Bidding farewell to Xantia and Citroen ownership for now :(

[HDI]

Well, after over 12 years and 3 Xantia's I regret to announce that I'm saying farewell to Citroens, for now at least.
My trusty Xantia HDi exclusive is becoming too high maintenance after almost 202,000 miles. There is always something it needs and I cannot afford the time to keep up and have the risk of it letting me down. Having expended much time and effort looking for a nice, low mileage replacement Xantia Exclusive for it, without any success, I have been compelled to change to another make
So from tomorrow I defect to Sweden Namely a 2007 Saab 9-5 Vector Tid sport. My only previous experience of Saab was my dad's '73 95 Estate and I really liked that. This 9-5 was cheap for the year and spec and although it is a bit of a Frankenstein model with GM derived floor pan, Fiat engine and Saab everything else, I like it's looks and they are apparently quite good all around, with decent performance and economy. I had looked at Mondeo's, Volvo D5's and others which shall remain nameless out of shame but the Saab seemed to provide all that I need at a good price.
Seriously looked at a C5 but they are now mostly non hydraulic and the more recent facelift models are quite expensive if spec'd like the Saab.
So thanks to all here for the help and advice I have gratefully found over the years and until I maybe find a nice C6 at an affordable price I'll say, à tout à l'heure

[oneday]

thats a real shame good look with the saab sure we will see you back here in the future

[citroenxm]

Im sure we will see you back very soon, The Saab is only a Vectra in disguise, has a Fiat Multi jet engine in it, which may be quick, but apparently not so good on fuel...

202k on a Xantia, thats barely run in.. I bought mine at 156k, now at 228k I have just passed another MOT and only needed a bottom ball joint, but other then track rods Ive virtually done nothing else to it.. Subject only to correct Oil changes too

Its amazing really how some can need lots of attention where others can go un attended for longer.

Good luck with the Saab, Ive read the modern ones are quite like the wonderfull Original ones..

[Xantidote]

Good luck with the Saab. Problem looking for a replacement Xantia is that there aren't so many around now - a dying breed

[CitroJim]

All the best HDI, thanks for all you've contributed here and see you when you return to the fold...

Citroen could do a lot worse than reintroduce the Xantia...

[Peter.N.]

...or even a proper C5

[CitroJim]

...or even a proper C5

Or even a well-engineered and screwed together XM....

[bxzx16v]

It must be a sad day after all those years xantia ownership . We had the same dilemma when we sold our last ( of 4 ) xantia , my wife didn't like the C5 I or II and we eventually settled on a Laguna II hatch then a Lag II estate both were fantastic cars . I had a couple of C5's myself but tbh prefered the xantia/laguna . The fiat multijet fitted to the saabs are a fantastic engine , I have the 120bhp in a doblo and it's great , my previous doblo had clocked 150k without issues .

Mark

[gadgetgricey]

I dont know if its just me that thinks this, but there seem to be quite a few people who seem to pair up these brands, me included

My Xantia is off the road at the moment, but "normally" have an Hdi as a daily driver, and then one of two Saabs to use at a weekend. Got a classic C900 T16 and a GM900 Convertible that I swap the classic policy over during the year.

However at the moment the Xantia is off the road and using a Saab 9-5 Aero as a daily driver. Lovely car, very powerful, but crippling me on fuel. Bought as a spares car as has 267,000 miles on the clock. On driving it though its much more than a spares car, so thought I'd insure it as an early Christmas present to myself and have two months of fun. (My wallet is not though)
It has a minor issue with the gearbox, but everything else works from the heated seats (front, and rear) to all the puddle lights.

To me anyway it seems both "brands" are great cars and if looked after can do fantastic mileages, in supreme comfort.

What you doing with your Hdi, as may need a "test" car to fix mine. Still having issues with the heater blower, which is another reason why I'm using the 9-5 at the moment?

Enjoy the Saab, but certain you will be back to Citroen at some point.

- Dave -

As an aside. Can really recommend the UKSaabs website. Mirror image of the Citroen section of FCF. Very pleasant people who are always willing to offer help and have a laugh. Yet another reason why I enjoy both types.

[HDI]

Thanks chaps, I share your forecast that there is a strong possibility I could be back ! Who knows, I may even finally get a DS !
Gadget, I too have noticed that affinity between the 2 brands, I have always liked Saab's. As for the Xantia, it's looking a bit scruffy now, due to a road rager kicking it in the front wing, I kid you not, and other scrapes and knocks, although there is no visible body rust. It is obviously running, although it did recently suddenly lose power, not the usual issue but permanently. Although the engine still starts and runs well it feels like there is no turbo boost, even though I can still hear the turbo. This is the problem that broke the camels back, I just don't have time to fault find it. It has MOT until next March or April but no tax from end November. I will probably put it up on Gumtree as spares or repair, if it doesn't go on there it will be the scrap man, very regrettably. Other faults are, aircon, axillary heater, low and medium settings on the heated seats, non of these work. The leather seats are in good condition, even the drivers seat, although showing wear is not clapped out. Also needs new front pads. All spheres and hydraulic pump were replaced within the last 18 months.
I hope the Saab does prove ok but I suppose at the very least it should be reliable transport. Pleased to hear good news on the Fiat engine !

[Duke137]

Sod that man are you mad? Just get it fixed and keep running it! How much is the new Saab costing you? More money than it would to have the xantia sorted and running straight and true!

My trusty steed has 156k on it, it is due oil and filters that it will get over Xmas and MOT in Feb. It will get everything it needs for another years ticket and that will be that. My only quibble with it is the government charge me far too much to tax it but that isn't the cars fault. It is a car that cost naff all, owes me naff all and is worth naff all - To all intents and purposes the perfect dailly family car.

[Eddie Nuff]

Can't argue with that Duke. Spent £300 on parts in the autumn to keep my baby going . . . and I'm glad I did!

New track-rod ends, ball joints, cv joints, heater plugs and a LUK clutch, and it drives like new again.

Just need to do the air con in the spring and I'm sorted for a few years.

[SaabC5]

I dont know if its just me that thinks this, but there seem to be quite a few people who seem to pair up these brands, me included
.

Yup, i think its the quirkiness of the marques that appeal to most of us. I've spent the last 8 years in various Saabs and still rue the day they went under. Just as a heads up for HDi, if you need any work done i can thoroughly recommend Weston Moore at Nottingham Saabs in Ilkeston Derby, he's a top top man and will do a 1st class job at a sensible price and never rip you you off. If you need used parts try Salvo Group also in Ilkeston, new parts online go to http://www.partsforsaabs.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; they are an invaluable source for new parts sourced from Sweden.

[Duke137]

Can't argue with that Duke. Spent £300 on parts in the autumn to keep my baby going . . . and I'm glad I did!

New track-rod ends, ball joints, cv joints, heater plugs and a LUK clutch, and it drives like new again.

Just need to do the air con in the spring and I'm sorted for a few years.

That's it, either that or go and get a Kia on the 'HP' with a 7 year warranty and get stung for lots of monthly payments where some fat cat is getting even fatter charging you 300 million percent. Not likely!

Far cheaper to keep old turds going like this but then don't under estimate how stupid the general British Public are

[CitroJim]

I'm with you Duke although due to my circumstances (chronic illness) I have considered going down the 'Kia route' so that I have one less thing to worry about but the fact is I can still maintain and do the necessary jobs on my cars when conditions permit and having three of the breed I'd be jolly unlucky to find all of them out of action simultaneously

The cost of tax, insurance and annual maintenance still add up to less than about three months HP payments on a new one so it did not take much thinking about really...