...read on and you'll find out why!
The C3 is an all new car for Citroen and it slots into the range between the soon to be replaced Saxo and the bigger Xsara.
It's a compact 5 door supermini, which competes against familiar models such as the Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Fiesta and Renault Clio. ... Read review
Advantages: Funky looks, fantastic mpg, smooth ride, spaciousness Disadvantages: Shockingly bad dealer service, succession of minor niggly faults
...an all new car for Citroen and it slots into the range between the soon to be replaced Saxo and the bigger Xsara.
It's a compact 5 door supermini, which competes against familiar models such as the Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Fiesta and Renault Clio. Don't be fooled by the word "compact" though, as it is suprisingly spacious inside with ample room for 4 adults, or 5 for shorter journeys. The 5 doors make access easy and the boot ... ...Exclusive models above.
Citroen cannot be accused of skimping on standard equipment as all C3's come with power steering, 4 airbags, RDS stereo, front electric windows, tinted glass, speed sensitive windscreen wipers, remote central locking with deadlocks, an engine immobiliser and a fully adjustable steering wheel.
The Desire model adds a single CD player and air-conditioning to this comprehensive list.
Higher spec models ... more
I've owned my C3 for just over 4 months now - it's a 1.4HDi Desire in metallic Posedion Blue.
I really, really like the car, but I'm not sure if I could wholeheartedly recommend it to you...read on and you'll find out why!
The C3 is an all new car for Citroen and it slots into the range between the soon to be replaced Saxo and the bigger Xsara.
It's a compact 5 door supermini, which competes against familiar models such as the Vauxhall Corsa, Ford Fiesta and Renault Clio. Don't be fooled by the word "compact" though, as it is suprisingly spacious inside with ample room for 4 adults, or 5 for shorter journeys. The 5 doors make access easy and the boot is large for the class - how many "supermini's" only have a boot big enough for a few bags of shopping? The C3 swallows luggage with aplomb and has lots of handly storage in the passenger compartment too - even a hidden tray under the drivers seat!
The car is also funky looking - there are design cues from some of the classic Citroens of yesterday. The side profile (especially towards the rear) is reminiscent of the legendary 2CV, whilst there is just a hint of the DS in the headlights.
The C3 is available with a wide selection of engines, ranging from 1.1 to 1.6 litres. There are also two 1.4 turbo diesel options - the 70bhp HDi as fitted to my car, and a more powerful HDi 16v which produces a whopping 92bhp.
Before we bought our car we roadtested a 1.4 petrol model and found it drove well, but went for the diesel on economy grounds due to my high-ish annual mileage . We haven't been dissapointed with the diesel, with fuel consumption remaining steady between 62-65mpg in a good mix of different traffic (my journey to work includes local, "A" and motorway class roads). On a recent trip to Scotland over the bank holiday weekend we managed a massive 71.7mpg in normal driving - thats simply amazing, considering much of the journey was completed at motorway speeds.
Whilst the HDi engine is no racer, it is certainly more than adequate for anyone in the UK - the car will quite happily sit at around 70mph in 5th and doesn't need continual gear changes on inclines or to get around traffic due to the engines impressive torque, always a strength of diesel engines. The car also happily accelerates away from junctions with a surprising turn of speed and you need to watch that you're not creeping up over the limit. The car is equipped with a handy warning buzzer that you can pre-set to the speed of your choice to give you a warning you're going too fast! I've had what would be considered as "fast" cars in the past and certainly don't feel that I'm missing out with the C3.
The car also scores highly on the comfort front - both front seats are fully adjustable, including for height, which is unusual in this class, and the ride is smooth on all but the roughest of roadsurfaces. There is a small trade off in that the car can feel a bit soft in corners, but you'd really have to be pressing on to make this feel uncomfortable. It's a worthwhile compromise in my opinion. On our trip around Scotland we covered nearly 1,000 miles in 3 days and didn't suffer from any aches or pains whilst driving, stepping out of the car as fresh as when we'd got in.
On the equipment front, the Desire model is in the middle of the range - the L and LX models are below it, with the SX and Exclusive models above. Citroen cannot be accused of skimping on standard equipment as all C3's come with power steering, 4 airbags, RDS stereo, front electric windows, tinted glass, speed sensitive windscreen wipers, remote central locking with deadlocks, an engine immobiliser and a fully adjustable steering wheel. The Desire model adds a single CD player and air-conditioning to this comprehensive list. Higher spec models feature toys such as automatic headlights and windscreen wipers that switch on when needed, or a multi-CD player. The car gets a 4 star NCAP safety rating, which is pretty impressive too.
So the car scores highly on the value front - well equipped, fantastic mpg and being a Citroen you should be able to negotiate a sizeable discount from the dealer. In fact Citroen are currently offering to pay the VAT on new cars - now that is a good deal, even if it won't do the residual values too many favours! Bear in mind the list price for our car was £10250, a bit of negotiating and haggling and we got £2000 off, including the Citroen discount - now thats a bargain!
So, why am I unsure if I can wholeheartedly recommend the car?
Well, the Citroen dealer in Leeds has been an absolute nightmare. There were delays in the car arriving at the dealer, the car wasn't ready for us when we arrived to collect it, the first (free) service which we were advised would take half an hour took a full afternoon (whilst we waited in the showroom) and a list of minor faults still haven't been fixed. The dealership have, to be fair, tried to sort things out for us once we got Citroen involved, but I cannot recall ever receiving such poor service from any company. I'm certain to consider taking the car elsewhere for it's next service - hopefully the Leeds dealer will be a one-off!!! That said with service intervals of 12,500 miles (or 20,000 miles on petrol models), visits to the dealer should be few and far between.
The car also has a few minor, but niggly faults that the dealer seems unable to fix - there is a wind noise from the mirrors at speed (still awaiting parts to book in), there are several plastic trim rattles (we've been told these are fixed, but clearly they are not) and the car has already had to have attention to the paintwork under the warranty. In fact the paint does seem very thin as it chips or scratches at apparently the slightest mark - I shall be keeping a close eye on this. This is all minor stuff though - the car has always started first time, done whatever we've asked of it and we enjoy driving it. That is the important thing and Citroen have got that right.
When all is said or done though, this is a fantastic car for the money - spacious, good looking, very economical, comfortable, reliable and well equipped. I think if you found a good dealership then you'd be as pleased as punch with your car.
And that is the basis that I am going to recommend the car - my experience has been tainted by poor aftersales service, I hope yours isn't.
***UPDATE - Feb '04*** Well, we've had the car for 10 months now, so hows it doing?
Well everything I liked about it is still good, but we've given up on the Leeds dealer. It was in before Christmas for a couple of bit looking at under warranty and we were promised that the parts for the wind noise were on order would be in soon. They haven't phoned, so I'm not phoning them!
I've tried using Dixon Citroen in halifax - what a revelation. Polite knowledgeable staff, the car was ready when promised and I even got a phone call to tell me what they'd done and that it was ready early!
Faults - mainly minor niggles, really. One of the rear door handles stopped working - a clip had come loose and this was fixed under warranty and we still have the wind noise from the doors / mirrors..
One more worrying point is that the heater struggles to cope with really cold weather. The other week when temperatures were sub-zero for several days it only got warm, never hot, on my 25 mile drive to work. The engine didn't reach normal operating temperature either, until I was nearly at work. Dixon's checked this and advised it's normal for the model, but I'm not so sure - i'll be keeping an eye on that!
Advantages: Economical, safe,comfortable and stylish! Disadvantages: Poor sevrice at the Citroen dealership
I purchased my citroen C3 approximately eight months ago in a metallic red and it was my first ever brand new car.
Previous to this I owned a second hand mini and so the difference between the two was staggering.
My first point must be about safety as this was my main reason for purchasing the car. My mini had absolutely no safety features and was even named by friends and family as death-trap mini. The citroen C3 however has a 4 star safety rating, ... ...encountered regarding the dealer. Preston's Citroen dealership was extremely useful initially but the delivery was delayedthree times. The sales rep dealing with me avoided my calls after it was delayed for a second time and actually had to ask to be dealt with by the manager. I received a temporary car with petrol included and the manager gave me another free tank of petrol, shine guard for the paint work and car mats for free to compensate me. ...
Luce1986 15.12.2005
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Citroen C3 1.4i
...ran out it's as if Citroen pushed a magic button which told the car to destroy all the expensive bits in the enginge and electrics. First the middle of a pouring rain storm the windscreen wipers decide that they've had enought and dont want to work at all. I took into my local dealer where I bought it from (Wilmoths Battle) and they explained that it was probably the fuse board. The replaced that at a cost of £30 and handed me back the car. Days ... ...a trailer back upto my citroen dealership. They then explain that they cant do anything about the problem as 'they're too booked up', Probably with more problem cars. They then tell me that that no courtesy cars are available so I would have to rent a car at a generous discount from Citroen (all of £10) This worked out at £20 a day and to this day I've payed over £150-00 for this rent a car. They then ring me saying that the teeth on the gearbox ...
Charltonmark 07.09.2006
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Citroen C3 1.4i
...mother bought a brand new Citroen C3 1.4 HDi SX from our local dealer. The C3 was chosen because of its size, equipment levels, and very reasonable price. I'm sure that the 'cute' looks had nothing to do with the decision to buy...
Firstly, the good bits!
The diesel engine is available with two power outputs and it was the more powerful version (92bhp) that was selected. This engine is a marvel - the power output is very impressive for such a small ... ...for its poor braking and Citroen sought to address this in its replacement. The result is a car that stops if you even so much as look at the middle pedal! The specification includes disc brakes all round with ABS and EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution), 4 airbags and height adjustable seatbelts. There is a nifty warning buzzer which can be preset to chime when a certain speed is exceeded - not quite cruise control, but the next best thing! ...
BARNEYM1979 03.02.2004 (06.05.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Citroen C3 1.4i
Advantages: Smart and trendy, feels sturdy Disadvantages: Slight vision impairment, tight on legroom
I have had my silver 1.4 Desire now for a whole month and love it. I find it extremely comfortable to drive and so far have nothing to complain about as far as servicing or bits dropping off are concerned.
My only gripe is the large posts on each corner (Sorry don't know the technical term) which can get in the way a bit when checking for other traffic etc. Also I have a child seat in the back and find that I have to have the passenger seat pulled ... ...(he's only 2 ) are pressed up against the back of the passenger seat. I have also had a bit of difficulty fitting the Britax seat correctly- which is a pretty common one and is supposed to fit most cars.
I do however like all the gadgets and the width of the seats. Once I had fiddled on with the drivers seat to get it just right I find it the most comfortable car I have driven. The boot is huge - a novelty in small cars.
The removable ashtray/rubbish ...
glajma 09.10.2004
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Citroen C3 1.4i
Advantages: Looks great, mod cons as standard, drives well Disadvantages: Front seats slightly uncomfortable
I've had my C3 for nearly six weeks and i love it. Its one year old and drives like a dream!!! The C3 Desire comes with CD player, electric windows, immobiliser, two air bags and air con all as standard. Its also got power steering (you may think 'Big Deal!' but i was driving around in an old renault clio with no power steering so this is pure luxury!!!)
I love the digital display but have heard that these can freeze and you have to turn the engine ... ...i don't know. Mine seems to be fine!
The only bad point about this car is that the front seats are slightly too long in the seat. They could do with being about 1-2 inches shorter so that your legs sit more comfortably. Petrol consumption is average - i do roughly 230 miles per week for about £30.00. The stereo has a good sound with six speakers. The interior of the car is ok, nothing spectacular. This is a spacious car suitable for a small family ...
stef1 03.05.2005
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Citroen C3 1.4i
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Citroen C3
Advantages: Looks good, plenty of extras, well built, spacious interior, no clutch Disadvantages: Automatic gearchanges could be better timed
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