Should I sell my Xantia and Buy a C5 - Discuss

[Citroenmad]

I test drove a 02 plate 9-3 Turbo last year , the 175BHP version but it just didn't feel anything like as quick as I expected it to. I had the old C900 T16s, which were quite barmy and uncouth compared to modern stuff though.

Yes, thats the model I drove and while it was quick it was very smooth with its delivery, certainly no hooligan. The engine and autobox is one of the smoothest combinations I have experienced, that is what impressed me most.

[citroenxm]

you REALLY cannot beat a HDi with a Tuning Box...!

I messed about with the Wastegate electro valve this week on my xantia, and noticed the vaccuum pipe was slack on the spigot! Got it a bit tighter and by GOD what a difference....

The xantia REALLY shifts with the tuning box, so much I think theres a problem with 110's now... PLUS I still get an average of 50mpg!

Unbeatable. You simply cannot do that with a petrol, tune it up, loose the economy... always!

[addo]

My second comment is about honesty of intention.

If someone is really thinking they want to play with something different, they should jolly well say so. There's a lot of weak-as-water attempts to justify what is really idle curiosity. But cash or time savings? You can put it on a spreadsheet, factor in wildcards, play with variables and see where each option takes you. Don't confuse an emotive urge with a rational decision...

[Northern_Mike]

My second comment is about honesty of intention.

If someone is really thinking they want to play with something different, they should jolly well say so. There's a lot of weak-as-water attempts to justify what is really idle curiosity. But cash or time savings? You can put it on a spreadsheet, factor in wildcards, play with variables and see where each option takes you. Don't confuse an emotive urge with a rational decision...

For me, economy - as long as it'll do over about 30mpg on a motorway cruise - isn't that important. Even the Impreza would do 32mpg @70mph..

I'm curious about other cars. It just happens that Citroens often fit what I want from a car quite well at the time. The only cars I've honestly bought through rational thought out of the 130 or so I've owned have been the Berlingo and my 1.8 Mondeo that was about 2 years old at the time back in 1998. All of the rest were because "I like that one"...

I also like power, but unlike many others, I much prefer FWD over RWD.

[addo]

I'm struggling with an irrational urge to pursue an Alfa 156 or 159 wagon, although the latter is out of practical attainability here in Q4 format... another $5K and you can buy a Ferrari 400.

[Northern_Mike]

I'm struggling with an irrational urge to pursue an Alfa 156 or 159 wagon, although the latter is out of practical attainability here in Q4 format... another $5K and you can buy a Ferrari 400.

Heh, a good friend of mine has a 2009 Alfa 159 1.9JTD Wagon with around 60,000 miles on it. Think he's had it about a year - got it about the same time I had the V6 Xantia.

He also has

A Landrover FC101 Field Ambulance with a 3.5V8 on LPG, converted(ish) to a motorhome, and the compressed air now runs tools instead of medical stuff
1994 Jag 4.0 XJR (the supercharged one)
A couple of Lotus Esprit Turbos
A couple of Lotus Eclats
Other non-running Lotus vehicles.
A 2003 Ford Mondeo TDCi which he bought with 5000 miles on it, now has 290,000

The Alfa has spent more time in the garage since he bought it last year than any of the others have done altogether in about 4 years.

[addo]

It's got to be a dampness thing. They truly are faultless drivelines here, excepting the JTS pencil coils. Wishbones sell like hotcakes for the 147/156 due to rubbish roads and underspec bushes.

[qprdude]

Yes

[myglaren]

Doing the magical mystery tour thing yesterday afternoon, I stopped to ask directions. As I got out of my car, an identical C5 pulled up on the opposite side of the road.

Went over and said to the guy that I would ask him as he was driving a proper car. His face lit up then saw what I was driving.
He said it was his first Citroen after having had Volvos all his life previously and he thought it was the best car he has ever had.

03 2.2 HDi Exclusive.

[qprdude]

The only problem with the C5 is this.
When you get a top of the range model , and the latest version, there really is nowhere to go. You have reached the pinnacle of motoring quality for a reasonable budget.
The only way forward is into the realms of fantasy with the help of Camelot.

[imperial21]

I did what you are asking i went from an xantia to a c5 estate 2 hdi, I was very unimpressed , i much prefered my xantia. the xantia was much more economical. i have now sold the c5 and have gone to a skoda octavia.

[den169]

Had both xantia estate and c5 sx estate would never go back to a xantia great car but the c5 is a much better car if you get a good one.

[jgra1]

I went from xants to C5.. agree with Chris's comment about viewing the C5 as a workhorse more than a hack/drivers car that my xants seemed to be.

but.. faultless so far in a year of ownership.. gets good comments from every passenger due to interior, noise, comfort etc ..

and the best bit.. 47.6 mpgs with a full tank - from Croatia to Belgium (750 miles) a couple of weeks ago.. 4 adults, 500kgs, autobahns and alps

result

bear in mind mine is old, not pretty and cost 700..

john

[myglaren]

I agree with replacing the clutch.
It is a fair expense but there will always be costs involved with keeping a car. As it is this one owes you nothing and is well worth hanging on to.
I've spent far more than that in the year I have had this car and it is way less than perfect and has rubbish economy in comparison to yours and the others mentioned here.

[jgra1]

senior moment darlek?