Citroen DS, yay or nay? What say you, DFD?

[D Griff]

So, gents of DFD, I have a situation and I'm not sure what to do.

As many of you know, my father owns a 1968 Citroen DS. It's quite a neat car, hydraulic suspension, turning headlights, disc brakes, four speed on the tree, Carolina blue with white top. The vehicle is in pretty good condition, he bought it restored for driving duty, not a show piece, but it's nice. Everything is fairly well sorted, I need more info on the specifics of the needs of the car still.

Basically, my dad is old and doesn't want to work on his car anymore. Also, my parents are likely getting a camper as a new "hobby" since their careers are kind of winding down. So this car will be going soon.

My dad has offered to give it to me free of charge to keep it in the family. This car is worth north of $10k as far as I know, and it's very cool and unique, but obviously it would be a big time commitment to keep it on the road, and I don't own a garage, so it would be living outside.

I'm kind of torn here...

[Apex]

So, gents of DFD, I have a situation and I'm not sure what to do.

As many of you know, my father owns a 1968 Citroen DS. It's quite a neat car, hydraulic suspension, turning headlights, disc brakes, four speed on the tree, Carolina blue with white top. The vehicle is in pretty good condition, he bought it restored for driving duty, not a show piece, but it's nice. Everything is fairly well sorted, I need more info on the specifics of the needs of the car still.

Basically, my dad is old and doesn't want to work on his car anymore. Also, my parents are likely getting a camper as a new "hobby" since their careers are kind of winding down. So this car will be going soon.

My dad has offered to give it to me free of charge to keep it in the family. This car is worth north of $10k as far as I know, and it's very cool and unique, but obviously it would be a big time commitment to keep it on the road, and I don't own a garage, so it would be living outside.

I'm kind of torn here...

Can you get a storage unit to keep the car in so it's not sitting in the elements all the time?

[D Griff]

So, gents of DFD, I have a situation and I'm not sure what to do.

As many of you know, my father owns a 1968 Citroen DS. It's quite a neat car, hydraulic suspension, turning headlights, disc brakes, four speed on the tree, Carolina blue with white top. The vehicle is in pretty good condition, he bought it restored for driving duty, not a show piece, but it's nice. Everything is fairly well sorted, I need more info on the specifics of the needs of the car still.

Basically, my dad is old and doesn't want to work on his car anymore. Also, my parents are likely getting a camper as a new "hobby" since their careers are kind of winding down. So this car will be going soon.

My dad has offered to give it to me free of charge to keep it in the family. This car is worth north of $10k as far as I know, and it's very cool and unique, but obviously it would be a big time commitment to keep it on the road, and I don't own a garage, so it would be living outside.

I'm kind of torn here...

Can you get a storage unit to keep the car in so it's not sitting in the elements all the time?

I'm sure I could, but of the cost. The other thing about that is, if the car isn't at home, will it just end up sitting all the time?

[Melon]

Classic cars need a lot of upkeep, I can't even being to think about how difficult parts are going to be. It's a real labor of love.

If you have a place to store it/work on it, go for it. If not, see if your dad will hold on to it.

[max225]

So, gents of DFD, I have a situation and I'm not sure what to do.

As many of you know, my father owns a 1968 Citroen DS. It's quite a neat car, hydraulic suspension, turning headlights, disc brakes, four speed on the tree, Carolina blue with white top. The vehicle is in pretty good condition, he bought it restored for driving duty, not a show piece, but it's nice. Everything is fairly well sorted, I need more info on the specifics of the needs of the car still.

Basically, my dad is old and doesn't want to work on his car anymore. Also, my parents are likely getting a camper as a new "hobby" since their careers are kind of winding down. So this car will be going soon.

My dad has offered to give it to me free of charge to keep it in the family. This car is worth north of $10k as far as I know, and it's very cool and unique, but obviously it would be a big time commitment to keep it on the road, and I don't own a garage, so it would be living outside.

I'm kind of torn here...

I think you should sell it. You don't have the time or space to deal with this.

[SAWCE]

Dang. Would definitely be cool to own, but if you don't have the garage to work on it, it would definitely sit. "out of sight; out of mind" How would your dad feel about you selling it? I know you said he wants to give it to you to keep it in the family... I'd pose three different scenarios to him:
1) he houses it for you if he has space, and you wrench on it when you have time and then take it completely when you move to a place with a garage.
2) he gives it to you as a trial run and if after 2-3 months it really doesn't make sense to keep it, then he's okay with you selling it (maybe give some of the proceeds to him)
3) he just sells it now and gives you some of the cash since you would have sold it one day yourself

Option 3 will probably be frowned upon by most, but if he's willing to give you a 10k car, why not just give you 1k after he sells it for 10k?

[goIftdibrad]

if classic cars aint your thing, let it go to someone else that will keep it going.

[troyguitar]

Yeah you need to be really into that shit to make it worth doing... and have a garage, or be willing to pay someone else to garage and maintain it for you.

[wap]

Dang. Would definitely be cool to own, but if you don't have the garage to work on it, it would definitely sit. "out of sight; out of mind" How would your dad feel about you selling it? I know you said he wants to give it to you to keep it in the family... I'd pose three different scenarios to him:
1) he houses it for you if he has space, and you wrench on it when you have time and then take it completely when you move to a place with a garage.
2) he gives it to you as a trial run and if after 2-3 months it really doesn't make sense to keep it, then he's okay with you selling it (maybe give some of the proceeds to him)
3) he just sells it now and gives you some of the cash since you would have sold it one day yourself

Option 3 will probably be frowned upon by most, but if he's willing to give you a 10k car, why not just give you 1k after he sells it for 10k?

I like option 1.
You're kinda screwed either way. If you take it and sell it, dad will regret it now and you will likely regret it later. If you take it and it just sits next to the on the driveway and always in the way, you'll regret it immediately. That's why I think 's option one is the least bad. You own it, dad stores it until you can conveniently store it yourself.

[wap]

Pics of DS

[Johnny_P]

It's just going to end up sitting in the garage unloved like my GF's dad's 2002. Sell it.

[NeonJonny]

Hydraulic suspension? I'm intrigued. I'd be too scared to own it. If it was a datsun, Nova, or a mustang, it would be easy. That sounds difficult to keep roadworthy, no?

[Davestr]

So, gents of DFD, I have a situation and I'm not sure what to do.

As many of you know, my father owns a 1968 Citroen DS. It's quite a neat car, hydraulic suspension, turning headlights, disc brakes, four speed on the tree, Carolina blue with white top. The vehicle is in pretty good condition, he bought it restored for driving duty, not a show piece, but it's nice. Everything is fairly well sorted, I need more info on the specifics of the needs of the car still.

Basically, my dad is old and doesn't want to work on his car anymore. Also, my parents are likely getting a camper as a new "hobby" since their careers are kind of winding down. So this car will be going soon.

My dad has offered to give it to me free of charge to keep it in the family. This car is worth north of $10k as far as I know, and it's very cool and unique, but obviously it would be a big time commitment to keep it on the road, and I don't own a garage, so it would be living outside.

I'm kind of torn here...

Sell, take cash, buy manual Chevy-SS. There are over 700 avail and 13% are manuals. My god man save one, SAVE A MANUAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[goIftdibrad]

Hydraulic suspension? I'm intrigued. I'd be too scared to own it. If it was a datsun, Nova, or a mustang, it would be easy. That sounds difficult to keep roadworthy, no?

this is all i know about these.



neat, 5/7 would not own

[D Griff]

Just FYI, this isn't really a monetary gift, it's about the car, if I don't take it, he is selling it/taking the money.

Unfortunately, storing it at their house isn't really an option either, it's an hour away, so that would make working on it very unlikely. If he no longer owns the car, I know they'd like the garage space back too. The car isn't the least reliable thing, the drive train is very robust and solid. The thing with it is parts/service are something that would require a lot of research due to the fact that they're so rare here. The car also has the crazy hydraulic suspension system. It was truly an engineering marvel of the time and a very cool thing, I'll be sad to see it go, but I'm leaning towards that being the right choice.

If I had a garage and worked a regular 40-50 hour job, I'd likely accept, but I think it's just more than I have room for on my plate.

Pics with my shitty-ass Miata:

[Melon]

Yeah man, it's such a dilemma, because it's definitely a unique piece of automotive history.
Honestly, I've never even seen one of these outside of a museum.

I should have bought that Miata.

[goIftdibrad]

Just FYI, this isn't really a monetary gift, it's about the car, if I don't take it, he is selling it/taking the money.

Unfortunately, storing it at their house isn't really an option either, it's an hour away, so that would make working on it very unlikely. If he no longer owns the car, I know they'd like the garage space back too. The car isn't the least reliable thing, the drive train is very robust and solid. The thing with it is parts/service are something that would require a lot of research due to the fact that they're so rare here. The car also has the crazy hydraulic suspension system. It was truly an engineering marvel of the time and a very cool thing, I'll be sad to see it go, but I'm leaning towards that being the right choice.

If I had a garage and worked a regular 40-50 hour job, I'd likely accept, but I think it's just more than I have room for on my plate.

Pics with my shitty-ass Miata:

Dude its a vv neat thing. I had no idea your pops had one.

But again, let him sell it to someone that will care for it properly v falling into disrepair under you. If you are not up to the task...it would be vv hard for your pops to see it deteriorate with you. I've seen it happen before, it causes family friction....

[D Griff]

Yeah man, it's such a dilemma, because it's definitely a unique piece of automotive history.
Honestly, I've never even seen one of these outside of a museum.

I should have bought that Miata.

Did you ever ride in that Miata or drive it? It was photogenic, didn't even look that good in real life. Then again, I sold for $875... kinda wish I'd have kept it as a project or something.

The other thing is... I think I want a project but I know it's a bad idea. The desire started out as a project idea, but "project" spec is still like $8k .

[Melon]

Did you ever ride in that Miata or drive it? It was photogenic, didn't even look that good in real life. Then again, I sold for $875... kinda wish I'd have kept it as a project or

Lol, no, it was freezing when I saw it, and it was borked.
Still, cheep Miata is cheep.

[Tar]

Sorry Dad, there's no place to store it without it quickly deteriorating. Time to sell it IMO

[Johnny_P]

It's just going to end up sitting in the garage unloved like my GF's dad's 2002. Sell it.

Tell me more.

Currently doesn't turn over, likely just a dead battery
Apparently the gearbox is fubared, might just be the clutch but he claims it's hard to shift
Was repainted popsicle orange many years ago with mediocre quality
Needs to be reupholstered
Has a few small dents that could be PDR'd
Been used as a wood shelf for the last 5 years and hasn't been started at all so likely needs the engine torn down and fully rebuilt with new gaskets and seals

Would be a good candidate for an engine swap with something like an E36 M42 4-cyl. Could be epic fun.

He's going to want wayyyy too much for it. @detroit was semi-interested in it, but honestly more than $2-4k for this car and it's not worth it. He had $9-12k in his mind when I discussed this with him last year.

[Johnny_P]

Sorry Dad, there's no place to store it without it quickly deteriorating. Time to sell it IMO

But if there's a sentimental attachment to the car I'd understand why you'd want to keep it. Still.... yeah I'd let it go.

[MexicanYarisTK]

I mean it is such a cool car to keep, but having it essentially a garage queen, especially knowing that parts are almost impossible to find nowadays, I don't know. I would be 50/50