Canvassing support for the Picasso from Citroen, is easy work. It is a distinctive car that speaks for itself. The number of reviews, and the positive nature of most of them, makes the point. But let me paint my own picture for you. ( Not a bit sorry for sick puns ! )
My Purchase ==========
I was changing from a Fiat Punto, and unkind commentators may suggest anything would be an improvement.! However, I have had a number of Primeras, Bluebirds, Marinas and such like, so I know the big cars, as well as the small.
This Picasso was 6 months old, so nearly new. It was around the £9000 mark, though I wanted alloys and paid for Citroen's own set, which was a few hundred extra.
The car is in black, and is the 1.6 Desire edition.
My Drive =======
Squeezing my oversize, 6' 2" frame into any car, tests its interior space and springing right away. Driving along on my test drive, I felt suddenly as if I was small! There is so much space around the driver - partly due to the very wide, deep dashboard, and the long side-light windows up front.
The absence of a 'tunnel' on the front floor adds to this feeling of space as does the location of the gear stick on the front panel.
The drive was smooth, and while it has a slight roll when cornering at speed, it really is not very noticeable.
The engine is only a 1.6 petrol, and I had considered the 2 litre diesel at the start. However, this engine does the job very well, is light, responsive and pleasant. I accept that this is with no passengers on board, which is how I do most of my driving. I imagine that 5 adults plus baggage on steep, twisty, hilly roads, could well give a very different impression. ( This is something to consider - and replicate - on a test drive, if possible )
My Comfort =========
Power steering is fine and sensitive. Aircon works, though I understand those who say that it is not as cool as some cars, unless the fan is well turned up. Radio and CD player are good and have steering wheel controls, that work well once you get used to them. Mirrors are well placed, and wing mirrors are electrically heated and controlled. Wipers operate a bit unusually in a kind of butterfly motion - you get used to that soon too. The driver's seat adjusts every way, and is comfortable on long journeys. Noise levels are good especially on a long journey.
My Joys ======
Citroen provide a contraption in the boot for your shopping - my joy was removing it and storing it in the garage - it is too small and complicated for quick shopping trips.
My car had a dog guard fitted, and, again, my joy was storing it as per the shopping crate.
True joy is a boot big enough for all my fishing gear; With back seats folded, I can get four dustbins of garden clippings down to the refuse dump; And with the rear seats removed, I got a wardrobe, chest of drawers and bedside cabinet - all assembled - in at one time!
Grandson's joy is the aircraft type trays on the rear seats, and the drinks containers on the middle rear seat when folded down.
I have had the car for a whole year, and the average mpg is 38, which is not bad for this size of car, driven mostly in the city. On long runs 45 is easy to get, and that means about 500 miles on a tankful. It's just thirstier than the Punto, which averaged 10 mog better overall.
I have replaced windscreen wiper blades, paid £110 for a service ( every 12000 miles ), and paid for a repair to the back door after someone applied their boot to it. Otherwise, I have had no problems and no costs with this wondeful Picasso.
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Sep 10th, 2005
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