CITROEN C3 1.6i 16V Exclusive 5dr Sensodrive (2003)

C3 1.6 Exclusive - Bought second hand a year ago seems fine-ish so far

I got my Citroen C3 at quite a hefty discount because the previous owner had quite a lot of problems with it and generally didn't seem able to sell a car, or just too honest for their own good, so they advertised it as very faulty. I know a few bits and pieces about cars, although not really about Citroen on board computers and things. So when a coil spring went after a few months I was able to get that part and replace it myself by hiring a space in a DIY garage (there are a few of these about, and worthwhile if you know what you're doing but don't have the tools).

What I wasn't able to fix was when the Citroen C3 engine computer decided things were going wrong. That was done by a Citroen specialist independent place near us. I tend not to bother with main dealers for any cars, they all have the air of not needing to try to get people's custom, so their service is poor and they're bad value. Shop around!

All in all I've spent a few hundred on getting things sorted out, but it was cheap second hand and I knew what I was getting into. More to the point I wanted a Citroen C3 because it's a good size inside and with a clever size boot as well, the whole car is sort of tall but in a way you don't really expect from the outside.

For a cheapy sort of car it's fantastic to have stuff like cruise control (dunno if all Citroen C3s have this but mine does). The 'sensodrive' gearbox is really good, very lively and easy to get used to.

There are horror stories out there about the Citroen C3, and probably quite well founded, but you can use that to your advantage as a second hand buyer and strike a better deal. Work out how to do some reasonably basic car repairs and you're laughing.