About to buy a Citroen c3 Aircross

[Sheetmaself]

Any reason why I shouldn’t?

Looking at a 68 plate petrol at about £10-11k and the plan is to keep it as a family car for about 5 years.

Are there any common issues to be aware of?

I know it may not be everyone’s cup of tea but i have cars that cover interesting, I just want something cheapish that I don’t have to worry about that is comfortable for a 6 and 9 year old in the back without being too big a car.

Any thought welcome.

[Twig62]

Providing it doesn't have the dire automated manual gearbox then it will be fine. The Puretech 3 cylinder engine is great but it is critical that the correct oil is used.

[Sheetmaself]

Ooh thats useful, I was happy for either but only driven the manual. I will stay with the manual version thanks.

[David_M]

Sheetmaself said:

Ooh thats useful, I was happy for either but only driven the manual. I will stay with the manual version thanks.

The newer Citroens (last two / three years?) have proper torque converter boxes (described in ads as EAT6 or EAT) and will be fine if you want an auto. Not sure any of the C3 Aircrosses had the automated manual that was used previously in C3 / C4 / c4 cactus and is terrible.

Edited to add - I have been driving a C4 cactus 1.2 110hp manual for the last few years and I think that the engine is an amazing thing for a 1.2, and I rather like the sound of triples. It has also been very reliable and cheap to run otherwise.

[Sheetmaself]

It looks as though for the manual petrol there is a 82 hp and a 110hp version. Im presuming the 110 is the version to go for?

[David_M]

Sheetmaself said:

It looks as though for the manual petrol there is a 82 hp and a 110hp version. Im presuming the 110 is the version to go for?

I haven't driven the 82 hp version, but I imagine that it is a bit underpowered and in particular will be missing the low-rev torque of the 110 hp turbo engine.

There is also a 130 hp variant fitted to some cars that is undoubtedly a little bit nicer again.

[Sheetmaself]

I presumed the 130 was auto only. Cool i will look into that.

[Sheetmaself]

Okay I’m at the garage looking and there is a lovely 19 plate cactus 130 flair petrol in purple with a glass roof for same price and same miles.

Any reason either is better than the other beyond suv vs estate(ish)?

[David_M]

Sheetmaself said:

Okay I’m at the garage looking and there is a lovely 19 plate cactus 130 flair petrol in purple with a glass roof for same price and same miles.

Any reason either is better than the other beyond suv vs estate(ish)?

Late reply so may no longer be relevant. As I said I have had a Cactus for a few years, and I've looked at the C3 Aircross but not driven it.

I think that the C3 Aircross has a few more "luxuries" than the Cactus but there is really not a lot in it as far as I can see, and not things that I think are important although you may differ (Cactus - lighter, less plush, fixed rear windows). They have far more in common than there are differences as far as I can see.

[Sheetmaself]

Not too late as i love a good long winded deliberation!

Going to look at a cactus this weekend with the missus, as a bit concerned about the higher boot entry for her plus she really liked the aircross.

[Sheetmaself]

Right then, i think I’ve gone and grabbed a bit of a bargain.

Managed to get a manual, silver with black roof aircross flair on a 68 plate with 19k miles was marketed as a 110 but checking the reg for insurance and tax it turns out it’s actually a 130 version!



Here’s looking forward to some cheap sensible motoring and thanks for the advice.

[elanfan]

Just had one as a loan car. Auto box.

What a complete piece of crap. The wife just drove it to choir practice, first comment when she got back was That the car is awful.

Edited by elanfan on Thursday 4th November 22:58

[Sheetmaself]

It lasted just under a year with us but to be fair we sold it for more than we bought it for!

Made the kids car sick with the soft suspension but was fairly nippy (ours was the 130bhp version) and reasonably frugal.