Citroen DS1 on way

Cute car for sure.....

Reliable and solidly built - probably not!

Dr Abs
http://mylookathealth.blogspot.com

By DrAbs on 4 January, 2012, 3:26pm

The DS range is the only reason why I would even consider a Citroen. Best looking cars from European manufacturers outside of Germany.(Well, Alfa's look pretty I suppose)

By Kevtoon2905 on 4 January, 2012, 4:00pm

Oh dear! Dr. Abs. Despite regurgitated received opinion, "normal" Citroens are perfectly okay (you should try a little first hand experience). It is notoriously easy to convince the British of a vehicle's worth by ensuring the doors shut with a clunk rather than a clang. Well, apart from its other virtues, the DS3 does have doors which shut with a clunk. Go and try; go and buy

By aeolus on 4 January, 2012, 6:16pm

Nice car but still a Citroen

Read online reader review's on various websites to find out why Citroen has earnt its poor reputation - even on the DS range with better 'perceived' quality. Good reviews tend to be on new cars recently purchased - the tone changes a few months down the line when the problems kick in - and the poor customer service.

I wouldn't mind having one as a hire car, but buy one with my own money? You must be joking.

By gavsmit on 4 January, 2012, 7:53pm

These have a remarkably "samey" feel about their expression; my latent cynicism is often aroused as my family's experience with the marque does not accord with the stereotype. No vehicle is perfect (you kid yourself if you think so) and my present one had a footling problemwithf a loose mirror. This was easy of itself to fix but required removal of door panels etc. "Can you leave it with us now" was the response when I took it in and thus it was sorted out straight away. Hardly "poor" customer service. Citroen followed this up with a phone call to see if I was happy with how the problem had been dealt with. Of course I was!

Now turn to the blog regarding the Polo 1.6 tdi 75 PS. What a catalogue of woes regarding engine management and DPF issues compounded by lacklustre dealerships and allegations of VW indifference. Yes one may have to factor in disgruntlement about dealers not responding to an imperious click of the fingers but it shows we have to be wary either way of cliches, prejudices and received opinions about makes and models of vehicles

By aeolus on 4 January, 2012, 8:29pm

Stereotypes? Prejudices? Common sense more like!

Agree you could buy a dud from any manufacturer - a Friday afternoon car if you will - but if I'm going to buy a car with my own money, then it makes more sense to buy something which more people have already found to be reliable. This doesn't seem to be the case for Citroen cars - despite the odd good experience here and there. Not prejudice, more common sense.

There's too much emphasis put on perceived quality by European manufacturers - putting a squashy feel dashboard in a car or doors that close with a clunk isn't going to make the engine last longer.

Citroen's reputation rules them out for me, just like all the other manufacturers with poor reliability and customer service (of which I group VW in there too).

By gavsmit on 4 January, 2012, 9:40pm

"Common sense". Who assumes it is sensible? Better stick to "in my opinion"!

By aeolus on 4 January, 2012, 9:57pm

More curves than Ann Widdecombe in a boiler suit

Lord Almighty!
How many curves can you put on a small car.
Citroen cars date very quickly.
This is no exception.

By toycollector on 5 January, 2012, 7:47am

Everybody wants in in the fiat 500 pie...

By giorikas81 on 5 January, 2012, 7:54am

That DS1 will be fun for rear-seat passengers.

Not.
If the B-pillars are as illustrated, travelling in the rear will be like being inside a van. No thanks.
And @toycollector, I'll grant you that modern citroens date quickly, but in design terms, I'd still say the original DS has features that refuse to date.

By snappyuk on 5 January, 2012, 9:21am

Toyota Reliability

For once I suspect Citroen will build a reliable car. The C1 is actually a Toyota and therefore will be fine. The Mitsubishi 4x4 they stick their badge on would also be a reasonable bet.

However, you can forget anything actually made at a Citroen factory in France, unless you want to get to know your dealer intimately.

I learned the hard way that you are best putting your own money with manufacturers that others have found to be reliable. I've had a Mazda 5 for five years now, and despite the fact that it is a family workhorse that never gets washed or cared for, is loaded up with bikes and camping gear and has a number of scuffs and knocks the only time it goes to the dealer is for servicing. Not even changed a bulb in that time.

Quite different from my experience with Saab (good riddance), Citroen and Peugeot. Bizarrely the most reliable car I owned from a European maker was an Alfa 156 but I was probably just lucky.

By IronChicken on 5 January, 2012, 9:25am

Citroen Reliability

Sometimes reliability is in the eye of the beholder. Having gone through Fords and Vauxhalls I bought a Xsara Picasso new in 2001 for a long commute, usually with 4 on board. Never let me down, now the house hack, still reliable, comfortable, economical, a real solid workhorse. Now needs regular TLC, understandably, so will probably go soon, with much regret.

Bought a Toyota Yaris a couple of years ago, top spec model, 18 months old, on the basis of reputed reliability and user reports. It was the worst newish car I've ever had, awful on so many levels. We hated it so much it went after 8 months, losing a lot of money in the process. Replaced by a new C3 Picasso, which, apart from a few niggles viz pathetic glovebox and the odd dashboard rattle, is a great little vehicle. Was partly bought based on the good experience with the old Picasso and satisfaction (so far) with the local Citroen dealer. Believe me I know about unreliability, I run TVRs.

Agree about the slightly too many curves styling on this DS1, maybe the actual car will look a bit less of a mess when it reaches the showrooms.

By steve647 on 5 January, 2012, 9:31am

Reality?

Ignoring for a moment the comments about Citroen reliability/build quality, lets look at the illustration.

Once again, it's not a photograph, but as it says in the intro:-
"Our exclusive illustrations show how the DS1 could look"

Could look? So this is AE's interpretation of a car that no-one outside the Citroen design studio has seen yet!

Lets wait for the official photos before judging the can on looks.
Now you can get back to the quality debate!

By j_harden on 5 January, 2012, 10:03am

Back to quality debate...

I bought my current Citroen Xsara Picasso (just as the C4 Picasso was released so it was cheap!) around the same time a friend bought a Honda Civic. He has had endless problems while I just seem to replace tyres (due to Glasgow potholed roads) and my insures have twice repaired it after being rammed by other drivers. So I can't claim to be looking after my Pic but it's certainly proved to be a reliable workhorse - maybe it's another exception?

By inicholson on 5 January, 2012, 10:27am

"How it could Look". Yawn.

Is there any point in these "how it could look" articles? Is it just so that AE can say "look how close our prediction was" in a year's time? I came here from the email link that promised a DS1 "exclusive". It's hardly an exclusive if you made it up is it?

By chrome500 on 5 January, 2012, 1:23pm

OH dear

It is enough to make you weep. Citroen now produces such a load of gimmicky ugly trash. How can the company that designed the sublime DS, CX, and GS put its name on such tat. Sadly it doesn't concern me too closely, as I once owned a BX, the most unreliable car I have ever owned, and will thus never spend my own money on a Citroen again. Shame about the looks nevertheless.

By pajbse on 5 January, 2012, 2:20pm

5 citroens owned - never broke down!

I am now on my 5th Citroen, currently a 2001 C5 for last 7 years and like my 2 BX's, 1 ZX and 1 Xantia, none have broke down. Unfortunately the only reason I lost them is due to kind people writing them off in accidents. People should realise the PSA groups engines are used in Ford, Jaguar, Toyota, Volvo, Land Rover, as well as many other brands due to the robust reliability and economy! People should also see how well they are equipped for the money and recently the most stylish brand out there daring to be different! Long live Citroen!

By krshilton on 5 January, 2012, 7:22pm

Yes, "common sense"

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/driver_power/265624/winning_manufacturer.html

Despite not being one of the worst offenders, 19th out of 34 doesn't appear to be a glowing recommendation does it?

My last two car purchases (a Skoda and a Toyota) have not made me question my choices one bit.

If someone makes something worth buying, and provides a good level of customer service, I'll buy it. Citroen has yet to prove that to me and many others.

By gavsmit on 5 January, 2012, 9:17pm

WOW!!! I'm so pleased you said "could look", cos this is an abomination. It is a chaotic riot of scoops and creases and bulges and lines, assembled in the ugliest possible way. And wow again. Its got double chevrons on the front. As if Citroen would ever leave them off a car. Maybe there is more value doing the same 'BIG GUESS' from one of those indistinguishable blobs circulating a track dressed in black and white check, because I'm struggling to find the relevance of this.....

By barina47 on 6 January, 2012, 6:29am

fiat 500 v citreon ds1

fiat build a cracking small car in the 500 which is the benchmark
the citreon is a fine looking car i(mho) and if priced competitively
will sell in bundles..i have a feeling it will be too expensive as with the DS3 and will put off a lot of buyers ..surely the cheaper it is priced the nore they will sell hence more income ...

By bluequake on 6 January, 2012, 4:48pm