10k: French Loaf: 1988 Citroën CX Estate

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The CX fastback/wagon was the last Citroën designed by the small company (that was once
Europe’s largest automobile manufacturer) before it was taken
over by Peugeot.  The CX used Citroën’s bizarre oleopneumatic self
leveling suspension system and a transverse front mounted inline-4 powering
the front wheels (this was a brake from the traditional DS layout of the mid-longitudinal engine powering the front wheels, but probably much cheaper to design/build/service).  The CX isn’t a bad way to get into a bizzaro world designed French car that you might be able to drive every day…might.  Find this 1988 Citroën CX Estate offered for $9,900 in Los Gatos, CA via craigslist.   Tip from KBZ. 

Citroën sold over 1.2 million of the front drive CX platform between 1974 and 1991 but it was never officially exported in the
USA, so if you find one, you’ll need to check its papers and have a professional give it a clean bill of health…but this is something you would need to do with any new classic you were looking at buying, especially something French. 

The CX  is powered by a 2.5 liter inline-4 that puts out 136 horsepower and 156 ft-lbs of torque.  However, this is not important as the Citroën super-wagons have never been about straight line performance or even turning ability – quite contrary they are about motoring comfort.  The oil-nitrogen self leveling suspension system is commonly (and incorrectly) called a hydro-pneumatic suspension, but its working fluid is oil, not water and it is correctly called a leaking piece of sh– oleopneumatic.

See a cooler classic wagon that is best photographed with a paper bag on your head?  tips@dailyturismo.com