BXProject

[mickey taker]

ok , what experience (if any) do any of you guys have of Xsara saloons, looking to possibly replace the golf with something er indoors will drive( I.E got power steering )
and that won't be to mad to get my son insured on ( 17 yearold learner driver ).
I know they may not be the most exciting car but lets be honest no-one really wants a saxo do they.
looking at the 5 door hatch .So are they reliable , any major problems to look for and which is the better engine 1.4 0r 1.6 ? going to post this on t'other side to see an overall (un ) balanced opinion

may go and see this to get the feel of one

http://www4.autotrader.co.uk/classified ... ?logcode=p" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[docchevron132]

IMHO the only fun Xsara is the VTS, it's gt very different suspenin and goes like fucking hell.
BUT, insuring a 17 year old on it will be uber expensive..
the 14 is a sweeter engine IMHO, and aside from all but the VTS being more boring than Oliver Letwin, they are easy to work on, parts are cheap and they are pretty reliable.
I still wouldn't have one, unless it was the VTS though..

[Father Ted]

IMHO the only fun Xsara is the VTS, it's gt very different suspenin and goes like fucking hell.

+1
More refined than the ZX they replaced and a nicer place to sit, but the boggo ones lost the steering rear beam and dont handle as well on the twisty stuff. A 1.4 will be more insurance friendly but wont set the world alight. They can and do suffer with HGF if not looked after, even the pezza ones, but are straightforward to fix.
Body panels made of flattened out milk bottle tops show every minor dink and usual Froggy electrics cause fun on occasions. By and large they seem to be OK though - a million old giffers cant be wrong can they?

[mat_the_cat]

Already commented on the other side, but why are you thinking of getting rid of the Golf? Is it just because Julie doesn't want to drive it?

[mickey taker]

partly, was going to fit power steering to it and she would drive it then but the insurance would be to high if I added jordan to it , just weighing things up at the moment

[Philhod]

I've driven 2 or 3, but they have been HDI's. Very smooth drive agree'd boring looks but the seats are comfy on long drives. That is all!

[Father Ted]

Consider a Picasso or Berlingo type MPV - insurance is much cheaper for the same size of engine because MPV drivers are "perceived" to be more careful and less likely to have accidents. The insurance for our 90BHP Xantia (2000MY) was £130 more than the same insurance for our 90BHP Berlingo (2003 MY) when we sawpped cars.

[Philhod]

My Picasso was £298. fully comp, 200 excess and protected and courtesy car but only basic legal. Also 1 claim and 1 speeding.
The pic is a great drive too, with very comfortable seats, a few electronic gremlins true, but pretty reliable for all that. 45/50 mpg is good as is £130 road tax.

[mickey taker]

may look at the picasso , Julies friend has a berlingo with all the extra pockets in the roof, its green , its called Kermit and Julie dosent like it although I quite like them and they are much better than the renault kangoo I used to have as a company car

[jayw]

Good friend of mine has a 1.4 Xsara on a Y plate (facelift), the interior on his is the dark charcoal cloth and quite a pleasant and comfy place to sit. He's had it nearly 2 years and the only non-essential maintenence i've had to do to it was a new MAP sensor, other than that it's been 100% trouble free.

IF you were to go for one i would defo recommend the 1400 facelift for the cheap tax and relative economy and in all fairness it's not actually THAT boring to drive! The 1.6 obviouysly increases tax and insurance with little gain elsewhere. Diesels are gonna cost more in outlay unless it's an uber mileage shag out...

Although, good luck finding a facelift model with the top chevron of the front badge remaining... i swear the citroen pixies steal them all back

[mickey taker]

tempted by this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/260922959973? ... 1423.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

but also this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200692919156? ... 1423.l2649" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[docchevron132]

suspect the xsara will rocket at the end, but if it doesn't, could be ok..

As for the BX.. have you rung around for insurance quotes for the nipper on it? You may be shocked!

[jayw]

In the real world i'd have to go down the Xsara route, you really can't go wrong if the seller is honest. Ready to roll with tax & test.

Expect a final figure between £550 & £650 though!

[Philhod]

I was gonna say £600 but it's a lot of miles on a 14

Kids get really daft quotes on BX's for some reason

[docchevron132]

true, but then 14TU engines are easier to come by than Mars bars! and a piece of piss to fit!