2 Citroens running well?

Stuart McB · Post by **Stuart McB** » 18 Jan 2008, 19:08

Yep got to say apart from some service stuff and an new front indicator )& a little alarm trouble now sorted) the ZX has been treated to new tyres. I'm just waiting for a reply from the previous owner about when the cam belt was last changed before I jump in and get it done. The ZX is running as good as it gets on a 10 year old car. And....and the wifes C4 is running great aswell no nasty surprises since buying it, if you dont count having to have a new rear screen as the original had some burnt out elements. So my Mazda has done a mere 3 miles since buying the ZX, which has already done 1200 for me. Fingers crossed so far so good.

James.UK · Post by **James.UK** » 19 Jan 2008, 13:17

Make that 3!!

My ZX runs very well, and is far and away the most reliable car I have ever owned.. Ermm, and my ZX is nearly 14 years old!

It would be interesting to know how many "old" (say pre 1998) diesel ZX's there are still running around, I recon, based on Price new, reliability, and running costs, they were-are the best family car ever produced..

I have been looking for an old diesel auto to replace my Honda for quite some time, but it doesn't appear that anyone made one! The VW Passat TDi have autobox problems, the BMW 5 series are way overpriced, as are Audi's and old Mercs.. Anyone have any recommendations? It needs to be a bit bigger than my ZX.

I am looking to spend less than £3000.. A lot less I hope!! heh heh.

Oh - and no Xantia's or XM's!! Too unreliable, and complicated for my limited DIY skills.

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Stuart McB · Post by **Stuart McB** » 19 Jan 2008, 17:40

August 97, R reg ZX TD SX. 113k when I bought it. Have booked her in a for a CAM belt for next Wednesday. And every now and then there's a little knock from the front. I suspect a ball joint.

Post by **CitroJim** » 20 Jan 2008, 10:06

James.UK wrote:Oh - and no Xantia's or XM's!! Too unreliable, and complicated for my limited DIY skills.
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Unreliable?!

My three Xantias have been 99.9% reliable

The only problem I have had on any of them is a a failed front height corrector. Even then it did not strand me but the ride home was a tad uncomfortable

The secret to a relaible Xantia is regular routine checks and maintenance and leaping on problems as soon as they are spotted. I give all of mine a thorough checkover on a weekly basis.

Complex yes but in no way hard to maintain or unreliable because of their complexity.

There was a Xantia TD Auto...

James.UK · Post by **James.UK** » 20 Jan 2008, 12:45

Hi Jim.. I wish I wish.. heh heh.. I would love to own a nice Xantia td auto, but (a) I dont know anyone who would be able to fix any problems as and when they arose. (b) The 3 Xantias my various friends have owned over the years, were all problem cars..

If -- there was a good Xantia mechanic in my area, and if -- I could find a really nice one, (diesel auto) then I would happily buy one.. But -- my mechanic won't touch them as he knows very little about them, and I would not know where to start when it came to checking one out to see if it was in good mech condition..

I think they are a "specialists" car, excellant if you are 100% familiar with them, but if you don't know much about them, then it is best to avoid getting involved with one..

Trouble is, I can't find a med size diesel auto saloon anywhere.. So much as I dislike petrol engines, I may have to go to "plan (B)" and buy a Honda civic 1600 SE auto instead, as they are more economic than the Accord, but still pretty reliable..
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