Should anyone buy a Citroen C8...

[Andy F]

I am in two minds at the moment whether to spend more on a car. I am self employed and the Director of another company so have been researching business type leases, hence the use of a Prius as an extended test drive. Tempted by a DS3, but im not sure it will be big enough as i still carry a fair amount of kit around, and a DS5 would probably be too expensive and i've heard negative things about the ride quality.


Compared to my previous years motoring Leases seem like a very expensive way of not owning anything. But i am struggling to find an alternative to the Xantia that I actually want and would enjoy driving and offer the same package of economy, space and power, maybe a 406. Bit confused at the moment, any suggestions welcome... watch this space.

[Hell Razor5543]

Well, if you want the ride comfort you could consider a C5 Exclusive, as it will have Hydractive 3+.

[BenC5HDi]

ually want and would enjoy driving and offer the same package of economy, space and power, maybe a 406. Bit confused at the moment, any suggestions welcome... watch this space.

I am looking at leasing a Cactus. Over 2 years with 12k mile allowance per year, it works out at a total of just under £2900 including road tax and servicing. That's less than I'd lose in depreciation over 2 years if I bought a new one and sold it after 2 years. To me, that's pretty sensible - totally hassle free, cheap motoring - £700 deposit and £93 per month (less, if you subtract the monthly road tax I already pay on my C5)..

[CitroJim]

That's not a bad deal at all

Let us all know how you get on with it as that beats owning a car any day!

[Andy F]

Citroen C5 exclusive is on the list, but worry about expensive repair bills on a car as new as that. If i was going that new i would be tempted to go all in and get a brand new one (lease.)

Ben, that is an amazing deal, is that your local dealer? Have you got any more details on that one please?

[Andy F]

Well I decided against getting a new car on a lease on my business. I bought.... another Xantia. I broke many sensible rules doing it too! I invited someone I had only met on the internet to my home and agreed to buy a car i have never test driven.

However, It was actually Paul Citroenxm's Xantia exclusive HDi.

It was lovely to meet you on Saturday and I hope your return journey went well.

So there we are, still running old cars, in fact the last 3 vehicles I have bought since the C8 have gotten older and older!

I used the Xantia exclusive HDi today and love it. The leather, heated electric seats all work and are superbly comfortable. In fact everything seems to work. Jobs to do because I am fussy. Change the accumulator sphere (Paul provided) and the two Hydractive spheres, never had a Hydractive Xantia before, but changed spheres before on my previous Xantias so hopefully straight forward. Will tidy up a couple bits of body work when the weather improves.

Pleased to still be in a Xantia

[CitroJim]

Andy, I saw Paul and your car on Saturday and likewise thoroughly enjoyed seeing Paul... Pleased you're happy with the car, It looked pretty good to me...

[lexi]

C5 is still for me ATM. When you come from 4 years with a stiff sports sprung Vel Satis, Ouch! the C5 is comfy on the suspension.
I can only ask PeterN if the 406 can handle 8cwt of logs in the back? C5?........No problem I can even stick a trailer on with that as well......

[Stickyfinger]

Always said +250kg in the boot turns the C5x7 into an XM

[CitroJim]

Always said +250kg in the boot turns the C5x7 into an XM

Makes it go rusty does it?

[Stickyfinger]

hhehehehe

[Zelandeth]

See you've ended up with a car now so the question is off the table (and resolved in a good way I reckon!).

If you were still looking for something new/nearly new, there was one suggestion that springs out to me, especially looking for a small/medium estate.

Volvo V50.

One of our housemates works in vehicle finance, and as a result got demos of everything from Citroen C1s to Porsche Panemeras (even turned up in a Bently one day), and the V50 was one we had roughly two years ago over a weekend when we were off one a reasonably long trip, can't actually remember where off the top of my head. While there was nothing that immediately leapt out at us about it, we realised after only a few minutes on the road that all four of us in the car, including me (I seldom get along well with modern cars) could really come up with anything to criticise. Seats were comfy, ride was decent for a modern car, it was quiet, and basically everything just seemed to have been completely thought out.

That was the advice I gave to a few folks back at work when they were looking at getting new cars - and every one of them ended up getting one after taking one out for a test drive.

Obviously I don't know what their finance/lease deals are like, but if I was looking for a car in that segment, it's the one which I would definitely be zeroing on on before looking for other options.

[Andy F]

Thanks for the replies.

Zelandeth, I did find myself looking at Volvos. I think i just enjoy driving things that are, in my opinion, a bit different. A relative and a friend both have a V50 and they love them. I think they look really smart, and agree very comfortable. I was looking more to the V70 D5, but in the end the lack of economy put me off compared to anything HDi. I would look at a V50, but always felt they were a bit small. They are based on a Focus and when I have seen our realtives example always thought the boot looked a bit compact, but it was full of dog cage at the time!

For now very happy to be back in a Xantia. It has now done about a 1000 miles in the last 2 weeks and has been just like any other Xantia, brilliant! This one will require a new clutch at some point, but not slipping, just release bearing a bit noisy. Other smaller jobs to do, change over some of the chrome strips, between this and the LX in my signature I have a good selection! Think I will start to strip the other one for spares. Both me and Dad run Xantia Hdi 110 hatchbacks so having a few spares lying around cant hurt. If anybody wants anything, just ask!

Will get a new set of heater plugs over the weekend as it seems to start on 3 cylinders, but runs perfectly smoothly after a couple of minutes.

Xantias are hard to beat. 56mpg, superb comfort, cheap to buy, nice to drive and i think they look great too!

I have even kept this one clean, for now...

[Andy F]

Also, how do you change the name of the thread?

[CitroJim]

Also, how do you change the name of the thread?

Edit the first post Andy...