French Car Phobia

redsteveireland

I have been looking around for a 7 seater auto for under €4000 but my fear of French cars has really narrowed my search.

I saw this - https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/citroen-c4-picasso-top-spec-exclusive/11943511 and thought how bad could it be?

I have read some reviews on honestjohn etc. and there have been some issues with autoclutch/ gearbox, weak bumpers and some turbo problems too.
But is it just pot luck in the second-hand car market anyway no matter what car you buy, or is my fear of French cars something I should listen to?

draiochtanois

This post has been deleted.

grogi

redsteveireland wrote: »

I have been looking around for a 7 seater auto for under €4000 but my fear of French cars has really narrowed my search.

I saw this - https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/citroen-c4-picasso-top-spec-exclusive/11943511 and thought how bad could it be?

I have read some reviews on honestjohn etc. and there have been some issues with autoclutch/ gearbox, weak bumpers and some turbo problems too.
But is it just pot luck in the second-hand car market anyway no matter what car you buy, or is my fear of French cars something I should listen to?

Not against French cars, but driving with EGS6/EGT6 is one of very few "Did they really think it is a good idea?" moments. It works OKish in manual mode, but it is not why you want an auto... Second time I had was in Toyota Verso with an infamous MMT transmission... Skip both...

You won't get a decent Auto 7-Seater MPV for that price. There are some Japan imported Tourans out there with DSG, but it is still more than €4k and it is an insurance struggle. You might look for a Zafira too - they did come with typical hydraulic AT.

But me thinks your best bet would be a Volvo V70 or E-Class Estate... Not typical 7 seaters, but will take kids in the 3rd row.

redsteveireland

grogi wrote: »

Not against French cars, but driving with EGS6/EGT6 is one of very few "Did they really think it is a good idea?" moments. Second time I had was in Toyota Verso with an infamous MMT transmission... Skip both...

You won't get a decent Auto 7-Seater MPV for that price. There are some Japan Imported Tourans out there, but it is still more than €4k and it is an insurance struggle.


I think your best bet would be a Volvo V70 or E-Class Estate... Not typical 7 seaters, but will take kids in the 3rd row.

Thanks, I have seen a few volvo Xc90's but our lovely motortax system is very restrictive. It's for the wife so she's not too keen on estates.

redsteveireland

draiochtanois wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Good points. Difficultly being I am on the other side of the country and will be getting someone else to take the first look.

corks finest

redsteveireland wrote: »

I have been looking around for a 7 seater auto for under €4000 but my fear of French cars has really narrowed my search.

I saw this - https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/citroen-c4-picasso-top-spec-exclusive/11943511 and thought how bad could it be?

I have read some reviews on honestjohn etc. and there have been some issues with autoclutch/ gearbox, weak bumpers and some turbo problems too.
But is it just pot luck in the second-hand car market anyway no matter what car you buy, or is my fear of French cars something I should listen to?

Had several (only ones I could afford at the time)French cars,Renault's/Citroen's/Peugeot's,each one eventually gave electronic problems,most drive great,fairly eco(405 diesel/zsara)but at the back of my mind,was always waiting for them to fail

Red Kev

From my own experience:

Currently have a 2005 1.4 Renault Modus, 270,000 Km. In the family since 2011. It's the Dymanique so all electric and A/C. Steering pump went at 180,000, water pump at 220,000. That's all. No other issues.

Also had a 2001 Scenic, it's done 190,000 KM by now (i know the new owner). Apart from a clutch replacement, no issues.

2005 Renault Master, sold it with 245,000 km after 6 years, always serviced properly, one window regulator went, apart from that nothing.

Brother had a 2001 Peugeot Partner, drove it into the ground, sold in 2007, never had an issue with it either.

He then got a 2007 Traffic, drove that into the ground over 7 years, changed the steering pump and oil pump. No other issues.

Cousin had a 2004 Grand Scenic, endless problems with the immobiliser, sold it after one year. He also had a 1999 (?) Kangoo, said it was the best car/van he ever had.

zilog_jones

I've heard nothing good about those automatic clutch gearboxes in terms of how they drive, though I have no personal experience with them. I'm not sure that engine is really powerful enough (110bhp) for such a large car.

grogi

zilog_jones wrote: »

I've heard nothing good about those automatic clutch gearboxes in terms of how they drive, though I have no personal experience with them. I'm not sure that engine is really powerful enough (110bhp) for such a large car.

There is nothing good - and PSA eventually realized that. The new batch of automatic gearboxes in Peugeots and Citroens, sold under EAT6 umbrella (AT6III, AM6III and AX6III - each being a different power variants) are MUCH better. They use traditional torque converter design, so not only they shift smoothly, but there is no DMF with them.

110KM will be absolutely adequate for a car like that. It will struggle during overtaking, but otherwise it will be ok in the city and quiet on the motorway.

redsteveireland

Thanks for all that everyone, I decided against it and am swaying towards a Volvo even with the higher tax.

ectoraige

Piggybacking on this, we're in a similar situation, except we're not looking for an automatic. For our budget and criteria the main candidates out there all happen to be French, either the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, the Peugeot 308, or another Grand Scenic, all in the 2009/2010 range. We're replacing a 2006 Grand Scenic, which has had three window regulators fail, and the automatic brake has failed, so we're not too hot on the idea of another Renault.

Are the issues with the Citroen/Peugeots drivetrains from that period limited to the automatics, or are there things to watch out for with manual transmissions too? Have Renault improved on the Grand Scenic II?

zilog_jones

Not sure if you're looking at diesels, but the PSA 1.6 HDi engines are generally reliable as far as I know, as long as they are serviced properly. They can have issues with oil sludge build-up if they are not. The 2.0 HDi's are also good, would have more than enough power, and probably aren't much worse for fuel consumption.

There are still potential issues with DMFs and DPFs, but this is common with most modern diesels (not just the French stuff).

The problem with the automatic clutch gearboxes is that the gear changes are jerky. I don't think they're particularly unreliable or anything.

ectoraige

Yeah, it's not as if you can find a petrol on the market at a reasonable price given the tax, so it'll end up being a diesel no doubt.

corks finest

redsteveireland wrote: »

Thanks for all that everyone, I decided against it and am swaying towards a Volvo even with the higher tax.

Better off ,more reliable

grogi

redsteveireland wrote: »

Thanks for all that everyone, I decided against it and am swaying towards a Volvo even with the higher tax.

Be careful with them... It is my understanding that they require special equipment to be diagnosed...

corks finest

grogi wrote: »

Be careful with them... It is my understanding that they require special equipment to be diagnosed...

Most cars do