New Citroën C5 !

[Stefanel1]

You know that the European market is particularly attracted by compact cars (Xsara, Golf, 147, Mégane). These cars are easyer to drive in big towns than a 406 or "worse" a 607 But I agree with you, and prefer "big" cars. and these "big" cars are even not more expensive than the smallest : compare the prices of (equivalents) a 307 and a 406 or of a GOlf and a Passat, the prices are almost the same ! and the smallest cars will be sold easyer !

[coupespace]

Originally Posted by Stefanel1

You know that the European market is particularly attracted by compact cars (Xsara, Golf, 147, Mégane). These cars are easyer to drive in big towns than a 406 or "worse" a 607 But I agree with you, and prefer "big" cars. and these "big" cars are even not more expensive than the smallest : compare the prices of (equivalents) a 307 and a 406 or of a GOlf and a Passat, the prices are almost the same ! and the smallest cars will be sold easyer !

Hi Stefanel,

I found this Forum by searching with the keyword "Avantime"

...as you "prefer big cars" and showed some interest for that car which reminds me very much of my former Citroëns - here you'll find some news from the German Avantime scene:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=142911

Coupéspace Greetings

Holger

Citroën fan and Avantime driver

[Stefanel1]

Mmmmh ! The DS, the XM ! Nice cars, and so comfy !
Look at the Avantime forum, I answered you

[Guido]

Originally Posted by tanirdriver

Hi huudo and Stefanel!

Well it seems that the 307SW is selling really well almost everywhere in Europe. In fact I can understand that because the car is practical with its large booth, but still, you pay as much as for a basic petrol Laguna/C5/406 for a car that is not as roomy and doesn't look as impressive. European drivers are often funny...

I'm sure the C4 will be a quality car, just like the ZX and Xsara. Even though I would definitely buy a second-hand C5...


Regards,


Tanir

What you say goes only for petrol engines. I'm a diesel driver since I do appr. 50.000 km a year, and with the price difference in fuel prices between petrol and diesel in Belgium, France and The Netherlands, it doesn't make sence to drive a petrol version and in that case there is a substantial price difference between a 307SW HDI 110 and a C5 HDI 110 for example. Plus the engine will have less difficulties in the compacter ones.

I'll certainly look into a second hand C5 preferably an Estate, but given the number of km's I drive and the mileage on most second hand cars, it's not easy to find a good one that can last the distance (4 years and 200.000 km in my hands added up to maybe 100.000 already on it.) Oh well, I guess it can work out. My ZX has now at 225.000 kms on the tacho and still going strong.

[tanirdriver]

Hallo, Holger!


"...as you "prefer big cars" and showed some interest for that car which reminds me very much of my former Citroëns - here you'll find some news from the German Avantime scene"

Talking about French more or less large cars, do you have any sales figures concerning the Laguna/C5/406 in Germany? I'd be curious to know how well they sell.


Regards,


Tanir

[coupespace]

Originally Posted by tanirdriver

Talking about French more or less large cars, do you have any sales figures concerning the Laguna/C5/406 in Germany? I'd be curious to know how well they sell.

Regards,

Tanir

Hi Tanir!

I got the German figures for the C5:

August 03/Total Year 03/percentage in market segment

617 / 5716 / 1,2%

decreasing figures, that's very poor...

Kind Regards

Holger

[Stefanel1]

I think that in Germany, Frecnh cars sell well in the 206 category. Over the 307, the figures are not excellent alas.
I know that the 206 CC sells very well in Germany, even better than in France ! 406 coupé works quite well. Mégane II and Twingo too.

[tanirdriver]

Originally Posted by coupespace

Hi Tanir!

I got the German figures for the C5:

August 03/Total Year 03/percentage in market segment

617 / 5716 / 1,2%

decreasing figures, that's very poor...

Kind Regards

Holger

Thanks for the figure, Holger


Indeed this is not much for a state that has 80 million inhabitants...

To compare, German mid-level cars are selling well in France (about 25 000 Passats a year to mention just the Volkswagen). A lot of taxis are Passats or E-class Mercedes. And I'm not even talking about the Golf...

Apparently French mid-level cars sell better in the UK, Spain, Benelux states and Denmark...


Regards,


Tanir

[Ion Pulse]

The current C5 evoked memories of quirky big Citroens gone by(namely the CX,DS,SM,XM etc.), but to me it always looked better in photos than in the metal. The C5 already has the goods, the technology,comfort and practicallity. All it needs now is a fresh and stylish wrapper(body). The facelifted C5 looks far more elegant and purposeful than the current model, hopefully they do something with the sub-standard quality dash.

[Stefanel1]

Completely agree with you Ion about the C5.

[tanirdriver]

"The C5 already has the goods, the technology,comfort and practicallity. All it needs now is a fresh and stylish wrapper(body). The facelifted C5 looks far more elegant and purposeful than the current model"

After seeing both models on the street near a Citroën dealership I'm surprised to hear that the new C5 is twelve centimeters longer than the "old" one. It doesn't really show, at least not as much as the difference in length between the last generation of Xantias and the first of C5s.

I find both versions elegant. No, really. The new version C5 looks even better but the change is not dramatic.

The only thing that would put me off buying one some day is that it is not a saloon but a hatchback. Incidentally I don't understand why Peugeot have made their new 407 look so much like a hatchback too. If the rear part had been as long as that of the 406 it would have been almost as long as a 4-door Mondeo. Too bad...I understand that it's the dominant choice in France but it's really something that make me despise those cars.


Regards,


Tanir

[Stefanel1]

The 407 is not an hatchback, and doesn't look like, to me. The C5 is more like an hatchback but, in Europe, this design is liked.