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Is the Citroen C5 a good car?

I am interested in buying a Citroen C5. Are they a good car and are they heavy on diesel? Is there anything in particular that I should be aware of?

Thanks.

Patrick Collins (Killarney)

May 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

I've always had a bit of a soft-spot for the current C5. No, it's not as sharp to drive as a Mondeo or Passat, but it's a lovely, comfy car with tremendous long-haul refinement. Pick of the bunch is the 1.6 HDi diesel model and you should get an easy 50mpg out of it.

As for faults, check for a chuffing sound from the engine when it's running, as that could indicate that the fuel injectors are in need of replacing. Make sure it's had a cambelt change and watch for diesel particulate filter warning lights, which indicate that it needs a good long run at high engine speed to burn the collected diesel soot out of the filter. Suspension problems are quite common - usually worn ball-joints or bushes. Other than that, they're pretty solid.


Want to know the best seven-seater.

Want to know the best seven-seater on the market.

Bridget Enabulele (Dublin)

May 2013 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Bridget,

Do you mean medium or large seven-seater? If it’s a medium one, then the best ones are the VW Touran, Kia Carens, Toyota Verso, Citroen C4 Picasso, or Renault Grand Scenic. If you mean a bigger one, then the best ones are the Ford S-Max or SEAT Alhambra. Here are our reviews of them all:

Volkswagen Touran review

Kia Carens review

Toyota Verso review

Citroen C4 Grand Picasso review

Renault Grand Scenic review

Ford S-Max review

SEAT Alhambra review


What's your opinion on the Citroen C5?

I am considering buying a 2010 Citroen C5 estate that comes with Bluetooth, satnav and cruise control at a price of€17k. "Friends" are saying buy an Avensis or Mondeo as they have a better resale value and are more reliable, but you do not get the same high spec as the C5 for €17k.

What's your opinion on the C5?

Zak Adam (Drogheda, Co Louth)

May 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Zak,

We always did like the C5 when it was new — big, comfy, quite stylish and it really does look best as an estate. Your ‘friends’ are right in that the Mondeo or Avensis will hold their value better, and there’s no getting away from the fact that an Avensis would be much more reliable over the long term, but at seven years old, the C5 will have the worst of its depreciation behind it now, so as long as it comes with a full service history and you keep it looked after, we wouldn’t regard it as a bad purchase.


A towbar for my Focus or buy a Citroen Berlingo?

Should I buy a Citroen Berlingo (or similar) or put a towbar onto my 2000 Focus? I need something to carry lots of trees/logs for firewood. Is it a waste of money putting a towbar on my 13-year old Focus 1.6 petrol saloon and purchasing a trailer or would a three-seat van be better value and more economical? I have two small kids so I need something to carry them and all their gear also (for school runs etc.). Or would some sort of pick-up or SUV suit me better? Motor tax, fuel economy etc. are all factors to consider, thanks

K C (Cork)

May 2013 Filed under: towing

Expert answer

Hi Keith,

No, it's not a waste of time at all. It's almost always better value to keep and fix an existing car rather than pay the cost-of-change to upgrade to something newer. That said, if you're convinced you need a better solution, then you won't do better than to go for one of the many car-vans on offer now. The Renault Kangoo and Citroen Berlingo are the best known versions, but there are also similar models available from Fiat, Volkswagen and Peugeot.  My personal pick would be the Fiat Doblo, fitted with the 1.6- or 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel engines. You'll find the cabin surprisingly comfy, it's quite pleasant to drive, very economical and good on tax and massively spacious in the back. There's even a seven-seat version available if you want to be really popular at the school gate.


Help me choose a car for about €15,000 please!

What car would you recomend for a 24-year old, price range €15,000 approx. I am considering Honda Accord, Lexus IS or something similar.

Liam Duffy (Limerick)

May 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Liam,

Wow, you're 24 and thinking of a Honda Accord? I thought all you young 'uns wanted Citroen Saxos or Civics? Well, frankly, I don't think I can recommend a better car than the Accord. They're comfy, refined, spacious and utterly reliable. Just watch the insurance rating as the smallest possible engine is 1.8-litre and that could really crank up your premium.

Again, the Lexus IS is a good choice with solid reliability and a playful rear-drive chassis thrown into the bargain. €15,000 gets you into the current model (just about to be replaced actually) easily enough, and the 2.2-litre diesel engine is the one to go for - it's punchy and frugal.

Let us know if you'd like other suggestions.


What economical family car should I trade up to?

I am looking to trade in a 2008 Citroen C4 Coupé (three-door) for a more economical family car with at least four doors, low road tax and I have a tight budget. I need either a saloon or estate and have approx €6,000 to spend with my car - any recommendations?

Catherine Walsh (Limerick)

Apr 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Catherine,

A rough estimate of your C4's value should give you a budget of around €12,000 (and you might even do a bit better than that if you're lucky). Even at that level though, there is a plethora of cars matching your description out there. How about we start with something really classy? A BMW 316i maybe? Plenty out there, all priced around €11k and the 1.6-litre engine means reasonable tax and fuel economy even though it's a petrol engine.

Or you might need something a bit more spacious and economical. So we found a Citroen C5 Tourer estate with the 1.6-litre HDi diesel engine. It's a 2008 model so you'll be on the new CO2-based tax system, it's massive inside and very comfy. Well built too.

Finally, you might fancy something a bit more compact and cheaper to run, and that budget opens up a world of Ford Focus saloons and estates with either the 1.6-litre petrol or 1.8 diesel engines. Simple, spacious, reliable and plentiful, you won't go wrong with that one.

WHat do you think?


Which diesel MPV would suit our family?

Could you recommend an economical diesel MPV or family car for a budget of around €10,000? Preferably to fit three car seats in the back, with a large boot space, low tax and suitable for country roads?

Thanks

Derek Mc (Newtownmountkennedy)

Apr 2013 Filed under: family car

Expert answer

Hi Derek,

We're assuming you mean large boot space when the rear-most seats are folded down when it comes to the seven-seat models, but come back to us if not. Seven-seat cars are your best/easiest option for fitting three car seats in.

The first car we found in the classifieds that might suit you is Citroen's C4 Picasso. It's a brilliant MPV and with a little negotiation you should be able to afford a 2008 model with the economical 1.6-litre HDi diesel engine. We're not big fans of the 'EGS' automatic gearbox, but give it a go and make that decision for yourself. The five-seat version (not called 'Grand') is good too if you can live with that many seats.

Ford's C-Max and S-Max are worth a look too. The latter is a good deal bigger, but the former is economical and well priced.

Personally I'm not a huge fan of the Opel Zafira, though we have readers who swear by them. There are loads on the market too so shop around for one that suits.

Others to look into might be the Toyota Corolla Verso and Volkswagen Sharan and Touran.

Let us know if you need help narrowing down the search.


Tell me about the Mazda3's diesel engine?

What type of engine is in the Mazda3 1.6 diesel?

Dino Deehan (Athlone)

Apr 2013 Filed under: diesel

Expert answer

Hi Dino,

It’s actually a very common engine, the PSA DV4 unit, also shared with Ford, Volvo, Peugeot, Citroen and MINI. It’s a four-cylinder turbodiesel, usually with 110hp, although some later versions had 115hp.


How much is my Citroen C4 Picasso worth?

What is the value of a 2007 Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6 diesel with 174,000km on it?

John O'wyer (Kilkenny)

Mar 2013 Filed under: used car values

Expert answer

Hi John,

Sorry to say but the high mileage of the car you mention means its value is a good bit lower than comparable models with lower (i.e. average) mileage. About €4,000 to €5,000 seems reasonable, but you'll probably be bid lower than that for a trade-in.

Let us know how you get on


Which used MPVs are cheap to tax?

I am looking for a decently sized seven-seater that comes in the cheaper tax band; can you please suggest one (that isn't too expensive or new out as I am looking for second hand)?

Natash Murray (Dublin)

Feb 2013 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi Natash,

Your best bets are the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, the VW Touran, the Peugeot 5008, or the Kia Carens 1.7 CRDi (the current-shape model). All of those slot into Band A for motor tax, as long as you get the 1.6 or 1.7 diesel models.


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