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Still trying to decide what to buy......looked at a Citroen Berlingo it's an 05 diesel 1.6 . HDi....Love the space, but felt odd that there is no rest for the left foot next to the clutch pedal. Also it seemed very noisy as in bodywork rattles. Felt nippy. The salesman seemed to be struggling when he reversed it into a parking space, unfortunately i didn't get a chance to try reversing it. They're asking £5995? 33,000 on clock. Anyone have any thoughts, we've been told Citroen can be expensive to repair. Would be glad of anyones thoughts please!
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I purchased a new petrol engined Berlingo in 2002, and it is still going strong. I'm guess I'm used to the occasional bodywork rattles and absence of foot-rest by the clutch pedal.
The 1.6 Hdi engine is very good - I've driven it on various other cars.
I don't think that it is really any more difficult to reverse than any other car.
£5995 sounds reasonable - but if you are any good at haggling, you might get the salesman to knock a couple of hundred pounds off - times are tough in the car sales business.
Berlingos are about average for reliability, and I gather that they are also about average for repair costs. (A recent Warranty Direct survey compared 100 cars, and the Berlingo came 52nd out of 100 for repair costs.)
Hope this helps.
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LD what are you actually after in a car? There are plenty of other similar cars in that price range.... Doblo, Partner, even an early Roomster.... not to mention small family sized estates such as 307s and Focuses.
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Don't worry about reversing one of these, huge rectangular mirrors and very driveable otherwise. And the pleasure of getting into a car without having to limbo under the idiotic sloping windscreen of most offerings.
I've delivered hundreds of the things and the one thing that always stands out is just how torquey the engine's are, and almost impossible to stall unlike most cars in the same bracket, effortless low speed power.
I'd have thought the vehicle would be more reliable than most cars, it is after all a van and they are normally pretty robust.
Cheap sensible tyres, easy to change bulbs etc, not too many electrical toys to go wrong.
And by the way, take no notice of the salesman who can't drive it, most young salesmen dislike anything like this, preferring something more sporty, the older ones with more sense though...
Edited by gordonbennet on 07/11/2008 at 21:06
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LD,
Not sure the 1.6 HDi was in Berlingos in 2005 - are you sure it is not a 2.0 HDi? Easy to check I think because it is written on engine cover (or V5) Not that it makes a massive amount of difference except that 1.6 is a little more economical. 2.0 HDi is a good, reliable engine but will give you about 3-4 mpg less in my experience. My 1.6 averages about 50 mpg but up to 57 on a long trip
I am on my second Berlingo, did 38k in first (2.0 Hdi) and have done about 28k in second (1.6 HDi) and agree with comments above. Immense practicality, loads of room in back for both passengers and luggage. Comfortable also, done some very long journeys in France with 4 up and no complaints about comfort. Easy to reverse as GB says, mirrors and vertical back means you know exactly where you are. Puzzled by your comment about no footrest - went outside to check and mine has one - OK not a proper "pedal" footrest but there is a carpeted "bulge" there to rest clutch foot on.
Yes they are pretty nippy and easy to drive - handle well for a "van" but then they are based on the Pug 306 chassis.
Expensive to repair? Don't know because neither of mine have needed a repair - just usual servicing and oil changes. Would recommend that you find a good independent rather than dealers (can recommend one in Midlands!).
At 33k you have loads of miles before even the cambelt needs replacing.
Yes there are a few rattles here and there but I think that is the junk I keep in all the cubby holes!
Price doesn't look far off for a main dealer but in the present climate I would try a "daft" offer - especially if you have cash!
I have driven a lot of different cars recently and have to say that I am not disappointed when I get back in the Berlingo - comfortable, spacious and decent to drive.
By the way - if you do buy one lady driver, you will, I hope, (!) become a member of a very exclusive club - a Berlingo driver without a grey beard!
HTH
PhilW
Edited by PhilW on 07/11/2008 at 23:13
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We want maximum space for carting stuff about ( firewood, furniture etc.) Also I hope to start my own business doing ceramics in a few years ( post credit crunch obviously) - so the van style aspect appealed as I would need to move quite bulky stuff about for fairs etc. Will look at those others you mention - thing is I'm an 'it was a blue one' as far as types of cars are concerned - not a clue unfortunately. Just want something reliable, reasonably 'cheap' to run and preferably enough power to get you out of trouble as they say.
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thanks....it's difficult to decide as my non driving partner is also making back seat driver decisions on the choice ( fair enough I guess as he's largely financing the eventual choice) I'm getting to the stage where I'd be glad of anything with 4 wheels that moves to be honest!
Have told the garage we are considering it - maybe they will be more keen to make a reduction after a week or so!
I did quite fancy it.....
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And you are correct - I don't have a grey beard!
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Younger, lower mileage and cheaper ones are available on autotrader but not from Citroen main dealers. If you're prepared to do the deal on your next visit, I'd imagine there's a good chance of getting a decent sized chunk of money off the price of the one you've seen. I agree with PhilW about a "daft" offer, after all in six months time todays daft offer will be generous in comparison. Ask for at least £500 off. This should still leave the dealer a profit and he's got the cash in the bank which will be his biggest concern at the moment. Once you've put your offer to them, reaffirm your intention to buy and let them mull it over. If the salesman says he can't do it for that price, just ask to speak to the person who can.
If they don't cave in or do you a "great" deal and you know you can see other vehicles elsewhere for less money walk away. Provided you have the time to look around, you'll find another one and you'll get some money off lower priced ones that could end up making this one look expensive. If you don't fancy the negotiation game, ask for a quality warranty package with fair wear and tear covered, high claim limits, very low excesses as well as a full (all the filters) service (due one in 4,500 miles anyway) - they cost the dealer far less than the cash.
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dont want to confuse issue but a honda jazz might also be a good option motus car warehouse has one in 22000 miles full honda history 05 £5499 1.2 cheap nippy engine with the seat flat theres hell of a lot of space.
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dont want to confuse issue but a honda jazz might also be a good option motus car warehouse has one in 22000 miles full honda history 05 £5499 1.2 cheap nippy engine with the seat flat theres hell of a lot of space.
You could put a Jazz inside a Berlingo and still have space to film an episode of Top Gear. Seriously, I once carried two washing machines (one new, one dead) in the boot of my Pug Partner without putting the seats down. The Jazz isn't in the same league.
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