New Car- Citroen C3 vs. Ford Fiesta

Jackobyte

I'm looking to buy a new car since my old one would cost more to fix than it is worth. I'm looking at two models, the Citroen C3 VTR+ and the bog-standard Ford Fiesta.

The Citroen seems to be a nicer car all around, in the showroom and in a test drive but it is €1400 more expensive though.

But I was talking to someone in work who reckoned that I'd have problems with the Citroen after a few years whereas the Fiesta would run forever. He asked how many 10yo Citroen's I saw driving around and I couldn't think of any. He also said depreciation wise, that the Ford would be worth twice as much as the Citroen in 5 years time.

The Citroen is a better finished car with lots of extras(A/C, CD changer, Panoramic windscreen, etc) where as the Ford is bog-standard, nothing extra in it, just a car that gets you from A to B. No A/C or anything. But I am worried now as I can't afford to have to replace it again in a few years time. I'd want 10 years out of it anyway. After looking in the showrooms, I'd have bought the Citroen hands down but now I'm not so sure.

Can anyone give me some advice?

thom119

why not look for a better spec fiesta for the extra 1.4k you would've spent on the citreon?

Jackobyte

thom119 wrote: »

why not look for a better spec fiesta for the extra 1.4k you would've spent on the citreon?

There are what the two dealerships have in stock. We'd have to wait for delivery for a better specced Fiesta and we can't run off one car for too long.

thom119

ahh ok.
If you post up your requirements, budget, annual mileage and preferences the donedeal/adverts/carzone trolls on here could probably fish out a few bargains that you might like

colm_mcm

Ring around all the ford dealers, find the one you want and buy it, you can still service it locally.

Jackobyte

Tbh, we all preferred the citroen but when we were told to avoid it, we weren't so sure. Would you agree citroen should be avoided?

crosstownk

I don't see any reason to avoid Citroen. The C3 is well spec'd and reliability is as good as any other manufacturer. The C3 VTR+ will have a lot more spec than the Ford.

Citroen seem to have a reputation for unreliability in this country and it is a misconception. I've put more than 200,000kms on Citroens in the past 5 years and never once had a problem.

And yes you will see less 10 year old Citroens but that is because they have a smaller market share than the likes of Ford, VW, Toyota, etc.

So yes, the C3 is great little car and wont disappoint - neither will the Ford - so either way you'll be purchasing a decent car. The Ford will probably have a better residual value.

If a 3 door doesn't bother you and if you can afford the extra €€€ then have a look at the Citroen DS3. I have one at the moment and love it.

Jackobyte

crosstownk wrote: »

I don't see any reason to avoid Citroen. The C3 is well spec'd and reliability is as good as any other manufacturer. The C3 VTR+ will have a lot more spec than the Ford.

Citroen seem to have a reputation for unreliability in this country and it is a misconception. I've put more than 200,000kms on Citroens in the past 5 years and never once had a problem.

And yes you will see less 10 year old Citroens but that is because they have a smaller market share than the likes of Ford, VW, Toyota, etc.

So yes, the C3 is great little car and wont disappoint - neither will the Ford - so either way you'll be purchasing a decent car. The Ford will probably have a better residual value.

If a 3 door doesn't bother you and if you can afford the extra €€€ then have a look at the Citroen DS3. I have one at the moment and love it.

Anyone else? Two people said no to Citroen (both mechanics) so I need two to say yes

crosstownk

Jackobyte wrote: »

Anyone else? Two people said no to Citroen (both mechanics) so I need two to say yes

You need to buy the car that you would most like to own and drive.

Jackobyte

crosstownk wrote: »

You need to buy the car that you would most like to own and drive.

That'd be the Citroen then.

ottostreet

Buy the one you prefer, not the one that people tell you you should get.