C5 Aircross Vs Skoda Karoq or keep the Picasso

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Wed 12 Feb 2020 20:17
C5 Aircross Vs Skoda Karoq or keep the Picasso - DieselMan1966

Hi

Posting this on behalf of my father in law who is considering changing his current 16 plate C4 Picasso with @ 53,000 miles, full dealer history for one of the above, or keeping the current car. He does around 18 - 21,000 miles per annum, so will be looking at the Diesel auto.

Am I correct in thinking the Skoda will come with the DSG twin clutch transmission as opposed to the torque converter auto in the Citroens, and just how reliable are the current crop of automated manuals. I'm asking this question as I could be changing mine in the next couple of years and was considering a latest generation Vitara with the auto box, but that will be for another post in the future.

As the current car has performed brilliantly and has a full service history, its tempting to keep it and keep on top of the repairs.

As this is powered by the 1.6HDI unit, does anyone here have any bad experiences with owning one of these engines as I believe the earlier series up to the DV6 C were prone to injector and seal problems over a certain mileage if not properly serviced.

Any advice welcome, we're looking at the Citroen on Saturday and the Skoda next week

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Wed 12 Feb 2020 21:16
C5 Aircross Vs Skoda Karoq or keep the Picasso - badbusdriver

I was reading a long term report on the C5 Aircross in a magazine this morning. This was a 1.2t petrol with manual gearbox. Over 4700 miles and 5 or 6 months, it has been entirely reliable and rattle free!. The diesel version uses the 1.5, which i'm sure SLO has said is a direct descendant of the 1.6 in your FAL's current car. The C5 Aircross has all controls on the touchscreen including heating and ventilation, do you think he will be OK with that?.

Personally, between the two, i think i'd go with the Citroen. It looks a bit more distinctive and interesting than the Skoda which looks pretty much identical to its Seat and VW siblings. Plus, there is the DSG factor, though as it is a new car, maybe not worth worrying about especially if, being a diesel, it has the wet clutch variant(?). Also, the Citroen is very much geared for comfort what with the new hydraulic bump stops, dual density memory foam seats, and plenty of insulation. Just that touchscreen issue........

TBH, if the current car is behaving faultlessly, might aswell just stick with it?

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Thu 13 Feb 2020 00:37
C5 Aircross Vs Skoda Karoq or keep the Picasso - SLO76
If the intention is to buy new and offload at 3-4yrs old and he’s prepared to take a big loss in depreciation every year then he can buy whatever he fancies. I’d favour the Citroen if someone else was paying but I’d expect the Skoda to hold its money a bit better.

I wouldn’t buy either for such a hefty mileage however, I’d have something cheaper and older to reduce to loss a 20k p/a mileage will cause. Even a cheap second car to take the bulk of the mileage would pay for itself if bought right.

I would offload the Picasso though while it’s still fit for retail by a dealer. Take it above 60k and they’ll send it to the ring and it’s value as a part-ex will tumble. These don’t carry miles well and punters don’t exactly flock to them with 60k upwards, especially autos.
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Thu 13 Feb 2020 16:15
C5 Aircross Vs Skoda Karoq or keep the Picasso - Avant

The only answer to this is for your FiL to ensure he gets a long test drive in each. The C5 Aircross and the Karoq are in the same market sector but I would imagine approach ot in different ways.

I haven't driven a Citroen recently but the impression I get from reading road tests is that you either love the way they drive or loathe the quirks. Skodas are more straightfoward, and take very little getting used to. If he goes for the 2.0 TDI (a mich better bet than the pedestrian 1.6) he'll find it has a good turn of speed, is still very economical and has the more robust wet-clutch DSG. Also you can adjust the heating and AC without having to take your eyes off the road to prod about on a touchscreen (although new-model Skodas sadly are descending to the touchscreen-does-all approach which customers neither want nor asked for).

But as he's used to a Citroen, he may well find that the C5 suits him well.

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Thu 13 Feb 2020 16:46
C5 Aircross Vs Skoda Karoq or keep the Picasso - Terry W

He has a "tradeable car" now with just 53000 miles on the clock. It may be worth around £6000 as a trade in.

Run it for another year and it will be more difficult to sell with 70000 miles.

So a simple choice:

  • sell it for £6k, buy new at say £24k. In three years time with around 50-60k it will be worth (say) £8k. Depreciation over three years is £16k (new car cost of £24k less value after 3 years £8k).
  • as it has beeen reliable, not thrashed and properly service, keep it for three years. Assume with 120k it will then be worth about £2k. Budget £1k a year for major replacements/repairs. Cost over 3 years is £7k (loss of £4k + repairs £3k).

So the simple question is - do you want to spend an extra £9k over 3 years for the pleasure of having a new vehicle. Depends on personal financial circumstances of course - but personally I think I would find something else more attractive to do with £9k

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Fri 14 Feb 2020 15:13
C5 Aircross Vs Skoda Karoq or keep the Picasso - 72 dudes

^^^^^^ Nicely explained Terry.

But if he does go for the new option, the C5 Aircross every time.

Very distinctive, quiet, and comfortable.

The Karoq is also a good car but a bit blandy blanderson

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Tue 18 Feb 2020 12:17
C5 Aircross Vs Skoda Karoq or keep the Picasso - grumpyscot

I've been driving Honda CRVs for the past 12 years. Couldn't afford a brand new one so decided to look elsewhere. Eventually decided on the Skoda Karoq 1,5 petrol 4x4 auto, and I have to say I'm more than happy with it. Goes like stink compared with the Honda, and I get average 38mpg. Only 1 comment: the DSG gearbox is very sluggish when the oil is cold. When warmed up (which takes about half a mile) changes beautifully smoothly.

So absolutely no regrets re buying the Skoda - great mechanics, great quality - and I reckon superior to the VW T-ROC

Went against the Citroen - too many gadgets to go wrong and not impressed with interior quality. Wasn't too impressed with gearchange either - nowhere near as good as the Skoda

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Wed 19 Feb 2020 13:11
C5 Aircross Vs Skoda Karoq or keep the Picasso - DieselMan1966

Hi All

Thanks for all the replies, Alan has decided to go for the Skoda, picking it up next weekend

9 months old ex demo, SEL spec 1.6D auto, less than he's currently paying for the Citroen

Kevin

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Mon 2 Mar 2020 09:28
C5 Aircross Vs Skoda Karoq or keep the Picasso - grumpyscot

I'm sure he won't have any regrets

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