Xantia, they're "not all that"

boristhespie · Unread post by **boristhespie** » 22 Nov 2009, 18:08

Okay just joking. While looking for a C5 which suits my driving long journeys many suggested I get a Xantia.

What's so special about these compared to C5?

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 22 Nov 2009, 18:17

boristhespie wrote: What's so special about these compared to C5?

They're easily repaired for one thing and have much less electronics to aggravate you. Lots of knowledge of them on here. Service items and most spares are cheap and easily available.

They look good, they go well, cost of ownership is low, they're tough, they ride and handle a treat and will run, with easy TLC, to stratospheric mileages. Their interiors are nice and comfy (especially leather) and good ones are not dear.

They also get under your skin

You won't regret a good Xantia. In my opinion far superior to the 406 even though they share a lot of underpinnings.

VertVega · Unread post by **VertVega** » 22 Nov 2009, 18:37

CitroJim have said it all 8)

I have decided long ago that I'll skip C5 model completely (no offense, it's my opinion, personal choice) ...
If one day I have to buy a new car it'll definitely be Xantia '00 or '01.

Reasons:
- design (XM is another model which I like very much)
- easy maintenance (amateur weekend mechanic like me managed well with the help of FCF

)
- reliability, power, consumption (long distance traveler, also abroad country visits)

300k and +++

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 22 Nov 2009, 18:51

I would agree with all of the above and the XM is even better

, I wouldn't run anything else.

Peter

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 22 Nov 2009, 19:02

To be fair. All this relatively easy maintenance is in comparison to newer and complicated cars with even less room and more electronics.

But............Xantias aint no walk in the park IMO.

Heater Matrix, belts tensioners, glow plug access, rad and bottom bayonet hoses, turbo accsess, bottom ball joints, clutch and clutch clip etc etc

Far better looking than C5 though. I`ve looked at them from every angle .....estate and hatchback. Even shot up alongside them on Motorway....then cut in front to view them in mirror. Undertook them to view nearside. Nope! try as I might, like the Discovery 3 that thing is Fugly

Maybe it will grow on me?

Unread post by **myglaren** » 22 Nov 2009, 19:05

I'd agree the Xantia is a better ride and more comfortable, better looking and as said, lower cost of ownership.

The latter may change with parts becoming scarcer in future but will hardly exceed the cost of C5 ownership.

I thought that the C5 would be an improvement on the Xantia but can't say that it is.

Gammy leg · Unread post by **Gammy leg** » 22 Nov 2009, 21:07

lexi wrote:that thing is Fugly Maybe it will grow on me?

It is, and it won't

The all new C5 is soooo much better looking than the original. Even the late facelift failed to improve things IMO. Equalled in ugliness only by the the truly awful Vauxhall Belmont

Gammy

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 22 Nov 2009, 22:00

technicaly the belmont was not a singular vehicle, if i remember correctly from the front it was an Astra, in the middle to rear quarter it was a nova saloon and at the back it had got totaly confused and just sort of ended..................with some lights..................as a school boy i remember my father coming to pick me up in his new Belmont company car, i think we both carry the mental scares to this day.

D

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 22 Nov 2009, 22:37

Just a qualification of 'easy to repair'. Niether the Xantia or XM are easy to work on, but it possible to repair them - without thousands of pounds worth of equipment, secret codes from the manufacturers and a trip to the garage every time a warning light comes on, and you can use your normal car repair tools and make up what you haven't got, and whats more they are considerably more reliable and durable than anything they make now.

Even if you cant do your own repairs there will be far more independent mechanics that can repair them than can repair modern cars and the cost will be a lot less.

On top of that you have a car that is far more comfortable and roomy (XM) than the majority of new cars and 50 mpg form a 2.1 engine, driven sensibly.

Did I mention that I like them?

Peter

addo · Unread post by **addo** » 23 Nov 2009, 01:11

It just kills me when people attempt to justify their spending heaps more on purchasing a new car - the injection of a far lesser cash sum in NEW parts and experienced technicians would yield a happy result.

rmunns · Unread post by **rmunns** » 23 Nov 2009, 06:57

You still find one owner Xantias with low miles and good service histories at bargain prices.

In the summer I picked up one just like that (Year 2000 90Hdi saloon forte with 38000 miles). Just £1600!

Always 55mpg or better. Good load carrier. Smooth, comfortable and quiet. No exhaust filter.

I might have done better with a bit more luck (Exclusive estate 110Hdi would have been nice.................). But I could not be happier, bearing in mind the finances I have to buy and run a car.

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 23 Nov 2009, 11:06

addo wrote:It just kills me when people attempt to justify their spending heaps more on purchasing a new car - the injection of a far lesser cash sum in NEW parts and experienced technicians would yield a happy result.

Bang on Addo. They will drop more on depreciation in one year than they could ever spend in 3 on their old car. They never think of that depreciation as being "their" money. Add up the dealer service bills to honour the so called "warranty" and could add to another thousand quid,

You always pay out when you don`t use your brain or your own hands

Unread post by **Old-Guy** » 23 Nov 2009, 18:05

Boris

I would agree with all of the positive comments above on Xantiae.

I seem to remember that you need reliable, economical transport for a long daily commute?

So what about Gareth's 'Activa'd' Xantia 1.9TD that he's offering for £550 with recent history and pictures on this For Sale & Wanted thread!

IMHO a much safer (and cheaper) bet than an unknown C5 from an unknown dealer (or fleebay)

Guy

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 23 Nov 2009, 21:41

lexi wrote: But............Xantias aint no walk in the park IMO.

Heater Matrix, belts tensioners, glow plug access, rad and bottom bayonet hoses, turbo accsess, bottom ball joints, clutch and clutch clip etc etc

That's a fair point lexi

I'm so used to working on Xantias now that I forget that some jobs are a bit on the challenging side

You've just about named them but may I add to the list the following please:

RH driveshaft intermediate bearing (my particular bête noire)

Activa Alternator

A funny thing though, on all models, however impossible a job may first look, it is doable just.

A case in point. Look at your V6 and imagine you have to remove your hydraulic pump. How'd you go about it? You might be surprised... It looks nigh on impossible but in V6 terms, it's actually quite straightforward.

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 24 Nov 2009, 07:33

Old-Guy wrote:Boris

I would agree with all of the positive comments above on Xantiae.

I seem to remember that you need reliable, economical transport for a long daily commute?

So what about Gareth's 'Activa'd' Xantia 1.9TD that he's offering for £550 with recent history and pictures on this For Sale & Wanted thread!

IMHO a much safer (and cheaper) bet than an unknown C5 from an unknown dealer (or fleebay)

Guy

Thanks Guy!

I used the car for the same thing, covering lots of miles in a short time and only needing tyres, brakes and oil changes to keep it going.

I find the C5 ugly too.

It will be going up for more money on ebay. Being in the trade, I've seen some right dogs go for more and I know this sort of car will be rare by next year. Not many have its history behind it, or had so much attention lavished on it. Its also without a doubt the best colour for an S1!

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Xantia, they're "not all that"

Xantia, they're "not all that"

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