Xsara 1.4 Any Good?

stevenc75 · Post by **stevenc75** » 23 Jun 2011, 12:27

Hi all,

I'm looking for some advice. Is the Citroen Xsara any good? I need to change the Saxo, the 3 doors are suiting at all, getting a baby into the back is a nightmare.

I've spotted a 1999 Xsara 1.4 locally. It has 93000 miles, short MOT (3 months) and no tax. It seems in reasonable nick.

My Saxo 1.4 is 1998, 82000 miles, MOT to Jan 2010 and 4 months tax.

The guy will do a straight swap. Does this seem a good deal to you? I don't want to be swapping a reliable Saxo for a dog of a Xsara!

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 23 Jun 2011, 13:15

the MOT has run out then on the Saxo

regarding the Xsara i think they are just an over grown Saxo realy,

the only thing i dont like is the toursion bar rear suspension, but your Saxo has that anyway,

the TU lump is a very easy engine to work on,

usual thing to look for is oil down the front side of the engine block by the cam belt cover,

if the leak is below the head joint it will need a head gasket,
but if there is oil all the way down the head face from the rocker cover it might just need a cover gasket/seal,

the other thing to look for is the rear wheels like this / \,

regards malcolm

XantiaDaveEire · Post by **XantiaDaveEire** » 23 Jun 2011, 14:37

Sounds like whoever has it will be happy to get rid of it

I'd personally hang on to the saxo ,to swap a car that has tax and mot for one that only has a short mot imo is crazy

stevenc75 · Post by **stevenc75** » 23 Jun 2011, 15:12

Thanks for the replies. This is my concern. I could be swapping a car that is running well with a car that could need a lot of money spent for the MOT in a few months.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 24 Jun 2011, 10:07

If both cars are similar in condition (both mechanical and body) then it sounds like a very fair deal to me. The 99 Xsara should be pre-facelift and so before multi-plexing. It is basically a bigger Saxo and so mechanical problems will be similar, its probably the same engine as in your Saxo too?

If you know what your looking for, take it for a good test drive and are happy that there are no major problems, I would swap.

stevenc75 · Post by **stevenc75** » 24 Jun 2011, 10:13

I did have a look at it and decided against it. The Saxo is a better car. Selling the Saxo will be a better option and then I'll have a look at some nicer Xsaras. Thanks.