hello please be patient with me ......
have just nipped over form the yeti section (have a 1.2TSi 2016 outdoor) as the wife is thinking about getting a citigo.
I know nothing about them, we're looking for maybe something 2014/15 petrol
ideally she wants a reverse camera, low RFL tax, any tips or advice/warnings ?
are they all with timing belt as opposed to timing chain ?
many thanks

Hi Tasha drives a 2014 5 door citigo great little car, I believe they all have cam belt,we had ours changed in December as it’s done just over 70 k it was no biggee, ours doesn’t have a reverse camera but I’m sure they will of been an option or on higher spec models, ours does 60 odd mpg more on longer journeys Tash drives to Bournemouth once a month, I personally think the ride is comfortable it’s fitted with 14” steel wheels, the seats are comfortable and it’s got a peppy little 3 cylinder engine,road tax is £35, and nice also to have the plug n play sat nav and Bluetooth, 

Edited 18 March, 20197 yr by Wurzell

1 hour ago, Halford said:

hello please be patient with me ......
have just nipped over form the yeti section (have a 1.2TSi 2016 outdoor) as the wife is thinking about getting a citigo.
I know nothing about them, we're looking for maybe something 2014/15 petrol
ideally she wants a reverse camera, low RFL tax, any tips or advice/warnings ?
are they all with timing belt as opposed to timing chain ?
many thanks

Hi! As far as I’m aware, the Citigo doesn’t have an option for reversing camera, nor front parking sensors. However, you can get rear parking sensors as a fitted option which also shows on the centre radio screen when reverse gear is engaged. 

 

upto a 66 plate Citigo you’ll have £20/£30 road tax 

DAB radio is worth it if you use it

auto lights / wipers is a nice comfort feature. 

 

My citigo was (still might be) for sale in North Yorkshire - you’d find it on autotrader with a dealership in Seamer 

 

 

 

Edited 18 March, 20197 yr by Jonny118118

As above: you won't get a reversing camera on a Citigo - It's an option on the current VW Up (post face-lift 2017ish onward)

I bought a 64 plate Greentech Elegance last year with 18,500 miles for £5k. As it's the Greentech road tax is £0. Look out for parking sensors as you also get a trip computer and cruise control as part of a bundle (if factory fitted). Elegance gets leather steering wheel/ gear knob, heated electric mirrors and heated seats - mine also has the sunroof and tinted windows (summer pack)

 

Coincidentally my other half has a 2017 Yeti SEL Drive 1.2 DSG - obviously a lot plusher and has lots more toys - but if your after a good cheap little run around then a used Citigo is a good place to start

I've not used mine for a while now, but I do miss it's peppy like desire to get on with things.

 

All the updates since 2013 make it just as nice a place to be.

 

I have used it for long trips, sheffield to cape wrath and almost beyond ( drum brakes meh ). ACtually almost in o's element out of town on b/c roads...certainly when facing a huge camper van on a single track road. Or finding a parking spot on a busy lane for your afternoon stroll. I've even parked it nose in on a layby of poorly parked cars... ___ | ---  shame I wasn't there to see they folks faces when they came back.

 

I get as far in it as I do the volvo on a tank of fuel, only the volvo costs me 2x as much to fill... 

 

Three or five door, five door better if using around town. Less door to act as a sail on a windy day, or in a tight parking space.

 

Rear camera, honestly, if you can't see in a citigo, it's because you are on top of it.  If you remember the rear bumper is as far from your back as you are high, you can't hit anything... well maybe you can. Point is, it really is a easy car to get on with in town/urban environments.

 

Pretty good on a set of winters driving around other things too

 

I need to service mine, 2013 green £0 RFL, 30k on it and then sell it as I'm just not using it. 

 

Things I don't like, seat - compared to old superb and volvo, truly unfair comparison. No boot light - might be resolved. Sticky out boot catch on tailgate, doctors say no permanent damage, I repeatedly catch my noggin on it at night. No electric passenger window switch, only noticed after I brought it, still can lean over to ask directions. Sat nav works, google maps etc better once updates end...

 

HTH.

 

I'm sure you could get aftermarket reverse camera relatively cheap if you wish. I think that parking sensors are good too. It's easier to fit the car to those tight places between 2 cars. 

I've found, as I have the three door version, I don't go for tight gaps any more due to the door. Don't get me wrong I can happily climb out of it, it's climbing back in that presents the challenge.

 

Parking sensors would save the paint work for sure. Should be a doddle to fit as it's all exposed metal (painted) in the boot area.

 

Parking sensors are outside of the car, plastic bumper. 

 

By the way. What's wrong with the drum brakes in your opinion? 

Nothing really wrong with them. Just prefer discs. Brakes could be better on the Citigo, they are ample for everything but lots of fun repeatedly braking hard

 

That and discs won’t bind/jam in wet/cold. I park on a hill so have to have the brake on tight, after rain this can become a nuisance to release.

 

Had a very fun half hour in the rain in a classic skoda, had double drum brakes, that actually felt pretty good... and scary, because it was an open cockpit.

 

The exposed boot comment, was purely for the purposes of routing cables to the outside world. Saves heaving of chunks of plastic/carpet like other boots to find a wire or two.

thanks everyone for input,

deal done, pick it up Friday

1.0 MPI Black Edition 3d (metallic green)

well impressed with it, quality feel, good road holding and performance was great for what it is, a high mpg, £20 RFL and dirt cheap insurance, ideal for a second car.

 

I have had a 60 hp Citigo Colours since new in July 2016.  It's done 40735 miles on 2731 litres of unleaded at £3443 = 61 mpg).  I'm an Isle of Man resident so no dual carriageway or motorway mileage.

 

The only fault I could query is transmission noise at idle.  Box is fine i.e. changes ok and doesn't leak oil etc.  But it does rattle in neutral.  It's marginally quieter once warm, but still noticeable. 

 

Other than oil and filter changes, it's blown 2 headlamp bulbs within about a month of each other and had two front tyres @30k and two rear at 40k miles.  Dunlop Bluresponse  are a lot quieter and smoother than the original Continental's.

 

The 'privacy' glass is useful in the summer as it keeps the car cooler when parked.  Being a short car, they are easy to park with good vision via the glass and mirrors to the rear, so sensors aren't really needed.

 

My previous car was a 2008 Toyota Aygo and the VW motor has considerably more torque to get up the hills.  The suspension is a lot more compliant too - a much better car all round.

 

The camshaft drive is via a kevlar reinforced belt with recommended inspection at 160k miles.

 

I'd be happy to purchase another Skoda if the transmission gets to 120k miles.

 

Good luck.

 

On 19/03/2019 at 13:05, Halford said:

thanks everyone for input,

deal done, pick it up Friday

1.0 MPI Black Edition 3d (metallic green)

well impressed with it, quality feel, good road holding and performance was great for what it is, a high mpg, £20 RFL and dirt cheap insurance, ideal for a second car.

 

 

Good choice!

 

The Citigo is not just a brilliant little car, it's a brilliant car, full stop.

14 hours ago, Snaefell said:

Dunlop Bluresponse  are a lot quieter and smoother than the original Continental's.

 

The camshaft drive is via a kevlar reinforced belt with recommended inspection at 160k miles.

 

good to know about the tyre, I've all-season Michelin Crossclimates on the yeti which are amazing, but not sure of the citigo tyre size until we pick the car up tomorrow.

 

is that right about the cambelt, if so that's brilliant news ?

On 20/03/2019 at 19:04, Snaefell said:

Dunlop Bluresponse  are a lot quieter and smoother than the original Continental's.

 

That's good to know. I've just booked ours in for four of them to be fitted tomorrow afternoon, replacing the Conti 2's that came on the car when we bought it (new). Just on 32k miles and the wear on the Conti's is very even all round, so can't complain.

 

I really rate the Citigo. I had a Yeti 1.4 L&K for a couple of years and much preferred driving the Citigo. The Yeti has gone. The Citigo is still here (and is older than the Yeti was). 'nuff said. It's such a fun car to drive, which is a rare thing these days. Even the engine loves to rev (another rarity). Long journeys, short trips, it matters not. It's a class act. Way more more than the sum of its parts.

 

The works Citigo manual I've seen advises that the cam belt (and water pump belt, which is separate) are checked for wear and tension at 240,000km, advising replacement only if the tension is out of spec or if there's damage to the belt. So you've got a fair bit of life in it yet

Edited 21 March, 20197 yr by Citigopher

On 21/03/2019 at 10:06, Halford said:

good to know about the tyre, I've all-season Michelin Crossclimates on the yeti which are amazing, but not sure of the citigo tyre size until we pick the car up tomorrow.

 tyre size is 185/55 R15 and cross-climates are £92 each fitted, better start saving

 

the wife picked up the car this afternoon, luckily she asked me to go with her, did my due diligence and checked the car out, only to find the bumper on the passenger side had been scuffed and scratched, the salesman couldn't understand it and accepted they would deal with the damage and provide a courtesy car when in the paint-shop (to be arranged).

 

Can't help but imagine the scenario where the wife had gone alone to pick up, then we discovered the damage weeks later ........... BUYER BEWARE as ever.

 

has slightly marred the purchase experience .... but not unexpected as my glass is always half empty LOL.