Just been out for a test drive in the new C3, thought I'd share my opinions with you.
The car was the 1.4 HDi Exclusive, and therefore had the complete set of kit, with climate and cruise control.
I'd sat in the C3 in the showroom a couple of months back and couldn't get my 6'2" cuddly frame comfortable, but in this car I fitted just fine. The only downside is that with me in the front seat, you can forget about anyone else sitting behind as there was very little legroom left.
Rear visibility is a bit iffy when reverse parking, the back pillar (C?) being quite wide and the headrests obscuring the view further. The side mirrors were good and it wasn't too difficult to park, although after driving a LWB Transit for the past couple of days I'm used to not seeing out of the back window.
The car drove very well, and the engine was very impressive pulling strongly from low speeds in the first three gears and the car felt quite secure at motorway speeds and on potted country roads. It seemed to stick to the road quite well, but didn't have quite the secure feel of say the Saxo VTR when throwing the car around - Then again, the ZX Aura never felt quite as chuckable as the ZX Volcane so perhaps we should await a sportier version before making final judgements on the chassis.
As with all car using digital speedos, I found the accuracy to be distracting, but absolutely loved the rev counter. It reminds me why I like Citroens as the half clock face pointer across the entire binacle is something most manufacturers wouldn't even consider using (waits for the inevitable contradiction!). If you've not seen it, it's as funky as the speedo on a Vauxhall Viva, but rounded.
The equipment level is excellent, having everything I recall the old Jaguar Sovereign had in terms of buttons to press with the exception of electric seats. Very impressive in a small car I thought.
The boot wasn't huge (then this is a small car), and I can't see the benefit of the split boot system, but the cabin feels spacious and airy from the driving seat and quite comfortable.
So would I buy one? Well, I loved the car but the argument against it was parked next to it in the showroom. The dealer was doing new Xsaras for £8995, and even the entry C3 HDi is £5 short of £10k. Given a bit of time, and Citroens agressive pricing I think the C3 is worthy of serious consideration having the flair and technology to match and surpass most cars in the same bracket, IMHO. And it might just be enough to talk me out of the MINI Diesel when it comes to buying a knackered old car (to replace a knackered old car) in 6 years time.
Lee
communities.msn.com/honestjohn
...Takes corners beautifully
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Lee,
Excellent report. Now if that isn't a User Road Test for Technical I don't know what is!
So that's why I moved it here ;-)
Thanks,
David W [Moderator]
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mailto:david_moderator@honestjohn.co.uk
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Any small car that can effortlessly exceed the stalling speed of an inverted fast jet is all right by me... ;-)
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Parp, Parp!
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Yes, I'd agree. But what is that advert all about? A parallel with the cockpit of a fighter jet or just the sort of thing you get now and again down the A66 through the Northern Lake district?!
A bientot,
Lee
communities.msn.com/honestjohn
...Takes corners beautifully
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did you see the review on 5th gear a few weeks back ?
build quality was terrible
cant see the attraction with french cars,quirky c***
do yourself a favour and buy anything german
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The C3 1.4 HDI's biggest problem is the Yaris D-4D, as Spud will testify. But the C3 went on special offer almost immediately and if you trawl back through the news you'll find some very substantial discounts on proper UK supplied cars.
HJ
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The C3 1.4 HDI's biggest problem is the Yaris D-4D
Agreed, but the Citroen's ride quality must be heaps better than that of the Yaris. I still think that the Skoda Fabia has the best of both worlds - excellent build quality AND a good ride.
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Just picked up a new C3 SX yesterday rith the 1.4 HDI 16 valve engine. 92 bhp, 148 lb torque and about the same economy as the 70 bhp version. The only problem is that it was supplie with the aircon not working. As i am running in at the moment I am restricted to 3000 rpm (90 mph in top) and gentle acceleration, I cannot comment on the performance yet. I part exed my 406 HDI 110 and don;t think I;ll regret it. If anyone is interested I will follow up with fuel consumption figures and a running report as the days go by. I cover about 350 miles a week and expect the engine to be fully loose at about 5000 miles.
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Thanks, madman, this is very useful. Please keep posting. Will be especially interested in how you get on once it loosens up, which could easily take 5,000 - 6,000 miles.
HJ
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I test drove the C3 a few months ago, I didn't have any intention to purchase one, especially when they are smaller, less equipped and more expensive than the Xsara.
The thing I didn't like most about the 1.4 petrol LX model I drove was the steering, everything else I loved or could get used to.
I don't know if the tyres were too hard, but the handling and comfort was good, if not quite to Saxo handling levels, but does the larger rubber of the SX and Exclusive models together with the heavier engines improve steering feel.
Personally I am looking (one day) at changing to a HDI powered Citroen C5.
Ben
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Ben
If you are thinking of a C5, auto, I would strongly suggest that you look at the C5 dialogue on Yahoo,Groups,C5=L. You will find it illuminating especially in relation to gearboxes and servicing. Best of luck.
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Now covered 500 miles and thought I'd check the consumption. I brimmed the tank again after 382.6 miles and managed to squeeze in 26.9 liters, that works out about 64 to 65 mpg. I have noticed that the engine seems much looser in the past 100 miles and now will raise my self imposed rev limit from about 2500 rpm to about 3000 rpm. I have noticed now that as soon as the revs reach 1900 in any gear there seems to be quite a surge of power even on a light thottle. The oil looks clean still, I suppose it will blacken by its 12,000 mile oil change. The local Citroen dealer tells me that he uses Castrol Magnatec which I believe is a semi-synthetic, I will probably take along some fully-sythetic for him to use as the HDI 110 in the Pug said that this was the prefered oil.
Next report in a week or so.
Madman
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On Madame's behalf, I am poised to order a C3 SX HDi 90 in misty lilac. We enjoyed the test drive and I've nothing to add to Lee's report.
I'll be sorry to see the AX go after its 70K virtually trouble-free miles in our ownership. At 110K it still doesn't use any oil and there's years of life yet in its second set of tyres.
Wish me luck!
Darcy.
A bird in the hand - could be inconvenient.
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There's another new C3: a 1.6 110bhp automatic with steering wheel paddle shift. It's obviously in anticipation of the Honda Jazz CVT-7 paddleshofter coming in August. But with only 4 ratios compared to the Honda's 7, and lousy rear leg and headroom I reckon it's going to need some heavy Citroen type cashbacks to sell.
HJ
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Correction: the C3 1.6 16v 'Sensodrive' is a 5-speed electric clutch manual with steering wheel paddle shifts. Arrives November at £12,495.
HJ
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I can't help but wonder that all this technology will be nothing other than hassle a few years down the line.
That said, I guess if you're buying the car new, they're nice to have. You'll probably end up taking a broken C3 Sensodrive to a main dealer as no-one else has a clue what to do with it, so the dealers are happy. Dealers use citroen parts, so Citroen are happy.
Perhaps it's just miserly skinflints trying to pick up a bargain (like me f'instance) that are going to lose out.
Does anyone actaully use the buttons beyond the first week and showing off to their mates? I reckon most people will put it into auto and forget.
/Lee
Still here
...Takes corners beautifully
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Lee
Couldn't agree more. There are a few manufacturers who are determined to go down the route of loading their cars down with electronic gizmos, when past experience should have told them that this is a bad idea. Specifically, Citroen, Alfa Romeo and Fiat. Perhaps I should retrain as an auto electrician - there's going to be a lot of work out there in a few years time for people who understand these things.
Richard Hall
bangernomics.tripod.com
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If you want to go really quick, steering wheel push-button changes are the only way to go. There is no way a good driver in a floorshift manual MR2 or a manual Ferrari 575 will beat a driver of the same ability in a steering wheel pushbutton MR2 or 575 F1. Apart from the loss of control in corners and the clumsier right-foot braking, all that arm movement takes too many extra seconds. But obviously we don't all want to go really quick all the time.
HJ
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HJ:
I would like to respectfully suggest that if one wants to "go really quick" the best way would be to spend the £12495 on something faster than a C3.
I'm with the luddites!
Andy
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Fair point, but why fiddle around with a lever on the floor rather than buttons where your hands are supposed to be? The Sensomatic is an electro clutch manual, not an automatic, so you have to change gear. The alternative C3 1.4 4-speed auto is not a good drive at all. See road test.
HJ
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