Chosing an used Citroen - three options
Moderator: RichardW
Chosing an used Citroen - three options
I need a second car. The options I am considering are:
1. Xantia V6 Activa '2000
2. Xantia 2.0HDi '1999 (have one).
3. XM V6 manual '1997
4. XM 2.1TD auto '1997
The prices are very close.
Mileage perspective: 10.000 miles per year.
Comfort, power, and economy are the main factors (although power and economy don't mix). Economy = fuel economy + low maintenance costs.
Based on your experience, can you help me though the decision?
Thunderbird
1. Xantia V6 Activa '2000
2. Xantia 2.0HDi '1999 (have one).
3. XM V6 manual '1997
4. XM 2.1TD auto '1997
The prices are very close.
Mileage perspective: 10.000 miles per year.
Comfort, power, and economy are the main factors (although power and economy don't mix). Economy = fuel economy + low maintenance costs.
Based on your experience, can you help me though the decision?
Thunderbird
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Even though I ain't got any of the vehicles your thinking of, before I had my 2nd Xsara I had a good look at the Xantia diesel. Got to say that even the basic spec motor was worth the money for me. If the wife hadn't been with me I'd be in a TD Xantia now. I was only after spending about £1500 quid and the local rag and auto trader were full of realy good looking motors. Had a look at a handful with full Citroen history 1 owner from new and looked brand new. Go for the Xantia.
Hi,
The 2.5 only came as S2 and manual.
I'd definetly go for the 2.5, thought hard about it till recently but figured that the savings w/r to petrol are only 4 eurocents/km. It would take me around 70.000 km to retrieve the Eu 2.500 extra investment. ie not worth giving the '95 2.0 16v up for. But I will one day have one!
Goodluck with your choosing
The 2.5 only came as S2 and manual.
I'd definetly go for the 2.5, thought hard about it till recently but figured that the savings w/r to petrol are only 4 eurocents/km. It would take me around 70.000 km to retrieve the Eu 2.500 extra investment. ie not worth giving the '95 2.0 16v up for. But I will one day have one!
Goodluck with your choosing
>>Comfort, power, and economy are the main factors (although power and economy don't mix). Economy = fuel economy + low maintenance costs.<<
Why not get a nice 1.9TD Volcane? (pref pre ECU, so even less things to go wrong?) They are very comfortable, very quick, very reliable, and very economic.. Seems to fit your requirements nicely... And very cheap to buy as well [:D]
Why not get a nice 1.9TD Volcane? (pref pre ECU, so even less things to go wrong?) They are very comfortable, very quick, very reliable, and very economic.. Seems to fit your requirements nicely... And very cheap to buy as well [:D]
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Stempy</i>
Head says 2.0HDi, heart says V6 Activa
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Stempy, that is where I stand right now.
Concerning the XM 2.5 I haven't found one in good condition.
I've found out most XM spares get more expensive than Xantia ones and stocks are also lower, meaning the chances on waiting a longer time for a specific spare that fails is much higher on the XM.
'Head' says 2.0Hdi mostly because of economy and comfort:
- 7L/100kms on HDi. 14L/100Kms on V6.
- Suspension comfort in almost every situation.
'Heart' says V6 because it's one of a kind:
- No body-roll, allowing extreme fast cornering (only on dry roads).
- Performances of the V6 (especially aceleration).
- Degradation of comfort while cornering.
Well, I believe that in most Head-Heart duels, the Heart usually triumphs...(life is too short)
Head says 2.0HDi, heart says V6 Activa
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Stempy, that is where I stand right now.
Concerning the XM 2.5 I haven't found one in good condition.
I've found out most XM spares get more expensive than Xantia ones and stocks are also lower, meaning the chances on waiting a longer time for a specific spare that fails is much higher on the XM.
'Head' says 2.0Hdi mostly because of economy and comfort:
- 7L/100kms on HDi. 14L/100Kms on V6.
- Suspension comfort in almost every situation.
'Heart' says V6 because it's one of a kind:
- No body-roll, allowing extreme fast cornering (only on dry roads).
- Performances of the V6 (especially aceleration).
- Degradation of comfort while cornering.
Well, I believe that in most Head-Heart duels, the Heart usually triumphs...(life is too short)
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Tom,
The last generation V6 block is more solid and resistant than the HDi.
The Activa suspension is indeed more complicated, but aren't most complications common to both suspensions (Activa and non-Activa)?
For instance, the only trouble I had with my current Xantia suspension was a loss of gas in spheres. The suspension got too hard and I replaced all the spheres, which fixed the problem. The Activa has two more spheres, so, replacing them all will be a little more expensive (33% more). This only happens once in 4-5 years.
Do you know of any complications that is specific to the Activa suspension and does not happen in other Xantia suspensions?
Thunderbird
The last generation V6 block is more solid and resistant than the HDi.
The Activa suspension is indeed more complicated, but aren't most complications common to both suspensions (Activa and non-Activa)?
For instance, the only trouble I had with my current Xantia suspension was a loss of gas in spheres. The suspension got too hard and I replaced all the spheres, which fixed the problem. The Activa has two more spheres, so, replacing them all will be a little more expensive (33% more). This only happens once in 4-5 years.
Do you know of any complications that is specific to the Activa suspension and does not happen in other Xantia suspensions?
Thunderbird
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I thought that the Active had ten spheres and was controlled by ecus and electronic valves. I have known people tear their hair out trying to debug them and Citroen dealers tend not to be very good at diagnosing problems which can make them expensive and frustrating if something electronic goes awry.
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I never said I was looking for a sports car. I just concluded from your words that Citroen's offer in matter of sportive saloons was not a good option.
In fact, comfort is a major aspect to me, and those alternative models you mentioned are far less comfortable than a Xantia Activa (on straight line).
I only wanted to clear out if Xantia Activa's suspension was really something to stay away from, and you succeded in convincing me of that - if, as you say, many Xantia Activa owners can't get over the suspension problems, as Citroen dealers don't find the solutions, buying one would be seeking for hard times.
Thank you.
In fact, comfort is a major aspect to me, and those alternative models you mentioned are far less comfortable than a Xantia Activa (on straight line).
I only wanted to clear out if Xantia Activa's suspension was really something to stay away from, and you succeded in convincing me of that - if, as you say, many Xantia Activa owners can't get over the suspension problems, as Citroen dealers don't find the solutions, buying one would be seeking for hard times.
Thank you.