Do I keep my Xantia or replace it?

Sturdybloke · Unread post by **Sturdybloke** » 23 Jan 2008, 00:38

First off hello all bet that you are glad to have the forum back. I have had 3 months or so away from my 1993 Sx Xantia TD. Last weekend I had to go up to my lockup where it is stored so I thought that I would evaluate it and make a decision on its fate. Ive spent so much on it but it still seems an age away from a MOT test and even when I get it near to a testable standard something else goes wrong with it. Over the last 3 years its been brought back from the dead with a truckfull of new parts and used spares. And whatever could go wrong with it has

From looking it over at the weekend it needs

*A pair of droplinks
*Rear light lense
*Full set of Tyres (the set I bought got put on another car)
*Rear height corrector (this broke, then fixed itself with 3 months R&R?!)
*Throttle cable
*The spheres could do with a regas
*And it looks like it needs a s/rack gator

The above is just to get it roadworthy. It needs some bodypanels (2X front wings, O/S/F door and a rear bumper) and looking at it the rear subframe will need a lick of paint & new rubber mounts in the near future as its starting to go, must be all the salt we have on the roads here

So should I keep going or should I scrap it and buy another Citroen (something I said I would not do but they are just too dam addictive

)

Ive been looking at the cars for sale section and there are one or two cars that sound interesting, also ive spotted a 1.9 J plate Bx (hatch) that is up for grabs (NO T&T) for £70

So, what should I do?

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 23 Jan 2008, 07:49

well i find BXs easyer to work on than XANTIAs, and im not so keen on feel of the R reg XANT 1.9 TD estate i drive at the moment, but there is something about it, i think its because its not as agricultural as th BX,
its a hard choice
regards malcolm

mezuk04a · Unread post by **mezuk04a** » 23 Jan 2008, 08:21

I was originally going to say to keep it but with the last inclusion of the body panels and bumpers then I think it might be worth trying the BX for £70, if it turns out to be a scrap heap you could always try and get some of you money back

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 23 Jan 2008, 10:22

Hi Craig!!

Good to hear from you again.

I've got more cars than I know what to do with!!

Exactly what sort of car are you after as I'm sure something I've got may
be just the ticket for you? If you don't mind a modest amount of work all
the better!! In fact if you fancy a different/interesting project, call me!

Andrew

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 23 Jan 2008, 10:25

Do my V reg HDi saloon or the 16v VSX saloon in the For Sale section do
anything for you?

Andrew

mezuk04a · Unread post by **mezuk04a** » 23 Jan 2008, 12:29

If I had the money they would do something for me 8)

Unread post by **elma** » 23 Jan 2008, 13:15

What colour is it?
You'll miss a '93 model if you change to a later one.
The older a xantia the better it is.
If it's a common colour keep it, if it's a rare one get rid.

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 23 Jan 2008, 13:41

TBH, I'm not sure whether colour has a lot to do with things, surely?

I'd have said if it's a rarer colour (it IS being that unusual pale metallic blue)
the opposite would be the case as the car would be a more unusual sight!?

Andrew

Sturdybloke · Unread post by **Sturdybloke** » 23 Jan 2008, 13:52

Alright Andrew, long time no speak

I see you are still offloading stock

The car I mention in my ealier post (the for sale section) is your 93 VSX and I have to say I am very tempted by it. What are the 16V engines like?

Having said that I dont mind another "ground up" resto type job so if you have something a bit more interesting that needs work then drop me a line as I am starting to get a hankering for a Xm (Im dreaming again)

elma, here is the car in question (complete with its damaged front wings) -

Cheers - Craig.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 23 Jan 2008, 17:06

elma wrote:What colour is it?
You'll miss a '93 model if you change to a later one.
The older a xantia the better it is.
If it's a common colour keep it, if it's a rare one get rid.

Very much agreed Elma

Somehow, there is a certain something about early Xantias that later Xantias lack. I can't put my finger on it but I still love my old '93 1.9 TD to bits. I'm of the belief that the first ones were better built than subsequent ones and of course, much simpler and straightforward.

andmcit wrote: I'd have said if it's a rarer colour (it IS being that unusual pale metallic blue)
the opposite would be the case as the car would be a more unusual sight!?

Same colour as mine. A lovely colour and yes, rare 8)

Unread post by **aerodynamica** » 23 Jan 2008, 19:27

Somehow, there is a certain something about early Xantias that later Xantias lack

I Agree, there's something more 'old skool' Citroen about the early Xant with chevrons on the bonnet.

I have always preferred the first versions of all Citroens: XM,Xant, BX, GS, CX, even the first Visa was bonkers enough to be a proper citroen. Then for marketing reasons they ruin it with a facelift and less interesting dashboard.

I say keep it! early Xants are getting thin on the ground.

A pair of droplinks
*Rear light lense
*Full set of Tyres (the set I bought got put on another car)
*Rear height corrector (this broke, then fixed itself with 3 months R&R?!)
*Throttle cable
*The spheres could do with a regas
*And it looks like it needs a s/rack gator

- not difficult stuff at all there, Iv'e just DIYed many of these items myself this last 2 weeks at least you know the little issues with this car - buying a new one could bring a whole hitlist of new problems..

slim123 · Unread post by **slim123** » 23 Jan 2008, 20:52

This is my opinion looking as if it was MY car, bear in mind that I could't give a monkeys if it has dents and scratches, this makes it less likely to be pinched or broken into.

I'm not proud!!!!

I would keep it, You could buy another Xantia just to find it needs most of the bits that you state + more.

You could buy another Xantia with full mot and tax, just to find in a months time that dodgy dan the car sales man got shot of it because it needs a new clutch.

Drop links, Cheap and easy to change,max 1 hrs work for the both.
Light lens, ebay or there is plenty in the scrap yards
Set of tyres, Good ones from the scrap yard again, some will say "don't fit second hand tyres" well I say if you buy a second hand car, ten you are getting a full set.
Throttle cable, GSF or most car part suppliers stock a universal one that fits the Xantia, (first line springs to mind)
Spheres, well its the nature of the beast, GSF or Pleiades and a couple of hours work on the driveway.
Rack gaiter, depends on what side is gone, O/S easy N/S Bitch
Height corrector, You say it fixed itself, lube it up to keep it working.

Well thats my bit said. Your car, your cash, it's up to you but I have ticked the keep box.

Regards
Slim.

slim123 · Unread post by **slim123** » 23 Jan 2008, 20:54

Well I tried to tick the keep box, but nuffin happens

Regards
Slim.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 23 Jan 2008, 21:36

Slim,

Very wise words, my view precisely.

Craig, keep it

Sturdybloke · Unread post by **Sturdybloke** » 23 Jan 2008, 21:57

Hmmmm interesting. From whats said it looks like the car is staying. I will give it a bit more time before the final decision is made as we may get a whole group of people all in one go who say scrap it. Its not only about passing a MOT as if it stays it will (eventually) become a daily driver and as such must look half decent or I will get my ear chewed off about it

Dont know whats wrong with the poll? One for the mods me thinks.

French Car Forum

Do I keep my Xantia or replace it?

Should I scrap my Xantia or press on with it?

Do I keep my Xantia or replace it?