Used Citroen C3 cars for sale ...

It takes too long and too much muscle power to remove the roof’s side rails, and there’s nowhere to store them in the car. Yet, without them you can't close the roof at your destination. This lack of thought shows in other areas of the Pluriel such as the dull drive. Without the roof rails in place, there’s too much flex in the body and the car squirms over bumps. At least with the roof in place, the Pluriel’s cabin is reasonably quiet and its engines give decent performance. The dash is lifted directly from the C3 hatchback, so it looks good but is finished in hard, cheap-looking plastics. Space in the front is good, but the rear seat is only big enough for children.

Running Costs
None of the cars in the Citroen C3 Pluriel range will give your wallet much cause for concern when it comes to fuel economy. The 1.4-litre petrol engine is the least impressive and yet it still turns in more than 40mpg, with the 1.6-litre petrol marginally better. If you really don’t like filling stations, the 1.4 turbodiesel is the one for you with its 62.8mpg combined consumption. Insurance won’t be a problem, as the highest rating is group 6 for the 1.6-litre model. This makes the Pluriel a sensible choice for younger drivers looking for some open air fun. Service items for a Pluriel will not cost very much, but a leading warranty company points out that Citroen dealers’ service departments charge more than many other mainstream manufacturers. Finding a good local Citroen specialist in your area could cut the costs here significantly.

Hatchback
The C3 has a hint of MPV about it, especially with its high driving position (although it won't suit all drivers). The cabin has an airy feel and some thoughtful touches, but the rear seats are tight and the boot is only just adequate. There's a high sill to lug stuff over, too. Front passengers have stacks of space and the driver enjoys a logical control layout, although the digital instruments are fussy. The engines - the 1.1 apart - are willing and strong enough to cope with out-of-town work. On a cruise, they're quiet and only some wind noise disturbs the otherwise refined calm. Citroens normally give a soft, comfortable ride, but the C3 is an exception. Revisions at the end of 2005 made it more absorbent, but you'll notice bumps too often on earlier cars. Still, it goes round corners competently, although keen drivers will prefer a car with more grip, more steering feel and less body roll.

Running Costs
Affordable costs are one of the C3's biggest draws. For a start, it's cheap to buy used, but don't pay over the odds for a young one - and don't use the list price of a new one as your guide. Fuel costs are low. Even the thirstiest - the 1.6 petrol auto - gives just over 40mpg in normal driving. Our preferred 1.4 petrol ups that to mid-40s, only 1mpg or so behind the 1.1 petrol. As for the diesels, they return more than 60mpg. Servicing is cheap, so long as you avoid the 110bhp 1.6 diesel. And, insurance is cheap, too - the 1.4 sits in group 3, one higher than the 1.1 petrol. Group 6 is as bad as it gets - and that's for the top-trim petrol and diesel 1.6s.