Considering an XM

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uksdsgl
XM newbie
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Sep 01, 2009 7:38 am

Considering an XM

Post by uksdsgl » Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:02 am

I commute around London's North Circular Road, 10 miles each way, and we take regular motorway trips to the Midlands and Yorkshire - wife and 5 year old son in the back.

My current car is a worthy 1994 205,000 mile Honda Accord. It's getting tired and is not comfortable enough in the back for long journeys.

I'm looking to replace the Honda with an interesting, unusual, properly maintained, reliable, comfortable and bigger car.

The replacement will be in excellent condition with all functions working correctly.

We live in east London, the car will be parked on the street and I hope for a local trusted, specialist mechanic or garage.

I've always longed for a DS or CX, but realistically only a C5 or XM from Citroen seem practical.

I'm hoping to use this forum to decide if an XM will satisfy my needs.

Peter.N.
Global Moderator
Posts: 3999
Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 8:29 am
Location: Charmouth, Dorset

Re: Considering an XM

Post by Peter.N. » Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:48 am

Hi uksdsgl

Firstly, welcome to the club. The XM is a surperb car as it is new enough to have the modern comforts but old enough that it is still repairable on a DIY basis. For comfort and space they are unrivalled by anything modern. To find one in excellent condition shouldn't be difficult, but with everything working correctly, is a tall order.

There are a number for sale for what I would consider ridiculous prices, and they won't be perfect, your best option would be to buy a cheap but sound one and and spend a few pounds on it, you will end up with a much better car.

Whatever attention it requires its likely to cost only a fraction of what a modern car would to put right.

Peter
'96 'N' 2.1 td VSX manual estate White RP6695. Sadly gone
2008 C5 2.0. Hdi Estate, Red
2008 C5 2.0. Hdi Estate Silver


Located in Charmouth, Dorset

chillmax
Knows how to use the parking brake
Posts: 81
Joined: Sun Nov 22, 2009 2:31 pm

Re: Considering an XM

Post by chillmax » Sat Nov 28, 2009 7:12 pm

Hi There

Do be prepared, you're coming from possibly the most reliable marque on the road, to although an excellent & historic marque, on that can't match Hondas excellence in reliablity - sad but true - although with luck you may dodge some major problems.

You say a C5 or XM, well I would discount a C5 (although the new ones look lovely), even though it's an LHM Citroen, it really doesn't have the style & flare of an XM, have you seen the dash - ugghh!! Some won't approve of a DS as an everyday car, I've heard them, but a good CX can certainly be used in this way. Although if she breaksdown, repairs may take longer, so you would benefit from a second car, or insurance rental etc. It's just a matter of sourcing some of the parts.

Go for a high spec if you can find one, that's an Exclusive in the Mk2, only the V6's have all the toys, then like any car, just find as nice a one as you can, owned by a little old gentleman who's just drivien it to & from the golf club is best ;-)

Good Luck - Justin

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