Off Topic: New Cars - CItroen C3 ?

Only if you like interiors that fall apart and eye-watering depreciation.

They make Fiats look like the most reliable car on the road.

antonyf (Antony@Pantony) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Odd. I'd have said they were exactly the same market sector.

C3 is 120mm shorter, 23mm wider, 80mm taller. I'd say that was fairly close to the same size...

"Less firm"? Well, the C3 is around 100kg (10%) lighter - but you'd expect the Skoda to be a bit of a porker, with it being a Polo.

Extremely. Just avoid the main dealer chain. There's a lot of Citroen specialist independent garages around the UK, most of which are run by ex- dealer mechanics. My local one is run by an ex-Citroen UK mechanic-trainer, and charges around two thirds the hourly rate of the local dealer.

I've owned, ummm, rough count? probably a bit north of 25 Citroens, so I could be said to be biased...

Those two factors I could easily live with to be honest. I'd be more concerned with the externals like paintwork/corrosion, but more specifically the engineering build.

That is something that I have been led to believe in groups like this at least (and some personal experience) that Fiat beyond any brand, are more open to question. A bit of tattiness of the interior is the least of my concerns to be honest ! I think I would look out of place in something too neat anyway....

As mentioned, I think I'd hope to keep for as long as possible, including hand-me-down to the other half so looking at a minimum of 5 yrs in ownership overall (to maximise the point of buying it new). Depreciation is therefore less important as something like quality.

I think its important therefore to not be a plate-snob as I take the point about depreciation otherwise (wouldn't have the money to be one anyway, but I wouldn't be even it I did).

You'd be *much* better off buying a slightly older example from a quality brand, to be fair.

The C3 is cheap for a reason.

They're not a bad car, but I wouldn't buy a new one.

I've had a few Citroens and on the whole I like them. However I had occasion to have a C1 as a loan car a few months ago and it was a pile of poo. It's horribly plastic and although it only had a 1 litre engine was more gutless than a 1.5 normally aspirated Pug diesel 106. Whether this has any bearing on the C3 or not I can't say but as they were all launched at about the same time.......

Hmm, your position noted. I have taken interest in the what car owners verdicts. On the basis of that it does tend to cast a bit of a shadow. However there are also some very pleased drivers as well. Just not so many as one might hope (3/5).

Definitely not so many as the Skoda (4/5 overall).....so I guess you take your choice. It has raised some doubts for me seeing the number of not-so-entirely happy owners.

Of the Skoda reviewers, the only poor reviews generally tend to be significant to previous / current VW owners !!! More than a hint of brand snobbery going on there me thinks (the tresseme supermarket advert comes to mind just a tadge?)

Anyway on the subject of new Skodas, as they seem to be the best New option so far. If I can somehow manage to "persuade" a Dealer to reduce the price of a New Skoda Ambient 1.4 16v to anywhere closer to my budget, I might bite their hand off. I reckon the current discount on the 1.4 is around 9.5k with free servicing chucked in for 3 yrs. If I could get one for £9k ish with PX on the Fiat for a resonable amount I think that would be a route I'd seriously contemplate, but might struggle to convince them unless they have a slightly marked model/very low miles or something.

Thanks Marc. I think the Whatcar is also quite revealing and has to be read before contemplation. I may (if opting to change car at all) just to stick to the Skoda brand.

Surely you could find a nearly new vRS for that kind of money?

Hmmm, they hold their value quite well. But, £9k would get you a 2 year old example with 20k miles on it. That's a much better purchase than a new C3 petrol.

so do it. There's a 0% deal at the moment, and the vRS is fun.

That would get you one from a dealer. 45-50mpg and very quick too.

I'm biased too, but to VAG. I've just bought a Fabia vRS, and compared to my (old shape) A3, it feels light and nimble, but I don't think the A3 was exactly light, being a Golf IV in drag. The Fabia is cheap too, for a VAG product. Trim isn't quite up to the 'higher' VAG products, but engineering seems good. Panel gaps are tight, and it drives very well- better than the A3 to be honest.

I don't mind them either... I had an AX - not a great car but at least it was economical and had comfy seats.

It never let me down and even after 8 years still had the original battery and exhaust. Infact all I did was change the oil and put petrol in....

I think they were best at small simple cars, not keen on the new stuff......

Grin :o) Hmm.. Should I...Shouldn't I....I would really love to have one, although I am quite conservative so could equally go smaller which is the dilemma for me. I'd probably de-badge it also, on the basis I wouldn't like to attract attention to the car on the basis that I only have on-street parking.

Could make for some interesting drives though :o)

I think before I go steaming ahead I'd best check my insurance but the Fabia

Ok the VRS is almost double that at £350 for the cheapest insurer which is Kwik-Fit, and others escalate to £400 and upwards but its not bad I guess. I'd hate to think what an 17 yr old might like to try and quote on it !

It would be interesting to check with my current insurer Carole Nash also.

My insurance has gone down about £80 with the vRS (from a heavier Audi with 20BHP less).

I don't think the badging attracts thieves: Look at the reviews at

In article , antonyf writes

They're French. What else do you need to know?

Mrs has got one - 1.4SX, she thinks it's great but needs a little more umph (she got used to a 1.6 Fiat :)

Hellraiser.............>

If you excuse the head problem at 40K, ours has been a pretty sound car too. Performance wise pretty close to the 1.4 non 16v too, although mine has a little more edge and more stable at 80Mph speds.

It seems the MOST recent cooling problem can be wholly related to substandard parts (lessen here - don't use Internet to obtain parts no matter how genuine they proport to be. Main dealer parts are only a fraction more expensive really, and worth the extra for peace of mind).

Note however, these are the same people I already had a faulty water pump - leaking from new! The old pump went on at the time instead, because it was still working and I had only precautionary replaced it ! Two faulty parts in less than 20k - evidence indicates to stay clear of their parts (they proport to be Morelli parts but its very different to the thermostat I have). I'd advise not to use this particular Fiat parts company as a result.

Our "blowing" (which was in fact the exhaust, definitely not the head of course) has turned out to be a bolt missing, as a result of the dubious service agent in Kettering which we will now refrain from using. My recommendation to all is to use Kwik-Fit where ever possible for brakes, tyes and exhausts - they are helpful beyond expectations.

KwikFit Fitted my missing bolt, without hassle or charge, and I think will have my and my partners business for life because their professionalism shows in the quality of their work !

I call 'troll' at this point.