I saw this car recommended on a thread last week, regarding fast cars under £3k
Is this a worthwhile purchase. Eyeing an 02 for £2.5k. Seems cheap as to me, for 167bhp, but my daddy taught me well - there is no such thing as a free lunch.
What is the down side on these cars (apart from gp 16 ins)
Edited by Pugugly {P} on 13/10/2007 at 23:43
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So far its just a slight rattle i'm finding from my xsara hdi, but its nothing a slap on the panel doesnt fix.
There shouldnt be any need to go for a high mileage version - there's a lot of average to below average mileage ones out there.
The rear disc/brakes do wear/warp a bit more rapidally than other cars so worth doing a slow handbrake lock.
The chassis is similar to that of the 306 - it has parallel rear steer which really does wonders for the steering and handling. However, you may find the back end of the car drifting. If this is the case, just put your foot down and it'll follow through fine.
The fuel guage's are also known to have an issue. Infact, I've came back to the car to find its magically gained a little fuel! So dont take it too seriously, so long as it somewhat works.
And one more thing, strangely enough the insurance on these cars is a little more than usual - havent a clue why - so worth checking beforehand what its going to cost you.
Other than that, they're very underrated, so take advantage!
Edited by smokescreen on 13/10/2007 at 23:40
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One last thing : www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/ is an excellent source of information for these cars.
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Very solidly built, I reversed mine into a concrete pillar in a car park once and it did more damage to the car park! The passenger seat is quite uncomfortable on long trips if you're not driving.
The fuel gauge - I found it's very sensitive to camber as opposed to an electrical fault with the sender. It was very easy to drive; you could certainly fling it around nicely compared to the Accord I drive now.
Can't ever recall being in a situation where it's started to go into a skid going around a corner because I never drive that fast. However, I did once hit a patch of oil on the motorway, on a slope, during an emergency stop and it pulled out of a horrifying sideways drift entirely predictably.
two thumbs up from me.
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I've currently got a ph1 Xsara VTR coupe but have experience of the VTS engine in 306 GTi6's. They are built on the same chassis as the 306 so handle exceptionally well and with the Xsara only have 5 gears it's marginally quicker to 60. it also has more toys than a 306 too.
All the electrics work on mine and so far i haven't had a single problem with it. The main problem on the VTS is the cambelt - the change interval is way too long and they often go snap. People in the know recommend 40k change intervals with both the belt and all the tensioners being changed.
What smokescreen is refering to is actually passive rear steer and it helps with lift off oversteer - some call this a problem but those of us who know and love our french cars all love a bit of LOOS. Unless you are seriously hammering it you probably will never experience it anyway!
Price does seem cheap untill you look at prices for Xsara's - very much unloved and way cheaper than comparitive cars. I sold an N Reg golf GTi in worse condtion and loads more miles and bought an S Reg Xsara and had money left over.
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i would also recommend this forum for help and advice
www.306gti6.com/forum/forum.php
i know technically it's a 306 one but there are quite a few of us on there who drive the 306's ugly sister and many of the problems are shared between the two cars.
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> "What smokescreen is refering to is actually passive rear steer"
Ahh yes thats the one, cheers for correcting me.
Do wonder why these cars get slated by the press so much, despite being based on the 306 chassis. Some of the ph1 werent so agile but the ph2 are far better. That effects the SX/LX models more than the VTR/VTS.
Edited by smokescreen on 14/10/2007 at 13:26
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thanks guys for the advice - i am having a look at it tomorrow so will let you know how i get on.
any tips on convincing the wife that a xsara has some kind of chic?
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Take her to France in it.
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PU like your thinking, that will defo swing it!!
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I can recommend a nice little village within an hour of Calais - Cassel. Chique little shops, romantic little hotel with a fine Restaurant (Le Foch) and another superb Estimet called the Castlehof...
Citroens were made for those cobbled streets.
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superb Estimet called the Castlehof...
where "the menu offers over 70 locally-brewed beers - some very strong indeed! - as well as the region's ciders, and lemonades brewed from various fruits ... and black pudding with stewed apples and chips."
Sounds like an overnight stay would be wise.
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Don't tell me its on t'internet, I found it the old fashioned way by word of mouth !
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Result, she has agreed to a Xsara provided their is a visit to France!!!
Only one condition, no camping (as in in October/November!!!!!)
Hopefully it's a good one, and then happy days!
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Don't tell me its on t'internet I found it the old fashioned way by word of mouth!
How quaint!
There was something on the internet about the WWII battle nearby. Curiously, I couldn't find Cassel on Google Maps, so your secret may be safe for a little while.
Perhaps this could be a post-Carter retirement plan: a modest volume of B&Bs and Restaurants, as Patricia Fenn used to do?
Further info e-mailed to you rather than have a telling off from a Mod for going off-topic !
- PU
Edited by Pugugly {P} on 15/10/2007 at 19:06
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