USED Citroën Grand C4 Picasso MPV (07 - )

My car

I have ordered one of these after looking for something to replace my Scenic.

The larger diesel is much better than the 1.6dCi, although both worked OK with the auto gearbox. You have to drive it differently to a normal auto and then it works fine!

The quality and design of the interior is excellent - I don't get mine for a few months. Can't wait!

My car

Drove the Picasso at its open weekend in January. Fabulous. It's much more airy and has a more spacious feel than Ford's S-Max, and the third row of seats was very comfy, unlike those in the Mazda 5. The gerabox was great, drove the EGS VTR+ 1.6 diesel, and didn't find it very jerky at all! The windscreen is fantastic and the little innovations really count to making this car Citroen's best since the 2CV and DS. The torch in the boot and lack of gear stick and handbrake make it so futuristic and an extremely cool family car. Want one.

My car

Having been recently in the market for an MPV I included the Citroen on my shortlist. I was in the market for the top model and desired an automatic and so went for a test drive in the EGS version. The salesman demonstrated the technique for smooth shifting (unsuccesfully) prior to changing over. I formed my lasting impression within the next 20 seconds as I eased onto the bypass and gave it some wellie. The 40 mph truck that was 1/4 mile away as I pulled out was looming large as the C4 indicated on the speedo that it was accelerating even though it didn't actually feel like it. Then came the first to second shift. Another 2 seconds wasted. Second to 3rd just as bad. To be honest it was dreadful. What makes it worse is that being a Citroen you know it will break. And even worse, as it's a Citroen, the dealers wont be able to fix it.Ever. And then there's the "oh we aren't discounting it" £25k price. For a Citroen Picasso! No thanks.

My car

I test drove this today.

Wasn't too impressed with the EGS automatic gearbox. It works ok if you're extremely light on the accelerator, but if you give it a bit of welly, then your nose will be in danger of going through the windscreen as it changes gear. It doesn't just disengage the engine as it changes, it positively brakes the car. ugh. nasty.

This is a very hefty car. It feels heavier than my current C8 and doesn't have the the latter's visibility height advantage. Much has been said of the big windscreen, but unless you're a plane spotter I don't think it's an improvement.

I was hoping to go ahead and buy one today but I found it such a disappointment that I'm now looking at the Honda FRV instead.

Incidentally, Citroen seem to have gone mad with added toys - none of which seem particularly useful - only useful stuff would be roof-rails and rear parking sensors. (Why sell a 7-seater with no boot space without roof-rails (SX).. you have to wonder...)