What car did you choose the DS3 over?

[Coupese]

We really struggled to find a quirky, stylish car that gave high mpg.

We looked at Polo's but felt you need to be tired of life to live with the dull interior. The vauxhall Corsa was equally dull and uninspired.

We really like the Hyundai Veloster with its quirky styling but found no diesel variant so that was ditched (would love the Turbo model with the matt paint finish as a run about)

We were then left with the Ford Fiesta and DS3. We looked at the Fiesta long and hard. Plus points: economy and spoiler on the Zetec S. Bad points: its a Ford, tiny pram wheels across the range, plain interior, and no matter how long we looked at it and from what angle ....... It's no looker!

Looking at the DS3's and Fiesta's next to each other at Motorpoint really made it a no brainier.

We previously owned an R56 Mini Cooper S and the panel fit and finish on it was worse the DS3. Our expectations of BMW quality rapidly evaporated. The volume of common design flaws is crazy.


So ....... What did you guys choose the DS3 over when you took the plunge? Did I miss any obvious choices in my search?

[k20aje]

I still have my old car which was a Subaru impreza Sti just have not driven it in 5 months but I did look at the diesel version of the impreza but chose the ds3 over it

[Coupese]

I owned a modded WRX a few years ago, loved the STi interior so much that I bought one and installed it in my WRX. My god those cars shift. I tested the top speed once and Lifted off at an indicated 155mph on my GPs speedo as that was more than fast enough for me.

Not sure about yours but me and a good friend never got above 230 miles to a tank of fuel regardless of how fast or slow we drove our Impreza's. We both bought one as we said it was the type of car you have own and experience once in your life.

I sold mine after 7 months as I would have lost my license or ended up dead. You get to silly speeds too easily and the car handles so well it masks the speed. Me and my mate were lucky enough to have the use of a specially set up rally cross stage the day after the main event. Tarmac and mud sections on a private airfield with no other cars or humans around to worry about.

[k20aje]

Lol mine is around 360 bhp and has a rare full leather interior there are very quick cars but I did get around 250 ish miles to a tank �� which is part of the real reason I have the ds3 now as 480 miles to a full tank is gaining my wallet a bit better ��

[Markm49uk]

Audi A1

For me I really needed a small car on a lowish monthly lease as I work for myself and in this climate didn't want to commit to too much outlay.

I looked at just about every single car on the market but settled on two - the DS3 or the Audi A1. I could get diesels in both models for around the price I wanted to pay monthly.

Then I found out the A1 only had two seats in the back (I'm aware the sport back they now have in the range has 3 but that was not available at the time). I needed 3 seats so I would be able to collect my kids(4) from school on the odd occasion my wife (with a 7 seater) was unable to.

So DS3 it was - haven't regretted it since as the car is good at just about everything.

[Chris]

We really struggled to find a quirky, stylish car that gave high mpg.

We looked at Polo's but felt you need to be tired of life to live with the dull interior. The vauxhall Corsa was equally dull and uninspired.

We really like the Hyundai Veloster with its quirky styling but found no diesel variant so that was ditched (would love the Turbo model with the matt paint finish as a run about)

We were then left with the Ford Fiesta and DS3. We looked at the Fiesta long and hard. Plus points: economy and spoiler on the Zetec S. Bad points: its a Ford, tiny pram wheels across the range, plain interior, and no matter how long we looked at it and from what angle ....... It's no looker!

Looking at the DS3's and Fiesta's next to each other at Motorpoint really made it a no brainier.

We previously owned an R56 Mini Cooper S and the panel fit and finish on it was worse the DS3. Our expectations of BMW quality rapidly evaporated. The volume of common design flaws is crazy.


So ....... What did you guys choose the DS3 over when you took the plunge? Did I miss any obvious choices in my search?

I also came from an R56 Mini Cooper S, an early 2007 model, and was shocked at some of the build issues! Did you experience any engine trouble?

[Chris]

Oh, and it was DS3 all the way for me as I've wanted one for months, no contest, no choosing!

[Bryn]

I have liked the look of the DS3 ever since I first saw one and got the opportunity to buy a new car when I wrote off my 07 reg C4 in February. Didn't really look at anything else. New C4 wasn't really in the running, as I wanted something a bit smaller and more economical. The test drive was what really sold me the DS3 though.

2 1/2 months in, and I still look forward to driving it.

:bow:

[RichardL]

For me it came down to either a Fiat 500, Mini Cooper, Ford Fiesta, or a DS3. I liked them all but I just found them all way too common for my liking, call me hipster if you like but I'd hate to own a car that's as common as any of the others I've mentioned.

I did also think about the Kia Cee'd, it's a pretty cool car, but I'd never be able to handle the whole having to tell people you drive a Kia thing.

So all of the above lead me to the DS3... But then I guess I've wanted a DS3 for over a year now so I was always going to end up with one.

[Angel-Eyes]

We wanted a DS3 from the first moment we seen one, started to save as much £ as we possibly could to hopefully get a good 11 or 12 plate plus part chop our Astra VXR, there was not another car for looks in our opinion that even came close to the looks of the Citreon, and the more we looked we seem to be finding other little gems that they they had fitted - parking sensors, arm rest, cruise control, electric mirrors, bluetooth, eco mode, the list goes on - but the vauxhall we owned for nearly 8 years had nothing on it compared to the DS3... In the event of saving my mrs had a windfall of money come her way so off we went to the nearest Citreon Dealer an ordered a brand new one with all the extras - Luv it !

[lfcrule1972]

I first looked at the Astra GTC as I had the previous diesel Sport Hatch model, despite me loving the looks it was a v big car, no free road tax on the diesel and the cost !!!!!! I was looking for my first DS3 in 2012 as the GTCs were v expensive, a similarly spec'd GTC as my DS3 was almost £28k although it was a 1.9 CDTi.

I also looked at the VW Scirocco but as much as I loved it I couldn't justify that cost either.

Next I drove the DS3 and was amazed at the drive, interior size and choices you could have on the models, when combined with the value for money it was a no brainer !

[CliveP]

This might sound mad as it showed for me, what the DS ended up 'competing' with in my choice.

I love all cars, but I have to really love a car to want to buy it - once I like one I tend to have several of them (erm 5 x Audi A4s, 4 x Seat Leons) until something finally grabs me - sometimes I detail a car for someone and I start to get tempted, but few cars really, really get me.

OK the Aston Martin DBS Volante aside (did the factory tour, should post the piccies really), my then loves were a Jaguar XF and maybe a Merc SLK. Then I saw this thing made by Citroen ('What, Citroen?' some people said) - I said 'it's called a DS3 and it just screams 'you love me' at me' I replied). Took one look online, went to a dealer, did my usual search of the best price in the UK (loads or pennies, I'll find a bargain, I love the negotiation bit ).

So in my case it was definitely a Jaguar XF at over £40K it beat ....and I love it. I wasn't driven by the saving, that was just one hell of a bonus!

I must admit the new model Merc SLK does keep whispering in my ear now....

Love the DS3, the more I drive it, the more I love it......it suits detailing too, so then, do 99% of cars

Regards,
Clive.

[Coupese]

I also came from an R56 Mini Cooper S, an early 2007 model, and was shocked at some of the build issues! Did you experience any engine trouble?

Most disappointing car ever based on preconceptions.

At around 6 months old and 10k miles I started getting the death rattle from the timing chain.
Dealer could never get the bonnet lined up and aligned properly. Chrome trim round the waist of the car never lined up from new.
Windscreen whistle in strong headwinds and any speed above 70mph, sounded like a demented wasp.
Frameless windows on the doors leaked at high speed, and froze together in sub-zero temperatures.
In winter if you set the heater to feet only, the car vented stone cold air through the gap below the steering binnacle straight on to your knees. A common complaint and the dealer tried 2 other cars which did the same.
The petrol cap locking pin was about 5mm in diameter and plastic ...... it broke, not exactly secure! Not sure who broke it, but we didnt get any fuel stolen.
The run flat tyres were lethal when you were breaking heavily on a rutted road. The front end bounced all over and scared us a few times. I spoke to a tech guy at Dunlop and ended up putting the same range of tyre on but normal tyres. The handling was transformed and made the car far safer. Run flats are superb on super smooth roads and roundabouts but on poor fen roads ...... Scarey. When I picked up the car I discovered the front tyres were at 20psi, by looking you honestly couldn't tell.


Audi A1 .... We did look at one but discounted it straight away as it looked a lot smaller inside than the DS3.


K20 ....... 360bhp!!!!! I heard Subaru did a full leather seat option but never seen one in the flesh. My friends went up in smoke when it was 3 years old due to the wiring loom behind the dash near the drivers door being rubbed through and shorting out.

[Coupese]

Good to read people's stories.

The design, look and execution really does set it apart from the dullness of most cars out there now.

Is there a Toyota Auris owners club?

[lfcrule1972]

Is there a Toyota Auris owners club?

There is but they're all bored and can't be arsed to type anything...