USED Citroën Xsara Picasso MPV (00 - 10)

My car

We bought a second hand 02 plate Picasso about 3 years ago. It was an ex-taxi so it was high mileage. So here goes for my first review.

To drive? It's OK, the steering is light but there's not much feel through the steering wheel like a Ford, so there's no feedback. In corners it lumbers and leans a lot due to it's height, but it doesn't weight that much for such a big car so it's fairly nippy for a 2.0 HDI diesel. Like others have said you have to get used to the rather obtrusive pillars obstructing your view. The engine is quiet unless pushed although there is a fair amount of road noise due to lack of insulation which becomes very apparent if you drive with all the rear seats out.

Running costs? It's cheap to run, the tax is cheap enough too and the insurance. The cost comes in parts and labour. It recently cost us nearly £400 to replace the clutch. A wishbone was nearly £100. BUT!!! This was an ex-taxi and has done 180,000 miles so far which is quite good for a Citroen. We've had it a few years now and expected more problems because of the mileage, but these HDI engines are tried and tested and almost indestructable if looked after.

The interior is great albeit plasticy and cheap. The amount of room is fantastic and I like the high up van like driving position, although in can make your back ache on longer journeys.

Overall I think it has served us well and we've travelled to from North Wales to Holland in it twice without bother travelling nearly 1000 miles.

My car

I Have a 2.0 LITRE HDI SX 2002 It I Gastly And The Plastics Are Terribly Cheap And Nasty But My EX WIFE Bought It And Knowing Her Taste No Wonder She Bought It. If You Want A Nice Car Buy A Mazda 5 2.0 GSI TURBO

My car

Many of the negatives elsewhere are just about right, but there's something lovable about his car.

The seats aren't the best, but less cramped than the Renault Scenic. My wife thinks it's 'very comfortable' - not bad after Jaguars, Audis and Ford Focuses.

The 2.0 HDI takes a while to warm up and the big screen takes some demisting. Also, the chunky front pillars take some getting used to.

A Scenic or S-Max will feel better built inside and out. But few cars match the price - similar age Focuses were £1000-£1500 more expensive. The Picasso is very French with comfort above sportiness, but bowls along nicely.

The 2.0 HDI engine moves along nicely and cruises beautifully in 5th on the motorway, with plenty of overtaking power when needed. Not as good as my fabuolous Jaguar Turbo Diesel, but isn't frustrating either, which speaks volumes. Think of it as a good 'ordinary' diesel (boy racers needn't apply).

The higher seating position is relaxing on long journeys but as expected, wind noise isn't the best.

Where the Picasso wins hands down is on practicality. Hardly any bigger on the road than a Focus it's cavernous. Bigger than a Scenic with more cubby-hole capacity too.

Fuel economy is great on the motorway and good in town. Add low road tax and insurance and it's highly affordable tranport.

Lots of standard equipment in a Desire too.

Small car costs, big car versatility and surprisingly nice to be in. I'm very happy with it.

My car

I have had my Picasso for seven years now and am very pleased with it. It has never let me down, and is a joy to drive. It is very comfortable and easy to drive; economical too. And this summer four not-so-thin adults drove from Essex to The Dordogne, taking nine hours, and the car behaved immaculately. Even fully loaded it still had plenty of pulling power. My only complaint - and one that no-one else seems to suffer from - is that its impossible to put the heating on feet only, as no matter where the knob is set, it belts out heat everywhere. The only way to get your feet warm is to manually close all the other vents. Apart from this I love the car to bits and shall keep it for many years to come.