Xsara…What a strange name! Perhaps Citroen had a valid reason for naming two of their cars with ridiculous names, maybe we will never know.
I bought my brand new Xsara 1.4i, 5-door saloon, in silver grey in January of 2000. My husband had absolutely nothing to do with the choice ... Read review
Advantages: Spacious, good looking and reliable Disadvantages: minor problems after two years and 60000 miles
Xsara…What a strange name! Perhaps Citroen had a valid reason for naming two of their cars with ridiculous names, maybe we will never know.
I bought my brand new Xsara 1.4i, 5-door saloon, in silver grey in January of 2000. My husband had absolutely nothing to do with the choice of car (‘what a brave man’, I hear all you fellow males cry!), and I suppose that it was the efficiency of the dealership which finally ... ...used the main dealership for Citroen in Derby on Alfreton Road, just outside the city centre, which at the time was called Mark Pritchard, but has since changed name to Bristol Street. This worried me a little as I found the service at this garage when I bought the car excellent, but I need not have panicked, as they remain thoroughly concerned with providing excellent customer care.
My initial instincts have proved right, I believe, ... more
Xsara…What a strange name! Perhaps Citroen had a valid reason for naming two of their cars with ridiculous names, maybe we will never know.
I bought my brand new Xsara 1.4i, 5-door saloon, in silver grey in January of 2000. My husband had absolutely nothing to do with the choice of car (‘what a brave man’, I hear all you fellow males cry!), and I suppose that it was the efficiency of the dealership which finally swayed me to by this particular make of car above all of the others that I had seemingly spent days wandering around.
I didn’t particularly want a new car, but spent a while checking out some offers at the local garages and noticed that I could have a brand new Xsara for just a little more than a 2 year old one (around 7500 used, and 9995 with cash back new). This sounded too good a bargain to me, after all I am well know to be the Queen of bargain hunters (I wonder if David Dickinson is the King?).
I used the main dealership for Citroen in Derby on Alfreton Road, just outside the city centre, which at the time was called Mark Pritchard, but has since changed name to Bristol Street. This worried me a little as I found the service at this garage when I bought the car excellent, but I need not have panicked, as they remain thoroughly concerned with providing excellent customer care.
My initial instincts have proved right, I believe, and I have definitely found the Xsara represents excellent value for money. It is a very good- looking car, although not too flashy, and I think the subsequent version is kind on the eye too.
I find it a nice car to drive, as it handles well for its size, and is comfortable inside. I have comfortably carried three adult passengers in the back seat, with a boot full of suitcases too, and had no complaints about lack of space. (Sorry but I cannot comment about the suitability of the backseat for other more primal activities, as I am an old married woman!).
The driver seat position cannot only be altered in the usual ways, backwards and forwards, and the back moved up and down. You can also adjust the height of the seat, which is excellent for us lady drivers who may not be that tall. It sure helps whilst driving if you can see over the steering wheel! In addition to this you can position the steering wheel to be at a comfortable height and distance from you too. These features make the driving experience all the more pleasant.
I have driven quite a number of cars, ranging from very small (my first love was a Vauxhall Nova) to large, high performance vehicles (I sometimes get to play in Dads XK8), and in my opinion the Xsara is a good drive. Whilst it appears to be quite a large car, it certainly is quite quick off the mark, even though it has only a 1.4 engine. The added bonus of this is that your road fund licence is at a slightly reduced rate. Having just received my DVLA reminder for our other car (a 1.8), I am glad that I don’t have to pay two lots of 160 pounds!
The boot space is very generous, and I have been able to safely transport two adult mountain bikes with the rear seats folded, including all of the other biking paraphernalia needed for a day out in the hills, with no problems. The only problem I have had with the boot is that the latch has started to stick and can be difficult to open. I am sure however that at the next service this will be remedied, along with the general little problems associated with a car that has travelled over 65,000 miles!
The Xsara would be an ideal family car. I have found it to be very reliable, and it feels safe to be in. I presume that the space in the car would allow for easy fitting of child seats (although I have no kids to try this with), and if you wish to fit the seat in the front passenger side, you can turn off the airbag, so that in the event of a bump your child does not get harmed.
All in all the Xsara has proved to be a reliable all round vehicle, even after doing so many miles. Not only this, but it has proved to my other half that women can make good choices when sent out to do something that men often see as their duty!
So if you are looking for a new car, why not pop down to your Citroen dealer and test one out. I’m sure you will not be disappointed.
Advantages: New Shape, nice funky design, handy gadgets, nice sized boot. Disadvantages: French Design, expensive parts and servicing costs
...days later i visited the Citroen garage, found out some more information on the Xsara, seemed a cracking car, i dont want to moan and groan but when things never seem to go right you have to let others know, thinking your doing the right move passing on bad comments.
As for my local Citroen dealer..... for those who have experienced it ill say no more.
The first Xsara drove fine for the first few weeks and suddenly seemed to develop a fault, it ... ...3 months in total but Citroen had it most of the time, driving round in their unpractical courtesy cars.
They could never find any problem with the car. After many months Citroen gave me a mega deal on a brand new Xsara, i got £1500 more for my old Xsara than i paid for it.
My new Xsara turned up, metallic Blue, thistime on a 53 Reg.
The new Xsara was just as the old one, same spec, if you have never driven a Xsara and you are thinking of buying ...
SamJEmm 30.12.2005
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Citroen Xsara 1.4
Advantages: great spec, bargain price, great handling, good dealers Disadvantages: 1.4 engine is not fast
...at high speed. Mine has Citroen alloys fitted which were an extra at £500, although the car looks much better with them. Performance is not great, the 1.4i only generates 75BHP which isn't great and 0-60 is 12.7 seconds so its not for speed demons, however I have since driven the 1.6 version and it is fantastic, it has an extra 35BHP and 16 valves which gives it far more power. The 1.4 is still very driveable and cruises well on the motorway but ...
quinny100 21.05.2001 (22.05.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Citroen Xsara 1.4
Advantages: good price, roomy Disadvantages: none that I have found
I purchased my Citroen Xsara Forte 1.4l in June 2000. I was looking for something that would be large enough for giving lifts to friends but not too expensive for me. Since I bought it, it has given me enormous pleasure for such a reasonably priced car. The Forte model includes front and side airbags, power steering, ABS brakes, self-coloured trim, electric front windows, electric passenger-side wing mirror, and I paid an extra £300 for a six-CD ... ...The total price I paid for the car was £9,295, which included metallic paint. For a five-door hatchback large enough for a small family, I thought this was very good value.
The amount of space inside is very impressive. My brother, who is 6' 5", can sit comfortably in the back without bumping his head or knees, and without forcing the front passenger into the dashboard. The cabin is also very comfortable, with the feel of a much more expensive car. ...
lareine 21.04.2001
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Citroen Xsara 1.4
Road Handling
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Quick review of Citroen Xsara 1.4
Hi
just brought a 1999 14i and love the look of it but can anybody helpme!!
I can not get the back seat down the catch on the drivers side will not shift the botton on the back of the rear seat is stuck in the down position.
i have tried most things, even rocking the rear seat to no availe, so if anybody knows a great way to get the catch to release i would be very greatfull. ...
duddie6 13.06.2007 (12.06.2007)
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Citroen Xsara 1.4
Advantages: very spacious, efficient, reliable Disadvantages: seems to be victim of common faults
I purchased this car in 2002, as i had a baby on the way and needed a larger car. needless to say it is very accomodating; The boot is very spacious, i managed to fit both a large 3 wheeler buggy and a stroller in the boot. However ,for a while it didn't seem right it was struggling to accelerate and stalled very easily on numerous occasions, when checked it was an electrical gadget that was faulty; called the map sensor, which was expensive to replace. ... ...drive and cruises lovely. The faulty Map sensor seems to be a common fault.
She has passed every Mot so far and done about 45'000 miles, However i my window washer pump has failed and i need to get a new one, this too is apparently a common fault.
The rear window is small making visibility difficult, you have to rely on your mirrors alot.
I hope she has alot more miles in her becuase i don't want to say goodbye for a long time. ...
muppetbaby1 11.07.2006
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Citroen Xsara 1.4
