1997 Citroen Xantia SX from UK and Ireland - Comments

Intermittent dashboard warning lights ie. both STOP and temperature light together. Also engine warning light has come on once. These seems to be dodgy electrics as the car continues to run very well. In both cases these lights have gone out within 5 - 10 seconds (in other words before I've had chance to stop and investigate). Radio sometimes 'Mutes' itself although I think this only happens when the AF (auto frequency) button is on - still investigating.

I have only had it 2 weeks, but it is ever so comfortable and smooth to drive. The TD power band is very narrow so you have to be in the right gear at the right time for hills etc. Good fuel economy - I have done over 330 miles in the 2 weeks I've had it and it still has over a quarter of a tank left.

I just bought my first Citroen Xantia 1.9 TD SX last week, year 97. I love the car, very well laid out inside. I would say the it's the best car I have driven and I would buy Citroen again. Smooth, plenty of power when needed, and very impressed.

Mr McManus

Belfast

Northern Ireland.

I have had my Xantia now for 5 years and at this time very reluctant to get any other car as the Xantia is so comfortable. I am now looking for another Xantia possibly a diesel. Fuel consumption is still good on a full tank of petrol I am doing over 500 miles pity Citroen stopped making these cars. I have had very little go wrong with it just the normal bits when it goes for service.

The lights on the dash are probably just the hydraulics coming up to pressure. Xantias don't have dodgy electrics, they don't rust (at all) and the diesels I have run (four in total) will do 200,000 miles without problems or loss of power.

I bought the last of the line in June 2004. It cost £4,000 (three years old, FSH and treated to Mobil One all its life) a Y plate, 2001, HDi 110 SX estate in silver.

Pulls like a petrol sips like a diesel of course. I didn't think there would be much improvement over the 1.9 XUD engine, but what a difference.

The car has taller gearing, but power available in any gear and much less turbo lag. Economy is also a notch up. I managed 76 (yes 76!) mpg on a very boring two hour run from Cheshire to Nottingham last week (pretty flat run all motorway or dual carriageway).

Why did they stop building them?

I am a huge fan of Xantia's, but they are known for their electric gremlins, this is mostly down to having some cables running along the back of the radiator on a lip where water can get to and stay in place, this is made worse if the split of the trunking is facing upwards where the water can get into.