Citroen Xsara 2.0 HDi > Reviews (6)

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.