Which used Xsara Picasso should we get??

ali99

Hello all

I wonder if anyone could give me some advice about used Xsara Picassos. We are about to have our third child and I have reluctantly had to agree that my Fiat Seicento is really not quite big enough! We know absolutely nothing about cars and have been putting this off but we need to get something soon. I have test driven a Xsara Picasso and liked it so we think we will go with that.
So, my question is, which one should we go for? A new one would be about £10000, but we hoped to pick up an older one for maybe around £6000? I was thinking of 1.6 petrol model - it will mainly be used for transporting family around local area, with occasional longer journeys. All I want is something reliable, as safe as possible, with a CD player and air-con.
Does anyone have any advice as to how old a model we should get, or anything useful in fact - we are a bit bewildered by the choice available even after deciding on the model of car!
Oh, and does anyone think that parking sensors (front and back) are worth the money - I have never used parking sensors but then I am used to a seicento!
Any advice very gratefully recieved.
Ali

avfc4life

Try using http://www.autotrader.co.uk and also if you know anybody who is good with cars (say a mechanic) get them to go with you to give the car a good once over before you buy and tell you how much they would pay for it as you dont want to be ripped off. Always haggle on the price aswell.

vikingaero

Try and test drive the 2.0 HDi model first. The kerbweight of a Picasso is around 1300kg without kids and luggage so it's a lot for a 1.6 to lug along.

You can get decent parking sensors fitted by Halfords. I have from and rear sensors on my MPV and they are really useful.

janeytel

I had a 1.6 petrol picasso for three years and really liked it. Brilliant if you have kids as there is so much space in the back and lots of storage in the boot etc. Vikingaero is right that this can make the 1.6 can be a little bit sluggish and heavy on the petrol, but if you are not travelling a great amount of miles then this may not bother you.
Initially, I also worried about how I was going to park, but as you a higher up I found it very easy, I did use to try and find a space with plenty width in the car park.

Hintza

Here is a Q and answer from last weeks Honest John column in the Telegraph:-

Having just written off my 2005 Renault Scénic 1.5d, I need some advice on a replacement. I do 90 motorway miles a day during the week and a mixed mileage at weekends, on regular family duty. I need space for golf clubs plus trolley, my daughter's drum kit and two children (but not all at the same time). The Scénic 1.5d was underpowered for motorway driving, and thus a little dull, and its depreciation horrified me. I am open to any suggestions.
P.G., Warwick

A new Citroën C4 Picasso 1.6 HDi 110 five-seater should do the business, although the old-shape Xsara Picasso 1.6 HDi 110 is much better value.

Hintza

Have a look here:-

http://www.uk-car-discount.co.uk/user/index.aspx?type=1

Hintza

If I were you i would be hunting round for one just about a year old at a good price. With a young family as you say you want something reliable with no hassle with MOT's and possible breakdowns. So I would be scouring the carsuprmarkets and dealers and seeing wht is available.

I think you might need to move your budget up a couple of thousand and you should get an 06 car for around £8,000.

Have fun.

dnc1781

Take a look at:

citroenpicasso.org.uk

ali99

Thank you to everyone who has given advice, I will research a bit more and no doubt be back with further questions1
Thanks
Ali

JFuller105

Definitely go diesel.

The 1.6 HDi should be more powerful and more economical than the 2.0 HDi. Some reliability issues in the engine management system on my partner's 1.6, have heard of Ford Focus' having similar problems with the same engine.

Save your money and go for the newest 2.0HDi Exclusive you can find.

ixwood

Diesel!! They cost more 2nd hand for a reason.

Parkers is good to check out all the technical details for different models.

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/Review.aspx?model=141&page=7

Compare bhp (and 0-60, plus torque just to get a feel for the relative power), insurance groups, mpg, tax costs and choose the model that best fits your requirements.

I recently wanted to "downcost" my car, so spent ages comparing models. I wanted something medium sized (in the old sense of the word! These days that would probably mean a 5 seater with extra 2 pop up seats), with good space (for the mutt and lugging stuff about, tip runs, ebay pick ups etc), cheap running costs, a reasonable amount of power and air con. And if possible something reasonably nice, but not flash.

In the end I went for a 2001 1.9TDI Seat Lean. 110bhp, although feels a lot more to me, previously being used to lower torque petrol cars. It feels quicker than the 130 bhp audi a3 it replaced. Insurance group 7 (audi was 13), £115 road tax a year (audi would have been around £200 by now i think) and 50mpg.

I love getting 500+ miles per tank, without driving especially carefully. I'm aiming for 600 from the next tank. The audi would have done just over 300. Although diesel is that few pence more per litre.

Anyway, sorry i'm waffling.. Go diesel and research the exact model required. Once you've decided that get on autotrader.