Citroen Grand Picasso/Spacetourer

All in all

Hi, looking for a bit of advice. New addition on the way so looking to move to a 7 seater and the Citroen seems like it would meet our needs.

Will most likely buy from UK, looking at 18/19 reg and will look to buy top spec flair model. Budget up to €25k, but happier to spend closer 20.

Couple of questions. Any other models to consider and secondly would I be mad to buy a petrol. It will be my wife’s car and won’t do huge mileage, would estimate 10-12k kms per annum. It’s just for a big car I’m worried the 1.2 seems very small. Looking at something like;
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202003268753014?advertising-location=at_cars&year-from=2017&postcode=bt364lb&model=GRAND%20C4%20SPACETOURER&sort=price-asc&page=1&aggregatedTrim=Flair&make=CITROEN&fuel-type=Petrol&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New

Any advice or input welcome.

Green farmer

I had the older model for 7 years. I like them. Cheap as chips to run and did exactly what it said in the tin. Comfortable as well, very practical for family life and transporting kids as they have 3 equal seperate seats in the middle row.

All in all

Green farmer wrote: »

I had the older model for 7 years. I like them. Cheap as chips to run and did exactly what it said in the tin. Comfortable as well, very practical for family life and transporting kids as they have 3 equal seperate seats in the middle row.

Thanks - the 3 seats with 3 isofix was the big selling point for us.

CharlieCroker

I (well, my wife) has a 142 exclusive. 3 small kids in seats and they all fit which is rare for that size. Good spec, seriously comfortable and nothing's gone wrong in the 2 years we've had it. Did 2 weeks in France last year and with a roofbox, took everything. They're bigger than they look.

I'd have bought petrol but couldn't find one in my budget.

The alternative is also look at is the Seat Alhambra. Sliding doors were great and you can get integrated booster seats for the 2 rear outboard seats for when they get a bit older

The Raging Bile Duct

When we were buying a second hand seven seater, the one car our mechanic recommended above all others was the Toyota Corolla Verso. He said they last better than any other 7 seater out there. We got an 07 a couple of years ago and we've been absolutely delighted with it. An absolute tank of a car that's been driven all around Ireland and England with no bother from it. Very comfortable car.

All in all

Thank for all the replies - just wondering does anyone have any opinion on the current 1.2 petrol engine? Thanks

shane b

We bought a 161 C4 grand Picasso exclusive model in January and happy enough with it. Like you the 3 individual seats were a big selling point and the upper models are quite well equipped for the price. Its comfortable and for a people carrier the seating position is high compared to a car and all the glass makes it feel quite open.
Few small negatives, we find the manual gearbox in our diesel a bit notchy (that could be an us thing as we used to Toyota gearbox), the glovebox is a bit useless due to its small size and there is no cd player (again an us thing as i believe many cars don't have cd player any more).
Alternatives we looked at were the Kia Carens and Toyota verso, Ford Cmax. We discounted these as they seemed to have 2 and a half seats rather than a full 3 seats in the middle row. The opel Zafira may be also worth looking at, my wife didn't like them so it was off our list.
Next size up is something from the VW/Seat family or the Ford Smax/Galaxy. However they are larger people carriers so they do cost more to buy. We also found low mileage ones hard to come by.

All in all

shane b wrote: »

We bought a 161 C4 grand Picasso exclusive model in January and happy enough with it. Like you the 3 individual seats were a big selling point and the upper models are quite well equipped for the price. Its comfortable and for a people carrier the seating position is high compared to a car and all the glass makes it feel quite open.
Few small negatives, we find the manual gearbox in our diesel a bit notchy (that could be an us thing as we used to Toyota gearbox), the glovebox is a bit useless due to its small size and there is no cd player (again an us thing as i believe many cars don't have cd player any more).
Alternatives we looked at were the Kia Carens and Toyota verso, Ford Cmax. We discounted these as they seemed to have 2 and a half seats rather than a full 3 seats in the middle row. The opel Zafira may be also worth looking at, my wife didn't like them so it was off our list.
Next size up is something from the VW/Seat family or the Ford Smax/Galaxy. However they are larger people carriers so they do cost more to buy. We also found low mileage ones hard to come by.

Thanks. Yes we have looked those 3 you mentioned and discounted as well due to the seating being tight across the back as you mention. Haven't driven the larger cars but have largely discounted due to the reasons you mention.

We probably will hang onto this car for a number of years so want to make sure we make the correct choice!

Green farmer

All in all wrote: »

Thanks. Yes we have looked those 3 you mentioned and discounted as well due to the seating being tight across the back as you mention. Haven't driven the larger cars but have largely discounted due to the reasons you mention.

We probably will hang onto this car for a number of years so want to make sure we make the correct choice!

Go and drive the various cars to see what feels right. I couldnt fault my c4gp. Only changed as we drove it to the ground. The galaxy and sharon are bigger cars. Nothing wrong with either, they just didnt suit us. youd probably be looking at 10k of a difference in price of these and the citroen. Also they'd both struggle to do 40mpg combined driving, whilst the citroen will do 50mpg, diesal that is. All depends what you want really.

loyatemu

we have a Grand Picasso for about 18 months and have been very happy with it, reliable, very comfortable and buckets of space (we've 3 teens in the back and they have loads of legroom). Even the pop-up seats in the boot seem pretty decent though we never use them.

We have the diesel, and even though it's mostly used for short runs we haven't had any issues with it (yet...) - you could be quite restricted looking for a petrol version, I'd imagine 90% of those sold are diesel.

Stallingrad

The 1.2 could be ideal for your needs. It's a fantastic engine, refined, frugal and peppy. In a few years who will be buying an old diesel?

Carzone has 190 diesels and 1 petrol, don't be a sheep, be a pioneer.

All in all

Stallingrad wrote: »

The 1.2 could be ideal for your needs. It's a fantastic engine, refined, frugal and peppy. In a few years who will be buying an old diesel?

Carzone has 190 diesels and 1 petrol, don't be a sheep, be a pioneer.

Will have to go to the UK for petrol - and have decided after a bit more research to go for one. We sold the previous car privately over the weekend so need to make a move sooner rather than later.

Have the search narrowed to 3 to get the flair model 1 2018 and 2 2019 cars. Arnold Clark have told me they won't sell a car for export (won't give full v5c), so that narrowed choice significantly.

Stallingrad

All in all wrote: »

Arnold Clark have told me they won't sell a car for export (won't give full v5c), so that narrowed choice significantly.

Bought a Superb a year ago from them with no issue, could be some Brexit nonsense. Have you tried another Arnold Clark dealer?

All in all

Stallingrad wrote: »

Bought a Superb a year ago from them with no issue, could be some Brexit nonsense. Have you tried another Arnold Clark dealer?

Could only get through to internet sales team - branches still closed until the start of June.

The others I am looking at are similar prices, so the main advantage was increased colour choice (I'm not fussy but wife is)!

Other than that cars are based in Motorpoint and 2 others in different Citreon main dealers.

Stallingrad

All in all wrote: »

Other than that cars are based in Motorpoint and 2 others in different Citreon main dealers.

I've bought from Motorpoint in Cardiff, they are a good operation and the cars are all near new.

kanuseeme

This maybe? https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202003098179995?postcode=cv92pz&sort=relevance&advertising-location=at_cars&minimum-seats=7&maximum-seats=8&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&make=TOYOTA&fuel-type=Hybrid%20%E2%80%93%20Petrol%2FElectric&radius=1500&year-from=2018&page=1

Or this https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201912265608790?postcode=cv92pz&maximum-mileage=100000&price-from=20000&sort=relevance&advertising-location=at_cars&minimum-seats=7&price-to=30000&maximum-seats=7&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&fuel-type=Hybrid%20%E2%80%93%20Petrol%2FElectric%20Plug-in&radius=1500&page=1

Its more expensive, also a claimed range of 25 miles on battery, I doubt it.

Just something to look at.

Best of luck.

colm_mcm

Those Prius+ are a bit of a relic, plus they’re quite small.

They’d be massively reliable and cheap to run through.

All in all

kanuseeme wrote: »

This maybe? https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202003098179995?postcode=cv92pz&sort=relevance&advertising-location=at_cars&minimum-seats=7&maximum-seats=8&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&make=TOYOTA&fuel-type=Hybrid%20%E2%80%93%20Petrol%2FElectric&radius=1500&year-from=2018&page=1


Or this https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201912265608790?postcode=cv92pz&maximum-mileage=100000&price-from=20000&sort=relevance&advertising-location=at_cars&minimum-seats=7&price-to=30000&maximum-seats=7&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used&fuel-type=Hybrid%20%E2%80%93%20Petrol%2FElectric%20Plug-in&radius=1500&page=1

Its more expensive, also a claimed range of 25 miles on battery, I doubt it.

Just something to look at.

Best of luck.

Thanks for the suggestions. Prius would be a bit on the small side. Love the Volvo but over budget I’m afraid!

Green farmer

Do you have any emissions tax on that car on top of the vrt, or is that just for diesels?

colm_mcm

Green farmer wrote: »

Do you have any emissions tax on that car on top of the vrt, or is that just for diesels?

Nox applies to every car, it’s quite low on petrols though.

All in all

Green farmer wrote: »

Do you have any emissions tax on that car on top of the vrt, or is that just for diesels?

I have seen the nox charge as €120 on car imports website

colm_mcm

Anything registered after September 2015 in the UK would be Euro 6, so would be a maximum of €300 on a petrol, a Prius should be well under that, especially given how they are set up to perform on emissions testing cycles.

All in all

€120 is for the Citroen

Green farmer

All in all wrote: »

€120 is for the Citroen

How does that compare to the samediesal model ?

All in all

Green farmer wrote: »

How does that compare to the samediesal model ?

It's €290

All in all

Hi - any ideas what the difference in a year price difference 2018 v 2019- at the moment it is working out at c. €1700 (cost incl VRT), may be able to negotiate slightly more on the 2018, but no movement on the 2019 car. Just wondering is that about right? I thought it may be slightly bigger.

2019 has lower mileage 11k v 20k miles, and a years extra warranty. Aside from that same spec, service history, etc.

CharlieCroker

All in all wrote: »

Hi - any ideas what the difference in a year price difference 2018 v 2019- at the moment it is working out at c. €1700 (cost incl VRT), may be able to negotiate slightly more on the 2018, but no movement on the 2019 car. Just wondering is that about right? I thought it may be slightly bigger.

2019 has lower mileage 11k v 20k miles, and a years extra warranty. Aside from that same spec, service history, etc.

€1700 is very cheap to come up the extra year

Ferris

We have one with the 2L diesel. We couldn't find a petrol in budget and our current car appeared with the righ spec in the North. We bought it with low mileage (42K mls) and it does tiny mileage for us but its been reliable so far.

As said its very accomodating and comfortable. Ours runs on the smell of it. Spec really helps on these - I presume that the powered tailgate is a given but the pano roof is really good. The boggo spec with no contrasting colour roof rails looks awful imo. The reversing camera is useful also. Ours is rare in having leather(ette) which is great for spills etc. but it was one of only a few that I ever saw with them. Ours has the pre-Carplay Nav and its rubbish but I'd say the Carplay is good having used it in other cars. The self parking facility is a joke however, its never worked.

Overall the car has been excellent, buying it was a necessity but its won us over.

All in all

CharlieCroker wrote: »

€1700 is very cheap to come up the extra year

Yes - I thought that. When negotiating for the 2018 the dealer said it's generally £500 per plate period (trying to justify his price), which is what the difference is (approx), balance is difference in VRT.

CharlieCroker

All in all wrote: »

Yes - I thought that. When negotiating for the 2018 the dealer said it's generally £500 per plate period (trying to justify his price), which is what the difference is (approx), balance is difference in VRT.

Try saying that to him at trade in time and see what he says!!!

grogi

All in all wrote: »

Hi, looking for a bit of advice. New addition on the way so looking to move to a 7 seater and the Citroen seems like it would meet our needs.

Will most likely buy from UK, looking at 18/19 reg and will look to buy top spec flair model. Budget up to €25k, but happier to spend closer 20.

Couple of questions. Any other models to consider and secondly would I be mad to buy a petrol. It will be my wife’s car and won’t do huge mileage, would estimate 10-12k kms per annum. It’s just for a big car I’m worried the 1.2 seems very small. Looking at something like;
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202003268753014?advertising-location=at_cars&year-from=2017&postcode=bt364lb&model=GRAND%20C4%20SPACETOURER&sort=price-asc&page=1&aggregatedTrim=Flair&make=CITROEN&fuel-type=Petrol&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New

Any advice or input welcome.

Get an automatic. All models have excellent Japanese Aisin transaxles. Even if you would need to go one year older.

AMKC

All in all wrote: »

Hi, looking for a bit of advice. New addition on the way so looking to move to a 7 seater and the Citroen seems like it would meet our needs.

Will most likely buy from UK, looking at 18/19 reg and will look to buy top spec flair model. Budget up to €25k, but happier to spend closer 20.

Couple of questions. Any other models to consider and secondly would I be mad to buy a petrol. It will be my wife’s car and won’t do huge mileage, would estimate 10-12k kms per annum. It’s just for a big car I’m worried the 1.2 seems very small. Looking at something like;
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202003268753014?advertising-location=at_cars&year-from=2017&postcode=bt364lb&model=GRAND%20C4%20SPACETOURER&sort=price-asc&page=1&aggregatedTrim=Flair&make=CITROEN&fuel-type=Petrol&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New

Any advice or input welcome.

Have a look at the Peugeot 5008. Maybe you could get a better deal on one of them and with the 1.2 petrol as well. I am surprised no one has mentioned it already. Its the sister car to the C4 Picasso.

All in all

AMKC wrote: »

Have a look at the Peugeot 5008. Maybe you could get a better deal on one of them and with the 1.2 petrol as well. I am surprised no one has mentioned it already. Its the sister car to the C4 Picasso.

The 5008 is a lot more expensive than the Citroen. Had looked at them initially but the large price difference put me off.

shane b

AMKC wrote: »

Have a look at the Peugeot 5008. Maybe you could get a better deal on one of them and with the 1.2 petrol as well. I am surprised no one has mentioned it already. Its the sister car to the C4 Picasso.

The earlier 5008 is similar to the C4 picasso but then Peugeot reinvented it in 2017 as a SUV and put the price up. The op is looking for something from 2017 onwards.

All in all

Hi, just to update I phoned Arnold Clark again this morning. All there phone seem to be diverted to Glasgow internet sales, I got the same story as previously, no sale to Ireland. I asked was it possible to contact branch directly. My details were passed to branch manager and he contacted me straight away. No issue with sale to Ireland and he was familiar with process re. V5C and confirmed by email. We can now get preferred colour, just waiting for him to confirm service history on Monday and hope to place deposit then.

Stallingrad

All in all wrote: »

Hi, just to update I phoned Arnold Clark again this morning. All there phone seem to be diverted to Glasgow internet sales, I got the same story as previously, no sale to Ireland. I asked was it possible to contact branch directly. My details were passed to branch manager and he contacted me straight away. No issue with sale to Ireland and he was familiar with process re. V5C and confirmed by email. We can now get preferred colour, just waiting for him to confirm service history on Monday and hope to place deposit then.

When I bought from AC in Glasgow they knocked a few hundred off the price and refurbed a couple of wheels. Their margins are tight but it's a buyer's market big time, so let them know you're looking at a couple of other options and try and secure their best deal.