[Closed] Citroen Xsara Picasso

Father in law has one 2l td on a 57 in met gray, its a fam bus, dive bus and his work van, all the rear seats can be totally removed to make a van floor good for lugging and excellent on fuel, he regularly does heathrow airport runs to pick up his britherin law, il get exact costs on fuel n mpg if u like but he wont buy owt else now as its ace, n hes hard to please, it also takes 3 adults and full dive gear, twins suits etc to capenwray etc

Sounds good yes please

Crikey thats a different universe to a 3 litre petrol beemer Hora... 😉

Oh christ, not another car that he's 'thinking of buying'...

Lol! Has he got form? He's had two looks at mine....

Heathrow and back with two (large) adults and luggage from blackpool £85 quid at current prices for derv. And 719miles to a tank average mpg motorway 60-65 driving at 65mph with a impact driver, sds, transformer and bag of sparkies hand tools, oh n a shit load of ginsters and costalotta coffee cups lol, he loves his and he says its comfy as ****, im 6ft4 and fit comy in the back with my lunch tray down : )

we have a 54 plate 2.0hdi great space quite comfy not as good fuel wise on shorter commutes. interior plastics a bit plasticky!! a lot of electronics in ours mostly been ok but huge chance of total fail. 1.6 hdi sposed to be better but been mostly happy with ours.
HTH
John

He has a 1.9 diesel sorry my bad

I've got one, I've had it for four years now (it's a 55 reg) and I've had no probs at all with it (apart from the broken petrol cap cover - which I leant on and the huge scratch down the side - again my fault 😳 ). It's seriously practical, the rear seats fold down individually or are removable totally, there are some very handy hidden storage areas (under floor, under front seats, side of boot etc), tables for the kids in the back and the middle seat becomes a central "table" too. I've got a hatchback bike carrier as well as roofbars but it's easy to get two bikes in the back with seats down.

Mine's a petrol, I suspect my sister's diesel version is more economical but I might be wrong. I've got very used to the high driving position and being in other cars feels a bit weird now.

Lotta love for the picasso : ) its a hidden gem tbf

I want a second car with a tad more space now 'kryton 8)

I have a wandering eye when it comes to bikes or cars 😉

Mate has one (the current shape one) and I really like it. Masses of space, dead comfy and lots of toys.

My wife has a 2006 1.6 one to kart out three kids about in, owned for the past 3 years. Been 100% reliable now covered in parking dents. I find it slow to drive and a little thirsty on Fuel - wish I had bought her the Diesel.

I've looked at them the last two times I've changed cars - they're very practical as a bike wagon, for all the reasons above. Being able to totally remove the rear seats would be handy, although you'd have to store them somewhere so maybe not as practical as at first glance. I found the interior very plasticky and the fabrics pretty cheap looking. Most of the ones I looked at were very tired and scuffed inside even at 3 years old, OK they're mostly family cars so liable to take a pasting but they seemed to have worn particularly badly.

All the above combined with relative price and spec meant I've plumped for Zafiras for the last two cars - definitely worth considering, along with C4 Picasso (has solved some of the Xsara's issues), Mazda 5 (bit pricier but nice), CMax (not as roomy) or Renault Scenic (OK but I was scared off by bad reliability problems).

Horrid things.
About the only thing I would not swap my wife's current Megane Scenic for.
I would jump at C4 Picasso though.

I;'ve had a couple.

First was a 2.0D. Ended up with 165,000 on the clocks (02 plate sold about 2 years back) I would average 47-49mpg out of it. It would sit happily up to about 85mph and you could get 3 bikes and 3 people in it with ease. (i put 60,000 on it)

The next we had was a 1.6D, that ended up costing about a grand in suspension components, but that's not uncommon on the roads me and teh wife commute on as they're harsh on cars and suspension. (the wife put 40,000 on it) We bought from her parents who had a few air-con issues with it, but the air-con was fine for us.

I like driving them, they're a decent motor.

wife's current Megane Scenic

I'm looking at buying one of these or a vauxhall zafira. not sure which yet but i'm edging towards the vauxhall. just seems to get better reviews and you get 7 seats. there's loads about too.

we have to sell our Seat Altea which has got a cracking sized boot. easily get 3 bikes in with the seats folded flat. Its for sale if you're interested!

Had a diesel one as a hire car a few years ago for a week in Tennerife and it was pretty bad. Rubbish to drive, crappy interior trim though it could fit 4 biggish blokes in with climbing kit, though not in great comfort as the seats had very little support.

Over here they seem to be driven badly by breeders who have nothing to look forward to in life and are now just waiting to die, noticably more so than other mpv's, probably because they're cheaper. If you don't need to cart kids round (and probably if you do) just buy a decent sized estate car (like a 530).

Agree on the seats, they're not the most comfy on the planet. Although i have done 5-6 hour drives in them... but they're not exactly 'plush'

We are on our second C4 Grand Picasso, loads of room inside and all the seats fold flat. 4 bikes on the back is no problem and the suspension self levels the car. Ideal as a biking car.

We had the 1.6 oil burner on an 06 plate for the Mrs.
Overall, it was a bit of a spaghetti western.

The Good:
1. Superb engine with plenty of get up and go
2. Really economical, always over 50 mpg (the 1.6 is way better an angine than the 2.0 D)
3. Loads of room in the back for lugging stuff about with seats out.

... but then there's the Bad:
1. It handles like a jelly
2. It has a lousy turning circle
3. It's all a bit flimsy and quite possibly made of tin foil
4. The interior is not robust and soon looks worn

... and the Ugly,
well yes it is.

Seems to be a common theme on the seats- how 'bad' are they compared to other cars? 😯

My C1 has very thin seats but I've never thought about them on long drives.

they seem to be driven badly by breeders who have nothing to look forward to in life

they seem to be driven badly by breeders who have nothing to look forward to in life

TOTALLY agree- so the tip is to make sure its as beaten and dirty as possible. That way it looks like it aint trying and its a Parisian French vehicle. Perfect. Its when you see that staid-metallic light pale green/tourqouse colour one that seems popular that you think '****' with the way men (its always men) drive them.

Tehy're not like sitting on a bench... but they're not exactly your favourite sofa either LOL.

Sometimes it's only when you buy something new you realise how bad something old was. The new CR-V i got, well that's the favourite sofa... compared to the Mondeo before it... which was the favourite sofa, compared to the Picasso 🙂

Oh yeah,.. they do actually handle like a jelly 🙂

All that said... if on a budget, i'd buy one again with no issues.

The only time mine let me down the water in the coolijng system froze, however the temp gauge was showing -18.

Its when you see that staid-metallic light pale green/tourqouse colour one that seems popular that you think '****' with the way men (its always men) drive them.

Mine was that colour lol

After the myriad of thing that went wrong / broke on my fathers two citroens nothing would every inspire me to buy a citroen.

one_happy_hippy - Member
After the myriad of thing that went wrong / broke on my fathers two citroens nothing would every inspire me to buy a citroen.

My step father swears by them, but TBH he should be swearing at them as his last 3 seemed to develop weird engine/electrical faults that were/are impossible to fix.

I once owned a BX diesel, I’ve had enough counselling to talk about it now as it was one of the most traumatic ownership experiences in my life (and I’ve owned a few howlers/sheds). If it could fail or fall apart it did, in the end I gave it away and bought a Rover which was a model of reliability over 10 years of ownership!

... and the Ugly,
well yes it is.

Ugly Xsara Picasso, you say?

[url= http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180891950642?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 ]Ugly? Moi?[/url]

The French are good at many things, cars not being one of them.

Ford- you could say the samething about their mechanicals
VW- ditto
Vauxhall...

Etc etc etc...

well there's plenty here who seem to have had decent experiences with them. It's impossible to find a review of a car now that doesn't have some horror stories associated.

You're questioning the reliability of VW's and Fords, and intend instead to buy something French? 😆

MrOvershoot - Member

one_happy_hippy - Member
After the myriad of thing that went wrong / broke on my fathers two citroens nothing would every inspire me to buy a citroen.

My step father swears by them, but TBH he should be swearing at them as his last 3 seemed to develop weird engine/electrical faults that were/are impossible to fix.

THIS. Also the locks which either seem to not lock at all, or enter a state of terminal lockness.

Also the suspension was a nightmare.

And I never liked the clutch.

 

If its of a certain age I don't mind the locks not working- I leave my windows open sometimes on a 12plate car 😆

Had a spin in one today. Surprised. The Grand Picasso wallows badly to me. This felt more than fine by comparison. The plastics are better quality too. Im getting one, if anyone knows of a decent mechanical-condition one going I'm all ears.

I'm viewing a 1.6 petrol tonight. Not the most powerful but still not a bad engine?

In what car? And 8 or 16 v ??

55/06 Xsara Picasso - Unsure its 110hp so I assume its 16v as there is an older variant with just 100hp?

Are you that tired of life that you've resorted to this?

Are you that tired of life that you've resorted to this?

I need a big mobile skip to tied me over until March when my cars lease ends.

For £1,900 please tell me where I can buy a big, reliable, decent but ugly looking car that can do all this?

I've owned and driven nice cars. I looked at circa 2005 Volvo V70's but boy they have big bills.

I'll own a drive nice cars again but for the money/what it is- its a bloody good car.

What nice cars have you owned?

[url= http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/volkswagen/passat/volkswagen-passat-b5f-se-tdi-130bhp--------------2003/1762830 ]B5 Pissat[/url]

Will last longer and be easier to fix. Have you ever worked on a French car?

I looked at circa 2005 Volvo V70's but boy they have big bills.

Is not a nice car

[url= http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/audi/a6/audi-a6-avant-2-8-5-speed/1761682 ]Something a bit quicker[/url]

I literally need a car for 5months. The Passat does nothing for me. Its even duller to drive than a Xsara Picasso. Looks don't come into this. Its practicality and price. Come March and if the shed has proved worthy its S2000 time.

"Something a bit quicker"- I drove a 2.8 4motion Golf for 6weeks back in 2006. I averaged 14mpg.

Nothing says you've given up on life more than a Citroen Xsara Picasso. Don't forget to wear the permanent hang-dog expression of a beaten man, as you sit parked up in the lay bay of your local dogging hotspot, gently weeping to yourself as the self-loathing kicks in, having just done something unspeakable with a lorry driver from Doncaster

Actually.... its your ideal car 😀

Its practicality and price

But you'd rather have a French car than ze German one

The passat you'll easily sell for similar money. People always want them. French cars are a bastard to work on, I've done it and Ze German ones are far easier to service/fix

Oh, and you won't want an S2000 because you won't fit in it. My friend has one, anyone over 5'11 needs to look elsewhere

[url= http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/honda/accord/honda-accord-2ltr-se-petrol-estate-2003/1746294 ]Proper dull but will NEVER break[/url]

We had a 1.6HDI Grand Picasso a while back. There's lots of space, the usual Citroen weirdness and for a 1.6 turdbo diseasal there's a decent amount of oomph.

The downsides were the flimsy plastics, the auto gearbox that required a decades' advance written notice of a desired gearchange and the rather woolly handling. Perhaps, not surprisingly with a small engine and a big-ish turbo, I often got caught out by turbo lag and the lack of a clutch means that you can't blip the engine to keep the revs up.

I wouldn't have another.

Flange the MX5 has the same affliction. Theres probably easy fix to that. On the MX5 I removed the sun visor and moved the seat forward a tad/reclined the back.

PJM1974 - how much did you pay though? I'm obviously paying nowhere near what you probably paid for yours.

There isn't - because I looked into buying it but it just wasn't feasible.

Suggest Honda Stream - so you can learn the Honda way whilst having a spare engine for the S2000 😉

It's not worthwhile making any sensible suggestions on any of Hora's car threads.

This thread is over a year old and he's just resurrected it. It's not his first car thread on here or on PH and it won't be his last.

He's a fantasist, a dreamer...nothing ever changes. At least dream about something better than a Picasso!

PJM1974 - how much did you pay though? I'm obviously paying nowhere near what you probably paid for yours.

Nothing - it was the MiL's leased car.

Doosuk I was one year into a two year lease a year ago.

The xsara picasso is one of the worst cars I've ever driven. Its a miserable grey vanilla thing on wheels. The steering column/wheel, seats, and pedals don't line up. I've had this in other cars (e36 coupe) but this is also miserable to drive so it just makes it even worse.

It is very practical though. So is a Fiat Multipla and a Zafira, wouldn't have any of them either...

Whereas I have driven numerous Audi's and VW's that are worse/with even less soul and steer/feel bad. The MKIV Golf and Touran being hideous.

Its all subjective.

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Kill it. With fire!

That said, the newer shaped ones I really like and the brand spankers ones look epic!

If you're after that sort of car then Vauxhall have a blinding deal on a new (old shape) Zafiras.

£11k for a new 7 seater car is dammit cheap...

www.pentagon-group.co.uk/offers/new-car/new-vauxhall-zafira-exclusiv-mpv-from-only-9995

DBW The new Renault Scenic is stunning but who would drop tens of thousands on a new car nowadays?!

The new c4 Picasso looks nice, the xsara version is hideous

Lot of criticism of the seats but I always found it very comfortable with good back support. Drove to the Alps a couple of times with no discomfort at all. It's not pretty, but it does the job.

The new c4 Picasso looks nice

Oh I agree but again missing the point. The cheapest ones are twice the price. I don't want to spend 4k+ on something for the short term.

In March with no more lease payments, wasted insurance etc I want to buy something decent. For the money theres nowt out there.

(No I wouldn't drive round in a high mileage Ford).

Sold mine with 165,000 on the clocks... only things wrong were the suspension stuff, but it was back and forth every day on terrible terrible roads, so it wasn't exactly the cars fault.

The only time mine let me down the water in the coolijng system froze, however the temp gauge was showing -18.

Got one.

Took a chance and bought one 230miles away in Scotland. A couple of minor issues to sort out (pads low/clutch cable) but sat in the back lounging eating my sarnies at the services I felt like a King (not had space inside a car for a longtime!). It felt fine on the motorway- no issues for me.

Cheers all 🙂

[img] [/img]

One thing thats taken a while to figure out. I couldn't get on with how to drive it. Then I moved the seat forward (I normally sit way back/seat right at the back of the rails), that immediately made the car feel spot-on as the pedals are angled to van-driving feel aren't they? I've heard people complain about the driving position but if you approach it van-like its spot on.

Rear seats removed and front seats pushed forward you can fit a air bed and camp in there too 8) a massive bonus if its just me staying away and not the family camping- no need for a tent.

Update- as a 'cheap' option its bloody brilliant. Very very ugly but as I've said recently to chrisdiesel off here - I can't find fault/excuse to get rid.

I've been thinking about one of these. I'm in the market for something cheap and cheerful. No more than £1500. Something to slam bikes in and not worry about it. I was thinking of the Berlingo but I wanted cruise control. Anyone got the 2.0HDi engine? What kind of MPG are you getting?

I did have, it was 43mpg average if i'm not mistaken. I only sold it as it had 165,000 on it and was getting tired... still all worked though

Thanks Weeksy. Thats not as high as I had hoped for. Maybe I should just get a Passat estate.

td75 do you 'need' a diesel?

Do a spreadsheet on the purchase price difference, factor in the odd bill and mileage/average etc. More things to go wrong on a diesel..

You maybe right Hora. I've always bought diesels. I've never been a fan of french petrol engines. But I've not driven one in a while. I was thinking of looking at the 1.6HDi but I've heard that isn't a good engine?

I kind of like the idea of getting a Picasso. Higher driving position, space inside and possible camp in it with the seats out. Also if I get the exclusive it's got cruise control.

Fantastic engine- needs a rigid, proper oil/filter/guaze change though. I testdrove one and liked it.

Citroen petrols- aren't bad. I've done 6k since December in mine. The only reason that I will be changing mine is when I find a decent Subaru.

I've heard the 2.0HDi is more a robust engine? I will have to have a look into the 1.6. Have you camped in yours yet? Is there much space inside? Cheers Tim

If I found a 1.6HDI with full (annuual) service history I'd buy that one.

Otherwise I'd get the 2.0HDI.

If my mileage was <15,000 a year I'd get a Berlingo or Picasso 1.6 petrol.

Cheaper to buy, cheaper fuel and only 7mpg difference? All cancels out but chosing a petrol gives you a wider secondhand market to chose from?

I 'think' you can retro-fit CC. Have a look at the forums. It'll give you a Berlingo then (which is alot less ugly).