Citroen C3 - Used 1.4HDi or new 1.2VTi

lemon26

Good afternoon! I'm looking to downsize from a C5 1.6HDi to a C3, with either the 1.4HDi or 1.2VTi engines.

The 1.4HDi is used (March 11, 17k miles) but has metallic blue paint (I like!), built-in satnav, better stereo and the zenith (large) front window. It would cost my C5 and £5,000.

The 1.2VTi is new, in VTR+ specification so no satnav, in solid white and with normal stereo and small (normal size) front window. It would cost my C5 and £7,400.

The HDi less powerful than the VTi, yet has more torque. The roads where I live are mainly single track, no dual carriageway or motorways - I live on an Island. Petrol is 155p per litre and diesel is 159p per litre.

Which would be best for me? I prefer comfort over speed.

OddballJamie

How many miles a year do you do?

Also are you certain the petrol one is VTR+ spec as the Zenith windscreen is standard on anything above VT spec. Unless the model is the "White" SE version.

mharford

Hi

The 1.4HDi is still reasonably fast and can do 100mph fairly easily. It also handles pretty well and although it's quite slow on initial acceleration by being expressive with gears you can still make the drive fun. £2400 is a big difference in costs and I don't think taking the 1.2VTi over the HDi is really worth it when you sum everything up.

lemon26

Hi! Thank you for your replies.

OddballJamie> I do about 3000 miles per year but will do more with a more economical car. Work put on a bus so I usually get that however I'd be more inclined to use my own car when it's raining (save getting soaked waiting). The petrol one is a VTR+ spec, it appears with the new model the Zenith windscreen is only standard fit on the Exclusive, and a £300 option on VTR+.

Mharford> thank you for that, do you drive the 1.4HDi? Most of the roads here are single track so there's a fair bit of stopping and starting in the passing places with limited opportunity for overtaking anyway. I might take it off the Islands to visit our parents and that'd involve driving from Skye to Sunderland! Hopefully it'd have enough 'go' for the A-roads and such?

forgotmyname

Does it have a DPF? How does it regenerate? What happens if your journey ends before it regenerates?

Personally i would go for a petrol one with that low a mileage. Why not find a slightly used 2nd hand petrol one and save a packet?

lemon26

Hi forgotmyname> The 1.4HDi does have a DPF and uses EOLYS fluid to regenerate the DPF, although the car exhaust has to get hot enough to do this. From my C5 (1.6HDi, I know), to regenerate the DPF you must drive for at least 5 minutes at 37 mph or greater. I do not use my C5 for short journeys (I use my bike) and each journey with any new car would more than meet the above requirement.

The nearest 1.4i Connexion is 150 miles way in Norther Ireland, which is two ferry journeys each way, or the next nearest is in the North East of England, which is one ferry journey and a 8 hour drive each way! I'd prefer to get one as locally as possible!