With Wifey’s Clio coming up for a change at 3 years old, we started to have a look around at what was available and attractive to her. The buying parameters were that it had to be practical enough to cover for the S (so carry four people and have enough boot space for a decent day out at Costco) and obviously be pleasing to her fickle eye. From my perspective, it also had to have reasonable dynamics.

We looked at what was available in the class and a few contenders stood out at our budget level; another Clio, the Mini, the Fiesta and the DS3. The Mini was almost immediately dismissed; it’s back seats and boot just didn’t meet the requirement (a shame especially after Gad’s glowing reports). The Clio also went off the list pretty quickly as we’ve had 4 in a row and (more importantly) we no longer qualified for a nice Friends and Family Scheme discount. That left two. The Fiesta went on price; to get a similarly spec’d Fiesta to the DS3 would have been an additional £2K. So the choice was made.

We opted for a petrol DS3 Collection – White, a catchy name, but a nice looking car. Essentially, it’s a similar spec to the base DS3 Sport (turbo), so the same suspension set up, same interior and wheels (17’ contrasting black with diamond cut detailing), but without the climate control and chrome accoutrements. On the subject of spec, it has cruise control, a decent enough stereo A/C and the usual stuff for a £14k car.

The engine is the 1.6 VVT used by PSA, and BMW in the new Mini Cooper, but this one is limited to 120 BHP (I have plans to remap it, but that’s in the future for now), and it feels like it’s going to pull nicely, although as we’ve only just passed 100 miles, I’m still a little reticent to give it the berries just yet. The gear change is nice, whilst it’s not up to the standards of an S, it’s much better than most French stuff I’ve driven in the past.

Initial impressions of the car are that it sticks to the road OK, but is quite uninvolving; with a lack of steering feel being the main culprit, although in my experience of cars in this segment (I’m a frequent hirer of cars for work), it seems to be the norm. it will gently understeer wide if you overstep the mark if you push it too much and the traction control stops any leery understeer moments, but doesn’t seem to be too obtrusive. As I said able, it’s still very new and I haven’t given it a good ragging yet, so I’ll keep you posted.

It’s a comfortable car, the seats giving plenty of support and it rides very well. It is fairly well refined, it’s quiet and the doors shut with a nice thunk. Above all though is the surprising level of build quality; it feels like it’s been put together with care and attention (not something you’d usually associate with the Citroen brand). Overall we’re very pleased so far, we seem to be getting lots of admiring glances, and Wifey’s had a few positive comments from strangers too.

I’ll keep y’all posted of it’s progress. In the mean time, here's some pics...

 

Looks like a very tidy car (and good choice of colour!)

And what bloody big grounds you have to your house!

 

Sam's done well there!
There's a gal in my road who has a very nice grey one with a burgundy roof. I'm not a Citroen person, but I think I could be swayed...

 

Well, Wifey has a strange idea of what's attractive and obviously isn't that fickle (I thought I post that to save Stooky the bother )

I'm not sure you should be "ragging" her car around though

Congrats on the new car Wifey, I think it looks great, just don't let it get "Fosterised"

 

[QUOTE=lovegroova,Nov 24 2010, 01:06 PM] Well, Wifey has a strange idea of what's attractive and obviously isn't that fickle (I thought I post that to save Stooky the bother )

I'm not sure you should be "ragging" her car around though

 

Interesting looking car, in a good way.

However it's a f***ing citroen. Do they come with brakes yet?

 

I'm trying to bed them in at the mo, but the initial bite is good, I'll get back to on the really hard/emergency braking performance once there is a few more miles on the clock.

 

worst cut and shut evarrrrrrr.

 

You already know I love these things (although if I were to pick a weakness, I'd say the rear 3/4 is nowhere near as exciting as the front 3/4).

I also know that stripe cost you 138 quid

Interesting that you mentioned driving dynamics being important to you when choosing..I mean...I've seen your driving...dynamics are the least of your worries

 

different choice

interesting write up and it will also be interesting to see how the car performs over the longer term

do they do a five door?