Damn French Cars - Advice Needed

Long story short, we bought a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso last year and picked it up on Chrstmas Eve. It is a 57 plate and has just had its 4th birthday.

Not long after getting it there was a fault with the electrics and we took it back numerous times and finally in February they said they had to keep it in for Citroen to inspect as they could not resolve the issue, they ended up keeping it for 9 weeks, we did have a like for like car and the issue was finally resolved.

Within a week of getting the car back i had a complaint about the clutch operation which was not there before and transpires it needed a clutch again done FOC.

Now for the second time in as many weeks with the heavy rain i got in it this morning to find water running into the footwell, Citroen advised when i called them it was probably a blocked drip try for the aircon overflowing, but it only happens when it rains. The drainage channels in the scuttle panel go into a collector under the bonnet which then goes through the bulkhead into the car (very bad design in my opinion)

What should I say when I call them later, the car is out of warrant by a year but we paid for an extended warranty and the fact I have only had it 10 months, 2 of which it was in the garage really grates on me. Can i demand its fixed and refuse to pay??

Thanks guys

[maviczap]

Yep, don't buy a French car

First and last I ever buy, had a 10 year old Astra before, never had a problem, then we had another daughter so had to upsize to a 7 seater.

Don't make cars like they used to.

[maviczap]

Same here, had a 18 year old Cavalier, never missed a beat and only got rid of it because I bought a campervan, which although has been reliable, its also been a money pit. Plus never used it as a camper

Miss my Cavalier.

We've got a Zafira, which is alright but the build quality is no where near the same as my old Cav.

Buy Japanese, Mazda or Honda

Had a Zafira, traded it in for the C4, had similar issues, was a used car from a Vauxhall dealer, literally had bits fall of of it, mainly Windows Switches, Engine Under trays, straw that broke the camels back was when the alternator went mikes from home, that was less than 2 years old at the time.

I miss my Astra, trouble is it wouldn't be big enough now

[maviczap]

Touch wood ours has been ok, but I wouldn't buy another one.

Mazda 7 looks good

But my old boss had a new Mazda and had no end of problems because it was a diesel & it didn't like short journeys. Too many sensors getting clogged up with diesel crud, made the ecu go nuts.

Thats the problem with modern cars too many gizmos

[Biker Biggles]

Didnt Citroen have an ad-----"loves driving hates garages"
Thats the French sense of humour for you.

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

Didnt Citroen have an ad-----"loves driving hates garages"
Thats the French sense of humour for you.

No it was translated incorrectly by the Ad agency over here.

Might just be a rubber drain grommety thing blocked, google it.

[Sir Trev]

Originally Posted by maviczap

But my old boss had a new Mazda and had no end of problems because it was a diesel & it didn't like short journeys. Too many sensors getting clogged up with diesel crud, made the ecu go nuts.

Thats the problem with modern cars too many gizmos

Not quite - that's the problem with PEOPLE who don't do their research and have no idea that diseasal engines are not suited to short journeys. Most modern diseasals will do this, especially if they are DPF equipped, no matter what manufacturer.