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The Citroen dealership in Newcastle is excellent at servicing and they will collect and deliver either you or the car as you please - for free. Servicing costs are about £150 for annual service in 2005 compared with a charge of £220 in Northampton in 2001. They even repair the odd minor ... Read review
Advantages: Comfortable, economical, reliable, excellent on mountain roads Disadvantages: Poor press, short brake disc life
...serving.
The Citroen dealership in Newcastle is excellent at servicing and they will collect and deliver either you or the car as you please - for free. Servicing costs are about £150 for annual service in 2005 compared with a charge of £220 in Northampton in 2001. They even repair the odd minor niggle for nothing.
Depreciation is quite steep in the first 3 years, but kept for longer is proving a much more attractive ... more
Owned from new, my 2001 SX version is one of the best cars in its price range that I have ever owned. When I bought it the "NEW Xsara" was rated highly by many, but it seems to have become fashionable to knock it especially in comparison to more recent designs. Bearing in mind that the car was designed over 10 years ago it isn't that bad in my opinion.
I chose this diesel as I knew that as a retired person, it would not suffer with cold running on short journeys like a petrol car, but would offer excellent economy on long journeys such as 62mpg in mountainous Norway.
The looks are nothing special, nor do they offend inside or out. The upholstery is uninspiring but is lasting well and sheds marks easily. There is a small amount of imitation wood trim, but not enough to annoy me after initial viewing. The front seats are comfortable and the drivers seat has height, tilt and lumbar support adjustments. The steering wheel is also adjustable so virtually everyone can find a comfotable driving position. (I know how comfortable it is after getting annoyed with successive roadworks the other day and doing 5 hours with only a 3 minute comfort stop - all I wanted to do was get home, and I did so without the slightest twinge from sitting so long). Only a slight reflection of the dash in the windscreen annoys occasionally. Unfortunately the rear seats (with 3 full seatbelts) are not so supportive as the front, although with the centre arm rest down, things improve slightly. The boot is a good size and we have never had to put the back seats down for extra space when returning from France with the duty free on board with luggage for 2 weeks holiday.
Instruments are clear to read, all being conventional dials. The odometer is digital and has a service interval reminder. (Although 12month intervals/ 12500 miles are recommended, the reminder oddly zeros after 6 months rather than 12).
Although the gearbox is not the raciest to use, the gears are long and do not require fast gear changes to maintain progress. The car will just do 30mph in 4th and 40mph in 5th before changing down, whilst 70mph is easily attained in 3rd making passing easy in all circumstances.
I have only activated the ABS once, and it did all it should by maintaining steering and keeping me on the road when taking a hidden bend too fast.
The car really comes into its own for performance in the mountains of Norway where its steering, roadholding and well placed gear ratio makes steep hairpin roads a doddle, passing most other family saloons in safety. Conversely, on the motorways of Europe the sensible 5th gear will give 52mpg cruising at 80mph and 56mpg at 70mph. On the Routes National at 56MPH I usually get 60mpg.
The bodywork fit is good and the paintwork is still good after 4 years in the open.
Lighting is very good and the headlamp beam height is adjustable for heavy loads. Even better, the foglamps are in the main unit so people do not flash you for having them on as they do when you have separate foglights even when they don't dazzle. (Later models went back to separate foglights so that people did not think they were fitted otherwise!).
I have had NO breakdowns. The car starts in the coldest weather the North-East can give us. The only major repair I have had is replacement of the brake discs after 4 years due to pitting. This is apparently caused by the use of iron particles in the brake pads causing rust spots, and these are not polished off if the car stands for a few days at a time. Minor problems are restricted to poor design of the plastic covers under the bonnet leading to clips breaking off. Two niggles - (1) the airbag light coming on occasionally, requiring a connector under the driver's seat to be remade to cure it. (2) The bulbs in the headlamp unit require double jointed fingers to get to them.
Accessibilty for fluid top ups is good except for the washer, which annoyingly needs a plastic cover removing (and the clips breaking). I have used no oil between serving.
The Citroen dealership in Newcastle is excellent at servicing and they will collect and deliver either you or the car as you please - for free. Servicing costs are about £150 for annual service in 2005 compared with a charge of £220 in Northampton in 2001. They even repair the odd minor niggle for nothing.
Depreciation is quite steep in the first 3 years, but kept for longer is proving a much more attractive proposition.
Overall my 4 years of ownership have been a pleasure and I look forward to as much again.
Advantages: Good eprformance and handling Disadvantages: Poor rear seat room
...my hirecar booking was a Citroen Xsara 2.0 Hdi. I suddenly thought, I have been driving for 30 years (no, not non-stop before Alkaliguru makes some comment) and I have never driven a Citroen. I have been a passenger in one or two. A relative of mine had a BX, all angles and sharp edges and a ride like a slow rollercoaster. I also went in a recent Xantia which was quite nice if again not the worlds most attractive design. When I arrived at parking ... ...It puts your product in potential customers hands and often the cars are not that well looked after. My experience was good though, this was a very good car very well looked after. My overall view of not only the Xsara was improved but also of Europcar and Citroen generally. ...
polydeuces 19.09.2001
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: very helpful Review of Citroen Xsara 2.0 HDi
Advantages: very economical, good performance, comfortable ride Disadvantages: depreciation, fuel gauge, unnecessary rattles, build quality
...point French diesel predominantly from Citroen and Peugeot [ntably the same company, PSA Group].
Having traded in my 1.9D Citroen ZX Avantage with 150, 000 miles on the clock, I was really looking forward to my first ever brand new car.
My main requirements were safety and economy, two qualities the Citroen Xsara SX 110HDi has plenty of.
The engine is great, really responsive and lacks the 'tractor sound and vibration' earlier incarnations of ... ...gauge [a common problem amoung Citroen Xsara owners] which would report one minute as having a quarter of a tank, later it jad jumped to 3/4 etc- in all highly erratic. The problem has only just been fixed 2 1/2 years later, after a total of 8 visits to 3 separate Citroen garages. Annoying rattles in front cockpit, and rear seat catches aside, it is fine, not great.
It as been a totally reliable car, never having broken down or any major problems ...
bobjord 20.08.2004
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Citroen Xsara 2.0 HDi
Advantages: Safe, sporty, elegant and fun to drive/be driven in. Disadvantages: none that I can spot
The Citroen Xsara is a fantastic vehicle to own. We got our Citroen xsara in the January period and have loved it ever since. When I was told we were getting a Citroen, I nearly laughed in my dad's face. Now my dad is having the last laugh. This car is probably one of the best value for money cars out on the market. We couldn't believe its low price with its high standard. For a car worth 13,000 the Citroen Xsara couldn't be more appropriate.
Having ... ...fill the big car's boots. The car has a very aerodynamic body and it looks very modern. The car's extras include a CD player (optional) a tape player/radio, air conditioning, anti-theft alarm, automatic front wipers, remote central locking, independent boot locking, ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), front and side impact air bags for driver and passenger, radio functions on the steering wheel, electric windows, front seat height ...
Goran 17.06.2001
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: helpful Review of Citroen Xsara 2.0 HDi
Advantages: Responsive, fast, has lots of torque and is very economical. Disadvantages: Exhaust is expensive to fix, driving position.
My wife, our two kids and I regularly drive 200 miles from our home to our caravan in Cornwall. I have not run out of boot space yet, and the 200 miles are easily covered in comfort. As the driver, when I first bought the car it took a couple of months before I got a driving position I felt comfortable with. The best thing about the Xsara is its 2.0 HDi Diesel engine. It is responsive, fast, has lots of torque and is very economical. You can easily ... ...provided you don't drive at 90 mph. If asked the Xsara will easily cruise at 90 to 95 mph all day long. The 2.0 HDi is a perfect size for the Xsara, I have driven the Peugeot 406 estate with the same engine and it is not a patch on the Xsara (slower, less mpg, etc.).
I may have been unlucky but if you are thinking of buying a second hand Xsara check the exhaust system. My Xsara was at the exhaust fitters four times over a seven-month period as they ...
loachie 18.09.2005
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Citroen Xsara 2.0 HDi
Advantages: excellent handling excellent miles to gallon Disadvantages: i so for had no bad things to say about it
i had bought my car just over 2 weeks ago on a x plate 2000 model and i have been just driving around town mostly and it returned nearly 500 miles on a full tank which works out at over 40 miles per gallon the interior is excellent with pas abs electric windows and sunroof and the seats are excellent because i have a bad back and in my other car i used put a cushion on the seat for support but i dont have to do that because it give me support for ...
carpet1 13.09.2004
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Ciao members have rated this car review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Citroen Xsara 2.0 HDi
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Advantages: Great engine for power and economy, massive boot, bargain 2nd-hand. Disadvantages: Dull interior, dull image.
Well, it has done over 90,000 miles now, but the engine remains powerful, the seats supportive and the trim in good condition. Contrary to Citroen's reputation this car has been extremely reliable over the last 5+ years I have owned it, and the dealer's been fair too. Generally underrated, I have driven far newer cars that don't appear to have progressed much at all. Dirt cheap 2nd hand.
The best bits are:
The strong and economical engine. It shows a clean pair of heels to plenty of surprised Audi/Merc/BMW drivers and I get 40mpg around town, and over 60mpg on motorways.
The nice smooth ride, far better than more modern hard-riding cars. It handles well despite the softer ride and the steering has some feel to it.
The boot is big for a car of this size, and gigantic with the rear seats folded down.
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I got my CitroenXsara Picasso SX 2.0HDi three years ago (51 Reg) and I?ve driven over 40,000 miles in it. If anyone told me they were thinking of buying one, it would depend on what type of person they were before I?d say it would be a very good choice. The equipment spec on the SX is very high, diesel economy is very good for a tall car, practicality is superb and it feels so spacious you have remind yourself you are in a small car. But all-round practicality means some compromise has to be made.
True to the Citroen form, the Picasso's looks are very striking and it?s quite tall too, but somehow it manages to disguise that - until you try reaching the roof when your washing it! However, once you step inside you find out what this car?s all about as a disorientating sense of spaciousness hits you.
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Advantages: Practicality, Diesel engine, Huge boot, Driving position Disadvantages: Plasticy interior trim, Wind Noise, Far too easy to speed!!
Have just replaced my Volvo so time for my second review - I have just bought an X-reg year 2000 2.0HDiCitroenXsara Picasso, and I love it, so here goes!
In early 2000 Citroen launched its first mini MPV to rival the popular Renault Scenic and Vauxhall Zafira. At launch it was available with a 1.6 8v or 1.8 petrol engine, or Citroen's 2.0HDi diesel engine. It rapidly rose through the sales chart to become the highest selling mini MPV in the UK, a position it has remained despite new contenders, ever since. In its five years since launch it has become Citroens biggest selling model in the firm's history. In 2003 the model underwent a minor mid-life facelift to incorporate body-coloured door handles and side strips new wheel trims, and equipment upgrades.
All Picassos come with five individual seats, with the rear three being ...
