CITROEN XSARA PICASSO 2.0 HDi SX 5dr (2000)

Ok family car, but not sure the low cost has paid off given all the repairs

There are millions of Xsara Picassos about so I doubt I've got much to say that hasn't been said before. Anyway our one has been alright, but it's just getting a bit annoying that there have been quite a few repairs need doing, and not just small stuff either. It got through the warranty period without too much going wrong (typical!) but then stuff starting going. Big things included the drive shaft and the radiator. Then other small things like some wiring behind the ignition, and other little electrical problems. The doors don't feel as strongly attached as they once did, and I generally feel that it's ageing quite badly.

Still the Xsara Picasso 2.0 HDi has done us proud in a lot of ways. It's not only cheap to buy but very reasonable petrol wise, and tax and insurance. None of those normal costs presented us with much of a problem. The Xsara Picasso is cosy and comfy enough inside, really good driving position and lots of space for the kids in the back. It can get a bit loud in there once you're driving fast, but the kids usually sleep through it.

I say the driving position is good but actually the visibility isn't all that amazing. Blind spots can be surprisingly large and parking isn't that easy. I don't know if the more recent ones have got those parking sensor things but our one doesn't. We got a mirror fitted that hangs off the back of the car. That really helps to nudge up next to cars, but otherwise it can be pretty tricky. On the road it's, well it's what it looks like, a bit of a lumbering egg, but not bad. It's a bit wobbly on corners but we're mostly driving with the kids anyway so we don't drive that adventurously.

The Citroen Xsara Picasso is great for storage. We regularly get all three kids bikes in the boot for day trips, although they're all quite young at the mo so I reckon we'll need a rack once the eldest gets a new bike. Also if you put the back seats down you basically have a van to play with, oodles of space for all sorts of moving.

Ours is about ten years old now so that might explain the repairs a little bit, but really you don't expect a car to fall to pieces within a decade. I think I'll be going with an Asian car maker next time.