Xsara: to buy or not to buy?

[UserError]

That is the question, whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous car manufacturing progress, or to take arms against a ZX of troubles.

Ramblings on what to do next....

My ZX is dying & a replacement will be needed.

Is the Xsara hatch a "replacement" for the ZX?

I've been reading around on the Xsara & its problems & it seems like a POS, but then only problems get posted on the web.

My last ZX cost £300 & has done 3 years with very acceptable maintenance costs.

Could it be possible to get £1000 worth of Xsara that was any good? My philosophy tends to be that I can't buy a newer car and the probability of reliability that you should get, so I spend as little as possible to risk as little capital as I can.

Between 1-3k you're getting an old car with an uncertain history & mileage and what are the benefits - less wear if the mileage is genuine, but it will still be sufficiently old for most problems to surface.

I'd be happy to hear a different viewpoint.

I'm tempted to buy a real cheapy again & expect to have to fix myself or shell out to put things right, but I'd rather not.

The newer multiplex and DMFs sound like the stuff nightmares are made of - how can I find out when they came in & so avoid? I've seen posts putting people off HDIs cos you can't DIY them, so a petrol would be the most likely.

I am looking for a 2nd car - school run and occasional short/medium journeys & trips to the dump etc (ZX = perfect). Is the 1.4 underpowered? 1.6 seems most appealing. Am I correct in thinking these are TU engined? Usual HG issues etc?

Maybe one of the last 306s would be better? (I'll go lie in a pool of LHM as a penance for thinking such thoughts) .

Any experiences of the Xsara or alternatives would be appreciated - would consider other marques except F**rd, V***hall and most others

Or do I investigate the ZX problem in the gearbox endcylinder (no1 or no4?)?
....then sort out the blowing exhaust and lack of handbrake....I'm generally up for a challenge, but SWMBO is getting fed up with the car.

Cheers
Jonathan

[Nuneatonrob]

I have a Xsara HDI currently, and to be fair for a cheap and cheerful car I am quite happy with it. Don't get me wrong it has had a few problems and still has a few which need looking at, but on the whole for a sub 1K car I have been reasonably happy and quite impressed with it.

I have found that the HDI (90BHP) is a mixed blessing. It's a reasonably quick, smooth and frugal engine, which I do genuinely enjoy for a Diesel car, but in a Xsara it is a complete and utter b**tard to work on. For example...replacing the alternator should not be a job to faze a person that is reasonably mechanically minded, but I gave up on mine and instead got a mobile mechanic to do it as it was just such a nightmare to get to. (had to remove A/C compressor, PS pump, coolant header tank, and some A/C hoses to get to the bolts to get it out.

The one I have has done just shy of 100K now, and the only time it has let me down, was when the battery + lead came lose and i didn't realise, and the in tank lift pump failed on my way home one night (which in fairness it had been getting very noisy before hand so should have took the warning)

Almost everything works, the 'only' exception is the A/C which is a hornets nest of issues apparently, so I am leaving it alone now.

When the tank pump went i borrowed a ford Escort and I have to say it was horrible to drive and be in compared to the Xsara. I have had a Astra before, and that was very sloppy suspension wise and felt more brittle than the Xsara.

On balance I would have another one, but i would just have a good listen to it, and have a good play with everything before parting with any cash.

306's are nice too, but they cost more than the Xsara for essentially the same car, and i don't think they come with side airbags which the xsara does. Just make sure the dash bulbs light up and go out as they should or you will be forever under the seats looking at the connections.

to sum up, on the whole it's a nice little motor and if treated reasonably well should be a loyal friend that shouldn't cost much to keep going.

Rob

[nick]

To be honest, the ZX, 306 and Xsara are all basically the same car mechanically, just the later 306 and Xsaras got progressively more electronics on them as the years passed.

No Xsara hatch or estate ever had a DMF (though some Picasso HDi's do) so no problem avoiding that. To avoid multiplex wiring you would need to exclude post 2000 Xsaras, the very last of the mk1s and all mk2s have it, though whether its really a problem is a matter of opinion. Can't say I've had any problems with the multiplex wiring on mine.

Personally I don't find the Xsara HDi much more difficult to work on than the Xantia TD I had before. There is less space in some areas, but that's really just because its a smaller car.

[UserError]

Cheers for the replies - put my mind at rest a bit.
Regards
Jonathan

[Peter.N.]

For peace of mind get something with the ordinary XUD engine, if you do have a problem they are much cheaper and easier to repair than the HDI.