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Just about to accept a new job which will require a new car. Need to get an automatic, ideally with space for a couple of bikes, and can possibly can get a good price on a 2013 1.6 VTi C3 Picasso.
Commute will be about 15 miles on A roads, or 12 miles on B roads and towns.
Has anyone got any experience with these?
Not from an ownership point of view, but I’ve driven lots, including the latest Aircross variant. I like them, they have idiosyncrasies typical of French cars, and Citroen in particular. They’re comfy, French cars seem to have really good seats.
The auto shift system is about as simple as it gets - three great big buttons below the dash, labelled ‘D’, ‘N’ and ‘R’ - couldn’t be simpler or easier. I rather like the Cactus, it’s got smaller versions of the larger plastic panels along the sides, which makes it much more immune to dents caused by opening doors and shopping trolleys.
I’ve seriously considered getting one, although I keep coming back to the Mokka, it always feels like it was made to measure for me.
Mrs has had one for 8 years / 80k miles (1.6 vtr diesel manual)
Has been reliable, comfortable and remarkably spacious for the external dimensions.
Only things outside of normal servicing have been a new pouch of eolys fluid (leaked) and broken brackets on the exhaust (I made new clamp on replacements).
Only other niggles are speedo pod thing rattles and middle rear seat isn't wide enough for an adult.
Bike wise it takes a full bike wheels in led flat(ish) with the seats folded. Can't remember exact combinations but Mrs has done 3 people and at least 2 bikes (split fold rear seat that slides and moveable boot floor help).
Very useful, thanks both. Especially the bike info, that sounds perfect. Also looking at a Yeti, which is a bit pricier.
We had a 2009 one for a year or so, the 1.6 VTR+ diesel manual.
I liked the engine, the 'see through' speedo, and the relatively elevated driving position. For a 1.6 diesel mini-MPV type thing it was OK to drive. The rear seating was very flexible, and folded flat to create a big load bay when required.
I disliked the exceedingly vague gearbox, and the nasty plastics on the steering wheel and gearstick. Ours had an erratic fusebox fault which took ages to track down, and which caused the engine to randomly cut out. This happened on the motorway a number of times. Just before we got shot of it the exhaust rusted through and had to be replaced at fairly extravagant cost.
We've had one since Dec 2016; a 1.6 vti manual Exclusive.
Good points are the practicality. It's ideal for a small family. The folding and sliding rear seats are great.
It's got some lame quirks as well like the auto wipers either go too slow or way too fast and you can't adjust. Having auto wipers removes the ability to do a one sweep wipe and the intermittent wipe is linked to speed of the car and can't be adjusted.
And the bad....
IMO, the engine is a bit thrashy at motorway speeds and it drinks oil. A lot of oil. The gearbox is like stirring spaghetti with a wooden spoon, although not relevant if you are looking at the auto.
Fuel economy - we struggle to get more than mid 30s mpg normally. It rises to low 40s just about on a steady motorway journey.
Ours has been an unreliable dog.
Faults so far include...
Fuel level sender thingy in the tank reporting there was fuel in the tank when there wasn't. Which was nice when it ran out of fuel on the drive back from the dealer 20 mins after collecting it. It was still reporting 60 miles range. Took the dealer 3 attempts to sort out.
Failed exhaust bracket after only 30k miles
Faulty passenger door lock that resulted in the car locking completely if you shut the passenger door without the ignition on.
Fuses blowing.
Anti-pollution fault coming and going randomly if the outside temp gets above around 28 Deg C.
2 sections of the centre dash randomly turned off the other day and then came back on a bit later equally randomly.
It's frustrating because it's a good car on the whole. If it'd been made the same but by someone like Honda doing the actual engineering I reckon it would have been a great car.
But as it is, we can't wait to get rid of it.
Yikes, what years is yours Stumpy?
DirtyLyle
Subscriber
Yikes, what years is yours Stumpy?
59 plate. We bought it with a whisker under 30k miles on in Dec 2015, not 2016 as I said above.
Bought a low mileage 1 owner 09 plate 3 years ago. Love it. 1.6 16v petrol. 6'3" teenage son in the back with legroom to spare. Flat load space and massive boot. Not fast but fast enough.
I've got a 13 plate 1.6 diesel - absolutely love it - we're on 83,000 miles and it has been (touch wood) no trouble at all. LOADS of boot space, loads of storagey cubby holes 🙂
Thanks all. Had a test drive today, wasn’t blown away but did like the space. Have some bike trips to Provence in the pipeline so hope it’s comfy over long distance.
One of the things I like best about it is the driving position. I'm 6' and have the driver's seat cranked to its highest setting. Feels very upright and visibility is great. Almost van like. Have driven to Edinburgh from Milton Keynes and across Spain with no aches or pains.
lambchop Member
One of the things I like best about it is the driving position. I’m 6′ and have the driver’s seat cranked to its highest setting.
Ah, that's just reminded me...how do you find the handbrake position.
My Wife and I find it really low. It is lower than my arm length, so I have to bend sideways to reach it. Not a big deal, but ergonomically a bit weird, when they could have just mounted it a couple of inches higher up..
It was mentioned in a few reviews I saw online.
Had one since 2012 - 1.6 Exclusive auto, ex-dealer demo - apart from a problem with battery dying after 4 years been no problems. Auto box can be a bit sluggish so having the gear-shift paddles helps if you want to drop it down a gear.
Re the handbrake. I guess it felt strange at first but soon forgotten. I don't have specific like arms either.
stumpy01 it sounds like yours might have a known (albeit not common) issue with the fuse box, this manifests itself with random electrical things going wrong.
If a previous owner doesn't put antifreeze in the washer bottle or uses cheap crap without enough antifreeze in it. The mechanism at the bottom of the bottle can fracture if it freezes, this leads to a small leak which can draw liquid along the wiring harness and into to one of the fuse boxes which then starts corroding leading to all sorts of weird electrical misbehavings. Aside from this, they're rather decent for what they are. If you're buying one secondhand insist the dealer checks the fuse box for corrosion before you buy, as the repair isn't cheap.
There isn't a recall for this fault as it's user error. Details all over the net on Citroen forums and Honest John.