What do you like about your Xantia?

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XantiaMan
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What do you like about your Xantia?

Post by XantiaMan »

I've had mine for a month now and i'm addicted! Just a few of the things i like about the car -

The solid feel, its built to a good standard. No rust, solid mechanicals and cheap parts give me peace of mind.

The way it floats along most roads and anything above 50mph beats most luxury cars for ride quality.

The fact i can put veggie oil in with no mods!

The way the car compensates for weight.

The fact its not a Mondeo and stands out a little from the crowd, it still looks good today.

Good forward vision, no huge blind spots!

Loads of space, boot could be a bit deeper but the back has tons of space and i'm never uncomfortable.

The air con! Simple £20 quid re-gas has given it performance easily on a par with a recent brand new Corsa courtesy car.

There's more of course, and the little niggles but overall i think nothing else can beat it for VFM, what else could £600 buy you??
2003 Ford Mondeo ST220
2002 Ford Fiesta Zetec S
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deian
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Post by deian »

It's a nice secret we citroenians know... that they are indeed good cars for little money, as you have just pointed out. The XM is just as good (if not a bit more weird... as i have found out) for pocket money! Shh though.
MikeT
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Post by MikeT »

In no particular order, I like;

Cheap Fuel
A/C
Remote radio controls
Adjustable road clearance
Self-adjusting height
PAS
Soundproofing
Sleek design
Rear sun blind
The auxillary ignition light
XantiaMan
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Post by XantiaMan »

Ah yes i forgot about the steering wheel control and just how useful they are!
2003 Ford Mondeo ST220
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marsalek
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Post by marsalek »

1. the engine (2.0 HDi, 108 BHP)
2. riding comfort
3. plenty of space in the trunk (one can even sleep in breaks)

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Post by Stempy »

I like the styling, the rear window is my favourite part, I like the fact that it's such a joy to drive, then there's the sound of the V6. But I have been equally impressed with all three Xantias that I've owned. The 1.9TD was an absolute workhorse, the 2.0i barely gave me any trouble at all, and although I've had more than my fair share of faults with the V6 I can't help but love it because every time I get behind the wheel it makes me smile.
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elma
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Post by elma »

For me its got to be the price, reliability and the comfort.
I also really like how easy they are to drive compared to similar size cars.
The big plus though is that they are nice to work on.
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Xaccers
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Post by Xaccers »

Runs on veg
Stearing wheel controls for the radio
Excellent radio with ipod port (how did they know?)
Big inside, small outside (handles like a nippy little town car)
Speed bumps? What speed bumps?
I live in Milton Keynes, where they breed roundabouts - the car has excellent grip :twisted:
It introduced me to this forum, and Citrojim and TehAgent in person, two really great blokes who I am honoured to know
Mostly cheap and easy to repair
Nigh indestructable engine, had one come back from being flooded with water, cambelt snapping on Cassy doing 40mph on the M25 one night, just replaced the parts and she was good to go, then a tensioner came off causing the belt to seize, replaced the parts, got the timing right and she's running beautifully
Goes like a rocket
The ride quality is so comfortable
You can inflate a double airbed in the boot of the estate with the seats down and get an excellent night's sleep
IMHO the last attractive car PSA made (just before they ruined it with a "facelift" - bloody French!)
1.9TD+ SX Xantia Estate (Cassy) running on 100% veg
1.9TD SX Xantia Hatchback (Jenny) running on 100% veg for sale
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Cpt_Spalding
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Post by Cpt_Spalding »

I like...

everything you said Xantiaman, (esp ride quality, build & (lol) burning SVO).

Particularly surprised by enormous rear leg room since I'm 6ft 1 & there's space for, well, me behind me if I could manage it! Had an Audi A4 once & it was appalling for rear leg room.

Amazed at just how many of this old beast are still on the road.

Soundproofing!!! My ex-Mrs (still good pal) has just got herself an 04 Accord Tourer 2.2CDT-i & gave me a shot. What a let-down! Road noise, engine noise, cheap plastics to say the least. Lovely leather, plenty poke & leaves my Xant standing, but just such a waste of £10K IMHO.

& I can plug my MP3 player into the 3.5mm jack socket in the stereo.

:D :D :D
'98 Xantia 1.9TD Tempt 2 Estate.
Had an M reg long ago as co. car & been curious about owning again ever since.
What have I done????
frenchcarnut
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Post by frenchcarnut »

When I had my Xantia (Now C5) my first positive impression was its 'parkability' and handling around town.

It was the first big car (now lost again on the C5) I used that exhibited such small car maneuverability. Combined with it's smooth ride, this car is the most understated one I've come across.

That will always be my abiding positive memory of the Xantia.

I fancy getting another one cheaply for veggie oil motoring
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davek-uk
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Post by davek-uk »

For the past year I've been thinking of getting a C5 Estate. On the weekends I drive the Multispace. By Sunday I'm thinking I should replace the Xantia - it's getting old and has over 182k on the clock.

When I drive to work on Monday all this is forgotten:
  • I love the self leveling
    I love the ride
    I'm always surprised by the excellent roadholding
    And (this year) how well it copes with water on the road (best I've driven)
    Tweaked the 1.9TD has plenty of pull (even if it struggles to keep up with 2+ litre DI cars)
    I like the low down seating position
    And the sleek lines of the estate
    And the fact that it ALWAYS starts, on the nail, first time - in the cold, the snow, the rain
If I see a nice C5 on the road and still get a uge to change I think of the veg oil I use. Now, for commuting I really don't need anything else.
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Xantia 1.9 TD Temp.2 Break (97) - 208K@42mpg - Resting again.
Berlingo Multispace 1.6 16v (51) - 184K@36mpg - My shed! Still runs 15° retarded...
TehAgent
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Post by TehAgent »

Well me and my Xantia got off to a rocky start, mainly because its been almost a year and bits are still going wrong, but when she works OK these are the bits i love the most.

3rd party stereo will fit with or with out shroud.
Scrapyard parts are cheaper than citroen dealers.
Great long distance marathon runner
Very comfy
Can sleep in the back with the seats down and 2 quilts and a misses even in a Saloon.
Great torque from a 92bhp engine.
Runs on veg
Pots holes? what pot holes?
Raise the car out of the water when are weather goes mental.
Still looks good for a 10 year old car.
Handles battery acid better than i had expected.
If it wasn't for my car would never of found this forum with such great and helpful people on in, also would never of met Jim and Andy in person, who are two of the nicest people I've met.
Can plug your Sony PsP or just about anything that can do sound out, into the original stereo to get that cinema effect.
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CitroJim
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Post by CitroJim »

I got into Xantia ownership somewhat by accident whilst looking around for a replacement for my Pug 405TD. I was originally looking for a 406 when someone suggested looking an a Xantia "They're just a 406 with funny suspension" I did and the rest, you might say, is history :D

I like:

Their personality and character. They certainly have character!

Their looks. They look nice (MK1 better than facelift) and just a little different from the norm.

The undending appetite the TD has for hard, slogging work.

Total reliability (with good routine maintenance)

The towing ability of the TD

The interiors that clean up so well and take plenty of abuse without complaint. The interiors look very good to my eye. A Xantia cabin is a nice place to be.

The smart, unfussy dash layout.

Comfort. Both the TD and Activa will eat up huge distances without discomfort to the driver or passengers. They don't tire you out driving.

The climate control and ventilation.

The XUD Engine. A legend

The XU10 Turbo engine, another legend.

The Activa drive and handling

The "Q Car" look of the Activa

Straightforward routine servicing, even on the activa.

The technical complexity of the Xantia generally and of the Activa especially. I do enjoy this aspect greatly as it is so different from the norm and really gives me, as an enthusiast, something to really get my teeth into.

The challange of complex repairs and the satisfaction gained from doing them.

I could go on...

But above all, what makes Xantia ownership complete is this forum. It is always a really great place to be, full of the finest people you could ever wish to meet and brimming with the highest quality of information and advice. Without this forum and its members, Xantia ownership would not be half so pleasurable nor so easy. I suspect without this forum we may not have hung in there with them.

Through here, I have had the pleasure and honour of meeting Andy (Xac), Ian (TehAgent), MikeT and DickieG, Top blokes one and all and friendships forged. That is what I most like about my Xantias.
Jim

Runner, cyclist, time triallist, duathlete, Citroen AX fan and the CCC Citroenian 'From A to Z' Columnist...
Cpt_Spalding
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Post by Cpt_Spalding »

citrojim wrote: But above all, what makes Xantia ownership complete is this forum. It is always a really great place to be, full of the finest people you could ever wish to meet...
Awwwwww. :oops:

Lol. You've been watching those chick-flicks with the Mrs again haven't you?

:wink:
'98 Xantia 1.9TD Tempt 2 Estate.
Had an M reg long ago as co. car & been curious about owning again ever since.
What have I done????
mezuk04a
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Post by mezuk04a »

Ah sods the lot of ya!

Fancy creating a thread like this, is no one aware that people are sensitive.


I wanttttttt my Xantia back, I dont want this carp Fiesta no more :cry:
Golf 55' 1.9TD
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