, New Chassis, New Kingpins,New Gearbox, No Cash!

 

[malcolm]

I had an MGB once. It's recommended as a great classic as everything is available, but that makes you buy a whole load of new bits. Must have spent £10k on the damn thing.

The problem with the Dyane is it's a better car. You get a hatch, slightly more torque, and loads of other things (probably). People that buy old French cars gernerally aren't interested in how good they are at being a car. Rounded curves and headlamps are probably the thing.

 

[Tigger 64]

The Dyane is a better car, but as you say curves and frog eyes probably sell the 2cv.
Off to France for the week now, so be good!