Used Citroen C3 Pluriel (2003 - To Date) review

The Pluriel appeals to a small segment of the convertible market and offers something quite unlike any other car. There are some surprisingly rough examples about so make sure the example you're looking for has been well looked after. The Pluriel has a few problems but none that will discourage an ardent fan. The best engine is undoubtedly the diesel but if you do have your heart set on a Pluriel, try a few before you buy.

Citroen's C3 Pluriel is a car you'll either love or hate. Most are baffled by its complicated roof mechanism and rather strange market positioning. Early reports of questionable durability also put sales into a flat spin. Given all these caveats, is there a case to be made for the Pluriel as a used buy? Well, as long as you're aware of what you're buying then the Pluriel can make a characterful companion.

CITROEN C3 HISTORY

The Citroen C3 hatchback had been on sale for a year when the Pluriel convertible was launched to a rather nonplussed British public. Here was a car that Citroen claimed was five cars in one but the Pluriel failed to live up to its billing. With the tailgate down in 'pickup' guise, the number plate was no longer visible making it illegal to drive on UK roads in this mode. So what did you end up with? In short, a rather cute and cuddly convertible that wasn't the most convenient car of its ilk. With a pair of petrol engines and a super economical diesel, the C3 Pluriel's basic engineering couldn't really be faulted and it offered an affordable and modern convertible supermini with unconventional looks. An Exclusive model was launched in 2004 with silver roof rails and boosted equipment levels. Improvements were made to the Pluriel's interior quality in the autumn of 2005 with a new upmarket look and better materials for the dashboard and door panels. The SensoDrive gearbox was also reworked with a conventional gate introduced so the driver could see what mode they were in and chrome detailing on the shift lever. In Summer 2008, the range was slimmed down to Cote D'Azur trim level, which could be ordered with any of the three engines available (1.4-litre petrol and diesel; units, plus a 1.6 petrol with a semi-automatic 'Sensodrive' gearbox).

WHAT DO I GET FOR MY MONEY?

With its full-length canvas roof in place, few would finger the Pluriel version as a convertible, the shapely glasshouse and the seemingly fixed rear window giving it the appearance of a quirkily styled three-door hatch. Slide the canvas section back, fold the rear window cartridge down into the spare wheel cavity and house the gloss finish roof rails in their deckchair like holder and you then have a full convertible. No rollover hoops or bulky tonneau covers sully the appealing shape. What's more, there's even a reasonable amount of space in the boot once the hood has been dropped. The main problem is that you can't store the roof rails in the car, so if you head out if full convertible mode, just pray it doesn't rain.

WHAT PRICE AM I LOOKING AT?

Used C3 Pluriel prices start from £5,600 for a 2003 03-plated 1.4-litre model with the 1.6-litre Sequentronic model only a little pricier at £6,000. The diesel cars are still a little tricky to source with main dealer ex-demonstrators probably being your best line of attack. Insurance for the Pluriel is very reasonable with groupings ranging from 4 to 6.

WHAT SHOULD I LOOK OUT FOR?

Although cabin trim quality isn't the best in class, the C3 comes from tried and tested stock and you should expect little or nothing in the way of mechanical faults. The engines in particular are supremely reliable and few issues have emerged so far. Check that the piano-finish on the Pluriel's roof rails hasn't been damaged as even the slightest contact with a concrete garage floor will put a horrible scuff on them. Also check that the hood is working and hasn't suffered from any damage. The Pluriel has gained a rather unsavoury reputation for water ingress so check the seals and the interior for mould or water staining. Aside from that, make sure the car has been regularly serviced, is free from parking knocks and scrapes and check the interior for signs of destruction by kids.

HOW DOES IT DRIVE?

Don't be lulled into thinking the Pluriel is in any way sporty as the focus is instead on fun, comfort and a more restrained approach, reflecting the philosophy of the C3 supermini upon which it's based. Rear seat passengers will have just as much fun as front seat occupants and they'll also feel reassured by thee Pluriel's high waistline. It handles fairly neatly, the comfort-oriented suspension doing a good job of soaking up most surface imperfections that might otherwise betray a wobbly scuttle. Citroen's engineers are proud of the reinforcing work they've done on the Pluriel and the fact that it weighs about 150kg more than its hatchback equivalent is testament to this effort. Only over the very worst potholes will you provoke any shudder from the chassis. The driving position is unusual due to the fact you sit ducked into the car with the curved windscreen apparently soaring overhead. Equipment levels are about what you would expect, all models featuring electric windows all round, electric mirrors, remote central locking a CD player and an electrical operated canvas roof. On top of this, the 1.6i 16V version adds alloy wheels and an anti-theft alarm. Safety levels on the C3 Pluriel are equally high, with both models featuring anti lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution, four airbags and four 3-point inertia reel seatbelts, as well as a specially stiffened body shell, reinforced windscreen pillars and roof arches plus strengthened seat backs and headrests.

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

PARTS INFORMATION

(approx.based on 2003 C3 Pluriel 1.4 excl VAT) A clutch assembly is around £110 and an exhaust system about £325 including a catalytic converter. Front and rear brake pads will be in the vicinity of £40-45 each. A radiator is about £170, an alternator about £250 and a starter motor £230.

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