Citroen Xsara
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Diamond Geezer
Gone But Not Forgotten
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trudij
Senior Jockey
My brother had a petrol automatic xsara - it was lovely. Top Gear mag only talks about the picasso - but basically says diesel is best ( of those!) and cheap, and the best one ios the 1.6 HDi.
Have a look in the honest john web site too...
honest john
hes the Daily Telegraph car man...
Have a look in the honest john web site too...
honest john
hes the Daily Telegraph car man...
Desert Orchid
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It all depends on what you want from a car.
Citroens aren't very reliable so if reliability is important (it's utterly crucial to me because I drive 850 miles per week just getting to and from work) I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole although I drove one on holiday and it was fine for the week.
I'll check out what my Which? Guide says and get back to you.
Citroens aren't very reliable so if reliability is important (it's utterly crucial to me because I drive 850 miles per week just getting to and from work) I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole although I drove one on holiday and it was fine for the week.
I'll check out what my Which? Guide says and get back to you.
My mechanics in Suffolk are Citroen specialists so I had a few, bangers really... I liked them but once they start to go wrong ity's pretty non-stop
The trouble with the Xsara iirc isa that it's all made in one 'piece' so if something goes, it's expensive to put it right. Also if you get a Citroen you need to make sure you have a mechanic in the area who understands them. Their hydraulics alone are unlike anything else
The trouble with the Xsara iirc isa that it's all made in one 'piece' so if something goes, it's expensive to put it right. Also if you get a Citroen you need to make sure you have a mechanic in the area who understands them. Their hydraulics alone are unlike anything else
Diminuendo
At the Start
My workhorse is a Xsara 1.9 D. I have had her for 2 years, she had a lot of mileage on the clock when I bought her, she has far more now, but ' touch wood ' she has been brilliant. The car is nothing to look at , but it's an enjoyable drive and it does the job i need.
Cheers everyone!
DO - I have had a Citroen ZX now for 6 years and it has been so reliable even the local garage says how reliable citroens are.
Dim - Thanks, i think i might buy it, it has done 70,000 miles, had one owner and is only going for £3,995 so not too bad. I dont drive that far at all so should last me a fair while.
Headstrong - Yes the garage thats selling it is a citroen dealer and garage etc so should be ok to get fixed etc.
Trudij - Cheers its good to hear someone give it a good review, some of the reviews on the sites that were added are not that good which is disappointing but still i think its good value as i have been told by a few friends already.
DO - I have had a Citroen ZX now for 6 years and it has been so reliable even the local garage says how reliable citroens are.
Dim - Thanks, i think i might buy it, it has done 70,000 miles, had one owner and is only going for £3,995 so not too bad. I dont drive that far at all so should last me a fair while.
Headstrong - Yes the garage thats selling it is a citroen dealer and garage etc so should be ok to get fixed etc.
Trudij - Cheers its good to hear someone give it a good review, some of the reviews on the sites that were added are not that good which is disappointing but still i think its good value as i have been told by a few friends already.
Desert Orchid
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Many people will drive 'unreliable' cars and never have a problem. It's a question of luck.
I find the Which? Guide very accurate based on my experience with cars. Many years ago I really fancied what was then the 'new' Metro. The Guide said they were rubbish but I bought one. It was rubbish but I thought I was just unlucky, so I bought another. It was rubbish. The Guide said Micras were great. I bought one and it was a fantastic little car. The Guide said Toyotas were ultra-reliable and my wife's ancient Toyota 1000 was regularly used to ferry me to and from the garage where the new Metro was being repaired.
I currently drive an Audi diesel. The niggles and problems highlighted by the Guide match accurately the niggles and problems I've encountered. (I'd much rather have a Toyota but it can't match the Audi for mpg. I'm just lucky my garage only charges £59 for a full service for the Audi.)
I'd always recommend Japanese cars over any other make. Between us, Mrs Orchid and I have owned 14 cars over the years, including 3 Hondas, 2 Mitsubishis, a Toyota and a Nissan, and the Japanese cars have all been amazingly reliable.
I find the Which? Guide very accurate based on my experience with cars. Many years ago I really fancied what was then the 'new' Metro. The Guide said they were rubbish but I bought one. It was rubbish but I thought I was just unlucky, so I bought another. It was rubbish. The Guide said Micras were great. I bought one and it was a fantastic little car. The Guide said Toyotas were ultra-reliable and my wife's ancient Toyota 1000 was regularly used to ferry me to and from the garage where the new Metro was being repaired.
I currently drive an Audi diesel. The niggles and problems highlighted by the Guide match accurately the niggles and problems I've encountered. (I'd much rather have a Toyota but it can't match the Audi for mpg. I'm just lucky my garage only charges £59 for a full service for the Audi.)
I'd always recommend Japanese cars over any other make. Between us, Mrs Orchid and I have owned 14 cars over the years, including 3 Hondas, 2 Mitsubishis, a Toyota and a Nissan, and the Japanese cars have all been amazingly reliable.
http://www.compucars.co.uk/vehicle-details...968&Distance=-1
Thats what you want, same as mine although mines on a T, better than a bmw in my opinion.
Thats what you want, same as mine although mines on a T, better than a bmw in my opinion.
Desert Orchid
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According to the Guide, there seems to be a big difference between the Xsara and the Xsara Picasso.
Of the Xsara, it says "give it a wide berth".
Of the Picasso, the 2005 Guide says it "scores well for interior space and versatility, but it's no driver's car. The diesel versions have impressive fuel economy but also some reliability problems". They seem to be related to the 03-05 diesel models, which get a black mark for 'niggles' as they're otherwise average across the board.
The 2006 Guide says (of the Picasso), "It's comfy and practical but make sure you haggle hard to help offset high depreciation. Check the fuel system if buying a used diesel." Only 54% would recommend it to a friend and the diesel model comes out as average across the board except for faults, for which it's rated only one star.
It lists the diesel fuel system, dashboard switches and central locking as troublespots in the 2001-03 models and central locking in the 2004-06 range.
They don't seem to rate the Omega, Pro: "not pleasant to drive, it suffers from poor reliability and it depreciates quickly."
Of the Bentley Continental GT Coupé, it says: "strictly for the phallically challenged with money to burn."
Of the Xsara, it says "give it a wide berth".
Of the Picasso, the 2005 Guide says it "scores well for interior space and versatility, but it's no driver's car. The diesel versions have impressive fuel economy but also some reliability problems". They seem to be related to the 03-05 diesel models, which get a black mark for 'niggles' as they're otherwise average across the board.
The 2006 Guide says (of the Picasso), "It's comfy and practical but make sure you haggle hard to help offset high depreciation. Check the fuel system if buying a used diesel." Only 54% would recommend it to a friend and the diesel model comes out as average across the board except for faults, for which it's rated only one star.
It lists the diesel fuel system, dashboard switches and central locking as troublespots in the 2001-03 models and central locking in the 2004-06 range.
They don't seem to rate the Omega, Pro: "not pleasant to drive, it suffers from poor reliability and it depreciates quickly."
Of the Bentley Continental GT Coupé, it says: "strictly for the phallically challenged with money to burn."