Xsara Picasso - wife wants one, what they like to run/own?

kippermitten

kippermitten

kippermitten

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Hello.
The wife is quite set on a Xsara Picaso Exclusive, 2.0 hdi or 2.0(hdi afaic!).
Weve seen one on a 52 plate, hdi 2.0, 35k, fsh, alloys, spotless inside and out 6995 on the sticker but I reckon 6500 if Im brutal on the haggle!

So, what they like? Its going to be the primary family mover so are they reliable? Easily fixable by someone ok with the spanners? Servicing ok pricewise?
Whats to look for in the way of known problems or issues?

Any info appreciated on the Picasso or suggestions as to other similar MPV's!
Cheers,
Perry.
 
Firestar_3x said:
Cheap to buy new / cheap to buy used / ok to service but expect it to go wrong.
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Agreed work friend has had one since new.

Paint started peeling off the bumpers after a minor jet wash within two months. Brake pads and disks wore very quickly. In his words "it feels flimsy". Although he reckoned the dealer was first class.

He exchanged it after 18 months and bought a used Nissan Almera Tino which he reckons leaves the citreon standing in every aspect.
 
Ta chaps.
Damm neighbors bought a Tino last week! Suppose we'd have to buy the model up from then if we did!
Anyone know what the Zafira is like?

Any other vehicles aside from mpv's with similar space/size and family orientated stuff?
 
Mariva midi MPV is better than the Zafira .

I own the 1.8 16v design version and its a great car , Fule wise its great round town and long distance and less waight than the Zafira .

On the what car chart it scored very high but lost points on having poor visibility due to the front post's on the small windows on the side...Like anyone look's out of them small window's Ha !

It has a great seating config and all the safety kit is great ..air bag's side impact EPS

I have had mine now for just over a year and it never give me any problems , Its a great drive ..Very nippy but can tend to get a bit loud on moterways ..But i just crank up the ICE system and weeeee .

It has all the toys electric everything and air con

All in all a good allrounder and can be got from about 8k up to 15 k

heres a link but good luck with what ever you choose ;)


link
 
Most of these MPV's are utterly pointless.

Something like a Zafira is not - it actually offers a genuine advantage over a regular car becuase it has 7 seat capacity. But these midi-MPV's are a complete waste of time, and the latest fad. People convince themselves that if you have kids you just MUST have a midi-mpv. Even though it has no extra seating capacity and no additional boot capacity over a proper car.

Just loads of useless cubby holes that you can store small objects in - just use the boot or something.

Buy a proper car for the same money, for what you'd pay for, for example, a Citroen Xsara Picasso, you could have a Citroen C5 Exclusive.
 
[TW]Fox said:
Most of these MPV's are utterly pointless.

Something like a Zafira is not - it actually offers a genuine advantage over a regular car becuase it has 7 seat capacity. But these midi-MPV's are a complete waste of time, and the latest fad. People convince themselves that if you have kids you just MUST have a midi-mpv. Even though it has no extra seating capacity and no additional boot capacity over a proper car.

Just loads of useless cubby holes that you can store small objects in - just use the boot or something.

Buy a proper car for the same money, for what you'd pay for, for example, a Citroen Xsara Picasso, you could have a Citroen C5 Exclusive.
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I agree with the fashion fad you are totally right. The other worrying trend is people that have 1 or 2 children are completely convinced they need 7 seats or a 4x4.

On the question of space my friend has one because hes a very keen fisherman. He also instructs so he carries tons of gear around with him. He used to have a van but it wasn't very desirable to drive when he wasn't on a fishing trip. He says when he removes or folds the rear seats down it gives the MPV a similar dimension of a small van.
 
The marive looks interesting, ill point the Mrs that way for a look-see.

MPV's are a derivitive/alternative to a saloon/hatchback.
The Picasso, Scenic, Tino so on and so forth have higher seating which can help with kids feeling less journey sick, have more head room and tend to be more open on the inside so more light which is better for longer journeys and more places to stuff the miscelany that comes with having kids.
The whole geting kids in and out of the Picasso is much easier than a (C5, the father in law has one) as you have flat floor spaces so kids dont trip get tangled as easily, easier for some people(read shorter :D) to lift kids in and out if the kids are higher up. Plus you get the flat load space entrance of an estate(no boot sill) but a smaller size car oh and a plastic shopping trolley that sits in the boot and folds up :D.

Like all models they have there niche and lovers and lothers.

BTW if the Mrs doesnt like the Picasso, Tino etc she is going for a C5.
 
I wouldnt buy one 2nd hand personally.

Citroen = poor mans Renault with even worse build and reliability. Would have thought you'd be looking at 5-6k for one almost 4 years old.
 
zafira are utterly horrible cars had one as a rental it rattled all the way and felt rubbish to drive made me want to hide everytime I saw someone i knew
 
Dad's GF has a 1.6 Xsara and it's a sluggish cheaply built thing. I don't like it. It's got a shocking gearbox and the seats are firm but reasonably comfortable.

My GF has a 1998 Renault Scenic with the 2 litre. It's got much more go to it and is more comfortable than the newer Xsara. Does about 30-35mpg and it really light on petrol around town. I'd recommend that model over the Xsara.

[TW]Fox said:
Most of these MPV's are utterly pointless.

Something like a Zafira is not - it actually offers a genuine advantage over a regular car becuase it has 7 seat capacity. But these midi-MPV's are a complete waste of time, and the latest fad. People convince themselves that if you have kids you just MUST have a midi-mpv. Even though it has no extra seating capacity and no additional boot capacity over a proper car.

Just loads of useless cubby holes that you can store small objects in - just use the boot or something.

Buy a proper car for the same money, for what you'd pay for, for example, a Citroen Xsara Picasso, you could have a Citroen C5 Exclusive.
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I thoroughly disagree here. The Scenic turns into a van at the pull of a few levers which is soooo convenient for lugging stufff about it's not true, there's piles of space for passengers in the back compared to a car and it's a more social drive because it's more open-plan than a car. You sit higher and can see everything. I don't need to use the boot half the time, I just throw stuff in the back. Hell I don't even need to open the back doors half the time, stuff just fits between the seats

At the end of the day if I want to tear around the streets for 'the driving experience' I'll go out in the Anglia or on my bike, but for everyday driving practicality around town you'll struggle to get more practical than a small MPV. It just does every job you want it to. I'm saying that as a complete petrolhead who has regular access to a Scenic.
 
A friend uses Picassos for his Courier business, they are dirt cheap to buy and have taken a lot of abuse!

Some are also modified and used to transport little scrotes, sorry I mean troubled youths to and from court/hospital/detention centres, and they hold up well :)
 
Jonny69 said:
I thoroughly disagree here. The Scenic turns into a van at the pull of a few levers which is soooo convenient for lugging stufff about it's not true, there's piles of space for passengers in the back compared to a car and it's a more social drive because it's more open-plan than a car. You sit higher and can see everything. I don't need to use the boot half the time, I just throw stuff in the back. Hell I don't even need to open the back doors half the time, stuff just fits between the seats
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Todays large hatchbacks also have seats which fold flat into the floor, giving you exactly the same benefits with none of the MPV disadvantages.
 
My sister has had a couple of Picasso's, neither of which has given any trouble. They can get a bit tatty after a while but she doesn't really look after them.

It does have its advantages over a large hatch or saloon - I borrow it occasionally for football away match runs as we can remove the rear centre seat and slide an electic cool box in its place to chill the beers :) They are also better for moving big stuff with the rear seats out. Whilst I wouldn't buy one myself I can understand their popularity.

Don't pay too much for a used one though - you can get huge discounts on them new (over and above the cashback offers).
 
[TW]Fox said:
Todays large hatchbacks also have seats which fold flat into the floor, giving you exactly the same benefits with none of the MPV disadvantages.
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Nope. No hatch I've ever seen is as tall or as big inside as a Scenic. And there don't seem to be any disadvantages as I can work out, apart from the aerial hitting the height restrictors in a carpark :p :D
 
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