With spring around the corner and the prospect of warmer days ahead, thoughts can turn to convertibles. But if like many drivers you cannot get away with just two seats then the four-seater Citroën Pluriel provides a practical and funky alternative.

Launched in the spring of 2003, the C3 Pluriel was described by Citroën as the spiritual successor to the 2CV. But thanks to its clever electric sliding roof, power steering and larger engines it delivers a much more up-to-date driving experience.

Under the bonnet the Pluriel was initially offered with a choice of a 1.4 litre 75bhp or 1.6 litre 110bhp petrol engine. In the basic 1.4 litre version the engine was mated to a standard five-speed manual gearbox, which offered reasonable performance, 0-62mph in 13.9sec, and achieved around 40mpg in mixed motoring.

For drivers seeking a little more oomph the 1.6 litre engine should have been the solution. Unfortunately it was not. The car’s SensoDrive semi-automatic gearbox made it only fractionally quicker than the 1.4 and the gearbox often struggled to select the right gear at the right time, making a frustrating drive.

In spring 2004 a 1.4 litre HDI unit joined the line-up, capable of more than 60mpg. It makes the diesel Pluriel one of the most economical convertibles money can buy. The only drawback is that with the roof down the rather agricultural engine note of the diesel can become intrusive.

But for many drivers the Pluriel’s distinctive looks are its main selling point. The curvy bonnet and rooflines mimic those of the 2CV and give the car a slightly retro feel. Inside, however, styling is much more contemporary. The upholstery is constructed from a hardwearing synthetic mesh material while the large, circular air vents give the dashboard a funky feel. On the road the Pluriel drives like most other supermini-sized cars and is happier on A-roads than at high motorway speeds.

Equipment levels are reasonable, with all models having height-adjustable driver’s seat, front and side airbags, electric windows, ABS and power steering, and the car’s party trick, its electric sliding sunroof, is a doddle to operate.

Things get trickier if you want to make the Pluriel into a full convertible. You must operate the roof as usual but then remove heavy roof bars. This can be fiddly and frustrating. Having jammed the locating points for the bars and runners with sand on a trip to the beach I ended up driving home with a back seat full of bits after the roof proved impossible to reassemble.

Some owners have also experienced problems with water leaks, both on the move and when parked. In December 2003 Citroën recalled 2,500 Pluriels to replace leaky A-pillar seals and beef up the rear roof-release handles, which had also failed on some cars. On used examples it is best to check the car has been recalled and fixed, or better still opt for a car registered from 2004 onwards.

But it is on a sunny day that the Pluriel excels. The combination of a clever roof and cute styling comes into its own. With used examples now changing hands for as little as £5,000 a Pluriel offers you a characterful four-seat convertible that is unique among used cars.

Insurance group Modest group 4 insurance on the 1.4i petrol and diesel, group 5 on the 1.6 petrol

Roof seals Check seals carefully. Pre-2004 registered cars were subject to a Citroën recall for modification

Air-conditioning Optional on all models except the recently introduced 1.4i Exclusive. Cars with air-conditioning are worth around £250 more

Alloy wheels An option on the 1.4i and 1.4 diesels

Boot space Decent 266-litre boot shrinks to just 137 litres when roof is folded down

Rear screen Glass rear screen helps visibility and is also heated

Upholstery Fabric weave can be difficult to clean as dirt gets ingrained

Safety Four-star Euro NCAP rating is good

Servicing 20,000-mile interval on petrol models, 12,500 miles on the diesel

Warranty Three-year/60,000 miles from new

Gearbox SensoDrive automatic gearbox on 1.6i is not the best but revised electronic software improved the change quality on later cars

VITAL STATISTICS

Model Citroën C3 1.4i Pluriel
Engine 1360cc, four cylinders
Power 75bhp
Transmission Five-speed manual
Fuel 41.5mpg (combined)
Acceleration 0-62mph: 13.9sec
Top speed 99mph

THE ONE TO BUY

Citroën C3 Pluriel 1.4i 2004 04 with 30,000 miles. Pay £5,995 from a dealer, £5,250 privately

OR FOR SIMILAR MONEY

2000 V Mazda MX-5 1.6i
2001 X Renault Mégane cabriolet 1.6 2002 51 MGTF 1.6i
2002 02 Suzuki Grand Vitara
2003 53 Smart City Cabriolet auto

VALUES