Citroen Xsara Picasso (2000 - 2010)
2.0i 16v Exclusive Automatic
Got it right first time...
I bought myself one for Xmas for my 70th birthday,
It's not my first, but it is the ultimate fossilmobile with easy access, sensible controls and amazingly comfy. Arguably better than it's unloved replacement with awful automated gearbox and silly handbrake, what was so difficult about a lever with a button on the end?
It's also around 400kg lighter. I have driven the latest incarnation and you can bash your head getting in and the inside looks like a mobile phone, ideal for those arthritic fingers poking about trying to get the heater to work via touchscreen.
So, the original is not perfect but arguably better than what followed. Although UK imports finished in 2010, those Europeans could buy it until 2012, as could the Chinese, South Americans, Chinese and Egyptians. So it lived alongside both it's replacements.
And in a quirky way it is fun! Not an SUV, it outperforms many of these when no bends involved.
Not great on fuel,especially round town but now it has moved to the classic section which it is where it belongs.