Help me make my mind up time then.

[C.J.]

That's not a long distance - I went to Edinburgh to look at an XM

Felt like an eternity getting there. 540 miles 'round trip. Absolutely no hold ups at all...apart from in Exeter.

Well, the Exeter Xantia then.
Sitting comfy?

Firstly, the garage was more like a corner shop with a small forecourt. No problem with that, but the car was in his compound, and would I care to follow him.
He was still absolutely staggered that I'd driven all that way, and said that he really didn't expect me to turn up.
Why?

He started moaning about the fact that the only calls he's had are from people far away, including another one from Kendal.
The under selling continued with...."I can't understand what all the fuss is about, as I don't rate any French car", and I only bought this one because of the mileage"
This guy really didn't seem to be giving a damn, and then he came out with a shocker..." I'd personally rather sell it to a local"

Dazed by his complete lack of dealing with customer skills, I followed him.
Upon arrival at THE COMPOUND, I just had an uneasy feeling and was muttering to myself "this isn't going to go well, I can feel it".

Now I'm not a fussy person, at all.
I don't need all this corporate image crap, sharp suited salesmen with equally sharp 'patter',matching cups saucers and teapots meet and greet by dancing bears and hoola hoola girls gently swaying to Hawain music whilst you browse the metal. No thanks, just let me see the car and lets talk about getting the deal right if it's ok.

THE COMPOUND looked a bit like a tidyish breakers yard tbh, with bangers and bits and bobs just lying around randomly.
He threw me the keys and pointed to the Xantia....covered in bird crap and absolutely filthy dirty.
Those pictures really do not show just how grubby it really was.
Anyway, not the end of the world, and iit can be good to see a car in the way it originally was before cleaning. Gives a better impression of previous treatment imo.
The inside stank of stale ciggies. Opened the ashtray, and fag ends dropped out it was that full.
Apart from that, and a ciggy burn on the n/s/f seat, it was actually quite tidy and straight looking through the dust.
Main interior lights didn't work, but all the other electricals did, including the air con that he didn't know it had!!
I had to show him where the button was!
Carpets all dry.

Outside was not going to be so easy to check, due to the filty state, but I could clearly see that this previous owner had parked by sound only.
All 4 bumper corners were scratched, 2 badly.
Lifted the bonnet and noticed a slightly dull finish AND 'FISH EYES'
Looking closer it was quite obvious it had had a dollop of 'pudding' in the middle as you could see the tell tale 'ring'
Various other minor car park dents and mainly minor scratches, but I suspect the n/s/r wheel arch had been repaired. Didn't look completely even and smooth.
Opened the door, and were the apeture panel meets the sill near the bottom, rust had got quite a decent hold, and it felt a bit soft and flaky.
Boot lid had an SX badge, when this was in fact an LX, most odd.

All glass was original Citroen glass, and all original faded stickers in place, which is always encouraging.
Checked the handbook, and it was bursting with receipts, but none for a cam belt change.
Recent battery glow plugs and spheres.
Suspension behaved up and own as it should. Drove really well, felt very smooth and soft as it should, but not wollowy, good brakes and excellent acceleration. Not smokey.

This old guy that owned it obviously didn't have driving and cleaning his car as his main pastime, but he certainly seemed to have maintained it pretty well.

After the test drive, our salesman with a very strange attitude just turned to me and said. "well if you want to go away and think about it, fine. Give me a ring if you want it"

I asked would he reduce the price, and he said yes. £1200
I asked him if he could do the cam belt, water pump, tensioners and pulley to be included, and he said no.
I suggested 6 months tax then and he said no
I asked about getting the bumper scuffs done, but once again, no.

"Look. Go away and think about it, and if you want it, ring me with a £200 deposit, and it'll be serviced with a new mot within 5 days."

Not a nasty guy at all, but just so so flippant with a take it or leave it attitude.
Amazing, Never met a car salesman quite like him tbh.

Apologies for the long and winding post. Hope you've stayed awake, cus I'll be asking questions shortly!

oh yes, nearly forgot.
Tachometer wasn't working. It had stuck way past the red line at I would guess, approx 12,000rpm!
And no, he wouldn't be fixing that either.

[Citroenmad]

Well your heading for one of my long posts there

Sounds like you have had a bit of a wasted trip. I did well over 700 miles one day going to view an Xm estate, what a load of old scrap that was.

The car does not sound the best of examples, I would be put off by the interior smell, its extremely hard to get rid of and if your not a smoker even worse to live with. I never have and never will buy a car which has been smoked in.

Id be very careful driving that back without the knowledge that the cambelt has been changed, that is seriously over due.

Im sure you can find a better one than that for the money being asked. Low mileage is far from everything with the Xantias and you will find a better car if you just wait. Just look at that lovely HDi Exclusive Riachard bought for £1500, a pure bargain and with very low miles. Hard to come by but there are many worth bothering with.

Id say leave it be, wait until another one comes along.

[C.J.]

I did intially think to myself, ok, it needs a bit of paint and a damned good bath 'n' polish, but mechanically it sounds and drives really well, no doubt about that at all.
Thinking on the 4 hour journey back though, I sort of changed my mind.

£1200? Too steep imo, and he won't do anything that I asked.
I appreciate it's not a monstous amount, and it is 13 years old, but like you suggest, a clean and tidy well cared for example at a more realistic price will turn up eventually, if I haven't bought something else instead.

Now about this £495 ono TD N reg ZX estate in Lancashire that's on flea bay, that the guy couln't let me see last weekend cus he was going fishing.....give me strength!

[Citroenmad]

Unless its something rare, very hard to find or something you really must own, then something better will often come along.

£1200 is little money, but if you know what your looking for and find the right car then that small amount of money can easily get you into a great car. My first C5 HDi was the same amount, its immaculate, never had any expense spared throughout its life and still is a great and superbly reliable car two years on. Its also still worth the same amount!

You know when you come across a car which really should be bought, if you dont get that feeling then I dont bother.

A ZX estate sounds good for so little money, they do like to rust in areas where you would rather they didnt and so require welding. Be sure to check its structurally sound. Thats if the owner can hold off fishing long enough for you to see it!

What are you looking for from this car? Does it need to be a reliable workhorse, a bit of spare time hobby car etc?

If you just want a reliable car then I might suggest a Xsara estate TD. Cheap to buy, reliable, solid cars which dont rust and they do seem a bit underrated, albeit a little plain.

[C.J.]

Unless its something rare, very hard to find or something you really must own, then something better will often come along.

£1200 is little money, but if you know what your looking for and find the right car then that small amount of money can easily get you into a great car. My first C5 HDi was the same amount, its immaculate, never had any expense spared throughout its life and still is a great and superbly reliable car two years on. Its also still worth the same amount!

You know when you come across a car which really should be bought, if you dont get that feeling then I dont bother.

A ZX estate sounds good for so little money, they do like to rust in areas where you would rather they didnt and so require welding. Be sure to check its structurally sound. Thats if the owner can hold off fishing long enough for you to see it!

What are you looking for from this car? Does it need to be a reliable workhorse, a bit of spare time hobby car etc?

If you just want a reliable car then I might suggest a Xsara estate TD. Cheap to buy, reliable, solid cars which dont rust and they do seem a bit underrated, albeit a little plain.

Yea. A work horse for my job, nothing heavy, mainly just plastic boxes with my various gubbins in, and a bit of family moving/dads taxi etc.

The Fabia is my spare 'pool' car, (handy to have for emergencies anyway, as I need a vehicle for my job) and weekend 'toy' for those fantastic driving roads en route to Snowdonia etc for my other hobby, hill walking.

Bit excessive I suppose using two cars, and I could do without it, but I simply CANNOT bare to sell it. It makes me smile, and not much achieves that these days.
So it's STAYING!

Just finished paying for it after 4 weary years this week too.

[C.J.]

Need to get out of this Corsa Combo.
Electronic power steering started making weird whining noises today, that's on top of all the other niggles I've had to endure this past 18 months.
Under warranty still, not that they;ve actually fixed everything, but I'd like to get out of the hp too.

[Citroenmad]

I see, so a Xantia estate would fit in quite well in that case. Any other thoughts on other possible cars which would suit?

I recently had a drive over to Snowdonia National Park, really are some great roads over there. EVO triangle was a blast!

Corsas don't seem to have the best reliability records. So long as its not the 1.3 diesel, which does seem the worst engine in them.

Many cars would appear to fit your wanted list, any diesel estate i guess. For me to have and like a car I have to be interested in it though, so a simple car to get from A to B would never do for me

[C.J.]

I see, so a Xantia estate would fit in quite well in that case. Any other thoughts on other possible cars which would suit?

I recently had a drive over to Snowdonia National Park, really are some great roads over there. EVO triangle was a blast!

Corsas don't seem to have the best reliability records. So long as its not the 1.3 diesel, which does seem the worst engine in them.

Many cars would appear to fit your wanted list, any diesel estate i guess. For me to have and like a car I have to be interested in it though, so a simple car to get from A to B would never do for me

1.7. Cracking engine, just a shame about crabby build quailty and niggling faults.
1.3 IS pants apparently, and that's from the GM techies!

[Citroenmad]

There are a few very tidy Xantia estates on autotrader:

S2 2.1TD SX estate

Another

HDi 110 Forte

Or

This looks stunning and quite good value too. Though I do love Xms!

[C.J.]

There are a few very tidy Xantia estates on autotrader:

S2 2.1TD SX estate

Another

HDi 110 Forte

Or

This looks stunning and quite good value too. Though I do love Xms!

Never considered an XM before tbh Chris.
Always frightened me a bit after hearing tales of woe when they first came out. Trade absolutely hated them, bit like this noggin I was dealing with today, only he hates ALL French cars.

[Citroenmad]

Not a huge lot more to worry about with an Xm than there is with a Xantia really.

True, but early cars in S1 form were a little more problematic. Strange how times have changed though, as many people now run Xms for their ease of repairs and reliability. Odd how things develop!

I love Xms, ive often thought about getting a Xantia but I much prefer Xms. Good ones are hard to find now, but the best are going up in value slowly.

I plan on keeping our Xm a long time, as it is a very good one, it only gets used in good weather and its more of a hobby car. Never had any real problems with Xms, i find them reliable. As they are not getting any younger, as with the Xantias, they all depend on how well they have been looked after.

I don't think I even dare mention it, as they split opinion so much ... what about a C5 estate? Quite modern, reliable, spacious, easy to find, drive well, well equipped, safe, refined ......

[C.J.]

There are a few very tidy Xantia estates on autotrader:

S2 2.1TD SX estate

Another

HDi 110 Forte

Or

This looks stunning and quite good value too. Though I do love Xms!

Why is everything that looks half tasty ALWAYS and without fail 200 or more miles away?

[Peter.N.]

Sorry to hear that you were not impressed with the westcountry I have done the same on a number of occaisions, apart from the one in Edinburgh, which also cost me a night in a travelodge. When I was looking for a 406 estate last year I had several wild goose chases including one to the north of Birmingham with a failed head gasket

My last XM estate was my best buy, only on the north Somerset coast, 96' taxed and MOT £150.00 Yes it needed some work but had only done 150k, which believe me is a low mileage for a diesel XM, my red one has done nearly 300k.

They are a very nice car, the best in the world as far as I'm concerned and in many ways easier to work on than the Xantia, the trouble is there are very few left now, well manual 2.1s anyway wich are the best of the bunch. I have been looking for one for a couple of years and have only seen a couple of Mk1s which I don't like as much.

Peter

[Citroenmad]

Why is everything that looks half tasty ALWAYS and without fail 200 or more miles away?

Snap!

Just about every car id like to have a look at it always 200 plus miles away, very rarely is anything of interest for sale in this area.

Yes I agree, the XM 2.1TD estate with a manual box is a fantastic car.

Xm estates are huge, they must be among the largest of estate cars, so if you need a good carrying capacity then it would be ideal.

Though as Peter said they are getting very rare now. Especially the 2.1TD manual estates, which i believe were in few numbers when they were new, never mind today. I certainly wouldn't swap ours for a Xantia estate, no matter how clean or low mileage. Xms just have a certain something which the Xantia doesn't. Not to mention id never find another 2.1 like this.

[C.J.]

Am I to presume from the rave comments about the 2.1, that the 2.5 TD isn't as desirable/economical/reliable or what?
Reference to the links that Chris did for me a few posts ago^^^^^

That Xantia looks very nice, but it's in PERTH!
I'm not going all the way up there, cus it's a pig of a journey, albeit it very pretty.