2001 Citroen Xsara Reviews

The car seemed well built, had had an engine rebuild and chassis maintenance, and it was very cheap. My mechanic and later a Citroën dealer confirmed that the car was in a very good shape.

But, big BUT, the engine (1.6 109hp) was too weak to pull the car up my driveway as long as it was cold. People wouldn't believe me at first, but were stunned trying it themselves. Citroën says this is due to a long first gear, fuel saving electronics, and an engine in no way built as a Volvo engine (where I came from and intuitively went back to). A big letdown!

Apart from that, the newly maintained chassis made the car rock along its long axle, and the seats were cheapish.

Otherwise, the car was very likable in shape, space, design and function. But it had to go again fast, and people buy this stuff; I made a 20% surplus of my initial investment.

Starter motor went at 101K.

Many electrical faults, two of which have required RAC help.

Last MOT was over £700 - nothing big, just loads of smaller things.

It uses a lot of oil without there being any fault to cause this.

We call this car the "motorised sitting room", because if you put some wheels on your sofa, this is how it would feel! Seriously, the handling is horribly vague, and the car rolls around in the mildest of bends.

It does have good brakes.

The fact that I've just sat for a few minutes trying to think of something else relevant to say - and failing! - probably sums this car up. It would be totally anonymous if it weren't so awful in so many areas.

Brakes.

Battery.

Steering belt/pump.

Misfiring when very hot.

CD player was affected by cold when I got it, then completely gave up. Car has 2 x 12v sockets, so I just run an iPhone with FM transmitter for music.

Wiper arms started slipping because ball joint had worn out. Had to replace the whole mechanism (not cheap). 244,000km.

Right front head light unit is spring loaded somehow, and light ended up pointing at ground, so the whole unit had to be replaced. 256,000km.

New clutch needed at 262,000km.

New ball joints and suspension bushes at 280,000km.

Gearbox is starting to whine at 286,000km. Oil was replaced with the clutch change, so likely to be something else.

Driver seat has lost its bounce and is uncomfortable after a couple of hours.

Great fuel economy, averaging 5.2L/100km.

Car is suffering wear and tear, but then it's averaged 25,000 km per year.

Great corrosion protection, sits outside and we're 100m from the beach, with no visible rust yet.

Can has been great except for the horrible curry smell when the heating is on. I thought it was just mine; now I know it's common with this car.

Car is cheap to run and comes with a lot of good stuff as standard for the price.

Am quite pleased with mine.

Steering is pulling very badly. Not simply tracking - difficult to trace problem.

Stereo was a tape machine - bought a CD player out a written off Xsara, but it needs coded - extortionate from Citroen!

Pops out of third gear.

Nippy as hell. Although that might be after driving a 1.5 flat 106. Great for overtaking.

Very comfy.

I'm only 18 and insurance isn't bad. Not horrendous for image either.

Done 4000 miles in the month and a bit I've had it. Going well so far.

Diesel - bout 54mpg - not too bad, would have liked a bit more though.