Faults:

Bought this car as I know someone who's making bio diesel and thought it would save me money.

I had a light flash up on my way into work this morning, just telling me to STOP, then it went off as quickly as it came on, anyone any ideas what it means?

There is an awful clunk at the rear end, which seems to happen when brakes are applied sharply or I go over a speed bump, and that's done slowly! Nothing appears loose, but we can't find the problem.

General Comments:

Not as much view as I'm used to with my previous car, I tend to have to kind of stand up when I'm reversing due to the slanting and height of the rear screen.

Faults:

Power steering pump failed.

Creaking rear suspension.

Oil consumption.

Leaking drive-shaft.

General Comments:

Overall, pretty reliable. I got the car at 85,000 miles; now on 110,000 miles and still going.

I had a creaking suspension, but it's now cured; turned out to be the exhaust shield had broken away and was rubbing on exhaust. Quiet as a lamb now.

Performance is very good, no complaints. I have the 1.6 8 valve, but it is starting to use more oil. I think it's due to the mileage.

Interior has lasted well; no damage, even with 2 children, and the seats are comfortable.

It starts every morning, so I can't complain.

Faults:

Power steering pump failed straight after I got it: fixed myself with another pump from a scrap yard: €30.

Central locking wasn't working when I got the car, the wires in the drivers door had cut from wear, just joined them with connectors and it was perfect.

Before I stopped driving it, the power steering rack started leaking, not huge amounts, but enough for me to have to top it up every so often, never got it fixed.

General Comments:

This was my first car, and being 19, the insurance was very reasonable. It's also a very quick car for what it is - it's also the same 95bhp engine from the Peugeot 306 D-Turbo.

It's nice car to drive, even over long distances. Good handling, although the suspension was a bit on the soft side. The initial acceleration from a standing start is not the best, but once you're over 40mph, you only ever need 5th gear, but overtaking can be tricky sometimes as there is some turbo lag.

The car is very economical and always returns about 50mpg, even when driven hard. I've never taken it to a dealer, so I don't know what the service is like.

The only downsides I found were that it's noisy inside and you're always aware that it's a diesel. Also, I found that after long journeys, my lower back would become sore, but I've always had back problems, so it may not be due to the car.

Overall, this is a nice practical cheap to run car, and even with its few niggling problems, I would recommend it.

Faults:

I haven't had the car long, but nothing whatsoever has gone wrong with the car during my ownership.

However the car came in the following condition, which I am sure isn't common with the Xsara, but this is present on my vehicle.

Driver's bucket seat worn to the stage of foam coming out (previous owner was a bodybuilder, probably too big for it).

Also drivers seat doesn't feel very stable; a little loose, and will need tightening.

Like I said this is probably just my car and not a common fault with the Xsara VTS.

General Comments:

My car is a 1998 S Reg Citroen Xsara VTS 2.0i 16v in Gold.

The car has done 67,000 miles with only basic maintenance.

Everything on the car just seems to work. Brakes are excellent, steering is precise, handles the road very well, although in the wet you can get some under-steer if you're giving it some, as the front wheels struggle for grip under power.

Performance from the 2.0i 16v unit is very good and healthy. The car can be driven sedate, or if you want to drive at speed, the car doesn't let you down; the car gives a really nice rasp from the air induction.

The car does 0-60 in 7 seconds, 137mph and develops 167bhp, which sounds like a lot and it is; that's the same as a Nissan 200SX Turbo! But the way it delivers its power isn't in an aggressive throw you back style; it's delivered in a nice, smooth wave of torque. You wouldn't want it any more violent, as it wouldn't be a pleasure to drive then.

My last car was a Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo Auto; they have 280bhp and 0-60 on the Auto was 7.1 seconds. There is no doubt in my mind that the Xsara VTS is equally as quick, if not quicker.

Insurance for this car is a group 16. I highly recommend www.bell.co.uk for insurance quotes, as they prove time and time again to be the cheapest on the World Wide Web, and let's not forget, this car is quicker than the Peugeot 205 1.9i GTi I had, and faster than the Astra GTE 16v I had too.

Obviously the car has more to offer than sheer performance. The cockpit offers generous levels of equipment, the stereo controls on the steering wheel are easy to use while keeping your eye on the road, the cabin is roomy and offers lots of room in the back for adults (mine's 2 door and lots of space), and the clocks light up very nice at night.

Security wise, the car comes alarmed and immobilised as standard; saves me buying an after-market alarm. Same with the radio situation too; Citroen provide you with a very nice radio as standard, with a 6 CD changer in the boot. Thank you Citroen :)

Safety compromises of a passenger airbag, driver's airbag and side airbags.

Gearbox, brakes, engine, cabin, controls, and the whole driving experience of the Xsara, I would have to give 10 outta 10 :)

MPG I have tested, and it's coming back at 150 miles for £20 of petrol. That's about 34 MPG with a mixture of 5th gear cruising and round town, with occasional 3rd gear at the limiter ;)

These cars are cheap now on the open market. I paid £1,500 for mine; what else can you buy that offers these levels of comfort, performance and reliability?

My only grip is that there isn't a Internet website or chat forum on the WWW to chat about the Xsara VTS. If anyone knows of a place to discuss this car, please add a comment to this post.

What are you waiting for, Citroen Xsara VTS 2.0i 16v... Buy one, today :)