Citroen C4 - Quirky alternative to focus or a bad idea
Poll: Citroen C4 - Quirky alternative to focus or a bad idea
Total Members Polled: 155
Discussion
Throwing this open to the PH massive.
We are looking for a reasonable sized hatch that will do some hauling and some long distance driving. Having looked at the Focus, the Megane and Astra we keep on coming back to the C4 as it is just a bit different.
Having found an approved used one of the right trim, spec etc I am just hesitating before signing on the dotted line.
I have done the usual due diligence of researching all the known issues but I have a niggling doubt that a car which is termed as "alive with technology" could become a car that is a “nightmare of electrical glitches”.
The toys are attractive but will it come to bite me in the ass in 2 years time? (Year one is not as issue as it will have a full dealer warranty).
I would be interested to hear experiences and thoughts on this choice.
We are looking for a reasonable sized hatch that will do some hauling and some long distance driving. Having looked at the Focus, the Megane and Astra we keep on coming back to the C4 as it is just a bit different.
Having found an approved used one of the right trim, spec etc I am just hesitating before signing on the dotted line.
I have done the usual due diligence of researching all the known issues but I have a niggling doubt that a car which is termed as "alive with technology" could become a car that is a “nightmare of electrical glitches”.
The toys are attractive but will it come to bite me in the ass in 2 years time? (Year one is not as issue as it will have a full dealer warranty).
I would be interested to hear experiences and thoughts on this choice.
Edited by Chesty LeRoux on Wednesday 3rd March 11:50
Don't have any direct experience of them but a family member had one for about 2 years (3 door model) and it never put a foot wrong (apart from a model-wide recall IIRC). They're nice looking cars with a decent interior; find one that's been looked after proper to minimise chances of getting a lemon.
Don't have one myself but a friend bought a 2.0i Exclusive C4 with 20k on the clock as an experiment (it was cheap), he has had nothing but problems with it and intends to get rid well before the aftermarket warranty he got with the car runs out. Based on his experience if you buy one budget for an additional warranty as well!
Should say thought that when it works he loves it!
From what I remember its the technology that usually fails, I am not aware that the car has actually let him down just that bits stop working. The bits I remember going are the self leveling head lamps (twice), the windscreen wipers, the scuttle panel under the wipers keeps falling off.....there is a lot more I just can't remember them what I can remember is that he said the warrenty cost him £600 and the cost of repairs over the 2 years he has had it have come to over £1,600
Should say thought that when it works he loves it!
From what I remember its the technology that usually fails, I am not aware that the car has actually let him down just that bits stop working. The bits I remember going are the self leveling head lamps (twice), the windscreen wipers, the scuttle panel under the wipers keeps falling off.....there is a lot more I just can't remember them what I can remember is that he said the warrenty cost him £600 and the cost of repairs over the 2 years he has had it have come to over £1,600
Edited by MattW on Wednesday 3rd March 11:58
Chesty LeRoux said:
Throwing this open to the PH massive.
We are looking for a reasonable sized hatch that will do some hauling and some long distance driving. Having looked at the Focus, the Megane and Astra we keep on coming back to the C4 as it is just a bit different.
Having found an approved used one of the right trim, spec etc I am just hesitating before signing on the dotted line.
I have done the usual due diligence of researching all the known issues but I have a niggling doubt that a car which is termed as "alive with technology" could become a car that is a “nightmare of electrical glitches”.
The toys are attractive but will it come to bite me in the ass in 2 years time? (Year one is not as issue as it will have a full dealer warranty).
I would be interested to hear experiences and thoughts on this choice.
sorry I'm don't feel qualified to vote as I wouldn't buy any of the cars you've listed.We are looking for a reasonable sized hatch that will do some hauling and some long distance driving. Having looked at the Focus, the Megane and Astra we keep on coming back to the C4 as it is just a bit different.
Having found an approved used one of the right trim, spec etc I am just hesitating before signing on the dotted line.
I have done the usual due diligence of researching all the known issues but I have a niggling doubt that a car which is termed as "alive with technology" could become a car that is a “nightmare of electrical glitches”.
The toys are attractive but will it come to bite me in the ass in 2 years time? (Year one is not as issue as it will have a full dealer warranty).
I would be interested to hear experiences and thoughts on this choice.
Edited by Chesty LeRoux on Wednesday 3rd March 11:50
All I can say is, if you want to go for it - why not?
Personally I just couldn't spend that sort of money on a such a car as this though.
The Focus is the default choice and it is so for a reason.
But.... It's a pretty dull choice. I had this choice to make a few weeks ago and bought a Fiat Bravo. Like the C4, a little outside the default cars but I quite like it. Sure, it's not the last word in vehicle dynamics but it's not a bad steer and the engine works well. Get the C4 and to hell with following everyone else, don't worry about electrics, it won't be any more likely to go wrong than a Megane.
But.... It's a pretty dull choice. I had this choice to make a few weeks ago and bought a Fiat Bravo. Like the C4, a little outside the default cars but I quite like it. Sure, it's not the last word in vehicle dynamics but it's not a bad steer and the engine works well. Get the C4 and to hell with following everyone else, don't worry about electrics, it won't be any more likely to go wrong than a Megane.
if by astra POLICECARWRAPPEDAROUNDALAMPOST shape then i'd probably not bother but they're 'alright'. if you mean the new e46 ser inoffensive and kind of handsomeish one they're getting good reports i think.
we have a megane estate and it's flipping quick on the motorway (130dci) but it's a pance to drive compared to a focus IMO (the 'chassis' is actually quite good (you can see how they managed to end up with the RS ones being so good) but the controls are light and imprecise). but again like the astra quite good value.
no idea about the c4 but i like the way the 3dr looks. i should imagine it's like a megane with harder suspension. and so for that reason i'd take the focus but then again i am very much in the 'the focus is great for what it is' camp.
if absolute driving nirvana (!) isn;t that important then the mazda 3 could be worth a look too.
we have a megane estate and it's flipping quick on the motorway (130dci) but it's a pance to drive compared to a focus IMO (the 'chassis' is actually quite good (you can see how they managed to end up with the RS ones being so good) but the controls are light and imprecise). but again like the astra quite good value.
no idea about the c4 but i like the way the 3dr looks. i should imagine it's like a megane with harder suspension. and so for that reason i'd take the focus but then again i am very much in the 'the focus is great for what it is' camp.
if absolute driving nirvana (!) isn;t that important then the mazda 3 could be worth a look too.
My wife had one as a company car a few years ago. I really liked it and applaud Citroen for doing something different to their rivals. It drove well, albeit a bit slow (it was only the 1.4) and was comfy and roomy. We had few problems with the car itself in the two years we had it, but then we looked after it well from brand new. How a thrashed version would stand up after a few years would be less of a certainty.
The dealer we used was awful, incidentally, but that's not the car's fault.
Like anything, if you get a good example you're laughing. A bad example will have you pulling your hair out, whether it be a Focus, Golf, Astra or whatever.
The dealer we used was awful, incidentally, but that's not the car's fault.
Like anything, if you get a good example you're laughing. A bad example will have you pulling your hair out, whether it be a Focus, Golf, Astra or whatever.
LayZ said:
Why buy any of these? All various levels of dull. You do know this is PH right?
Why buy any of these? Could it be that the OP needs a family car for the day to day humdrum? Think about it how many members on here have a Focus or an Astra or a civic for the day to day, and what they really want for when the driving is a joy? Sometimes practicality has to win out over the PH factor, I mean come on, do you honestly think I drive a 206HDi by choice?farrendahl said:
LayZ said:
Why buy any of these? All various levels of dull. You do know this is PH right?
Why buy any of these? Could it be that the OP needs a family car for the day to day humdrum? Think about it how many members on here have a Focus or an Astra or a civic for the day to day, and what they really want for when the driving is a joy? Sometimes practicality has to win out over the PH factor, I mean come on, do you honestly think I drive a 206HDi by choice?There are plenty of other more interesting vehicles that can do the same job.
300bhp/ton said:
farrendahl said:
LayZ said:
Why buy any of these? All various levels of dull. You do know this is PH right?
Why buy any of these? Could it be that the OP needs a family car for the day to day humdrum? Think about it how many members on here have a Focus or an Astra or a civic for the day to day, and what they really want for when the driving is a joy? Sometimes practicality has to win out over the PH factor, I mean come on, do you honestly think I drive a 206HDi by choice?There are plenty of other more interesting vehicles that can do the same job.
Thanks to all for your thoughts.
300BHP - Alfa - nice thought, I will be looking into the 147 pronto.
I am sorry my "sensible" car purchase doesn't live up to your expectations, but others have been genuinly helpful.
300BHP - Alfa - nice thought, I will be looking into the 147 pronto.
LayZ said:
Why buy any of these? All various levels of dull. You do know this is PH right?
Show me a mid engined rwd sports car which is automatic, economical, and under 6k that can fit a 3 tiered cake in the boot and I will buy it.I am sorry my "sensible" car purchase doesn't live up to your expectations, but others have been genuinly helpful.
Some examples that you could think about for this money:
A4 Avant TDI w/Auto
330D Touring like this one:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1486842.htm
C-Class 180K Estate w/Auto:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1526144.htm
Sorry for making you upset btw.
A4 Avant TDI w/Auto
330D Touring like this one:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1486842.htm
C-Class 180K Estate w/Auto:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1526144.htm
Sorry for making you upset btw.
LayZ said:
Some examples that you could think about for this money:
A4 Avant TDI w/Auto
330D Touring like this one:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1486842.htm
C-Class 180K Estate w/Auto:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1526144.htm
Sorry for making you upset btw.
Both worthy contenders - however I have been bitten by a high mileage auto box in a "prestige" brand in the past. So for this purchase I am not prepared to consider anything over 35k miles. It really does keep leave me considering the normal hum drum suspects.A4 Avant TDI w/Auto
330D Touring like this one:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1486842.htm
C-Class 180K Estate w/Auto:
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1526144.htm
Sorry for making you upset btw.
I promise the next "what car?" will be a bit more "PH"
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