Second Hand Sense: Citroen C8In some respects the Citroën C8 has more in common with a Winnebago motor home than it does with other MPVs, but you have to hand it to Citroën for daring to be different. It has front seats that rotate 180 degrees, an instrument cluster that is centred in the dashboard, a great driving position and a commanding view of the road ahead.
It is not, however, an attractive car and it looks dated - not least by the recent arrival of Citroën's own very impressive C4 Picasso. As a second-hand option it is certainly worth a look because, like other Citroën models, it has not held its value well in recent years.
It began life as part of a joint venture between Citroën, Peugeot and Fiat, all of which had a version of the MPV from the same platform, but none of whom could make the same impact in the MPV segment as Opel and Renault. The newer model produced by Citroën in 2003 took many of its components from the previous Synergie model, which actually ensured it would date quite quickly.
One area in which it has dated fast, apart from its looks, is seating arrangement. The C8 does not have the flexibility of seats nor the ease of arrangement that competitors have. The seats are heavy and this is a major disadvantage.
For all that, it's a pleasant car to drive. I like the differences in the cabin, the dashboard mounted gearshift and the fact that this clears lots of floor space in the front, the instruments and the general levels of comfort. It comes with a choice of 2-litre petrol, producing 110 horse power or a 2-litre diesel, producing 138 horse power. The petrol version has quite limited stamina and goes nowhere in a hurry while the diesel is at its best on longer journeys.
Neither ride nor handling are all that great but they are fine for average driving, with the main criticism attaching to its shortcomings on bumpy roads.
Sliding side doors are a big plus in an MPV and the C8 is easy to load in its natural environment - the supermarket car park. The car also has other welcome features such as the self-retracting wing mirrors when the car is locked. Equipment levels are also good with multiple airbags, dual zone air conditioning and speed-matched steering.
The car has an impressive five star rating for its EuroNCAP tests, but it also has a recall record with some cars being brought back for things like faulty airbag warnings, turbo problems, loose under-engine protection trays and problems with braking assistance. Not all cars have been recalled.
A 2004 petrol model with 96,000km on the clock is on offer for €16,950, while a 2005 model with the diesel engine just 65,000km up is on offer for €30,250. These prices are on the high side and unlikely to be realised so, if you are interested, bargain hard.
FOR: Comfort, equipment levels and interior styling
AGAINST: Ride quality, dated design, poor seating adjustment