Model not specified
Mileage unknown
Xsara i
Reliable car above all. This is my first car, so it's hard to have a reference point, but having experienced other cars as a passenger, I can offer an opinion. 1: Quality: this seems to be Xsara's issue. I have a car from a dealership, garaged, with 100,000 km from a true first owner, and the upholstery doesn't look its best anymore. A few things have fallen off (door storage cover, dipstick handle), and a few things rattle (especially the spare wheel well). The car doesn't feel...
Pros:
Reliable
Cons:
Upholstery quality not great, Interior parts falling off or rattling
Model not specified
Mileage unknown
Xsara II: A Second Look
Two years ago, I reviewed my Xsara here under the name Janusz. Today, I need to revise my opinion slightly. I wrote about electrical issues. Turns out the problem was with a 'crafty jack-of-all-trades' mechanic. Instead of fixing the fault, he charged me annually between 250-450 PLN. I finally went to a proper service center, and the cost was only 50 PLN. For two years, I've had no electrical problems. The car has no rust! After a rear axle refurbishment (at a reputable company with a warranty), the car drives like new. When I look at my previous review...
Pros:
No rust, Drives like new after axle repair, Electrical issues resolved effectively
Cons:
Previous mechanic's incompetence
Model not specified
Mileage unknown
Xsara i
I owned the Xsara from new - a 3-door SX Comfort version with ABS but no air conditioning. 15 years ago, it was a very elegant car with a beautiful interior and a large trunk (408l). It still looks good. The 1.6i engine was optimal - the Xsara easily reached 180 km/h and approached 200 km/h on long stretches. With normal driving, fuel consumption was below 7.5l. The Xsara's build quality and performance were better than the Golf III or Astra II at the time. I sold the car when it had 86,000 km, I drove it half across the country.
Pros:
Elegant design, Spacious interior and trunk, Good engine performance, Fuel efficient, Superior build and specs compared to rivals
Cons:
No air conditioning
Model not specified
Mileage unknown
Xsara II: A Nostalgic Look Back
Lost access to my previous review, so I'm writing a new one. Unfortunately, it won't be as positive as before. Despite the care I've given this Citroën (and I'm a long-time Citroën fan), it's genuinely starting to fall apart with age, primarily due to electrical issues. Warning lights for ABS, airbags, engine, and immobilizer are appearing on the dashboard.
Pros:
Still has Citroën charm
Cons:
Increasing age-related issues, Reliability concerns, Electrical problems, Dashboard warning lights
Model not specified
Mileage unknown
Xsara i: A Long-Lived Classic?
As befits an older car, it's very durable and I think it could earn historic plates. The car belongs to my grandfather, who is its first and only owner. I also drive it periodically and can tell you a bit about it. Practically nothing breaks in this car. It's always been garaged, and the underbody has a little corrosion, but not much. The only issues I recall are a cracked rear axle beam and a dashboard backlight diode. Fuel economy is decent, around 7 l (but the engine is weak).
Pros:
Long-lasting/Durable, Reliable - few breakdowns, Garaged condition, Decent fuel economy
Cons:
Some underbody corrosion, Cracked rear axle beam (one instance), Dashboard backlight diode failure (one instance), Weak engine
Model not specified
Mileage unknown
Xsara II
A car definitely for the better. Comfortable, drives well, inexpensive to maintain. It's easy to find this car in good body condition. The Xsara is well-suited as a first car, especially models equipped with LPG. The car has many interesting features, including storage compartments in the front door armrests, a ceiling light for rear passengers, and the 'follow me home' function (after turning off the engine, pull the turn signal stalk as if to activate high beams - and
Pros:
Comfortable, Good handling, Inexpensive to maintain, Easy to find in good condition, Suitable as a first car (especially LPG models), Interesting features (storage, rear light, follow me home)
Model not specified
Mileage unknown
Xsara II Review
I've owned the car for less than a year. The driving dynamics are tragic. Terribly loud when driving over 100 km/h, the soundproofing is really bad. The handling is okay (sufficiently agile and compact). The electrics are another drama of this car, a light show on the dashboard at least once a week... (despite constant servicing). It can fail to turn off the lights even when switched off... I initially thought it was the perfect first car, but over time I find I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Pros:
Adequate agility and compactness
Cons:
Tragic driving dynamics, Poor soundproofing at high speeds, Frequent electrical issues (dashboard lights), Lights may not turn off
Model not specified
Mileage unknown
Citroën Xsara i: A Resilient Classic
I've owned this car for 13 years. I bought it at 7 years old with 67,000 km. Now the car is 21 years old and has 272,000 km, and it still drives despite being 'parked under the sky.' Overall, a great car for those who don't push it hard (no question of tearing up asphalt from a standstill at traffic lights). Positive attributes include: 1. The bodywork is very well protected, and the metallic paint still shines. Despite paint chips from small stones hitting the hood and doors, there's no...
Pros:
Excellent rust protection on the bodywork., Metallic paint retains its shine., Remarkable durability and longevity.
Cons:
Not suited for aggressive driving or rapid acceleration.
Model not specified
Mileage unknown
Xsara i: Reliable and Affordable
I bought this car with 72,000 km on it. Currently, it has 91,000 km, so I've driven nearly 20,000 km without a single breakdown. Positively, the bodywork is great; despite being 22 years old, the car has almost no rust spots. Cheap parts, simple construction. Very comfortable seats for its class. Downsides: Water drains at the bottom edge of the doors – water collects there. The gearbox isn't perfect; it can often jerk despite gentle shifting. The car is better suited for medium-distance journeys. Noise above 110 km/h.
Pros:
Excellent bodywork with minimal rust, Affordable and readily available parts, Simple mechanical design, Comfortable seats for its segment
Cons:
Water accumulation in door drains, Gearbox can be jerky/unrefined, Noisy at speeds above 110 km/h
Citroën Xsara N0 1.4 i (75 Hp) Coupe
180,000 km
Problem: Sensors
Handling, reasonable fuel consumption, spacious boot, very satisfactory reliability (Finish level: Entry-level formerly "X"). Rear visibility, power just enough on hills when the car is fully loaded. Com 2000 to change in '03 (a "classic" covered by warranty), boot handle switch (it's a common issue on Xsaras) to change in '06, oxygen sensor in '04 (recall campaign).
Pros:
Handling, Reasonable fuel consumption, Spacious boot, Very satisfactory reliability (Entry-level trim)
Cons:
Rear visibility, Just enough power on hills when fully loaded
Citroën Xsara N0 1.4 i (75 Hp) Coupe
220,000 km
Problem: Battery
Reasonable fuel consumption and reliability. I bought the car in 2015 with 125,000 km for 1500 euros, and it now has 220,000 km. The comfort is top-notch for me. Simple and versatile car. In 6 years, I've had no major breakdowns. The boot is huge - fits two mothers-in-law! Easy maintenance for a DIYer. I changed the battery and starter myself for 120 euros, and also the valve cover gasket.
Pros:
Reasonable fuel consumption and reliability, Bought for 1500 euros in 2015 with 125,000 km, now at 220,000 km, no major breakdowns, Excellent comfort for me, simple and versatile car, Huge boot space, fits two mothers-in-law!, Easy maintenance for a DIYer
Cons:
Lack of power might bother some, not for spirited driving, Had an unstable idle issue that resolved itself, A door stop needed changing
Citroën Xsara N0 1.4 i (75 Hp) Coupe
125,000 km
Problem: Oil Leak
Excellent car with many qualities and few flaws. However, under strong cornering, the rear tends to break away, but it's recoverable for skilled drivers (hairpin turns only). Otherwise, formidable road holding. A leak at the rear reservoir, at the inlet and outlet piping to the engine, is unprecedented in my experience owning 70 diverse vehicles before this one.
Pros:
Excellent car, many qualities, Few flaws
Cons:
Rear tends to break away under strong cornering, but recoverable for skilled drivers (hairpin turns only). Otherwise, formidable road holding., Leak at rear reservoir, at engine inlet/outlet piping. Unprecedented in my experience.
Citroën Xsara N0 1.4 i (75 Hp) Coupe
175,000 km
Problem: Head Gasket
This car is very versatile, reliable, and fuel-efficient, even in the city. The maintenance costs are also very reasonable, provided you do the work yourself. However, it suffers from a head gasket issue, a rear axle defect (left rear wheel camber), a water pump failure, and a faulty central locking system.
Pros:
Very versatile, reliable, low fuel consumption even in the city, and very reasonable maintenance costs (if you do the maintenance yourself).
Cons:
Head gasket issue, rear axle defect (left rear wheel camber)., Water pump failure, faulty central locking.
