I bought my 2003 Citroen Xsara 4 years ago whilst still working as an estate agent. It had only done 6,000 miles and was cheap at £5,500. It served me extremely well initially and, even now, at 68,000 miles is a reliable starter. It is still quite economical to run and reasonably comfortable ... Read review
Advantages: Good value for money. Comfortable and economical. Disadvantages: Parts can be expensive.
I bought my 2003 Citroen Xsara 4 years ago whilst still working as an estate agent. It had only done 6,000 miles and was cheap at £5,500. It served me extremely well initially and, even now, at 68,000 miles is a reliable starter. It is still quite economical to run and reasonably comfortable on a long journey. A petty annoyance has always been the upholstery - it attracts dust and fluff from goodness knows where which is almost impossibly to vacuum ... ...think the Citroen has been a bad buy by any means, I just fancy a change. It pays to remember that you get what you pay for: it was a cheap initial purchase and has served its time well. Overall, good value for money, in my opinion.. ... more
I bought my 2003 Citroen Xsara 4 years ago whilst still working as an estate agent. It had only done 6,000 miles and was cheap at £5,500. It served me extremely well initially and, even now, at 68,000 miles is a reliable starter. It is still quite economical to run and reasonably comfortable on a long journey. A petty annoyance has always been the upholstery - it attracts dust and fluff from goodness knows where which is almost impossibly to vacuum off! It has had its share of problems in the last 2 years - new exhaust, broken suspension spring (but, of course, you have to have both changed not just one), a couple of electronic faults but, what is most annoying, are the clunkings from under the car. It has been to 3 different garages to put right and all of them say they can find nothing although they do admit it is exceptionally noisy when turning the steering wheel sharp to either right or left. When going downhill it now sounds as though a wheel is coming loose. I also found parts were surprisingly expensive, although delivery was always speedy. Time has come when I can stand the noise no longer; it has unnerved me enough now to become convinced that it is time for a change. So goodbye, old pal - I think a Smart Car is the next buy, not because I think the Citroen has been a bad buy by any means, I just fancy a change. It pays to remember that you get what you pay for: it was a cheap initial purchase and has served its time well. Overall, good value for money, in my opinion..
Advantages: Nice Handling, nippy around town Disadvantages: Nothing special, terrible view out of rear mirror
I purchased my Citroen Xsara from the dreaded Yes Car Credit (see my review). I have to say that its the smoothest car i've ever driven and the handling is excellent. Its a bit basic inside, but that makes it easy to keep tidy so isn't really a negative. The air conditioning is quick and efficient, as is the whole ventilation system (de-misting the front and rear windscreens is a breeze). I use it everyday for a 150 mile commute and as yet, have ... ...a tendancy to stall when i first start it. The stereo is acceptable and the steering wheel controls are especially handy, but again, it could be better. There is adequate space for passengers and plenty of room in the boot, average space for an average car. I also feel that the seats are a tad uncomfortable. My only real gripe is the terrible view you get out of the rear windscreen. The boot is so high up, parking becomes a real issue and you have ...
karl_hydes 11.05.2004
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Citroen Xsara 1.6
Advantages: Impressive looks, Economical Disadvantages: Can't see anything out the back window
I have become a Citroen owner by chance really. My Aunt who looks after her cars really well (cleaned every week, waxed & polished once a month, serviced regularly, low mileage) has brought a brand new Mini & was offered a really derisory amount by the dealer for her T reg Citroen Xsara SX 1.6i. It had done 40000 & was in mint condition inside & out. It was a special edition & has a swanky 6 cd changer & 6 speakers, Air conditioning & a parking/reversing ... ...I think the stereo systems is phillips & I am sure it was paid extra for as it is the best sound system I have ever heard in a car - fantastic bass!
She was offered £990 at the BMW garage so was selling it herself. She was asking £2300 but accepted £1800 off me as I was prepared to wait til she took delivery of her mini.
It has been a good buy really, even though I have just spent £250 on mot & new discs & pads for the front brakes, which is just ...
moomande 02.04.2005
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Citroen Xsara 1.6
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Quick review of Citroen Xsara 1.6
The only drawback I find is that there is a split second delay before the required response happens. This is true of dipping the headlights, putting on the heater, or applying the accelerator. I am more use to an instant response. handling, all round vision, plus added features make it a car I am proud to own. Annual servicing from the franchise does become expensive. I haven't worked out the mpg, but it is probably overall in the region of 35mpg, taking all driving into consideration - that is, town driving (mostly), and occasional trips to the airport. I've had mine (the SX) since 2001, and am not considering replacing it. Annoyingly, the 6 cd player has recently packed up. Very comfortable overall. Would I buy again? Would have to check out the market at the time. Possibly Yes. ...
ianrtodd 02.06.2007
Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Citroen Xsara 1.6
Advantages: Handling, practicality Disadvantages: Boring if youre not driving it
The fact that this car has been on sale since 1997 yet nobody has given an opinion on it says everything - it doesnt get you talking.
We have a 1998 Xsara with 25000 miles on it. Its had a couple of faults - it started stalling which was apparently caused by a sensor in the exhaust getting dirty and the anti roll bar has almost rusted through- i do not know how. The dealers were very good about these and we didnt pay a penny for these to be fixed.
... ...is now being phased out is perfectly adequate, its pretty quick and quite economical, it definately sounds good but its a wee bit short on torque, especially when you look at the competition.
Well equipped car, Electric windows and sunroof and I believe the newer ones have air con as standard but I have to say that the stereo is absolutely crap. Despite having handy controls on the steering wheel it sounds awful for a modern car and as soon as I ...
almillar 02.10.2000
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Citroen Xsara 1.6
Advantages: Good handling,cheap tax,comfortable Disadvantages: Slow acceleration(spose it is only a 1.6!)
I bought my Xsara mark 2 on a 54 plate just as the C4 was replacing it and im glad i did. Its the new look model and has all the mod cons air con,alloys etc and really is a nice car to drive. It can be a bit sluggish accelerating, but then only boy racers want to leave everyone in their dust at traffic lights. Being a 1.6 what do i expect actually. The handling is superb, corners can be taken smoothly and the suspension seems better at soaking up ... ...them? Very spacious inside plenty of leg room in the front and back, which i found you didnt get in other makes of this size. All the controls are within easy reach, and my model had volume and radio controls on the steering wheel column, rather than the wheel so they didnt follow the wheel round when turning it. Hopefully the new C4 for Citroens sake is as good because the Xsara might take some beating. ...
wes170 02.10.2006
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Citroen Xsara 1.6
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Advantages: easy to handle and good features Disadvantages: spare tyre not easy to locate
My mom has recently brought this car after her good old faithful vauxhall astra estate died after 12 good ole' years. (well it didnt really die - it was still going great but needed a lot of money for it to pass the MOT, so we passed it onto one of our friends who is a banger racer where it made fame in destruction derby 2 ps2 game).
Anyway, back to the citroen. Well what a totally fantastic car and totally suited for my mom.
So what made my 61 year old mother go for the citroenxsara1.6 estate. In all honesty nothing! My mom cant tell one car from the next and whenever she is asked to describe a car she always comes out with the classic "well its a blue/red/back one and has 4 wheels!" Good ole mom.
The main reason she went for this car is purely because it is an estate, she has always driven estates and would feel like she ...
Advantages: Spacious, good value for money, comfortable, easy to park (due to length) Disadvantages: Windscreen pillars obstruct view
CitroenXsara Picasso "Desire" 1.6 petrol.
After 6 yrs of driving a Fiat Punto, it was time for a change. I wanted something entirely different to the Peugeot 106 we also have use of. My options were to get a family hatchback, of the Ford Focus class, or for less money, I could get a CitroenXsara Picasso.
As a young man of 28, with no kids, the idea of driving a "kiddie carrier" was going to take some getting used to. However, the wheelbase and width is hardly greater than that of a standard family hatchback, such as a Focus, or the standard Xsara, so it really made sense to buy something which offered more as regards practicality. In any case, what can you do with a Focus which you can't do with a 106 (except drive faster).
I've been driving the Picasso for nearly a year now, and I've gradually got used to it. Loading it ...
Advantages: Space, comfort, cost and fun Disadvantages: A wee bit thirsty in town; a couple of visibility problems
Canvassing support for the Picasso from Citroen, is easy work.
It is a distinctive car that speaks for itself.
The number of reviews, and the positive nature of most of them, makes the point. But let me paint my own picture for you. ( Not a bit sorry for sick puns ! )
My Purchase
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I was changing from a Fiat Punto, and unkind commentators may suggest anything would be an improvement.!
However, I have had a number of Primeras, Bluebirds, Marinas and such like, so I know the big cars, as well as the small.
This Picasso was 6 months old, so nearly new.
It was around the £9000 mark, though I wanted alloys and paid for Citroen's own set, which was a few hundred extra.
The car is in black, and is the 1.6 Desire edition.
My Drive
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Squeezing my oversize, 6' 2" frame into any car, tests its interior space ...
