RIP Xantia.... or not?

swiss_steve · Post by **swiss_steve** » 19 Jun 2011, 19:29

Hi all,

My dilemma….

I think that sadly the day has come when I feel I must let go of my beloved Xantia. I've owned it about 7 years and, like all my cars, have spent lots of time and money pampering her (full service history). However, time marches on and now it has to go - either to the scrappy or to someone more adventurous or with more time than me.

Problem is this – it’s a 1998 1.9TD Temptation II Estate with A/C - that's the good news. Now it needs the following: Exhaust Rear Section, New Battery, New Tyres. The handbrake possibly requires new cables and the A/C is not functioning (needs new condenser). There’s also rust on both passenger door recesses near the wheelarch (a problem typical to all Xant Estates).

http://s489.photobucket.com/albums/rr25 ... ve/Xantia/

So the question is this: is it worth putting back into an MOT condition, or just take it to the scrappy?....

All comments and feedback welcome!

Post by **CitroJim** » 19 Jun 2011, 19:35

Steve, the first question to ask is how bad is the rust? If it's not too bad then going by the look of the car and the list of work required, it's well worth doing.

You have to ask yourself if you can source a better car for the cost of getting this one back up to scratch..

I'd say not and the old adage of better the devil you know comes to mind.

Buy something else and you could end up spending a lot more to bring it up to scratch.

My view is, depending on the extent of rust (any chance of some pictures of it?), go and do it...

Post by **xantia_v6** » 19 Jun 2011, 19:39

With the exception of the rust, all of those items I would consider normal maintenance, not reasons to scrap a niced car.

You did not mention if the rust is bad enough to be a MOT fail, you also did not mention the mileage.

swiss_steve · Post by **swiss_steve** » 19 Jun 2011, 19:42

Hi Jim,

Many thanks for your views and comments; that's much appreciated.

The rust is bad enough to require welding, that's for sure. I've got pictures of the area and can put that on Photobucket, if you wish.
However, with my imminent emmigration departure to a far off land, I won't be replacing the car....
(I still have my ZX to get rid of at the last minute, but that's a later story)!

Stekelly · Post by **Stekelly** » 19 Jun 2011, 19:54

Theres never a reason for one to go to the scrapper. Surely someone would take it on if it's goign free? Hell, I'd travel over and bring it to Ireland at that price.

First refusal if it is up for grabs anyway.

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 19 Jun 2011, 21:16

It amazes me how people would rather WASTE a car rather then let someone take them on!

Ive just recused a X reg 306 Diesel, as it was far far too go to scrap, for £150 quid.. I thought it was worth it..

Id also find the ESTATE Xantia more then worth saving, they are becoming a bit rare now.. Well worth £150 quid or so of anyones money!

Wheres Worthing, vwell far away from me on Anglesey no doubt!

Paul

bxzx16v · Post by **bxzx16v** » 19 Jun 2011, 21:58

Fix it don't scrap it , nice colour & model too

Mark

XantiaDaveEire · Post by **XantiaDaveEire** » 19 Jun 2011, 22:51

Looks way too good for the scrapyard!!

HDI Dave · Post by **HDI Dave** » 19 Jun 2011, 23:15

Steve,

First off, I do indeed see your dilemma.

Fix it - spend £'s *on it,
scrap it - spend nowt,
or offer it on here.

*
as xantia v6 says, they are nominal,easy jobs, if you have the time/inclination, and what's the point if you're emmigrating etc...

Mine was much the same:

http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=36029

Backbox - not too dear to source,or even fix yourself,or even mcc exhaust centres etc.

Battery,again, unless you're after a new one,scrappers/ebay etc

tyres, part worn,yellow pages/scrappers..what's point in buying new £££ if you're emmigrating!

Handbrake cables - had this meself, car rolled away..

adjustment was all that was needed!

That rust on the rear wheel arches -
It IS a myth that it's just estates...mine, ( hatch)... and plenty others have it

Small patch,small monies..

my Yorkshire twopenethworth

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 19 Jun 2011, 23:34

S2 hatches suffered the rust, S1 rarely did.

addo · Post by **addo** » 20 Jun 2011, 00:04

Interesting; it seems to be one of those climatic things again.

My break has rusty roof gutters where the rubber had "sweated" (I now mostly leave the trim off) but otherwise the metal is excellent.

Have to say - having one for comparison at present - same era Volvo estates have better paint than Heuliez managed. Nicer quality and thicker. No rust there, either...

citroenxm · Post by **citroenxm** » 20 Jun 2011, 08:13

My S1 Hatch 1997 P reg V6 also has VERY bad rust on the upper rear cill areas... one of the worst S1's Ive seen...

Paul

MikeT · Post by **MikeT** » 20 Jun 2011, 10:49

I think I would like to take it on.

Just not sure about the rust.

swiss_steve · Post by **swiss_steve** » 20 Jun 2011, 11:34

Hi again all, and thanks for everyones' feedback. I'll try and answer all comments in one shot:-

Time is my biggest enemy, so justification of time spent against potential return is foremost in my mind. What I haven't mentioned yet is that the car is presently located (garaged) in Paris, so I've got to also weigh up the added cost of travel: going there, picking it up and driving it back, then faff about with all the repairs and MOT to take a chance on a sale....

In my own mind, I think the tyres, battery, exhaust and handbrake will cost about £250 to £300 to fix - plus welding. All-in with travel, fuel etc, I could be £500 to £600 down before selling. Now I haven't done much research, but I think I'd find it hard to believe the car was worth more than that with a new, shiny MOT....

I agree with everyone's comment that it a nice car to see 'go like that' to the scrappy, but I must remain realistic and not get too sentimental about whether this is a real asset or not.

Decisions, decisions....

robert_e_smart · Post by **robert_e_smart** » 20 Jun 2011, 13:11

The car is worthless where it is, the French won't want to repair it. Sell it to a scrap metals man or a car breaker. Don't spend good money after bad.