I'm back! (And looking for a Citroen...)

[Mandrake]

Hi All,

It's been quite a while since my last post as I've been out of the car owning fold since I sold my Xantia in mid 2009... but time has finally arrived to get a car again, for the first time since moving to the UK. I'm looking to buy from early March onwards and my budget is under £1000.

Of course naturally it'd be nice if was a Citroen, although to be honest after nearly 3 years of having no car I'd probably be happy with any half decent and reliable car that kept the rain and snow off my head

So this post is to fish around a bit and see whats out there, and find out what people think might be good buys/models to look at. My last car was a 1997 Mk1 Xantia VSX 2.0i Petrol Automatic with Hydractive 2, air bags, electric seats etc, which I liked a lot, especially the Hydractive 2 ride...however I realise that time has moved on from 2009 to 2012 and even the newest Xantias are getting a bit long in the tooth and are potentially a maintenance issue for anyone not well equipped with tools and spare parts. (My current set of tools is quite limited since I haven't had need for any)

I'm also concerned about body rust and front strut top rust which was already a big problem a few years ago in the UK. What is the current situation with strut top rust and replacement strut tops ? When I got my 1997 Xantia in 2005 it already had dodgy strut tops - although in New Zealand they don't fail from rust, but rather from the rubber perishing and cracking from heat and humidity - so I fitted a pair of new strut tops to that in 2006 to be on the safe side as they had significant cracking and stretching in the rubber.

If Xantias are getting a bit old now what of the newer models are recommended ? I'm not too familiar with any Citroen's newer than the Xantia other than general information, so any advice on what to avoid and what to consider would be appreciated.

If anyone in the Glasgow / North Lanarkshire area has something to sell within my budget in March or would just like to catch up and talk Citroens, then it would be great to hear from you

[Citroenmad]

Welcome back

Xantia strut tops are no different now than three years ago, they are still available and many Xantias will have good strut tops. Xantias don't rust all that much, mainly on the rear sill and inner rear door area if anything. Some cars seem very rust free and others much more rotten, its just what you find.

There is also the Xsara, which offers low cost motoring but is has conventional suspension.

If your wanting newer than a Xantia with hydractive suspension then really your looking at C5s. You can get an earlier one for your price range and they are great cars - provided you get the right model and a good example. I say right model as ideally the 2.0HDi is the best one to get. Changes were made from mid 2002 onwards, so try get 52 plate or newer. Petrols are half decent, all but the 2.0 HPi petrol which is a bit rubbish, 1.8 and 2.0 16vs are good.

There is a lot of info on C5s on here, a lot posted by me as I do like them, have a search about or ask if you require any more C5 info

[CitroJim]

Welcome back Simon and great to see you again Just goes to show, once a Citroen driver, always

As Chris says, the Xantia is wearing her age very well indeed really. In MK2s at least the big rust worry nowadays is on the PAS pipe between the pump and steering pinion. Mk2 strut tops fare better it seems and body rust is yet a real concern except in some late estates...

Keep an eye on here and something just the job will show up... How about a nice Xantia V6?

[citroenxm]

Pah Xsaras, are NOT a Citroen, they are a dressed up Peugeots..... You NEED hydraulics to be a "Proper" Citroen.

As for prices.. A grand is an awkward price. Base LX C5's with a bit of milage seem to be on or under the Grand mark, as HDi S2 Xantias seem to be holding the grand upward mark for really tidy ones.. S2 strut tops appear to last longer and dont fail as quickly as S1 tops. A grand should get you a VERY nice Xantia S2 around 2000 year HDi LX or SX ... or possibly a low spec C5 HDi, but they may have a fair few more miles on them.

Late S2 Xantias are a Very nice car indeed but still need the regular Xantia Checks.. Matrix, spheres, ABS, etc. The Head Gaskets on the HDi engines appear to last a DAMMMM sight longer then the XUD TD gaskets.

[Citroenmad]

As for prices.. A grand is an awkward price. Base LX C5's with a bit of milage seem to be on or under the Grand mark, as HDi S2 Xantias seem to be holding the grand upward mark for really tidy ones.

Quite right, most sub £1000 C5s diesels are HDi LX (try avoid the 90bhp version) but they do have the all important AC. You can get a higher spec petrol for that money with good mileage or even hunt out an SX HDi which has a good trim level. If its cheap motoring your after the 2.0HDi beats the 2.2 for many reasons.

Some to get you thinking:

low mileage 2.0 16v SX petrol

3.0 24v V6 Auto Exclusive

A 2.0HDi 110 VTR (SX spec went before VTR)

Though if your used to a Exclusive Xantia with heather leather then you might have a job finding such a well equipped C5. They often have more spec but leather was an option on all but the top spec Exclusive SE.

Id personally would really likethis, 1.9TD VSX Xantia from 1993 Love that interior!

Or a late HDi 110 Forte

Loads of choice!

[citroenxm]

Bear in mind too on the C5, "Exclusive" is ONE trim level, with No Leather, and "Exclusive SE" is top with leather!

[Citroenmad]

Bear in mind too on the C5, "Exclusive" is ONE trim level, with No Leather, and "Exclusive SE" is top with leather!

Indeedy, though Exclusives can be found with optional leather, satnav was also optional on Exclusive but standard on the rather rare 'Exclusive SE'.

[KennyW]

Welcome Home Simon,

There are several of us in forum within an hours drive of your location and I'm sure the rest of the forum will keep their eyes open for you

I lost my 1.9 TD and replaced it with an HDi 90hp which has impressed me a lot.The power difference between the 2 is noticeable.

Kenny

[DickieG]

Good to hear from you again Simon, back. As mentioned above Xantia's are lasting well, rust isn't a problem so dig out a decent one and you'll be a happy man. There are still decent ones available, a year ago I managed to find my 48k mile one owner HDi so it's a case of keep searching several times a day to find the really good ones as they get snapped up very quickly.

[Gibbo2286]

Well I'm a long way away (GL15 6LE) but I was thinking of moving up from my 2002 C5 2.0 litre HDI 110 this springtime.

I've gone from BX to Xantia to C5 over the last four years, maybe go for a later C5 or even a C6 this time if I can find one at the right price.

My C5 is in good nick with an mot until July, had a set of four new 'Continental' tyres fitted about 1k ago mileage 162k and I'll take a grand for it but no less.

If you might be interested ask fo more details and I'll oblige.

[RichardW]

Hi Simon...was up your way at the weekend at Summerlee - 3y old loves the tram....!

Anyway, look no further.... Xantia Catharsis

[CitroJim]

Anyway, look no further.... Xantia Catharsis

A bargain Ticks every box... Simon, it's a no-brainer. Go for it!

[Mandrake]

Anyway, look no further.... Xantia Catharsis

A bargain Ticks every box... Simon, it's a no-brainer. Go for it!

Yikes, I haven't been on the forum for a day or two, I've PM'ed lexi, hopefully I'm not too late. Well spotted chaps

[Mandrake]

Hi Simon...was up your way at the weekend at Summerlee - 3y old loves the tram....!

Anyway, look no further.... Xantia Catharsis

Heh, small world. I'm just a 5 minute walk from the Summerlee Heritage park but can you believe in 2 1/2 years I've yet to visit it ?

[Mandrake]

Well I'm a long way away (GL15 6LE) but I was thinking of moving up from my 2002 C5 2.0 litre HDI 110 this springtime.

I've gone from BX to Xantia to C5 over the last four years, maybe go for a later C5 or even a C6 this time if I can find one at the right price.

My C5 is in good nick with an mot until July, had a set of four new 'Continental' tyres fitted about 1k ago mileage 162k and I'll take a grand for it but no less.

If you might be interested ask fo more details and I'll oblige.

Thanks for the offer but that is indeed a long way from me, I was hoping to find something a lot closer, being without transport (besides trains and buses) at the moment.