Citroen Problems

Buying a small car doesn't mean you have to forsake some of the pleasures of motoring.NEWThe Citroen DS3 is a case in point. At the upper end of the small car market it's a fun-filled little device that looks good, performs well, has plenty of features, and sets you apart from the run-of-the-mill small car owning population.Most small cars are bought by people wanting economy of transport first and foremost, that's not what the little Citroen is about. It's for people who want to have fun at the wheel and are happy to have it in a small, city-sized package.The DS3 looks like a bundle of fun even standing still, with its zippy looks and sporty stance, large wheels that fill out the guards, and spoilers and blackout panels. It was offered in two versions, the stylish DStyle that put looks ahead of performance, and the DSport that cranked up the go-fast factor.The DStyle came with a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with class average output that gave it acceptable performance on the road, while the DSport was powered by a turbocharged version of the same engine and injected it with the zippiness to match its looks.The transmission choices were limited to a four-speed auto if you chose the DStyle, and a six-speed manual if your choice was the DSport. Both were front-wheel drive.On the road the DS3 handled as you might expect with a wheel at each corner anchoring it to the road. It got along well enough on the open highway, but it really came into its own when pushed along a winding road where it hugged the tarmac like a long lost sibling.Small cars like the DS3 are often compromised when it comes to cabin space and the Citroen was no exception. It's best suited to singles or couples, is ok if your kids are small, but it struggles with a full complement of four adults aboard.Some small cars are also compromised when it comes to features, but not the DS3 in this case. It had air, cruise, six-speaker sound, alloy wheels and fog lamps. It was also on the money when it came to safety with ABS braking, ESP stability control, and front, head and side airbags standard, all of which added up to a five star tick from ANCAP.NOWAs we've written before buying a Citroen should be a considered decision, not one taken in haste driven by emotion.While it's an old and well respected brand in its home country, and loved by a few fanatics here, it's had a somewhat chequered history in this country. Over the years it has come and gone, differentdistributers have handled the brand, and dealers have changed. That said it's been relatively stable for some time now, which should give buyers some comfort.Before buying a car check out where you would get it serviced, dealers aren't on every street corner. Consider an independent specialist, hopefully a factory-trained mechanic who has struck out on his own after spending time learning the brand with a dealer.Consider having your potential choice checked by an expert in the brand, one who is familiar with the quirks. Thoroughly test drive it to make sure you're comfortable with the choice, driving it in as many varying situations as possible.Look for evidence of crash damage, making sure repairs are up to scratch. Also look for oil leaks around the engine, check the oil, get down and look at the tyres for even wear and signs of having been thrashed. Make the usual checks for a service record; it's vital for a long life that a car has been serviced as per the recommended service schedule.SMITHY SAYSWorth a look if you want to be different. It's solid, with decent performance and vice-like grip on the road.CITROEN DS3 - 2010-2011Price new: $32,990 to $35,990Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder, 88 kW/160 Nm; 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbo, 115 kW/240 NmGearbox: 4-speed auto, 6-speed man, FWDThirst: 6.9 L/100 km (DStyle), 6.7 L/100 km (DSport)Body: 3-door hatchVariants: DStyle, DSportSafety: 5-star ANCAP

Britain had the Mini, Germany the Beetle, but France also had its iconic vehicle, the Citroen 2CV, and the ‘Tin Snail’ as it’s affectionately known has just turned 60. The 2CV is as recognizably French as the Eiffel Tower, the baguette and Moet champagne.Just like the Mini and the VW the 2CV was born to satisfy a need for small, economical and affordable transport. It not only was all of that, but it also went on to become a much-loved motoring icon much the same way the Mini and Beetle did. The 2CV perhaps isn’t as well known as the other two here as it wasn’t sold here in the same great numbers the other two were, but it has a strong following worldwide and a small, but loyal one here.MODEL WATCH The 2CV made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in 1948, but it was well underway before World War 2, the war merely delaying its introduction. When the idea for the 2CV was hatched motoring was still something only the well off could afford to indulge in. Car ownership hadn’t yet reached the masses, but there was a number of far-sighted motoring pioneers who realized there was money to be made if you could create a car the masses could afford.Henry Ford had his Model T, Herbert Austin his Seven, Hitler was mad keen to have a wagon for his people, and Citroen was hatching the 2CV. All had the same aim in mind. Their cars had to be light, easy to produce, economical and affordable.Citroen’s plan was to produce a car with four seats, a top speed of 50 km/h, one that would do 100 km on five litres of fuel, and would be cheap to produce and maintain. The 2CV was a reality in 1939, but the outbreak of war saw it put on the backburner as the French had more important things on their minds.It was finally launched in 1948. It was panned at first for its modest performance and poor finish, but that didn’t deter the French from buying it. So high was the demand that in no time at all there was a waiting list five years long.As Porsche had known when he was developing the Beetle for Hitler aerodynamics were important when you had a small motor, and so too did the 2CV’s designers who realized they had to have a shape that cut through the air efficiently. Hence, while the VW looked like a Beetle the Citroen had the shape of a snail. With its slab sides, rounded profile, canvas roof and flaps for windows who could not fall for the little Citroen.But there was much more to the 2CV than a cute shape. It had four-wheel long travel independent suspension, front-wheel drive, inboard brakes and a small air-cooled flat-twin cylinder motor. A clever system connected the front and rear suspension on each side and helped keep the little car level. It could indeed be driven over a ploughed field with a basket of eggs on the seat without breaking one of them, as the design brief had called for. It began with a tiny 375 cubic centimetre engine producing just nine kilowatts, but over the years grew to 652 cm3 and the performance increased in line with the increase in engine capacity.There have been many variations made on the 2CV theme, including vans, luxury models, some that even went faster than 100 km/h, and one even appeared in a James Bond movie. Ultimately the demands for cleaner engines and better safety caught up with the 2CV and spelt its demise. Production finally ceased in 1990, by which time more than five million had been built. Of that number a handful were imported and sold here in the 1950s, and one or two were imported in the 1980s. Most of the 300 or so that are thought to reside in this country have been privately imported by people who fell under the little car’s spell.IN THE SHOP The 2CV engines and gearboxes are quite reliable. The engine has a short crank thanks to its twin-cylinder boxer layout, and it runs in roller bearings so it will happily rev and run forever. Rust is the scourge of the 2CV, so look for it, particularly in the floor. Poor quality Russian steel was used through the 1970s and cars from that era tend to suffer more than most from the dreaded tin worm.While some parts are available here in Australia, there is a ready supply of parts from overseas suppliers, which are contactable through the Internet. Clubs are also a good source of info and parts. Go to www.citroenclassic.org.au for more info.IN A CRASH The need to build cars that were safe was one of the reasons the 2CV died; so don’t expect anything in the way of airbags or ABS braking in the little Citroen. It can be used for everyday transport if you’re well aware of its shortcomings, but perhaps it’s best left for a beaut drive on a sunny day when its more endearing features can be best enjoyed. There are few more frugal cars than the 2CV. Owners talk of five or so litres per 100 km, which are Toyota Prius hybrid numbers in today’s terms.OWNERS SAY Alison Harvey loves her 2CV Dolly, which she has owned for 15 years. It is her first car and she hopes it will be her last as there is nothing else like it. Alison brought it with her to Australia 10 years ago, primarily as an investment, but she knew she could never part with it. A flat battery poses no problem, she just gets out the crank handle and away she goes! Who needs air conditioning on a sunny day when you can just roll the roof back and have a stylish convertible? When she visits IKEA there is no need for a trailer or station wagon, she just takes out the seats and any size flatpack will fit. Similarly, on picnics she can take out the seats so there is no need to pack the camping chairs! It glides along on corrugated roads, leans around corners, gets up to a good speed and makes people smile wherever she goes.In 1976, while working and holidaying in Europe Don Scutt required an inexpensive mode of transport, so he bought a 2CV6. The 2CV covered 25,000 km carrying two adults, two children, luggage and camping gear and for some of the time a third adult. The car was, and still is comfortable, economical, fun to drive and a great way of meeting people, and as everyone knows fast, because on the road it is always at the head of a stream of (frustrated) traffic!LOOK FOR • Cute styling• Comfortable ride• Admiring looks• Reliable mechanics• Fun motoring• Body rustTHE BOTTOM LINE Great little fun car for an affordable entry into classic motoringRATING 85/100

It is one of the best days of your life. Or should be because through the euphoria comes Mr Logic. He's been napping in your head for the past year or so and is now very much awake and wants to know where you're going to put the new arrival.  That's another bedroom and a bigger car. You won't be able to cart junior in the car with the other three, he says.Society is comfortable with designing one-size-fits-all boxes.  The sedan car holds five people and homes have four bedrooms so the maximum accommodation that society builds for us is five - two adults, three children.Children, lots of them, produce uncomfortable squirms in house and car designers.  In my case, Child No.4 led to a Nissan Nomad, a commercial van that replaced the bare-metal expanse in the rear with two extra rows of seats to accommodate up to six children. A frightening thought.But the Nomad struggled through its tenure at our house, safely carted our kids and their friends to various sport and social functions and doubled as a furniture pick-up truck. It broke down a few times - radiator hoses, mainly - but generally was a content family bus.It was loved, hated, crunched, thrown up in, became an occasional bed and nappy changeroom, and finally sent to another home to repeat the experiment that is child rearing. This is not an excuse to go forth and breed. But it is a list of quality new - and used - vehicles with six seats or more that will fit more than the predetermined maximum of three kids.NEWCitroen C4 Picasso (from $39,990): Very clever car with lots of great ideas, flexibility and driving enjoyment. Expensive and a bit off the wall but worth a look.Honda Odyssey (from $41,990): Safest bet - excellent all-round vehicle let down only by its asthmatic performance when fully laden or - gasp when asked to tow a trailer. Safe, economical, flexible and with excellent resale value.Dodge Journey (from $36,990): Newer entrant with pleasant ambience and good pricing and doesnt look like a tradies van.Hyundai iMax (from $36,990): Basically a commercial van made for people, but one of the better attempts. Has a four-star crash rating and is economical, affordable and roomy. Diesel engine is a no-brainer. Kia Grand Carnival (from $39,990): Market leader in terms of volume and more recently has overcome earlier mechanical woes. Good compromise for space and economy, especially the diesel.Kia Rondo 7 (from $25,990): Better for a small brood as third row rom is precious and luggage area is tight. The price is a winner but youll be upgrading when the kids start growing - apparently they all do that.Mercedes Viano (from $78,826): Expensive but maximum five-star safety van.Ssangyong Stavic (from $32,990): Best seen while blindfolded, theres no doubting the keen price, high feature list, economy of the diesel and paltry resale value.Toyota Tarago (from $52,490): Expensive but top notch quality. The Honda Odyssey can match it in all but performance. VW Caddy Maxi Life (from $39,990): Makes sense but a bit too van-like to make a statement in the pre-school carpark.VW Caravelle (from $49,990) - Seats nine so go for your life. Diesel only and may require special driving licence in some states.VW Multivan (from $49,990): More restrained seven-seat version of Caravelle. Also diesel only.Peugeot 4007 (from $45,190): This is a seven-seat version of the 4007 and its clone, the Mitsubishi Outlander.Ford Territory (from $44,890): Seats seven from TS model up. Comes as cheaper 2WD version. New model with frugal diesel engine here soon so best to wait.Holden Captiva 7 (from $35,490): Just upgraded and worth a look. Diesel is good and car has plenty of flexibility and family-friendly features.Hyundai Santa Fe (from $37,990): Hot seller for ages and seats seven with god room. But do you need an SUV?Kia Sorento (from $36,490): Same issue as Santa Fe, just looks a bit better.Mazda CX-9 (from $50,015): Not cheap but follows Mazdas line of great quality. A bit thirsty on petrol, though, and no diesel option. Other SUVs include:Mitsubishi Challenger (from $49,390):Mitsubishi Pajero (from $50,490):Nissan Pathfinder (from $48,490):Ssangyong Rexton (from $36,990):Subaru Tribeca (from $56,990):Toyota Kluger (from $39,990):Toyota Prado (from $60,904):Nissan Patrol (from $53,190):Toyota Landcruiser (from $77,414):Audi Q7 (from $88,614):Mercedes R-Class (from $92,200):Volvo XC90 (from $69,950):  USEDFord Territory 2005 - $23,000Subaru Tribeca 2007 (old face) - $35,000Volvo XC90 2006 - $39,000Chrysler Grand Voyager 2002 - $10,000Ssangyong Stavic 2005 - $23,000Ford Fairlane 8-str limousine 1989 - $18,000Toyota Tarago 2006 - $27,000Toyota Tarago 1998 - $7000Toyota Prado 2005 - $40,000Mitsubishi Delica 2005 - $11,000Hyundai Santa Fe V6 2006 - $17,000Land Rover Discovery 2007 - $48,000Jeep Commander 2009 - $39,000

Quirky is the first word that comes to mind when thinking of Citroen. The company has always produced cars that don't fit in the box, they have sometimes been groundbreaking and innovative, but they have always been challenging.Rusted-on Citroen buyers revel in the quirkiness of their cars, they celebrate the things that separate them from the mundane pack. For others not so committed to the brand and being different, buying a Citroen is a leap of faith. It's particularly so when it comes to peoplemovers, which are dominated by the big Japanese brands.The C4 Picasso is a seven-seater peoplemover based on the mid-sized, front-wheel drive C4 hatch. Unusually for a Citroen its looks aren't challenging.DESIGNThe Picasso is a sleek, attractive vehicle, particularly in its class, which pretty much determines what it will look like.It's inside that the Picasso comes alive with a mix and match cabin layout that can be adjusted to carry pretty much anything you want, from seven people, to oodles of sports gear, camping equipment, even a spot of cargo if the need demands.There is also a large array of features to get used to, from a second rear view mirror to keep track of the kids out back, an in-dash chiller bin, a plug-in torch in the boot, picnic tables, power points, heaps of storage options, and even drop-down sunshades to cut the glare from the sweeping windscreen.You also need to get used to the steering wheel that twirls around a stationary centre boss, a tiny gearshift in the steering column, and the automatic park brake.If quirky is the first word that comes to mind when thinking of Citroen then comfort must surely be the next. Citroens have always been supremely comfortable, in seating and in ride, and the C4 Picasso is similarly so. The ride is supple, the seats plush.TECHNOLOGYThe engine choices were a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol that boasted 103kW and 200Nm that delivered reasonable if not scintillating performance, and a 2.0-litre turbo diesel with 100 kW and 270 Nm that gave great fuel economy.DRIVINGOut on the road the C4 Picasso rides comfortably and shows good performance, but isn't the greatest handling car around. For those concerned about visibility and being able to see out of a car the Picasso is great with very good all-round visibility.IN THE SHOPCitroens are not exactly thick on the ground in this country so there isn't a lot of accumulated data about them. Generally they are well built and that seems to stand them in good stead, but buying one is a leap of faith. The other issue is that dealers aren't located on every street corner, so it's worth working out where you will have it serviced and repaired should you buy one.IN A CRASHFive stars from ANCAP is suggestion enough to tell you the C4 Picasso is a safety leader. Not surprising given that it came equipped with a comprehensive array of safety goodies, from front, side and curtain airbags, ABS brakes and electronic stability control.UNDER THE PUMPUnder test by CarsGuide the C4 Picasso diesel averaged 8.4L/100km, well above the claimed average of 7.4L/100km, but still impressive given the size and shape of the beast. The petrol version was claimed to average 8.9L/100km on the recommended 95-octane Premium unleaded. To save a few bucks Citroen says you can use E10 ethanol blend fuel.AT A GLANCEPrice new: $39,990 to $48,990Engines: 2.0-litre petrol, 103 kW/200 Nm; 2.0-litre turbo diesel, 100 kW/270 Nm.Transmission: 4-speed auto (petrol), 6-speed auto (diesel); front- wheel drive.Economy: 8.9 L/100 km (petrol), 7.4 L/100 km (diesel)Body: seven-seat peoplemoverVariants: Base and ExclusiveSafety: 5-star ANCAPExpect to pay: $20,000 to $25,500 for the base petrol model; $22,500 to $28,500 for the diesel; add $2000 to $2500 for the Exclusive.VERDICTNot as good as the Tarago, but has a great cabin with lots of useful features for the family. Definitely worth a look.

YOU'VE almost got to wonder, who buys all those cars? To say nothing of the SUVs and commercial jiggers.  Private owners and fleets bought almost 81,500 new vehicles last month. Of course, the usual suspects - Holden, Toyota, Mazda, Ford, Hyundai - do most business among the 50 or so brands on offer. But for every no-brainer buy there's an overlooked, if not unloved, model sitting on the lot.If you fancy a bit of vive la difference, we've unearthed some hidden treasures whose lack of popularity ought to compel the sales people to do a deal for you.Alfa Romeo 159Sales in April: 29Price:$49,990-$82,990THOUGH a non-starter in the premium sales stakes led by zer Chermans, Alfa's now five-year-old midsize sedan and wagon will be with us for another two years.Upgrades have seen it shed a bit of lard and get a six-speed automatic that works with it, as opposed to behaving like a transplanted organ the body's rejecting. Most 159s sold now are TI editions with lowered suspension and lustrous, but eminently kerbable, 19-inch alloys.Hardly the sharpest tool in the shed but, my, isn't she lovely? Gorgeous, actually.  Standard equipment levels are high, so put the acid on the dealer for a good driveaway deal.* Our choice: 2.4 JTDm auto sportwagonCitroen C5Sales in April: 16Price: $45,990-$72,990DESPITE its dashing appearance, the driving reality of this almost entirely diesel line-up can be considered exciting only if you accept boules as an extreme sport. It ain't sportif, but that's the point.What it does, in its Gallic shrugging way, is provide a classically wafty Citroen ride in a package that looks equally at home in Paris, Provence or Parramatta. The 3.0 twin turbo V6 oiler would convert an avowed petrolhead but, in Australia's Third World road conditions, isn't sufficiently superior to the 2.0-litre four potter to justify the price.* Our choice: 2.0 HDi ComfortFiat 500Sales in April: 25Price: $22,990-$33,990THING is, everyone who wants a mini 2+2 convertible goes for, well, a Mini. The irresistible new Bambino now comes with a rag top, in addition to its more stalwart though hardly less cute coupe siblings.Indeed, how much cute can you cope with? Given its level of kit and customisation options, the 500 is as much a bite-sized luxury car as a city-friendly commuting device.The current lack of an auto option in all versions across the range keeps sales to niche levels but, hey, this is a compact Italian job. Over there, even the most venerable nonna can handle a stick shift. Anecdotal evidence suggests the Fix-It-Again-Tony days are way behind Fiat.* Our choice: 1.4 Lounge manualHonda Civic HybridSales: 75-80 (since January)Price: $34,490WHILE Toyota's Prius is effectively a synonym for petrol-electric propulsion, the cheaper Honda not only looks like a car it drives like one, while returning a potential 4.6 litres per 100km. Sales are down a bit at the moment, as petrol prices are too, but an oil price spike is certain at some point. If you want a green car that doesn't make you look like Clover Moore, act soon.* Our choice: There is but oneSkoda SuperbSales in April: 6Price: From $39,990MAYBE the long Czech liftback and now wagon is just too close in essence and price to its VW Passat sibling. Maybe we don't yet "get'' big cars with small but highly efficient engines (though there's a diesel and a V6 petrol variant as well). Maybe it's a cold war hangover.Whatever it is, we're wrong. With a price realignment, the Superb offers better value, more kit, lots of space and lusher feel than the VW. It won Top Gear's luxury car of the year; the previous winner was a Rolls-Royce, for heaven's sake.* Our choice: Got to be the 1.8 turbo petrol wagon