Manufacturer Loyalty?

[barns]

Don't know if you have seen the press today but a bad day in the office for citroen.Slated as the worst manufacturer and then two cars in the worst 10,one being the c2

 

Interested in your views,i'm not one that sticks to a brand but i do find with these type of forums that people do seem to,and that makes me wonder why?

 

Would you stick to citroen or try something new..

 

Do you think citroen are the worst or not,ive never had more than two cars off the same manufacturer partly due to the bore factor when i change thats what i want a change.

 

As for getting the worst manufacturer recalls can't help as they base findings heavily on this type of thing hence why most of the top ten are Honda's etc and these just dont get recalls.

 

Its far too early for me to judge citroen so for me the worst manufactured car i've had has been a vauxhall and i've had alot of the main players

 

The car felt more solid than the c4 ie door handles trim etc but constant electrical problems which is one of the reasons i dont like having all the electrical stuff but thats some thing else

[rikebo]

it all depends on how many problems you have with your car and how it effects the feelgood factor.

 

personally this is my first citroen,ive now covered 3k with absolutely no problems at all, it drives great, looks good, love it to bits.

 

for all the toys,value for money and inovation it would be near the top of any poll.

 

so i think you should go with your own experiences.

 

i know i would have another one.

[citroeneddie]

Barns

 

The way I look at it people would rather moan than give praise. I'm not going to say that Citroen's are the best cars, but I have very few poblems and when I do they are dealt with professionally and efficiently. Japanese cars are reliable, but I prefer French flair anytime.

 

Keep the faith.

[hertsnminds]

According to the VOSA recalls database between Jan 1992 and Dec 2005 the Honda Civic had 8 recalls, the Citroen BX had 1.

 

http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/default.asp

 

I think it is down to specific vehicles, not manufacturers or models. There is also a trade off between expectations and what the car delivers.

 

I found out more about car electrics with my first car, a Vauxhall Chevette, than any other I have owned. My Fiat barchetta had a few little niggles but I could forgive them as I enjoyed driving it so much and the car made me smile every time I looked at it.

 

I have owned 3 Citroen, A BX GTi, Pluriel and my current car a C4 VTR+. The BX had a few electrical gremlins but was a great car, the Pluriel was a great concept but I had one of the leaky ones. So far the C4 has been the best of the bunch with only an intermittant cruise control fault.

 

I like to go for something different or innovative when I change car so whilst I don't have manufacturer loyalty, as long as Citroen are innovative I will stick with them.

 

Ian

Black 55 VTR+

[Mat]

My first car was a (2nd hand) Saxo. My 2nd is a (new) C4. I guess that makes me loyal to Citroen. When i was looking for my new car, i did look at other manufacturers, drove a lot of demo/test-cars, but Citroen already hada big tick as i was very happy with the reliability and service. The biggest tick was that no other manufacturer made a car that grabbed me as much as the C4. So far (11months) i am completely sure i made the right choice.

 

As for judging a car by the number of recalls. I think that is stupid. Take the last one on the C4, the airbag one. From how i understand it, the airbag system pre-recall is within legal specs, it is purely Citroen making the system even better, out of their own pocket. That should be a tick for Citroen, not a cross against them.

[Mike5483]

Ive had 3 cars, a FIAT a Rover and now my C4.

 

My Brother is now on his 3rd Civic.

 

As Barns said, when I buy a new car, I want a change.

 

As for the C4, its absolutely superb. Definately the best car Ive had, and I'd go as far as to say its currently the best car in our family!!!

[barns]

I myself have no problem with my c4 infact i seem to have converted at least 3 poeple at work who are considering purchasing one.All saying its a good looking motor .The car is a head turner and i like the car,what i can't understand is why Citroen have recieved this negative press of Worst Manufacturer.which was based on customer satisfaction.

 

i think the c4 is an ace motor a break from the norm.It's a shame that when they recieved an american car design of the year award they didn't make more fuss about it,because its the negative stuff that sticks.

 

but the loyalty thing puzzles me because its the consumer that misses out,take the dreadfull mark4&5 escorts sold bucket loads and absolute shite motors, but people still went and paid top dollar for them, because 'im a ford man' if people were more open to change then maybe the c4 would be up in the top selling motors where it should be for flair lone and maybe more manufacturers would be more confident to make different stuff instead of endless facelifts ....

 

 

by the way still got the faith in the c4 and the c3 i got loaned was ok :D

[Mat]

To add, my gf's dad drives a 53 BMW 3series 3.0l diesel. When in my car he comments how i've got more functions, a better laid out dash, in general a much better value car. His car cost £50k new, mine cost £15k. (Admitedly, his 3.0l goes a little faster than my 1.6, but once you get to 70mph the law means that is useless anyway)

[GuyNorth]

Well I'm currently on my eighth car which is a Citroen Picasso (my first Citroen). I was aware when I bought it of Citroens poor reputation but I liked the car and I got the usual 'good deal'. After 4 years it has utterly faultless both electrically and mechanically. The dealer (Windsors of Wallasey) has been about as good as you could reasonably expect, so all in all I have been very happy so far.

That's why I'm currently on the waiting list for a brand new C4 1.6 SX which I should hopefully have in a couple of weeks.

 

Here's hoping it's as reliable as the Picasso! :D

 

G.

[lab44]

I'm not really one for manufacturer loyalty to be honest - when the time comes I will buy the car that best meets my needs.

 

I do tend to like French cars though - they offer excellent value for money, good styling and usually drive well. Despite what people say me and my family have owned a range of French cars with no problems at all - a Renault (Rubbish) 19, Renault (Rubbish) 5 (my first car), Renault (Rubbish) Laguna which after 60,000 miles and 7 years has had no problems at all, a Citroen BX and a 306 which in the three years i owned it never any problems and now my C4 which though too early to tell at the moment has been good so far.

 

+ surveys can be misleading. For example your average Honda driver is usually fairly old, probably rarely pushes his car or uses the features and thus has no problems. The rep in his Ford Mondea doing 30k+ a year has much more time ith the car to find fault or for it to break down. Having said that I did take a look at the new Honda Civic and though i wasnt keen on the styling or the prices I have to admit it was streets ahead of the C4/Focus/Astra in terms of build quality.

 

I think also people expect too much. For example if you buy a Citroen its usually gonna be a few thousand cheaper than the nearest Japanese rival or half the price of a BMW. So to perhaps expect the same levels of build quality, service and reliability is perhaps unrealistic.

 

I still can't stand the Ford thing however. The Fords I have been in/seen have all been crapheaps - noisy, rattly, rusting yet people still buy them. I think the newer ones (Focus, Mondeo) are much better but still overpriced (considering it is a Ford) and I have seen a few rusting examples of older Focus cars.

[Mike5483]

 

+ surveys can be misleading. For example your average Honda driver is usually fairly old, probably rarely pushes his car or uses the features and thus has no problems. The rep in his Ford Mondea doing 30k+ a year has much more time ith the car to find fault or for it to break down. Having said that I did take a look at the new Honda Civic and though i wasnt keen on the styling or the prices I have to admit it was streets ahead of the C4/Focus/Astra in terms of build quality.

Thats a really good point about owner demographics.

 

As for the Civic, I have heard that the dash can be a bit rattley.

 

Ive also sat in one at a dealership and the dash is made of some really hard plastic, not soft touch like the C4.

[Joeblunt]

I'm surprised someone hasn't mentioned it before - I think its Dealer loyalty that brings most people back, my dealer makes everything easy for me and I'm on my third Citroen car nowt to do with Citroen my choice has been which dealer and my current one wins everytime. My dealers are a family owned business who have been trading through generations since 1955 (I think?) the sort of place where you walk in 3 months after you've bought a car and everyone still remembers your name, the Service Managers been there 30 years and the mechanics / technicians will explain exactly the fault and what they've done to recitfy it. Tradditional values something sadly lacking in some dealers today.

The wife had a Saxo, I had a Picasso now I have a C4 1.6Hdi SX H/B, I reckon when I'm fed up with this I may go for a revamped Picasso or a C5 next time who knows what'll be the 'flavour of the month' in 2008?

[wozza]

Not loyal to any brand as such if I like the look of a car and im after a car I will take a test drive ad see how it drives if I like it then I will buy it.

 

I tried an astra sports hatch before the C4 was gonna get an SRI 1.8 but it was not worth the extra cost over the C4 plus I thought the Coupe was a little more unusual which is why I choose it.

 

But my next car im going American but because I want a V8 lol. Plus they dont get as bad a MPG as I thought they did and there cheap to buy / insure seems like a good way to get a quick car that doesnt cost thousands to keep it on the road.

[pork_pie]

Something about Citroens that accracts people.

 

My take on this are the discounts, the styling and the value for money.

 

What you get for your cash is unbelivable. My C3 was a perfect example - since when did other superminis have cruise, climate, folding electric mirrors, leather wheel, auto wipers, front armrests, alloys, economy and performance for just under 10.5k? However it was the most unreliable car I ever owned - them self de activating rear child locks made the car a death trap - but I still loved it and I still miss it.

 

Citroen cars do have problems but it goes with the territory. The manufacturer is picked on by the press. They would not say a bad word about Ford or VW.

eg Mark 4 golf v Xsara. Launched at the same time and petered out at the same time. Which one got the bad press?!

[Igloo_Vindaloo]

It seems to me that Citroens are consistently among the most fuel efficient cars in their class - thanks to the combination of technology and light-weight bodies. I'm sure the latter also contributes to people's perception of poor build quality.

 

I also like Citroen because they don't make any SUVs.

 

But having seem Citroen's idea of customer service I wouldn't recommend people buy a new one and risk having to deal with main dealers, or worse still their head office.

[pork_pie]

Where SUVs are concerned that will change.

 

Mitsubishi have been in talks with the PSA group and the French giants should be manufacturing such beasts by 2008.

 

Citroen head office - Bloody awful. They don't care.

[lee_marshuk]

This is my first Citroen - and I certainly won't rule out buying another Citroen in the future.

 

I've had some bad experiences with dealerships, and admittedly a lot of teething issues with the car. But I've now found a dealer who is professional and good at their job, and nearly all my issues are resolved.

 

Realistically, in 2 and a half years I shall probably replace my car - so will see what is around then. Perhaps a facelifted C4 might be an option.

 

To sum up, I test drove the Ford Focus ST, Citroen C4, Vauxhall Astra, BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series, Honda Civic Type R and Audi A3. The C4 was my favourite, followed by the BMW 3 series - and I don't regret my choice now despite everything that's happened - I guess that says a fair amount in itself. :(

[billynibbles]

Over recent years, I've alternated between buying new or nearly new cars. Till I bought my Citroen, not one of them has had any problems whatsoever. Then along comes my lovely 12-month old VTS coupé diesel - all I can say is that it must have crept out under the radar of Citroen West London's PDIing.

 

Within one mile of taking delivery, the SERVICE light came on because the Lane Wandering System was faulty, and as soon as the weather turned nicer, it became apparent that only the heating side of the climate control was working - having been standing for 4 months since the tax ran out in November 2004, no-one had thought to use the air-con to stop it drying out the compressor seals and therefore leaking. All its refrigerant had disappeared. A rattle then started to make itself heard from the tailgate - this I suspect is a loose bolt rolling around since one end of the spoiler seems disconnected, so no doubt that's where it has come from.

 

My remaining concerns, including the fact that the engine fan no longer operates with its usual gusto, and the car runs a tad hot and lumpy (probably caused by the fan problem) are being addressed this week along with some body shop work to the sill which they finally had to agree couldn't have been my fault since it became apparent as soon as I got the car home. (It had rained every time I saw the car, and the scuff to the sill only shows once it's dry)

 

All I can say is that's it's a bloody good job I love everything about the thing (just a pity Toyota don't make it for them!), and the service levels received since buying it have been great.

 

Mind you, if this is typical, they ought to be good at it!

 

Having said all that, the car hasn't actually let me down - it's just that I hadn't planned on being on first name terms with everyone in their service department quite so soon!

 

For some odd reason, I feel fiercely loyal - can't think why exactly, maybe I like Citroen's quirkiness and innovation. Also, it all comes down to your needs. As a keen cyclist too, a reliable car is only a 'nice to have', not a 'must have' for my job. The C4 VTS is certainly fun (most of the time), there's no denying it.