No XM in Paris!!

[MTXM]

We have just returned from a few days sightseeing in central Paris and guess how many XMs I spotted, yes precisely 0, nil, zero!! I accept even a late model would be now 14 years old and in cities new cars tend to dominate, plus I believe the French had a scrappage scheme like ours and perhaps are generally not so big on older cars. It was as if the XM never happened weirdly and I also saw no BX and only one Xantia estate. There were a few older Peugeot about, plus a Dyane and two R4s and one low mileage R25, whose proud owner I spoke with briefly through a translator. Amongst newer Renaults and Citroens were plentiful Lagunas, small numbers of the Vel Satis and old C5, about a half dozen C6, one DS5, a couple of DS3 and numerous current C5, many of which were taxi. Something else generally I noticed was how much the Parisians seem to like black and dark grey cars and the current big Citroens do look good in black! Regards, Matthew T.

[xantia_v6]

I have never seen am XM in Paris (other than mine), but out here in the sticks there are a handful of regulars and I still spot a different one every week or two.
I would see two or 3 Xantias every day, but very few C6 around here.

[MTXM]

That is interesting Mike and I guess it partly about where money is and having the latest toy! With regards, Matthew T.

[captainhaddock]

Xm's aren't that easy to park and run around cities and, they are expensive to run in city traffic so I am not surprised. I visit France regularly but face it, XM's are rare now. Nice pics!

[MTXM]

I am not sure about your first point Jaap as many cars I saw were big posh limousines!! The petrol XM is certainly expensive to run compared to modern cars, but I suppose it is mainly down to age and reliability, which are even more critical given complex hydraulics and the maintenance required! Also of course even on home ground the XM was sold in tiny numbers compared to say the R4 and 25, so perhaps it is not surprising they were both spotted. With regards, Matthew T.

[captainhaddock]

Did you notice the huge amount of Dacia's in France? I did and I like it because of the fact that this is apparently what French people look at: low prices for relatively simply cars that can last a long time and are easy to maintain. I like the Dusters as well and wouldn't opt for a limo to drive in Paris. I wouldn't want to drive there at all really, done that a few times and it is nerve wrecking. Did you take your XM into Paris?

[White Exec]

I did once have to diplomatically persuade a lady of the night to untwine herself from around the front wing mirror of our P6B, parked in a sidestreet in Montmartre. Kidding you not, the glass popped out of that Desmo wing mirror the next morning as the sun came up, and defied all attempts over coming weeks to keep it in place. Eventually the mirror had to be replaced. Now I've heard of cork-popping, but . . .

[MTXM]

I wouldn't want to drive there at all really, done that a few times and it is nerve wrecking. Did you take your XM into Paris?

No fear Jaap as we travelled by bus, train, underground, train (Eurostar), plus taxi on the way home and Metro in Paris. What we saw of the heavy traffic and especially behaviour at roundabouts confirmed it was the right decision! Unfortunately I only really took notice of French cars and especially anything old! With regards, Matthew T.

[normanlindley]

Great fun driving in Paris the last time I was in a merc 220 saloon and it was snowing quite heavily negotiated several rounderbouts with gendarm in the middle waving his arms like a lunatic and other cars dashing on to a already full rounderbouts and then I got lost.

Norman

[MTXM]

You were a very brave man Norman!! Regards, Matthew T.