Citroën Xantia Hatchback 2.0i Turbo Activa 5d (AC) (1996/P) Owner Review
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Economy
Value
Absolutely stonking bargains to be found, but be wary of poor condition suspension and electrics. Will not have been used as a taxi. Resale terribly difficult - enthusiasts only.
Costs
Abominable repair costs for suspension every 3 years. Fuel economy is poor for best performance, car needs to be maintained more carefully than an Impreza.
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On the road
Driving
Suspension is very noisy at low speeds, compromising the generally exciting drive. Car goes where you tell it to, even in the rain.
Performance
Quite frankly, handling and agility are staggering in Sport mode. Easily corners in the wet at 70mph where a 406 would be doing 50mph. Can keep up with far quicker cars on the twisty stuff - a boy racer's worst fear!
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Living with it
Reliability
ABS sensors reported faults corner suspension spheres all needed replacing (£220 all told) suspension has a mind of its own anyway.
Image
Xantia Activa unfairly seen as an old man's car, despite cornering better than an MR2 Top Gear magazine tested an Activa against a Lotus Elise on a cone course in 1996, Activa won, but nobody remembers. Sloppy marketing by Citroen swept under the carpet.
Comfort
Poor compared to a normal Xantia, but still better than many rival's suspension. Much stiffer than usual when set in Sports mode, comfort mode is useless and makes the car wallow on corners.
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Security and Service
Security
Funky keypad thing, deadlocks, immobiliser, no alarm though. Nobody would nick it anyway they wouldn't have a clue what it can do when you get your foot down.
Service
Stupidly expensive quotes - always go independent. Don't buy without a full legitimate MOT!
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Problems and Ownership
Problems
Engine
Turbo reported a fault but worked fine when error code erased. Peugeot 2.0 turbo engine bullet-proof.
Other
Suspension is a pain in the backside.
Ownership
Did you buy the car new?
Used
Would you buy the same model again?
Yes
Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?
Yes