Faults:

The car has proved very reliable, but little things like the back seat clip and radio aerial have been replaced by the dealer under warranty.

General Comments:

The reason I bought the car was that I found it was so exciting to drive. Now that it has been run in it is a delight. The handling is much better than most cars we test drove before buying it.

The gearing suits the open road, but as I live in the centre of a city and still find it a joy to drive it must be flexible.

I find the styling more pleasing now than when I bought it because I know how practical it is. The interior is very roomy.

Faults:

The car's ABS brakes do not work when the clutch is pushed in.

Under emergency braking situations, if the clutch is depressed, the engine stops, cutting the power to the brakes, and to the steering.

General Comments:

The Citroen Xsara is a great car to drive. Before I bought it I drove a Volkswagen Golf, a Honda Civic, and Peugeot 206. The Peugeot was closest, but the Citroen handles much better than the others.

Even though it is front-wheel drive, it has very neutral grip, and a well sorted chassis.

Faults:

The pre-delivery service from the dealer was appalling. They had damaged the window switch surround, the rear window washer spray only went half way up the screen, and there was a scratch on the front fender.

Around 10 000km the airbag light came on. This was fixed by the dealer, although the repairs are noticeable, with a wire running outside of the normal loom.

The trim around the passenger side seat belt housing came loose. This was fixed by the dealer.

The louver adjustment on the passenger side for the air conditioning vent has been pushed in, and is yet to be fixed by the dealer.

General Comments:

The car is very comfortable to both drive in and be a passenger, although rear leg room is limited for people over 6'4" or 190cm tall.

The performance is adequate, no more.

Engine is vibration free throughout the rev range.

Rear visibility is limited due to the shape of the car.

Radio in Australian spec is rather fiddly, but easy to learn with a quick read of the instruction manual.

Paint is very easily scratched, even following proper washing procedures.

The car can be fitted with 16" wheels with almost no reduction in ride quality.

Faults:

Noisy clutch.

Acrid smell in the air conditioning.

CD remote does not work.

Remote central locking does not work.

Buckled upholstery.

Air vents in the dashboard fell out.

General Comments:

The car handles well and has good acceleration.

Stupid design such as, all switches are illuminated except the light switches.

The jack is clipped under the car, and it's a good way to ruin your clothes when you are flat out, face down prizing the jack out.

Australian version is very basic, it misses many of the features the Euro version has.