CHERISHED MOMENTS

In December 2020, I said goodbye to my cheeky red Citroën C4 Cactus, a 2016 1,2 THP Feel I bought as a demo. My company now allows me to work from home and virtually all amenities in my town are within walking distance; two cars in the household no longer made financial sense.

Reflecting on the ownership experience proved interesting. I inherited the balance of the threeyear warranty and service plan, so the only maintenance I paid for were brakes, tyres and wipers. Apart from the water pump belt snapping, I did have a so-called horror story, but it was far from horrific.

Due to carbon build-up (beautifully explained in your April 2020 issue), a cylinder head cracked and needed replacing. Waiting time for the part? Four months! However, Citroën Tygervalley handled the situation in an exemplary manner and provided me with a rental Nissan Almera, much to my amusement. Once the part was received and replaced, I picked up my car

without a cent changing hands. Could I have asked for more?

This Citroën has proved reliable and inexpensive to run. I averaged 6,20 L/100 km calculated over the duration of my ownership. The car itself is a joy. Its distinctive nature is polarising at first but once people experience it in the flesh, they change their tune: “The ride is so soft and comfy.” And “I love the interior.” Once on the motorway ... “Yoh, this thing can really go!”

So, if the average length of car ownership is less than three years (and also less than the threeyear warranty/service period), is it so bad to opt for a Citroën? With cheap running costs, excellent dealership experience and a delightful personality, this brand might surprise you.

DAVE NEETHLING Durbanville, Cape Town

[Hi Dave, I appreciate you getting in touch and couldn’t agree more with your sentiments on the C4 Cactus. I ran a 2016 Cactus as a long-termer (pictured above) at another magazine before I joined CAR and I loved every moment of it – editor.]