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Original poster

Anyone drive a Xsara Picasso?

44 replies

Bomper · 27/10/2005 22:21

Yes, I know I am always asking for all you lovely ladies advice, but we have just killed our current car, and are having to get a new one pretty sharpish. I really fancy a Picasso, as we have 3 children, and it would be nice for them all to have a 'proper' seat, instead of ds getting squashed between his younger sisters. Before we splash out large quantities of cash, I was wondering, if you've got one - would you recommend them. And if not, why?

OP posts:
TinyGang · 27/10/2005 22:27

We've got one and had it 4 years now. It's been great - we liked the fact that they all have a proper full sized seat in the back too. How old are your children? If they're very young and you're strapping them into car seats, the Picasso is a better height and kinder to your back as you lean in. Good size boot too and the seats fold down easily if you need them to.

My only criticism is that it has a blind spot at the corners of the front windscreen, but I've got used to it now. It was quite anoying at first though.

Original poster
Bomper · 27/10/2005 22:38

My youngest is 18 months, so yeah, I am still in and out of the back a lot. What is it like to reverse. My current car is a real 'mare!!

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maddysonsmomm · 27/10/2005 22:38

I dont like the back of the car, it feels too hard, i personally like a car where the seats are soft and relaxing and i felt like i couldnt relax in this car it keot me sitting to upright it was uncomfortable! but i dont know how the front is and hey you will be in the front lol, i just prefer to relax as we drive and travell alot! i bought aford focus 2005 zxk sports edition its so much bigger than it looks on the outside buts its no good for 3 children so i think il just have two lol, good luck choosing a nice car!

TinyGang · 27/10/2005 22:43

Ok to reverse - it doesn't stick out much at the back so not too hard to judge. The front is a bit harder though till you get used to it, cos it slopes down and you can't see the end of the bonnet very well.

If you've been used to a lower car, you feel very high up at first but I like that because you can see more.

hornbag · 27/10/2005 22:53

Agree with everything TGs said.
At first its weird and seems very high up,you can't see the end of the bonnet and the windscreen seems miles away but soon get used to it.
The extra height is a godsend when it comes to loading and unloading babies/toddlers. Lots of room in the boot (went to France for 2 weeks with 5 yr old, 11 m old and their copious amounts of stuff and still had room to bring back lots of wine, cheese etc )

Original poster
Bomper · 28/10/2005 08:47

Excellent, will probably go with a Picasso then. I really like the feeling of being high up too TG; borrowed my SiL's Mercedes 'A' Class to take dd1 to the doctor the other day and they are really high up too, and although it seemed weird at first, I got to really enjoy it.

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bobbybob · 28/10/2005 08:51

My parents have one and really like it. They don't have young children though, so not a good source of advice.

Original poster
Bomper · 28/10/2005 08:54

No, no, it's nice to have the advice. Some cars just aren't good drives. Like I said this week I borrowed my SiL's Mercedes and my mum's Rover, and the Rover was a nicer drive. Who'd have thought?!

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Kelly1978 · 28/10/2005 09:04

my parents had one, as they had two dogs and wanted the extra room in the back seasts too. I could fit in the back of it in between two car seats comfortably. It doesn't seem that high to me, as I am used to a higher car, but the windscreen is def wierd. Once u used to it though, it a lovely car to drive and a lot easier to maneuvere than a long estate or soemthing.

monstrousmummy · 28/10/2005 09:09

we have one, and I love it. I like being high up, I find it easier to reverse than any pther car I've had but as others have said the front takes a bit of getting used to.

test drive one to see about the blind spots..again you get used to those..but some people really don't like it.

aloha · 28/10/2005 09:19

We like ours - fits a baby, a four year old and a 14 year old or adult quite comfortably in the back. Drives well, agree with others about the bonnet taking some getting used to. I was terrified at first! But like it. Loads and loads of boot space.
However, sometimes I wish we'd got a Zafira just because then we could take out all three children plus a couple of friends or my mum.

monstrousmummy · 28/10/2005 09:22

aloha- hasn't the new picasso got the two extra seat like the zafira?? I think it has from this registration onwards...hmmmmm off to have a look!!

I say that becasue we are going to stay with picassos if it has...when we upgrade. If not we are going for the zafira...dh syas the c8 is too big

aloha · 28/10/2005 09:25

That would be great. I would love that. More seats when you need them, more boot space when you don't.

Waswondering · 28/10/2005 09:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

aloha · 28/10/2005 09:50

Ours was second hand - an ex mobility car, beautifully looked after and a real bargain.

LilacBump · 28/10/2005 09:52

a friend of mine has one for sale (nottingham area). she only uses it for taking her kids to school and trips to tesco, so she wants something a bit smaller.

TinyGang · 28/10/2005 09:53

When you see so many of them on the road, I think they must be what a lot of people are looking for. That's very interesting about the new one having extra seats - that would be very handy.

monstrousmummy · 28/10/2005 10:15

I heard a rumour about the extra seats...but can't confirm it anywhere on the web!! I've requested the info though...so I'll let you know when they get back to me!

TinyGang · 28/10/2005 10:21

Thanks! The difficulty will come in persuading dh we need to upgrade though

monstrousmummy · 28/10/2005 10:28

I know what you mean!!

(although he's currently thinking 4 kids so I have an avenue of pursuasion (Sp))

Eve · 28/10/2005 10:33

used to have a diesel one, and its great. Feels like a bus 1st time you get into 1 but they are great.

The diesels have very low emissions and good fuel consumption, so economical to drive.

lynny70 · 28/10/2005 10:43

Message deleted

Original poster
Bomper · 28/10/2005 17:55

Thanks for all the wonderful advice. I was going to bring up the subject of Petrol vs Diesel. I wanted Diesel as it is supposed to be economical, is this true?

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hornbag · 28/10/2005 18:06

Ours is diesel -DP's preference as he said its cheaper to run (more so when you're abroad) although I wouldn't have a clue as I'm guilty of just putting the diesel in without checking the price per litre or working out mpg etc.
Its not as loud and rattly as our last diesel (VW Golf) which is a bonus as at least you can hear the stereo!

bubbaloo · 28/10/2005 18:15

Ours is also a diesel and we've only had it since September,but absolutely love it.