Cars of 1974! Volvo 240 vs VW Golf Mk1 vs Citroen CX - 50,000 Subscribers Special!

[@pichurri1173]

I bought my first car in 2022, a 1990 Volvo 240, and still drive it today. Last Summer drove it from Brussels to Valencia and back, like a breeze. This being said, I would like to drive a CX, but the 240 is my comfy motoring pal. Great car.

[@chilleddriving1455]

I bought mine in 2004, still driving it today.

[@UPnDOWN]

For my money the CX is in another league to the other two. Almost feels unfair to let them compete with it!

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Not that you're biased... ;)

[@dandare1001]

I agree. Funny to find you here, Rich.

[@idrisddraig2]

@@ClassicsWorldUK I'd agree and I drive a VW......because the current Citren Van is junk compred to a Transporter

[@sunilphalakdhari3869]

Absolutely, citroen of the past was always light years in front of their competition. Saying that, who can we compare it to...nobody was close enough in range of pricing. And it's good to show, how backwards the other manufacturers were by comparing directly with them. French manufacturers always seem to pull out something extraordinary every so often Renault's Espace revolutionized family cars, Citroen Berlingo following behind.

[@tommyandersson4123]

I love the hydropneumatic Citroens too, having a C5 Touring HDI 2011. But, people look for different things in a car. The CX have amazing comfort, but it's not a DIY car for most owners, for example. Some people want simple, reliable cars they can feel good by fiddeling on themselves, no fault in that. Being a Swede, i suffer to understand how Volvo could produce cars with such bad winter handling as 140, 240, 740, 760, 940, 960 though. But reliable, they are. And DIY. The fwd 400 series and on were a lot better in winter, so they solved the problem in the end at least. Golf is the biggest success story of them all, but is it really the same car after 8 generations, just because they kept the name? 😊

[@Luke-PlanesTrainsDogsnCars]

Absolutely no contest..You could just sit in the CX all day playing with the ball ashtray and be in design heaven, with the 2 lit dash tumblers looking back at you much like the portholes in the Jacques Tati house in ''Mon Oncle'' .......the other 2 are mere transportation.

[@suilegew]

If you can find one that isn't held together with bondo...

[@Luke-PlanesTrainsDogsnCars]

@@suilegew Any car that is pushing 50 yo is going to have problems.

[@crazyforcars]

What a wonderful special. More subscribers guaranteed...The CX is a car that was way ahead of it's time. My personal favourite though is the Volvo. This swedish brick has this fascinating aura of undestroyable evelasting life.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Gotta love a Volvo! Thanks for watching :)

[@bionysos41]

CX is fantastic and like you said head of its time. Cant believe its from -74 i mean in mid 80s it was still like spaceship and still far ahead from others.

[@bojanarezina2352]

@@bionysos41 this is a later, facelifted version, of course

[@bionysos41]

@ yes i can see clearly that dash is different exterior

[@Aliens_Gonna_Get_Ya]

Would take the Citroen… 👍😊

[@mattphillips4419]

The CX wins hands down for me, stunning looks, amazing ride and handling. My bugbear is when people say that a car (the Golf for example} has sold x million cars. No, they've sold 8 different cars, with the Golf name, each selling a fraction of that overall number. You can't say the Mk1 and the Mk8 are the same car, so can't add their sales together. That's my opinion, anyway.

[@cliveprocter3698]

Correct but better than toyota and their corrolla which went from RWD to FWD and saloon to hatch and changed name to auris inbetween and they still claim its the most produced car, eva

[@SiqueScarface]

I have my issues with your sentiment. If you execute it consequently, a Golf 1.1 is different from a Golf GTi, and a Diesel Golf is a different car altogether. And where do you draw the line? Is a Golf L the same as a Golf GLS? A blue Golf vs. a white one? Cabrio vs. Hatchback? And what about the difference between a Golf I 1.3 and a Golf II 1.3? The engine is the same, and so is the drive train. The car body of the Golf II is more streamlined and longer. But the technical concept is the same. In Terry Prachett's "The Fifth Elefant". there is an interesting observation: The Low King shows the family axe to Sam Vimes and tells him, that it is 1500 years old. Yes, the handle was replaced several times, because the old broke. And they welded a new edge to the axe head. Or changed the pattern of the engravings according to changing tastes. Or replaced the head, because the old one had cracked. But it was always the same axe.

[@andrewcocos]

@@cliveprocter3698 Auris and Corolla are different though. It's like Golf and Jetta.

[@andrewcocos]

@@SiqueScarface oh, my. It's Theseus's Paradox, known for centuries before Prachett was even born.

[@SiqueScarface]

@@andrewcocos I know. It still applies.

[@dandare1001]

The CX still looks modern. The other two, although I like them both, could never be on the same level.

[@davidmwood560]

Citroen CX every time. Having owned both a Pallas and a Familiale, I can honestly say that it's the only car I'd swap my current 2006 Lexus GS300 SE-L for . And believe me, I love my Lexus

[@tomscott9938]

The CX still looks great today and, unlike the horrible SUVs the Stelantis nameplace Citroen produce today, was completely in keeping with the brand values. Quirky, extraordinary engineering and advanced design. It's a real classic and the car I would choose.

[@christopher4162]

Current stellantis is a tragedy all around. From Citroen to Fiat and Alfa Romeo…. 😢

[@fairybuddy-angel2035]

The current C5 looks amazing! The C4 has a quirky beauty too. The 308 and 2008 look lovely. French designers still nailing it. The Renault line up is gorgeous, aside from the clunky Arkana.

[@JeremyCarrington-ve5yp]

@@christopher4162 I have been a Citroen fan (and owned 11 of them, the last so far being a 2011 C5 sedan... beautiful car, but a touch big...) until Citroen went ALL SUV, and they lost me. I've recently bought a new Peugeot 308 hybrid, which is pretty good, but the seats are not as good as what I have in my 2001 Xsara. The steering is not as suited to me (too much power assistance whereas the Xsara was perfect), but the extra power is nice, and I love the iCockpit. Loss of a manual transmission is my least favourite thing about it, but THATs the way of the world right now. Am thinking that my (2009 2.0L diesel) C4 will be the car that I want to keep as long as possible, and 'electrify' rather than buy a new electric car, when that time comes. Even prettier (the snail) than the C5, and a perfect size for me. Sadly, no more Citroens being imported into Australia 😢

[@christopher4162]

@@fairybuddy-angel2035 Renault is not a Part of stellantis and yes, they’re great. The c5 aircross is a generic suv like all the other cars right now, the c5x looks awkward, it doesn’t know if it wants to be a coupe, a suv, a sedan. It lacks the effortless elegance of a cx, gs or ds. Citroen also doesn’t have any of the technical finesse it used to. And the Italian brands’ (Fiat/alfa Romeo/lancia) sales have collapsed. They really need a different ceo or leave stellantis or idk

[@briancarton1804]

Cx and other Citroëns were lovely cars but the hydrolic suspension was always very expensive to repair making the used purchase of them rather risky. It always hurt their resale value. When buying a used Citroën you always had to factor in the probability of the suspension dying.

[@ianbutler8776]

The CX is a thing of beauty and when I think of a classic, the ubiquitousness of the Golf and the utilitarian nature of the Volvo don't quite cut it for me. These things are always personal but I would have to have the Citroen!

[@planflykt]

Volvo for me. It´s good looking, practical and lasts forever. The practicality gives it a certain type of coolness. It is also reasonably easy to maintain compared to the others, spare parts is not a big issue. Is there really a more timeless car design than Volvo 240? What a classic car, 50 years later you still see them being used as daily drivers. A late 240 station wagon for me please, with some nice genuine accessories like alloys, roof rails and arm rest with cup holders.

[@qchnsgaragediy310]

A more timeless design? Hmmm... the Mercedes-Benz 123. I guess i painted this car as a 3 years old child without knowing the 123. :P But yeah, could have been the Volvo, too. :D

[@pwatom22]

CX every day of the week... But probably the most difficult of the 3 to find a good original condition one. I remember driving a nearly new air cooled GS 1100.. truly amazing and with the lovely sound of that air cooled flat 4.

[@mikaelsahl7828]

I take the Volvo all day long! Rwd, bulletproof engine, four doors. Its all you need 🤩

[@vHindenburg]

The one problem it isnt an estate... Hard choice between the three still the golf is still an actual golf ( not the modern ones you cannot tell apart from any other small car) , though my favourite of those is the MK II diesel. Since the Volvo is a sedan I would chose the CX. Its so weird to think of them as 1970ties cars, those were the daily drivers when I was a kid during the 90s. My father drove a Volvo, a neighbour a CX and most people I remember a golf.

[@carsten9335]

My parents had a 240 Herrgårdsvagn (Estate) and a 244 GL and I would take the CX :)

[@grandtrousers]

CX in a heartbeat ❤

[@ciaran_socal]

These are ALL excellent automobiles, and I would be proud to own any of them, but the Citroën CX has that “je ne sais quoi” that simply makes it absolutely unique compared to the other two, and neither of the other two could ever hope to compete with the Citroën on a long journey, or on a bumpy road. The Citroën is the real head turner here.

[@kjellmesch8060]

I had a 244 GL 2.3l and it was a very good car, great for towing as it had air-suspention on the rear axle (optional extra) So it was the go to car for towing big heavy loads like rally cars and stuff like that.

[@marcsmith5959]

Love all three of them, but its the CX for me..just look at it, nothing else like it then and now..amazing ride, GTi Turbo would be the cherry on the cake, just a shame it wasn't a hatchback.

[@jhuc2869]

Citroen fantastic, Volvo worthy, Golf stone cold classic (and they did it again with the mkii !!)

[@benjaminl.dallaire9890]

Cx any day, I owned one and thought it was the best car I’ve ever owned. I’ve had Volvo, Mercedes, Renault, Triumph and Cadillac. I loved the CX😂, how quiet it was, the fuel economy and how reliable it was, not to mention the incredible ride comfort. Loved it, loved it, loved it. My only criticism would be that it was slightly underpowered and to compensate I had to play with gear shifting, (which was kind of fun though).

[@jabberthebut]

An ace mile muncher completely unfatiguing

[@wadegarret]

Can you believe, near to where I live in Australia, someone put a CX Pallas on marketplace yesterday (the day this video was uploaded) for FREE and it looks in pretty good condition!

[@Aliens_Gonna_Get_Ya]

Luv’n these characterful old cars so much more than most of the boring fat overcomplicated new crap!!! 👍😊💥

[@neilmustow368]

Great video as a 50 year old myself this year some great cars the Citroen CX Volvo 240 and a VW golf Mk 1

[@overlanduaz]

Great episode! One for the Volvo - the 240 outlived the 740, which was meant to replace it when introduced. Sales just didn’t decline enough to ditch the 240. I would have a hard time to choose between a 240 and a 740, both appeal to me. The B-series engines are one of the most durable designs ever made.

[@jamesecroucher]

Wow that headlining!!!!!

[@lise1255]

Yahh - not original though 😂.

[@matterofapinion]

​@@lise1255correct - and going as soon as it sags. A previous owner thought it was hilarious... I don't.

[@lise1255]

@@matterofapinion 🤣🤣🤣 oh really? - No, I agree - it's a little much too much.

[@jncg2311]

@@matterofapinion It's a shame, I like it for a bit of fun. My CX headlining has sagged I assume so the previous owner of my car had it replaced with a rather nice dark blue woolen type of fabric that's a good match for the interior but that too has started to sag so I need to reattach it or replace again.

[@markgatland977]

Well, my first ever car was a MK1 Golf which I still miss dearly, (and then had a MK2 and Mk3), and I geew up in a series of Volvo 240 saloons and estates, so I have much love for them both.

[@fred3527]

The Golf was called a Golf in South Africa. Only after Golf Mk II was launched did the Citi Golf get created as a budget Golf alternative. South Africa did the same with the Polo, with an older variant living on as a Vivo. The Vivo is now a top selling model due to it's very keen pricing. The Citi Golf and Vivo where/are similar in concept to what Renault did with the Dacia brand.

[@jornhietbrink870]

Especially the CX and the 240 , two of my favourite cars. Plus the mk1 as a nice to have. What a beauty trio

[@chrisperyagh]

I had a CX 25 GTi Turbo 2 which was by far my favourite of all the cars I've owned (1988 Mk2 Golf 1.6 CL, 1971 Citroen ID19B, 1990 XM 3.0 V6 Si, 1990 XM 2.0 SEi, 1996 Volvo 940 Classic estate, 2001 V70 2.5 diesel and now a 2006 Honda Accord 2.2 i-CDTi estate) and what would've made the CX far more practical would've been if it was a hatchback and had folding rear seats. Although in the executive class, saloons were more in favour than hatchbacks, even if the XM got around that by adding the extra rear window.

[@Ricketik65]

The CX for me, but I am a little biased (just a tiny bit, I swear). My parents had a GS when I was about ten years old and that infected me with the Citroën virus for life. I have owned a CX, two XMs and am on my fourth BX now (and had a lot of other cars in between) and nothing comes close to the smoothness of the hydropneumatic suspension. My parents also had a Volvo 144 later and both my brothers had several Golfs which I quite liked, but nothing spoke to me like my Citroëns.

[@markashby2622]

I had a CX Prestige back in the day. Wonderful cars well before their time.

[@AndrewBuckley-d3c]

Volvo 240 is legendary and the only one still on the road in any number

[@andrewrussell4707]

I had a Volvo 240 in the early eighties, drove it from Glasgow to north of Inverness as my commute (every second week) Always reliable, an excellent space to be sat in for a journey of that length and even though I sometimes had serious snow to deal with, the car always felt secure. If I could find a sorted, low mileage, fully loaded 245DL, I would have it as my daily driver.

[@timbre7999]

Lovely video; for me the Volvo and also the CX, when that has metal bumpers.

[@JimmyShields-z2h]

Awesome vid, interesting choice of 3 models. Here in Australia in 74 you local rivals HQ Holden Kingswood n XB Ford Falcon, both great muscle cars with US design input but Australian flavour with sixes n V8 to go with. VJ Chrysler came in 73 also choice of six n V8 n who could forget do or die Leyland P76 also in 73 too with six n V8. I do remember of 3 cars Citroën, VW it was Volvo that sneak into Australian market more suited for luxury buyers then contend with locals, who could forget Volvo in later years racing in Bathurst 1000. Volvo was ahead in design inside n out, safety features. What a part of time in history to be around which such choices to choose from.

[@michaelarchangel1163]

A pal had a Volvo 240. The steering was surprisingly nice, being uncorrupted and rear wheel driven. It was heavy on the old jungle juice but that wouldn't matter, even nowadays, to retired old gits like myself, as I drive maybe twice weekly at most, to shop or visit a bank. Incidentally, I have a 1997, owned from new Peugeot 306 1.9 TD that has about 86,000 on the odometer and a 1000cc bike for the summer months.

[@Sn00pyJ508]

Having owned a CX in 1993…it gets my vote. Wonderful car. HATE the tartan roof lining. Sacrilege!

[@matterofapinion]

It's my own car. Believe me, I'm with you on the headlining. A previous owner thought it was funny - personally, I can't abide it and I look up as little as possible. The plan is to burn it as soon as it starts to sag, but it's being stubborn! Too many other jobs on too many other cars to tear it out while it's still stuck in place and I'm wary of going in there with the spray dye.

[@Sn00pyJ508]

@ You are a lucky man to own such a car…enjoy. 👍🏻

[@Richard-Bullock]

I really like the CX, and I really like the Golf, but without a moment's hesitation I'd take the 240.

[@IwillBwaiting]

Never owned or wanted a Golf but understand the attraction of it; cheap and simple in a 3 or 5 door configuration to get from A to B. Nowadays because of the popularity it turned into a less cheap and not so simple car. Lots of modern gadgets and still in the top 10 sales in most places around the world. Owned 2 CX's, 22TRS and fortunate enough a 25GTI T2. Traded up the TRS and totaled the GTI. iI always thought that people who owned a 240 back in the day made the proper choice of car without the need to show off. Never owned one but owned 2 S60's and currently an S80. Both models are not very showy but are very comfy and with the right engine quite quick. I guess I just never bought into the German side of the stories. They did have good cars and some were even very good, but they never dinged my dong I guess. My current S80 is the equivalent to a BMW 5 series in size and luxury, It fals short in powerful engines and chassis but it performs as one expects. Who needs more?

[@mrnordyk1125]

Citroen looks like cars from 80's and early 90's. The Citroen is one of brands which created contemporary look of cars. It had to be super cool to drive car which was looking like that in 70's.

[@thezanzibarbarian5729]

The CX was a stunning car to drive. And if you got the estate version, it was like driving around with your own barn attached. The boot was cavernous! But what set it apart from everything else was it's stunning suspension. Potholes! What potholes? Manhole covers! What manhole covers? Sleeping policemen! Oh... Wait... Nope! I just hiccupped. What sleeping policemen? As for it being way ahead of its time in 1984. *I think it's still way ahead of it's time now!* It was so good that Even Rolls Royce used Citroens pneumatic suspension system in the 1960's.

[@ovelhaperdida]

Cx everyday❤❤❤❤❤

[@chrishart8548]

I would love that older CX safari with the metal bumpers.

[@AledPritchard]

Definitely the Citroën CX for me, without a doubt. Then the Volvo, then the VW.

[@stephendavies6949]

Great way to celebrate 50k. Yours is quality output. Congratulations & keep up the great work, chaps.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Thanks so much!

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Thanks so much!

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Thanks so much!

[@CaptainDangeax]

The CX days and night for her unrivalled comfort and road handling. Plus, if turbo diesel, a torquey and powerfull reliable sober engine

[@alphan13091999]

From an Australian perspective....... Golf is agricultural. Volvo is standard. Citroën is future.

[@elestromusicgamesfun1101]

As many Swedes of my generation, I learned to drive in a Volvo 240. I real iron clad work horse of its time.

[@johnkerr7286]

Thanks - Citroen CX ❤

[@gersie777]

In South Africa there was a local only version of this car that came out in the 80s called the Citi Golf. We don't call it the Citi Golf, that was just a variant, they came out in red, yellow and blue. Which also had a song with the lyric red yellow and blue. We just call it a Golf

[@Jargonaut1159]

CX is in a class of its own compared to the other 2 cars.

[@rev.waynet.oleary7387]

Citroen has imagination, like a Lear Jet..

[@bugyg2000]

Golf or 240 for everyday use, CX for the weekends(its just stunning)

[@karlgoebel9403]

I have owned all three. Loved my Volvo the most.

[@sevensixtysteve8662]

I have owned all three and I think conceptually and in execution, the Mk1 and Mk2 Golfs, are as near perfect car as we will ever see. The Mk2 Golf in particular built on the strengths of the the MK1 perhaps only trading a little of the purity of the originals shape for a step up in refinement and practicality. For me, the Mk2 is objectively tough to beat . However, it's the Volvo that has got under my skin the most. I bought a tatty 240 in 2006 and immediately appreciated its sheer dependability. It's the Labrador of the car world, not very exciting but just makes you smile every day and it's always up for anything you want to do. After 18 years of ownership and a recent 2000 mile road trip, it continues to be a genuine joy to own and deeply deeply refreshing in its simplicity, breadth of capability and reliability. An epic car.

[@InfiniteLoop]

good show, makes me feel old, lol, and it is kinda like watching James, James, and James.

[@colindowd9756]

And don't forget the 1974 asbestos roof in the background 😊. Love this channel ❤ Congratulations to all of the team for getting to 50k subscribers, it will double by March

[@Aviyel]

50k kms per year over 44 years driving on rough tropical terrains for the most part. I'd pick the CX. The good thing is that my same mechanic is still around 😅

[@Bod8998]

Volvo all day long.golf boring Citroen nice but complicated volvo nice look and reliable

[@nissebopp]

In a hundred years the Volvo 240 will still be there. Like a solid brick.

[@erik_4125]

Golf is only a name...

[@andrewachholz7922]

Golf is the way to go!

[@schlomoubermann]

My choice is a Volvo. CX looks amazing and is full of extraordinary quirks. Golf is perfect small car. Why Volvo? Rear wheel drive, very friendly, reliable. And maybe also because I had 240 GLT in UK, and drove 2 examples of 240 Turbo in Poland. I love RWD cars and 240s handle very well. CX would give me too many troubles and Golf is too small.

[@itwbeech22]

CX all day long

[@bondjamesbond9041]

The Golf is not in the same league as the Citroen or Volvo. I would have the Citroen no I mean the Volvo I've changed my mind the Citroen. In the end my head ruled my heart- the Volvo.

[@basstor1]

CX any day!

[@alexandrecouture2462]

Great video!

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Thanks!

[@chriswright4252]

For me it would be between the Volvo and the Citroen. I have a real soft spot for quirky Citroen’s as my first car was a 1983 GSA Pallas 😊

[@mbc1994]

CX for the weekend,, but 240 whenever you need to be sure you actually get there haha

[@petriruuskanen7804]

I bet that Golf is more reliable than new plastic Golfs.

[@jockwar]

the CX 😎

[@paultasker7788]

For a long time if you had to name a volvo it would be the 240. Our friends had one and being a car loving kid i loved to swap cars with our friends. It certainly had its own sound and feel. Sounded almost more like a 5 cylinder than a 4. 2.3 i think. I really liked the blue velour seats, very comfy. The boot space of the estate was enormous. It did feel quite old fashioned compared to our BMW 5 series E34.

[@benjaminvolant2469]

CX for me

[@Hans-k9j]

Why the Golf 1 was such a success is beyond me. It was such a rust bucket and faded away more quickly than my Simca. Amazing this advertisement wonder.

[@darrenmcphillips4706]

Each car was from a different class and very different from each other

[@Jaroneko]

The whirring sound of the 240 is the mechanical cooling fan. I swapped mine for a temperature actuated electronic unit and immediately the car stopped sounding like a lorry.

[@zigouigouix]

Nice ! Just to bring some detail appreciation to your big accomplishment, a 1975 CX 2200 Super, with "moon discs" wheels, and some fancy colour, would have been the real thing, compared to the Botox plastified "fin de race" serie 2 ...

[@robsawalker]

I looked at a silver 240 GLE V6 when I was a lad, with black leather interior, I really wanted it, but my old man talked me out of getting it due to being leggy and too juicy. I would still love to own a CX though, definitely my pick here by a mile.

[@ChrisPinCornwall]

I had a year old CX GTi in 1983 and bought a new Volvo 245 GLT in 86. The cx was wonderful, an amazing ride, hugely impressive on long journeys and supremely comfortable. However, it appeared to be made from baking foil and longevity was not its forté. The Volvo just worked.

[@cliveprocter3698]

Growing up an elderly nieghbour had a late 1970s 240 that came out once a week to go shopping and to the post office, a few years later in the early 80s a friend of a friend had an early CX with the single spoke steering wheel and back lit rotating numbers speedo. The CX is amazing but still scarily sophistcated and complicated to most people and prob not very DIY friendly. The Volvo has a tow bar for petrol tanker it needs. The Golf wasn't anything new or revolutionary but the right car at the right time that did everything right.

[@Cheva-Pate]

Volvo 240 the eternity machine!

[@jmgrahit26]

The 240 was produced in Dartmouth and Halifax, Nova Scotia between 1974 and 1985.

[@giulianomarco]

I'd take the Golf, as I like compact hatches. Was the CX formerly owned by Sir Jackie Stewart? 😁👍

[@matterofapinion]

A previous owner thought the headlining was funny. It's going as soon as it starts to sag, but it's being stubborn...

[@dandare1001]

@@matterofapinion I think it looks great. Much better than the usual boring headliners.

[@matterofapinion]

@@dandare1001 as soon as it sags, a black one is going back in.

[@guillaumeromain6694]

Cx any day. Those other 2 just don't stand a chance.. Vw and Volvo look old. Cx still lools awesome.

[@Bratfalken]

I would check the bearing on the propshaft in the Volvo, it is housed in a rubber in the middle and might have seized now turning in the rubber housing.

[@lise1255]

The Citroën and the Volvo are both second and last generation cars displayed here, NOT from 1974 but 1986-89.

[@torhelgerasmussen9479]

That 240 bodystyle came in 86, 12 years after release, and the citroen look like 90's, so only the golf is from the seventies

[@andreaslundell7807]

For an every Day car I would probably go with the Volvo, well built reliable and big enough. The Golf second place. For a cqr to have as an entertainment on your free time it would be rhe cx.

[@tjay84]

It has to be the Volvo for me.. Everyone in my family drove Volvo’s growing up.. Can’t mention how many hours of my childhood were spent in the backseat of a Volvo! One might say I’ve been brainwashed from a child, so I have always loved Volvo.. But embarrassingly I’ve never owned one..

[@mehrzahl2219]

VW wasn't the first with that concept. Renault 5 was launched in 1972. But the design was just spot on.

[@roberttaylor7462]

Can nobody describe or say "Citroen" without saying "quirky" (doh!) The Citroen is just the best car of the three.

[@matterofapinion]

Not entirely sure I did - I hate it as much as you do.

[@ehudk215]

Easy one: CX The other two are practical choices, but for me classic cars are all about emotion no practicality. The Citroen is like no other. In terms of design and engineering.

[@cmartin_ok]

The Volvo was launched as the 244, 245 and 264 (and 242 in some markets). Only some years later did Volvo drop the last digit indicating the number of doors and used a zero instead. The early 242/244/245 cars has a single round headlamp each side in an ugly recessed plastic moulding with slats at the bottom for melted snow to drain through.

[@RamPMonyPers]

Which of the 3 I would take home? The Volvo, any day!

[@G928...]

It's clear from the comments that classic enthusiasts are far more tolerant of the Citroens "quirks and foibles" now. When they new, they were unreliable, fast rusting and fast depreciating. Compounded by a sparse and unsatisfactory dealer network that poorly maintained and repaired them. Little wonder they were a rare sight anywhere other than France.

[@kimmohietala5359]

CX obviously. I have got a 2400 Prestige in the shed. Not a runner, it is a CX after all 😂

[@KnowPorcelain1]

The Volvo was the safe choice with its build quality, The Golf would be the every mans choice well made, not too posh and generally a great car, The Cx, I hated this type of car in the 70's and 80's, but Ironically it would be my choice, just like other cars of their time the XJS to name another they were before their time, the CX is better looking, I mean just look at the headliner, it drives better, so the CX would be my choice, Did I just choose a French car?, I am in my mid 50's.

[@angusnz7910]

Owned a 164, mk2….but always wanted a cx

[@Lightw81]

The Golf wasn't a replacement for the beetle. The Variant and the K70 may have made less of an impact on history but they were quite widespread and far more practical than the beetle. I blame the internet which is full of people being fed a US-centric view and who weren't there. I worked in the VW warehouse when the new front-wheel-drive range was coming in.

[@jncg2311]

I struggle a bit with the 37 million Golf sales to date as a comparison when looking at volume. We're on the mk.8 now but try comparing a mk.1 and a mk.5 for example and you might as well compare it with a ford focus. They had moved so far from the original design that the name is the only link. I'm afraid I think the mk.1, 2 and 3 are the only models that have a strong enough lineage to make that comparison, the mk.4 was a necessary new design that was more than evolutionary. The VW beetle production numbers throughout it's life are more remarkable because of how little the design changes from first to last, though if I remember correctly there was only officially one component that remained unchanged throughout production. I think the CX is the most remarkable because of what it showed was possible, and also how much a car manufacturer could innovate and be different and still sell their cars. It took the Lefèbvre engineering innovations learned and appreciated from the DS and SM and gave them to the motoring public in an affordable, useable package. I've owned all 3, several examples of some, and while I loved them all if I could only own one it would be the CX. I still have two CXs, soon to be one as I can't justify keeping an estate as well, and also have and an 'almost' mk.1 Golf in the shape of a Scirocco but the CX is the car that always amazes me and which I would climb into to drive the length of the country. It's my spaceship.