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Posted
I went down to my local Citroen dealer this morning to book the C3 in for a service and walked right into a Citroen demo of the Pluriel for the sales team.

The Citroen managerial type in charge seemed to assume that I was a staff member - so I passed a happy hour helping swap the car into its various configurations. A good time was had by all. Bags are provided in order to store the detachable side beams, and a garage floor stand will be an accessory item. There will be a tonneau cover for use in "spider" mode but this too will be an option.

The interior is very much C3 like, but the seal fabric is some harder wearing nylon weave stuff. Door cappings are body coloured. The fabric roof is a nice tight fit, and the folding action seems quick and smooth. The back flip performed by the roof when it goes into the boot floor is highly amusing. So is the weird double retraction movement of the back electric windows. The 1.6 will have Sensodrive, the 1.4 is a manual gearbox only. It looks like climate control will be an option on both models. CD player is standard, as are a trip computer and auto wipers.

There are enormous great reinforced sills for side impact protection (and to reduce scuttle shake).

Good news is that the insurance companies are so impressed with the car's safety features that the 1.4 will be in Group 4 and the 1.6 in Group 6. Most dealers should have received a demonstrator today and these should be on the road by this time next week.

Go and have a play. I don't know if it will sell, but it really is great fun.

:o
Posted
Hi,

Our C3 Pluriel demonstration model turned up yesterday - we have got the 1.6i 16v Sensodrive model. Main difference I have noticed in the cabin is the fact that the steering wheel has more girth to it then the C3. Other then that seems exactly the same.

I think that all dealers should either have their demo by now or are getting it later today.

Official launch next weekend.

tb

A Citroen dealer in hampshire.
Posted
I want a Pluriel. However everyone I mention this to is derisory claiming Citreon have a poor reputation for quality and customer service.

Can I really buy such a complex car from a company with such a poor reputation.



I don't want to buy one then spend months sorting out problems with it.

What is your experience?
Posted
I've been buying and driving Citroens since the late 1960s. I really cannot understand these constant stories about poor quality. I realise they don't exactly build them to BMW standards, but I have yet to own one that has let me down. I seem to remember suffering a warped front disc on a 1978 Dyane, and a dodgy airbag light on a 1999 Xsara.

I have a C3 HDi at the moment. It was bought new in June 2002 and nothing has gone wrong. At all. Sorry, but it's true. My dealer is always supportive and well informed. At the 1000 mile service, they noticed a small scratch on the dash board and insisted on replacing the whole unit. That's it. If I have a moan, it's about their insistence that the work was carried out. I didn't really care.

I not sure if this is relevant, but my local dealer has been selling and maintaining Citroens since 1980. There are a lot of new boys about who seem to have jumped on the discount bandwagon, and have little or no understanding of the company they represent. The secret of a good Citroen lies in the thoroughness of the pre-delivery inspection, and the quality of subsequent services. Look after it and it will look after you.

Go ahead and buy a Pluriel. I intend to when they bring out a diesel. (I know they say they won't, but just have browse some some of the French web sites). Car discussion groups can give a totally unbalanced perspective of a car or maker. If you look at the new Mini owners chat (www.mini2.com ) you would think that this car drops to pieces as soon as you sign the cheque. What about the 50,000 owners who are happy with their cars?

John M
  • 2 weeks later...
Posted
My girlfriend ordered a Pluriel today! It was my fault: I wanted to go and see the demo car, to see if it was close to the concept car. While the front bumper has changed, the rest of it is still very brave!

What an amazing car for the money! I'm really pleased to see that someone has grasped that 'fun' and 'high performance' don't have to mean the same thing. I don't care who overtakes us in something as amusing as this car.
  • 2 weeks later...
Posted
[quote name='rhoamish' date='Jun 2 2003, 07:44 AM']My girlfriend ordered a Pluriel today![/quote]
What colour. We've got a Tuscan Blue 1.6 on order, build date has been quoted as 21st June, so we're expecting it before the end of June.

We had quite an extended test drive and were very impressed with quality and rigidity of the body.
Posted
[quote name='louh' date='Jun 18 2003, 08:15 PM']Picking up my pluriel tomorrow, can't wait :D[/quote]
Expect a full report by the end of the day then :D
Posted
Got it............I want to go out in it all the time, just one problem the car is unfinished..........the car has been delivery without the boot covers for when the car is in either the cabriolet or spider mode.....and I must say it looks stupid and very unfinished without them with a big hole at the top of the boot........the dealer told me there is a problem with the supplier!!!!!

If anyone from citroen reads this then maybe they can tell me when I should expect them or does anyone know who I can write to about it.

As much as I am going to show off my new car, I can imagine that anyone seeing it will be put off by the big hole. Citreon get your act together it is not good selling unfinished goods.

By the way a Tuscan Blue one was going out at the same time as mine (mine is silver) and it looks very eye catching.
Posted
louh, if you've gone for silver you might be interested in this - [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3527492011&category=223&rd=1"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...tegory=223&rd=1[/url] They managed to get the boot security cover okay for the model!!!

Dealer has just phoned me to say our car is arriving today or Monday, and we'll be picking it up next Friday (lot's of paperwork to do to transfer over my cherished plate).

Thanks for the heads-up about the boot security cover - that probably explains why all the cars in dealer showrooms don't have the boot security cover fitted. In fact, one dealer told me it was an option, but it's clearly listed in the brochure as standard on both models.

Please report back with any other observations about your car over the next couple of days.
Posted
We've had the car for nearly a week now: it's Sunset Orange. I quite like it in this colour, although I don't think it would work with many cars!

Our boot cover is missing, as are the floormats. We went for the stand and tonneau covers, although we've not used them yet.

My girlfriend is absolutely delighted with the car, and I must say, I love it too. I'm amazed at the standard spec (it's a 1.4). The roof mechanism seemed a little complicated and fussy at first, but after some practice it's really easy to use.

I can see this car being a huge hit. What's more, the insurance and running costs are very low.

The 1.4 is fairly torquey, and what it lacks in power it makes up for in smoothness. One minor grumble: the gearchange is a little vibrant between 3rd and 4th: we'll mention this at the first service.
Posted
Mine is a 1.4 as well. I love it even more after driving it again today. It is really easy to drive, and you get loads of looks from people :D . It has not been that sunny here today but I have still had the top down.

I agree with you about the roof, but if you take your time its ok. The arches are quite heavy I was surprised at them, it is not easy to take them off on your own, as you are trying not to mark them or the paint work.

As for the insurance, what can I say, it is really very good. I will keep you posted on any problems.........fingers crossed there won't be any.

Louise :D
Posted
had 1.4 for a week now. Really great car BUT I have a big problem!
It rained today and i got very wet from the join between roof bars and windscreen frame.
Not yet had a response from dealer-anyone else got the same problem?
(suggest you check by running a hose on it if its not been out in the rain)

:D :D

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