Citroen XM - was JohnK's steed

[Shep Shepherd]

Heart says XM, head says 600.

[They_all_do_that_sir]

I had a 620 for a few months (also night fire red!)

 

In its favour

 

Very comfy

Utterly reliable

Swallows lots of people with ease

Look fantastic (to these eyes)

 

And in the naughty corner

 

Underpowered (2.0 in mine)

Felt heavy to drive especially in the twisties

A bit boring, just felt like a big honda funnily enough

 

Of all the honda rovers I think the 600 is the one that betrays its origin the most. Of course what you really want is a Volvo?

[gordonbennet]

Never owned either, but driven many examples of both when new/almost new.

 

600 i always admired, to me it was final proof (together with 2.7 engined 800's) of the 'rightness' of Honda's involvement with Rover, oozing quality but in an efficient Honda way...i like Accords too, apart from the last incarnation which looks shit they always had a competent quality inside a quietly handsome body.

 

My only real criticism of 600 was the hopeless turning circle, otherwise it was a cracking car.

Agree about tyres/suspension....shit far eastern ditchfinders and bolloxed dampers and bushes isn't going to make a trackday special out of one....quite why people fit shit tyres when a fiver more a corner will often see them on Uniroyasl or Vredesteins beats me.

 

XM, to me,  lost that Citroen uniqueness, i preferred Xantia, though the XM estate did make sense, just my opinion mind.

[Tetleysmooth]

Ahem!!

 

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152695676506187&set=pcb.385633044924453&type=1&theater

[Lankytim]

I love my 2.5 XM, loads of torque, seems to be pretty reliable and most parts are cheap and easy to get hold of.

 

40 mpg average but easily 55 at a steady speed on a run plus it's veg oil friendly. Mine costs buttons to run.

[dollywobbler]

Lots of valuable input folks. Classifieds-surfing on hold while I do some actual work but it's all very interesting to read.

[Micrashed]

In all honesty, I think an XM would be a foolish car for you to own and I don't think you'd get the most out of it given the complaints you've levelled against big cars in the past.

 

I disagree. I think the XM would provide more fun* and a more enjoyable* ownership experience whilst keeping in with the quirky big Citroen ideals and foibles that we all know and love*.

 

If it was me (and its not) and if it was a "fun" car, ie, something to try and say "Ive had one of those and x,y,z" then the XM would beat the 600 hands down.

 

If I wanted reliable every day motoring in a modicum of comfort I would choose the 600.

[bub2006]

Having never owned an xm I have no basis for comparison. I have owned a later model rover 600. Bought at 8 years old for 90 quid. New wipers meant fresh mot and all was good. Found it quiet economical if a little low geared. Very comfy though but not a car you want to throw in bends. Someone on previous page mentioned mk3 Astra. Me and the ex mrs bought a p plate 2.0 sport. Trip computer,sport seats etc. Very quick and able car. Averaged 34mpg on computer too. If you can find one try it.

[EssDeeWon]

Your more likely to find a well kept 600 than a well kept XM for 400 sovs, although I can see the appeal of the XM but at that kind of money you could land yourself with a second mortgage. There is probably a gem of a 600 out there somewhere almost being given away...

 

I think even Martin Lewis the money saving expert man would say a 600.

[EssDeeWon]

Is this within budget, 620 with 12 months ticket for £495.

 

Looks good in dark blue with the Rover alloys

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rover-620-2-0i-16v-R-Reg-Petrol-Manual-New-Mot-Taxed-07-14-/131195883579?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1e8be2503b

 

It looks good but its been for a sale a very long time too @ £495, also the advert states tax until July 2014 which also indicates an old advert, but no doubt the dealer will you its only just come in this weekend with already lots of interest.

[cort16]

The 600 isn't going to be that different to your current Rover unless you get a 623 or a Ti. The XM will provide some excitement in a shooting LHM in your face, rolling brakeless into fence post kind of way if you enjoy that kind of thing.

On it's best day the XM will be awesome but on it's worst you're going to be wishing for Ford Focus.

[beko1987]

Mmm reading the above, I'd say 600 for reliable warm winter shitter, if the XM does blow an lhm pipe you may be lying on the snow trying to fix it!

[Skizzer]

I'd love an XM, but not as a mingebag motoring workhorse.  Even if the 600 turns out to be a triumph of looks over substance, I suspect you may need to get it out of your system or it'll always be unfinished business*.  Plus there's probably less downside risk on a 600 with a bit of MOT.

 

So my two-penneth:  get a 600 in the right colour, enjoy/tolerate for the winter, swap for an XM when the daffs come out again.

 

Or a Mk3 Cav - RobT's CD was a surprise sweetheart.

 

 

 

 

*other mixed metaphors are available.  Sorry, I'm a bit under the weather at the mo.

[Sigmund Fraud]

Cheap XMs are far too risky for someone on a shite budget. Wouldn't a Xantia be a better choice ?

 

600s are practical and reliable but not particularly interesting. Just like the 400 you just sold, only with even more Honda content. I reckon you would be bored and looking for a replacement after the first week...

[Inspector Morose]

Now there's a good suggestion. A Xantia! Still a bit of French quirkiness, still hydraulic where it matters but a fine and cheap daily that can swallow large amounts of crap and tackle the motorways with aplomb. Comes in all flavours from fried food special to wallet emptying V6. Looks a bit like an XM too if you squint and look the other way with a blindfold on.

[vulgalour]

I disagree that a Xantia would answer for DW, it's like driving around in a normalised BX.  I loved the stripey BX, even though it was falling to bits and throwing LHM everywhere and had chronic bum rot.  I don't love the Xantia, I just like it a lot.  It's a car, it does a job extremely well but it's just a bit anodyne.  I know if someone had a comparable condition BX estate (even without a turbo) that they wanted to swap for my Xantia I mostly likely would.

[Junkman]

Be sensible once in your life and buy that Corvette.

[Formula Autos]

Curveball:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-KIA-MAGENTIS-LE-SILVER-2000cc-LONG-MOT-DELIVERY-AVAILABLE-/171463187453?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item27ec009bfd

 

At that money, you can't really go wrong.

[cort16]

 

I love the classic 3 box shape of these. Like a jnr korean crown victoria.

[oman5]

I really,really wouldn't touch an XM at this kind of budget, unless you have pots of cash to throw at it regularly it will end up as an expensive driveway ornament.

I made a similar mistake when I convinced myself I needed a W126 S class. It must have been all of two weeks before I had spent more than the purchase price on fixing it!

Rover 600s are cheap because they are old hat and nobody wants them, not because they are crap, it's what I'd do anyway!

 

Look forward to the XM thread

[Honey Badger]

End of the day whats more important to you, having a "fun" daily that may cost the entire budget of a small African state to maintain, or something that's dull and reliable that allows you to spend what cash you have fixing your 2CV instead of the daily.

 

I think you have already answered this question TBH as you have sold the 416 and now need to buy another car to take it's place.

 

I agree with Cort16 that you need to get a 623i as all the other models will be too "Honda" for you, and that's coming from a Honda fanboi.

 

Speaking of Hondas is this any good?

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291261832345?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

 

Needs front shocks, I'd be amazed if it goes for much above £250/300, manual as well for added reliablity.

 

5th Gen Accord Aerodeck? Yank built Hondas seem to ride better.

 

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201410027867913/sort/locasc/keywords/2.2/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/usedcars/model/accord/postcode/nn84sa/radius/1500/make/honda/price-to/1000/engine-size-cars/2l_to_2-5l/page/1?logcode=p

 

[Noel Tidybeard]

^^^ there you go get an aerodeck and roverise it

 

but on a serious note i agree with the notion of having a boring sensible daily which cost buttons thereby enabling the titivation of the 2cv

[Inspector Morose]

I disagree that a Xantia would answer for DW, it's like driving around in a normalised BX.  I loved the stripey BX, even though it was falling to bits and throwing LHM everywhere and had chronic bum rot.  I don't love the Xantia, I just like it a lot.  It's a car, it does a job extremely well but it's just a bit anodyne.  I know if someone had a comparable condition BX estate (even without a turbo) that they wanted to swap for my Xantia I mostly likely would.

Ahem. Ah.....no, I've already scratched the Xantia itch. Plus I couldn't forgive myself for sullying your hard work in cleaning it!

[forddeliveryboy]

There's a tidy V70 20v over on the blue forum, £350 with long test.

 

[hairnet]

Vulgyoda

 

Speak truth he does

[forddeliveryboy]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-FIAT-MULTIPLA-110-SX-JTD-BLUE-/261622565168?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3ce9eb8930

 

[Craig the Princess]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-FIAT-MULTIPLA-110-SX-JTD-BLUE-/261622565168?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3ce9eb8930

 

Wonky Multipla

 

Did the passenger side Hydragas pop?

[dollywobbler]

Verily, there is a lot of sense in this thread, telling me quite clearly what I should do.

 

Tomorrow, I'm off to look at a cheap XM that has been sitting for a few months.

[twosmoke300]

You could do alot worse than an accord coupe as Honey Badger mentions . The v6 is such a sweety of a motor.

[Junkman]

Verily, there is a lot of sense in this thread, telling me quite clearly what I should do.

 

Tomorrow, I'm off to look at a cheap Corvette that's running on most of its cylinders.

 

FTFY