1996 Citroen Xantia SX 1.9 turbo diesel

Summary:

Good, affordable, comfortable car.

Faults:

The central suspension spheres have been replaced - at a cost of £130, the other four spheres were replaced when I bought the car.

The remote control for the central locking needs a bit of paper in the key housing to enable it to work!

There is a bad vibration between 65-75 MPH which repeated wheel balancing has not solved - I wish I could get to the bottom of this.

General Comments:

The car is very comfortable, economical (I get 43 on a motorway run cruising at 80-85 MPH, 39 commuting in stop start traffic and 31 when towing a caravan.), reasonably roomy, not as expensive to run as its reputation would make you think, tows a caravan effortlessly and performs well.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th April, 2002

1996 Citroen Xantia VSX 2.0i

Summary:

Nice car, just expensive if it breaks down

Faults:

Needed 2 new tyres, but needs the other 2 doing soon.

Suspension has gone.

Catalytic converter has gone.

Brakes are on the way out.

Otherwise it is a nice comfy ride, shame all this happened in the 3 months we had it.

General Comments:

Seems a lot to go all at once, but I would say it is a nice car that handles well.

Parts are expensive, I have found that kinda puts me off having another.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 10th December, 2001

1996 Citroen Xantia Mistral 1.9 turbo diesel

Summary:

A good car, would consider buying another

Faults:

Reported a problem with the clutch a few weeks after purchase. The dealer replaced it free of charge.

Windscreen wash pump failed. Replaced under the warranty by dealer.

Switch for electric sunroof failed. Replaced under the warranty by dealer.

Rear suspension collapsed. Repaired under the warranty.

General Comments:

Very comfortable car, especially for long journeys.

Very few problems after the warranty expired.

Powerful engine - especially for overtaking.

Economical, but produces a lot of emissions at times.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th December, 2001

1996 Citroen Xantia VSX 1.9 turbo diesel

Summary:

Very slow diesel

Faults:

Rear suspension manual adjustment valve seized at 65000.

Clutch cable snapped at 95000.

Fan blower intermittent.

A/C intermittent.

Boot rattles.

Driver's door seal leaks.

Washer water level indicator failed.

Eats headlight and sidelight bulbs.

Eats brakes.

General Comments:

This car gives the most comfortable ride ever, but it's the slowest turbo diesel I ever had, it's underpowered.

Handling is good.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th July, 2001

27th Nov 2002, 13:06

Reference power problem-check that turbo hose is connected.

Any idea where I can obtain a handbook (or a copy) for my newly acquired 1993 VSX? I have no idea what some of the controls are for.

R. Stanbridge Richmond N.Yorks.

11th Jun 2003, 15:40

Where can I obtain a Handbook for a 1996 1.9td Zantia Sx.

5th Dec 2005, 05:00

Eats brakes??? Or maybe it could be your driving style.

Washer fluid level indicator failed??? Or maybe a blown bulb, not exactly life threatning.

1996 Citroen Xantia LX Estate 1.9 turbo diesel

Summary:

A satisfied owner. Just wish it would start a bit better!

Faults:

Waterlogged boot area under the carpet and rear foot well.

Poor starting when hot (glow-plugs and battery have been replaced - any suggestions?)

Expensive replacement remote keys although 'normal' keys available at £6.00ish.

Height adjustment on the driver's seat lowers on its own.

Not as good miles per gallon as expected.

General Comments:

Generally pleased. It is a roomy comfortable estate. I was looking for a Laguna, Mondeo or Xantia estate, I thought the interior of the Mondeo drab and dated but drove well. Next available a Laguna, but an AA history check found it had been an insurance write-off and rebuilt so forget that one. As I had to get a car fairly quickly, an Xantia was available so I bought it.

Reversing can be awkward and niggly faults as mentioned, but the ride is brilliant. Lower insurance premiums pay for the additional diesel servicing requirements.

All in all I'm happy!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 26th July, 2001

29th Jul 2001, 09:24

I am on my second Citroen, the 1st was a Xantia 1.9 TD and this one is a ZX 1.9 TD, both of these cars have never fired straight up even when the engine is hot, you have to wait for the glowplugs. I've been told it's normal by a Citroen mechanic so don't worry about it.

6th Feb 2002, 15:18

1996 Citroen 1.9 LXTD Estate.

I wrote the earlier report a couple of months after buying the car. Here is the 8 month follow-up.

The water leak has been fixed. It was the membrane in the tailgate. A reasonably simple job. I replaced it myself for £40.

The starting problem was a loose copper union connector on the injector - repaired at no cost and working fine.

Car seat adjustment, fixed it myself, just a loose screw.

Keys - bought a none remote central locking key for less than a fiver and it passed its MOT 1st time, something I'm not used to.

Alls well and really pleased with it. Love the sound of the turbo kicking in - Little things please little minds!