Citroën Xantia Hatchback (1993 - 2001) 1.9 TD SX 5d (1994/M) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

I don't mind driving an old car as long as it is a good one.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Family like it. It has been a faithful and reliable servant and I have lent it to all 3 of my siblings when theirs has failed. Friends are happy if I am.

Would you buy this car again and why?

I would, though unlikely to find such a good example at such a low mileage ever again.

What are you likely to buy next?

That depends on when I buy next. If it is in the near future then either a Multipla JTD or an Audi A4 Avant TD.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£400

When did you buy the car?

June 2006

Did you get a good deal and why?

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

It was a very low-mileage example of the car I was looking for.

What was the dealer like?

What's it like to drive?

The amount of hydraulic assistance means that there is very little physical effort required to drive. It fares best on the open road and long journeys are relatively painless. It handles reasonably well but isn't a car built for twisting country lanes - not that it struggles, it's just not really going to put a smile on your face under those conditions. As long as you maintain the suspension, it's a comfortable ride, and reasonably quiet - particularly for a car of this vintage and a diesel, though there is noticeable turbo whine when accelerating. Though not a sporty car, it has a reasonable turn of speed and will cruise happily on the motorway at above legal speeds - I have to watch myself here.

What's it like to park?

Rear vision is very odd - when parallel parking with a car behind you, the end of the car disappears long before contact becomes a possibility. This is something that I never get fully accustomed to. That, coupled with the high flanks, make seeing white lines behind impossible without using the mirrors, so parking in a space that isn't planked by cars is pretty hit-and-miss. The power assistance makes the actual job of parking reasonably effortless though, and it can get into pretty tight spaces. Probably not for an inexperienced driver.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Clutch cable - this is an expensive repair or very difficult to do yourself. Ended up getting this done twice when the repairer didn't do as I asked and check for a problem elsewhere. The second time, the clutch was replaced - had it been done originally then the replacement cable would have been OK. Suspension a couple of times (including when I bought it). ABS system failed and I think I got ripped off by the repairer. Water pump failed recently.

What's most practical about your car?

Five-door design, with folding rear seats, makes it almost a mini-estate car. Decent load-carrying abilities but a civilised and spacious saloon when required to be. Still reasonably economical for a large car too.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Factory-fitted I would have to say the sunroof. Added by me - the DAB radio, which links to the audio controls on the steering wheel. The speakers built in to the car are pretty decent.