As already known about in another thread on here, ive bought an Activa!
Here is the spec:
1998 S1 Citroen Xantia Activa 2.0TCT on an S reg with 116K miles. Quite a late S1 being registered on the 19th October 1998. I bought it from Gareth (XantiaMan), who has done a good few jobs on the car and kept it well over the months he has owned it. It was gleaming when I went to pick it up today, really impressed with its condition - thanks Gareth
Gareth also kindly fitted some front mudflaps and gave me some rears for it too, something I always fit to cars, so thats saved me getting some.
What an excellent day today has been ... I took the Xm down to collect the Activa from Norwich, about 240 miles away from me. The Xm went brilliantly as ever, I think this will be the most miles we have done in a single day with it. Really proved to be a joy to drive and ride in.
On arrival Gareth gave us a quick demonstration of the Activas handling abilities before he handed it over and we set off for home. I must say, I was impressed with the way it took to those country roads and the roundabouts, im looking forward to getting used to it a bit more and enjoying its drive even more.
Its in excellent condition, the interior looks almost unmarked and wearing its mileage exceptionally well, the exterior is very good, couple of odd marks but nothing noticeable, excellent!
Driving it home was an excellent experience, its about 6 years since I drove an Activa and I had totally forgot what they were about. The handling I find quite remarkable, even going normal to reasonable speeds (40 or so mph) over a roundabout the car behaves almost as if its still going straight, no drama at all. - Its not as if you need to be tearing about to notice its advantages in the handling department
About 100 miles into the drive back I swapped back into the XM and let my dad have a drive of the Activa. This was partly due to the fact I wanted to follow the Activa and look at it
It looks very well on the road, seems to suit silver nicely, a very bright silver with unmarked colour coded bumpers and bright wheels, set the car off nicely. It became apparent when getting back into the Xm how good the Activa actually is. The Xm is not scared of a good corner or two when in Sports mode but trying to keep up with the Activa when it was doing moderate speeds (for it) around corners and roundabouts was a struggle, the Activa was off.
I was obviously pressing on enough in the Activa at one point, as I got a bit of tyre squeal around a tight corner, the Xm was miles behind at that point. Ive not pushed it very much, im just getting used to the car and plodding about really.
I do love the Activas seats, the adjustable side bolsters are great - ive got mine wound right in! Very comfortable and very hugging. In a way I prefer the Xms driving position, it has a longer position which means I can get my legs straighter. With the Xantias seat in a reasonable position my legs feel a bit too cramped still, the wheel is about right if not quite as upright as the Xms, but with the seat further back the gearstick becomes quite a long reach. Over all I found the Activa very comfortable though, actually a bit surprised by how reasonably sporty the rest of the car feels - not just the ARCS either.
The gear change is a joy, I do like that, very smooth and nice to use, better than the C5s thats for sure. I felt very at home in the Xantia, what a good car they are. It does feel quite small compared to our Xm estate and the C5s, but a good nimble size.
Distinct lack of oddment space in the Xantia, as it has air conditioning the glovebox really is only fit for one glove and thats about it, no other cubbies, unlike the Xm which has a massive glove box and centre armrest, the C5 can match a lot of MPVs for hidden storage!
Im nit picking, everything else i really like so far, really like!
I found it very refined on the motorway too, 70 is around 3000rpm so not too bad for a petrol in my experience. I was mainly sitting at 70-80 most of the way home, sometimes a bit more, the mid range pull it has is impressive, a bit like a diesel!
The Xm has done 500 miles on £65 of diesel, which works out to roughly 47.5MPG, pretty impressive.
The Activa seems to have used around £45-£50 for 240 miles, roughly 29-32MPG, about what I thought it would do on a run, so quite pleased with its economy. Im expecting less on average but its not going to be a daily driver.
The Activas performance really is better than I was expecting, it probably has a lot to do with the slight mod in the form of a manual boost controller, but it really does pull very nicely and very very well. Quite a quick car in my opinion.
I was going to put some pictures up from the trip home, but photobucket has decided to take a disliking to me tonight so ill stick them up tomorrow. For now here is one pinched from Gareths thread, taken today:
Ive got a few plans for it, which are as follows:
- Cambelt kit and water pump and AUX belt - really this is first on my 'to do' list.
- General service.
- Tyres, all are quite good but only two are a matched pair and they are on one side of the car. As they are directional I might get one tyre swapped round on the rim and have a pair on the front. Or get the tyres swapped and fit them to the rear, while getting a new Kumho to match the almost new one on the drivers side front.
- Front height correctly needs sorting and a play with the side to side leveling
- Air con could do with a regass, but it was getting better the longer I had it on
- Spare key sourcing
- Exhaust clamp fitting
- Sort knocking from the rear
There are other things, but none come to me right now ... basically just get it even more sorted and as good as it can be. Its already a very good car.
My first job will be the cambelt, just to be on the safe side, then ill be looking forward to getting some real use out of the car while doing the things I want to it
Most of the above can be done as and when I have time, for the next 5 weeks most of my free time will be doing assignments ready for hand in at the start of May.
Thats about all my brain will allow for tonight, its been a fairly long day coupled with a late night last night. Ill fill in more and give a better review tomorrow ....
I really should have tried Activa ownership well before now, I was missing out! Kind of wish I had got a normal Xantia before too, excellent cars.
Car looked great, i know its gone to very good hands and i hope you enjoy it, a good sound car.