Is the Citroen C2 underrated?

[StottyEvo]

My Ex-Gf had one and it was shocking. She inherited it from her parents with about 20,000 on the clock and it fell to pieces. Exhaust corroded, thermostat broke amongst many other niggly things. They have no pedigree and they aren't sporty, I can't see their values or popularity going anywhere except down.

[saaby93]

Cute

50:50 split tailgate Decent size headlights, Retro 2CV look to the bonnet

Edited by saaby93 on Saturday 30th May 18:43

[Feirny]

I had one for my first car, was epic tbh. Such a riot to drive.

[jamieduff1981]

Has Pistonheads really become the place to discuss whether some crap little French hatchback, ideally with an economical diesel engine is under rated?

Yes it is the place sadly and no the car isn't under rated. It was ste.

[jamieduff1981]

You're right, I don't.

My wife wanted a decent handling big petrol engine for her daily use driving our 2 kids about. She had to accept that a coupe wouldn't work with modern child seat laws for day to day use so settled on another rear wheel drive saloon. I don't think she'd want to be seen dead in a "cute" little hatch.

You should change girlfriend before it's too late...

[Quhet]

I always liked the looks of these. Doesn't mean they're any good though

[Spanna]

A good condition GT or VTS would make a good stop gap in between real cars. Other than that, I don't see it.

[HustleRussell]

Good looking little hatch and pretty nice to drive. Like the C3 though, not Citroen's finest moment for reliability. The C1's success could be attributed to the fact that it's mostly Toyota?

[P I Staker]

This is my mates C2 GT, fun wee car down back roads but not fast in a straight line.



Although kind of impractical, only four seats and the rear seats are barely usable, combined with a tiny boot.

[Codswallop]

chrisko said:

You obviously don't have a girlfriend you have to share your car with.
I mean she wanted the pre-facelift Clio II, because it "looks cute, like a little froggy" I like it too but there's an automatic box only on the 1.2 petrol one. No way I am wasting so much money on fuel just so that she can drive it too. That's why I think nothing else ticks the boxes as well as the C2... and the first-gen C3, but I hate the way it looks.

Clio mk2 1.2 is most certainly available as a manual. In fact, I'm not sure the 1.2 is available with an automatic...

[HustleRussell]

Clutchless manual.

[budgie smuggler]

I have the pleasure of driving one of these as my own car has be commandeered for family wagon duties.

They're not underrated:

The interior has literally fallen apart.
The brakes are too sharp initially then no power afterwards.
Steering so light that farting can make you change 3 lanes.
Engine so lacking in torque that it genuinely feels dangerous, until you get to 4,000 RPM when it sounds like it's about to st itself so you have to change gear to avoid looking like a chavvy boyracing wk tissue trying to show off.
Electronics (surprise surprise, it's French) not working properly, lights randomly switching themselves on for example
OEM Radio/CD changer doesn't fit properly in the slot in the dash
The boot design is great, but it leaks when it rains. The super absorbant boot interior material was holding over 9,000 litres of water I had to wring out, which smelled vomit inducingly bad.
THe windscreen wipers don't sweep enough of the screen, so a dirty patch is right in my eye line
The seats are too high, I'm only 6 feet tall, yet my head is nearly touching the ceiling
The seats have to go all the way back before clicking in, and being able to slide forward again. So if you have an adult in the back, they have to remove their legs before you can get in.

Think that covers it.

One saving grace, fking excellent turning circle. Three point turns are a thing of the past! U-turn where you like!

[m8rky]

Looking for my 3rd one, owned a 05 VTS that did 125,000 trouble free miles.( just an alternator & engine mounts over regular servicing) Currently got an 07 Code, the one with heated leather seats,and is the later mk2 version. Has had a few easily sorted minor electrical gremlins, fixed with new front sidelight bulbs & a rear bulb holder.
Ultra reliable, nippy rather than quick, great brakes and roadholding. Could do with better speakers but overall a great under rated car.
Looking for a tidy VTS to keep as P&J and to keep the Code as a work car.

[ecsrobin]

A friend had a VTS I found the handling to be sketchy to the point of dangerous when trying to drive at speed.

[bearman68]

Underrated, really, really??? No they are not underrated. quite the opposite as far as I can see

[speedtwelve]

jamieduff1981 said:

Has Pistonheads really become the place to discuss whether some crap little French hatchback, ideally with an economical diesel engine is under rated?

Yes it is the place sadly and no the car isn't under rated. It was ste.

This. Could we have a 'Dull' subforum for people like the OP who "couldn't care less about a car being sporty, I want something economical like the 1.4 HDI". I thought PH was for those who are interested in cars not mobile white goods.

[Dyl]

budgie smuggler said:

The interior has literally fallen apart.
The brakes are too sharp initially then no power afterwards.
Steering so light that farting can make you change 3 lanes.
Engine so lacking in torque that it genuinely feels dangerous, until you get to 4,000 RPM when it sounds like it's about to st itself so you have to change gear to avoid looking like a chavvy boyracing wk tissue trying to show off.
Electronics (surprise surprise, it's French) not working properly, lights randomly switching themselves on for example

My OH has a 2008 C3 which I believe shares a majority of its components with the C2 and I completely agree with the points above.

It has the 1.1 litre engine and it has caught me out once or twice if driving it shortly after the MX5!

[speedtwelve]

There are plenty of 'interesting' cars available for less than you may have paid for your Citroen, chrisko, without going to GT86 prices. Still, if it gets your juices pumping then that's the main thing.

[HustleRussell]

speedtwelve said:

jamieduff1981 said:

Has Pistonheads really become the place to discuss whether some crap little French hatchback, ideally with an economical diesel engine is under rated?

Yes it is the place sadly and no the car isn't under rated. It was ste.

This. Could we have a 'Dull' subforum for people like the OP who "couldn't care less about a car being sporty, I want something economical like the 1.4 HDI". I thought PH was for those who are interested in cars not mobile white goods.

I like to think we're a broad church here and deriding others for what kind of car they're into is not really what this place is for.

I pretty much enjoy driving regardless of what car I'm in, and for me the good cars are the ones that I still enjoy driving once the initial unfamiliarity has worn off. I'd say the cars which endear themselves to me the most tend to be cheap, humble cars unencumbered by sporting or performance pretensions. My first car (1999 Clio), my brother's (1996 106 1.1), and my current car (E34 BMW) all fall into this category.

[Funkycoldribena]

jamieduff1981 said:

Has Pistonheads really become the place to discuss whether some crap little French hatchback, ideally with an economical diesel engine is under rated?

Yes it is the place sadly and no the car isn't under rated. It was ste.

Horses for etc..personally I hate Jags and the wife thinks they're for old duffers.