When it comes to cars not officially imported into the USA yet still making a consistent appearance on various classifieds platforms, Citroens from the middle 80s to early 90s are a more regular feature than you might expect. This was likely due to a number of gray market importers going it alone and bringing various models into the country without Citroen’s support. CINA (Citroen Importers of North America) was based in Georgia, so it’s not surprising to find what is likely one of those cars still living in the Peach State. This is a 1988 CX TRS22 that seemingly benefits from lots of tricky maintenance work done, and the pneumatic suspension still works. Find it here on craigslist with an asking price of $12,500.
I love the fact that several independent shops got together and started bringing these French oddballs into the country, even with the negative headwinds of Citroen corporate not throwing the weight behind the effort. Other challenges included that the cars would struggle to meet California emissions requirements, so it’s not like this was an easy process. Still, that didn’t stop companies like CINA and CXA Automotive in New Jersey from importing about 400 models, and another 300 or so by various other importers in the 70s and early 80s. I’d be willing to bet the paper trail will show this one came into the USA courtesy of CINA.
And given the supply was fairly limited, one would assume that the first-time owners were passionate followers of the brand. You don’t own a Citroen by accident, and that standard would apply even if they were sold here by the boatload. These are cars built for individuals who appreciate intricacy in engineering and are comfortable with the fact that ownership requires a dedication to upkeep that exceeds most import brands. The owners of this CX TRS22 certainly have lived by that ethos, as the list of recent repairs is exactly what you want to see in a car like this. The interior is also immaculate, with the preferred manual gearbox.
The backseat looks like it was never used, which would be a shame – these were extremely comfortable cars to be a passenger in. The seller notes that recent work includes replacement of “….all spheres, timing belt, thermostat, and various cooling pipes.” Brakes are said to be in good order and the Michelin tires are near-new. The suspension can be quite expensive to repair if left standing for years while parked due to an unrelated issue (almost always how it goes bad), so it’s not surprising to see it still works on a car that’s been loved. The seller further notes that the Diravi steering, Citroen’s proprietary power steering system, also works without issue. If you’re one of the individuals who yearn to own a Citroen, this is the one to buy.
I’m trying to warm up to its looks. Okay from the side and rear view but the front seems heavy and not quirky enough! The old DS is a beautiful design that’s hard to beat. I will take a DS21 or a SM.
I’ll take the Gal behind it instead
From the rear 3/4 angle, it looks like a full-sized Prius. And that’s not a compliment.
It’s a stretch (retch?) Preeus leemo!
Sometimes these images are so much about the angle of camera to subject. And sometimes the subject is so dependent on the image/reputation. Sometimes I live in the city, sometimes I live in the town. Please rescue this car from junker, and return it.
“Sometimes I live in the city, sometimes I live in the town.”
What the hell are you talking about?
Maybe he has 2 houses 😄
Ugly AND difficult to maintain. What’s not to like?
Both are subjective concepts.
Dude
Citroens…..some of the goofiest, ugly looking cars ever made!
Autism on wheels.
Chris, why in the world do you feel the need to say something so nasty?! And twice? Did you forget you posted it the first time, or just not get the reaction you were hoping for?
Placing negative implications on those that are different from oneself is a definitive indicator of a small mind.
Anyone know how to “report” a comment? Chris M.’s deserves to be removed.
its a shame that its on the east coast….. I had one of these when I lived in France.
Were u forced to own it?
Here’s a better question, how many years were u sentenced to drive it?? 😆
Only the French could come up with designs like this!
Another Craigslist seller who thinks the scammers will buzz off because he/she says so: “I don’t need any support or help selling the car”…
If that’s the case, why the hell did he post it on Craigslist? LOL
Autism on wheels.
What a silly comment.
Ooo, Citroen-y floaty loveliness! Hearing aid beige, but.
Philistines. That’s what you lot are. This was one of the most advanced cars at the time with a ride that is still today unrivalled. The 2.5L turbo and the turbo diesel were serious performers.
The wheels covers, the bumpers and the side mouldings down the side makes it look frumpy. Put on some Alfa Romeo mags, get rid of the side mouldings and replace those bumpers and you have a very sophisticated looking car.
And the colour does it no justice either …
And “shes a Very Sweet gal with a Fantastic personality” 😄
“Put on some Alfa Romeo mags, get rid of the side moldings, and replace those bumpers and you have a very sophisticated looking car”.
Why not just start from scratch?
If any of you actually drove one of these you would look back on these negative comments and kick yourselves! Amazing cars to drive and own. Make other cars feel downright antiquated! Styling is a matter of personal taste.
“Styling is a matter of personal taste” thats what Pontiac Aztec owners say……and evidently Citroen owners. 😆
Why not attractive styling ALSO???
There was a teacher at my high school who owned a Citron in the late 60’s. Very quirky science teacher. Is anyone surprised lol.
I drove my brother´s DS19 all over Europe on a vacation and loved every second of is quirkiness. He drove nothing but Citroens and by his own admission made the mistake of trading his last one in on a Peugeot Diesel. Never forgave himself. Now he´s gone and no doubt tools around on the other side in a DS 21.
Too many posters that have obviously never driven one. Sorry.
When you’re paying your hard erned money for a vehicle u shouldn’t have to just “settle” for good handling……u should get the whole package INCLUDING good styling/looks.
Mechanically there a great car to Bad it’s French no style
It’s like a modern Hudson, like the way it leans to the back
But seriously i had one and it drove like nothing else, espacially the suspension is unrivaled.
See it like this; if you take a speed bump at 60 mph a normal european car will loose parts or dent your fenders, a USA build car will go right thru it because of all the mass but a Citroen you won’t even notice the speed bump no joke
It’s just absurd how negative some of these comments are! And rather likely that the same posters have neither driven nor maintained one. Anyone with any experience of the CX knows how good they are!
What has driving got to do with the looks???
I didn’t need to have sex with JANIS JOPLIN to see she was no RAQUEL WELCH!!
“Love is blind.”
And who decides what’s beautiful?
donek, Hmmm, let’s see…everybody?
That hydraulic suspension was supposed to be great to smooth bad roads. Older DS Citroens were used by the BBC to film horse races following the horses with camera car running inside the track oval. “Top Gear” did a comparison between a new Citroen C6 (with similar but moderns version of the suspension to the car shown in the article) and a luxury BMW ( https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0qzuFE1AIew )… driving the hydraulic suspension Citroen should be interesting at least (I drove a C4 compact one in 2019… it qas ok…, but it had no hydraulic suspension)
Very nice looking car. If nothing else, Citroen produced the best looking cars in Europe. It’s a shame that it was never sold here in the USA. I think that if you’re going to sell a car anywhere, but particularly here in the USA, you must have a means to service the car, to keep it on the road. In order to do that, there should’ve been a comprehensive service and maintenance network.
Best looking car in Europe?
Yeah, those stylish Citroens are MUCH better looking than any JAGUAR or BMW, or MERCEDES or PORCHE or FERRARI or LAMBO ect….ect….excuse me while I go vomit now! 😄