Xantia V6 Activa

[maximalist]

Yesterday I testdrove a Xantia V6 activa ,2000 model year. Very smooth and fast, but dare I take the plunge into complex hydropneumatics?Anyone out there with experiences to share?The car have 70000 miles on the clock, asking price 2000£

[M'coli]

Car Mechanics had a diesel one as a project car a few years ago. The hydropneumatics came in for some praise, and for the ease of repair. The V6 is the bit I'd be scared of, however! :glug: :glug: :glug:

[carlo]

£2000 ?! No!

[Mr Lobster]

Supposed to be GR8 when they work. But £2000? No thanks.

[Cavcraft]

/\Whs. The Activa is the most sought after Xant of the lot and I think there was even an owner's forum just for that model.£2000 is just madness though, values drop quicker than a greased anvil chucked off a tall building.GR8 when working, nightmare when they don't, a sort of mini XM if you like.I would venture to suggest when you've had enough of it it's actually be easier (and less embarrassing) to get rid of an STD.

[maximalist]

Well the v6 is the fun part, 3.0 litre 194 hp, and I know a citroen mechanic... 2000 £ is a bit much, but car prices are higher in Sweden.UK is the bargain basement for cars in Europe. Its a pity that we stopped driving on the left side in 1967, since cars prices are so low in UK.

[Mr Lobster]

UK is the bargain basement for cars in Europe. Its a pity that we stopped driving on the left side in 1967, since cars prices are so low in UK.

Going slightly off on a tangent but I had noticed how relatively expensive older cars can be. I always have a bit of a nosey through the AutoTrader type thing when I find myself abroad and it always surprises me that cars that are dirt cheap at home are more expensive everywhere else.

[Father Ted]

Buy it, drive it till the HP system throws a hissy fit, rip the donkey out and drop into your BX - Jobbed.

[brammy777]

you mentioned that Sweden is more expensive for cars, its the same case for Norway, when i went there i bought a magazine devoted to the selling of cheap cars, and it was something like £2000 for a late nineties Escort.

[Milford Cubicle]

I didn't realise there was a V6 Activa, thought they were all the 2.0 turbo lump for some reason.I am highly tempted by a hydropneumatic Citroen, late Xantia and XM TDs are tickling my fancy.

[Cavcraft]

I'd have thought in the value for money stakes now is the time to get a Xantia. They are still quite unloved by people (who are generally scared of them), the rubbish ones will have long since left their last trail of LHM and prices are pretty low for what could be an intersting shite mobile to own.

[dollywobbler]

Be very wary. The V6 isn't the issue. It's a cracking engine.The Activa's suspension is rather complex though. Loads of spheres and electrickery too. If it's good, it'll be very, very good. If it's bad, it'll be your worst nightmare.Jealous though - we never got the V6 Activa in the UK!

[Volksy]

The V6 isn't the issue. It's a cracking engine.

I did hear the early V6's had their issues, failing oil pumps being one, something to do with the pump running directly in the block (using the block as the casing), so when they wore they trashed the block with obvious results. I remember a couple of XM V6 being srapped early in their lives as Citroen refused any sort of good-will on them.True about the suspension on activas, horrifically complex, but great when it's working properly.

[MrRegieRitmo]

UK is the bargain basement for cars in Europe. Its a pity that we stopped driving on the left side in 1967, since cars prices are so low in UK.

Going slightly off on a tangent but I had noticed how relatively expensive older cars can be. I always have a bit of a nosey through the AutoTrader type thing when I find myself abroad and it always surprises me that cars that are dirt cheap at home are more expensive everywhere else.

What happened to 'Rip Off Britain'?? What happened to people over here buying & importing their new car from abroad? Did that all stop with the credit crunch?

[MrRegieRitmo]

Jealous though - we never got the V6 Activa in the UK!

Why do we miss out on so many cars? Manufacturers can't be bothered to convert to rhd?

[wuvvum]

Jealous though - we never got the V6 Activa in the UK!

Why do we miss out on so many cars? Manufacturers can't be bothered to convert to rhd?

Or it's just not worth the hassle. With a V6 and all the Hydractive gubbins under the bonnet I can't see there being a great deal of free space in a Xantia, so perhaps there just wasn't room to fit a RHD steering column and rack without completely re-engineering the car.

[Negative Creep]

Jealous though - we never got the V6 Activa in the UK!

Why do we miss out on so many cars? Manufacturers can't be bothered to convert to rhd?

Or it's just not worth the hassle. With a V6 and all the Hydractive gubbins under the bonnet I can't see there being a great deal of free space in a Xantia, so perhaps there just wasn't room to fit a RHD steering column and rack without completely re-engineering the car.

Plus they would have sold about 7, so not very cost effective

[Pillock]

Yeah, we can't be the biggest market for oddball variants. Being French they're designed as LHD and sometimes, especially with big engines, there's just no room for a RHD conversion.People generally seem to be scared of French niche-market stuff. Renault must still be bitter about the day they decided to make a RHD Vel Satis....!

[MrRegieRitmo]

Dunno, it did better than the nu gen Fiat Croma surely! (what about the Avantime!? RHD - sacre bleu! )

[peter9000uk]

(what about the Avantime!? RHD - sacre bleu! )

There's a house in Woking with 2 in their driveway along with one of those odd Honda things with side skirts

[MrRegieRitmo]

(what about the Avantime!? RHD - sacre bleu! )

There's a house in Woking with 2 in their driveway along with one of those odd Honda things with side skirts

Honda InsightThat sounds like a driveway of solid gold obscurity - picture please!

[Gompo]

What happened to 'Rip Off Britain'?? What happened to people over here buying & importing their new car from abroad? Did that all stop with the credit crunch?

..This stopped quite a while ago, well before the CC. Probably 5+ years.

[peter9000uk]

(what about the Avantime!? RHD - sacre bleu! )

There's a house in Woking with 2 in their driveway along with one of those odd Honda things with side skirts

Honda InsightThat sounds like a driveway of solid gold obscurity - picture please!

I shall endeavour to do so, sir! V6turbo would prob find it easier as it's about 500 yards down the road from the Wych Hill branch he works for

[Pete-M]

I like the Xantia V6 Activa. Rate them very highly indeed.Not highly enough to pay £2k for one though. I reckon about £1500 is ok if it's absolutely mint and everything works. Possibly a wise investment as a 'keeper' as long as you don't mind throwing some coin at it every few months to keep it tip-top.If you're going to use it as daily autoshite, then it's a £500 quidder, or will be in no short amount of time.I floated across Czech yesterday in a mates Xant 2.0 Estate, with LPG it's a remarkably good way to do motorways.

[scooters]

price is barking - if it is an uberfast chevron you are after go for a 1.9 BX Gti 16v or even cooler a CX Gti Turbo 2 - you could get a decent one for 2k - a lot cooler than an xantia AND it will hold it's value - not that complicated either - Torsten has a CX Gti Auto I used to own and an estate and loves them - ask him

[dollywobbler]

Ah, but a four pot can't scream like the V6 can!

[maximalist]

I have followed Mr Dollywobbelrs exampale and bought an Alfa 164 v6 3.0.More details will come soon...

[dollywobbler]

Brave man! Though mine's being worryingly good at the moment...Pics please!

[maximalist]

I know im in for a world of pain, I bought the car from a member of the swedish Alfa club, he has maintained it meticiously, last service bill 1500 £!!! All the electric gadgets work. He has now bought another Alfa 164, a one owner car, always garaged with low miles etc.My car has covered 220000 kms, always serviced, cambelt and waterpump done recently, but I expect trouble ahead....Pics and more info will come

[dollywobbler]

Blimey, that has been well looked after. A stark contrast to mine...