Xm Value, Misalingment of expectations on value

Hi Peter

I know exactly how you feel. For the first time in my life I am in a position to buy a new car - if I wanted one, but I don't. Its not just a question of all the money you lose, they just don't make another car like the XM. Their is no car on the market with the combination of comfort, ride, space, economy (diesel manual) and build quality, yes I did say build quality. In spite of the XMs reputation the car is built like a tank mechanically. How many modern diesel engines will do 300k + miles and the clutch 200k +. Most other components seem to last two or three times longer than on any other car and they are not even expensive to repair, in fact cheap by modern standards. All the while I can repair them I will run one.

Peter.

Sorry to disagree, Peter, but that is exactly not how I feel.

I want an XM not becausse its combination of comfort, ride, space, econony or build quality.
I want an XM for what it really is: a Big Citroën, a gorgeous car. The Octavia may have better build quality and better fuel economy, and the Avensis may have waaaay better build quality and comparable economy. It's just that they are bland, boring, and entirely not XM.

It's very simple to me.
I do not want a comfortable, spacious, economical, well-built car.
I Want An XM.

So there

This post has been edited by peterh on November 19, 2008 01:28 am

I think you're being deliberately contrary here... an XM is all the things you don't want in a car, in addition to everything that you do want

LOL!!!!

I'll have to remember that one!

What other car fills all those criteria - if its all the car you want and all the car you dont want - what else is there?

whilst i have virtually always driven citroens (not always my choosing but anyway...) the one car i did always WANT to own was an XM. Eventually i did get one, and went for the top spec, top engined model because its the luxury, comfort, mile eating ability that i wanted.

Having had it for several years i can see no other vehicle on the market (new but affordable, old, whatever) that come close. Thats not to say i will spend everything on it forever. Likewise i am sure there are brand new top spec models on top brands which would meet my needs but for £30k+.

So i value my xm anywhere between 0 and £30k. (while its reliable, otherwise it might come down a bit!). I certainly consider a reliable one in decent condition worth more than they are generally advertised for.

Would i sell mine if someone offered say £5k? NO. Because i would only have £5k to find another comparable car.

...I think that you would hard put to find a comparable car at any price. The only estate that approaches the size of the XM is the Merc E Class, yes its comfortable and nicely made but they also go rusty for a pastime and cost a fortune to repair. I cant see any of the modern cars being good for 300k miles or more,as are the XMs, let a lone being repairable on a DIY basis.

Gawd - that means that you'll have to visit the Services area in the next half year! My thoughts and prayers are with you...

I do like this thread!

Its still running of fresh air, need to fill up! It once did 100 miles with the fuel light on, until i lost the nerve and went to the fuel station

I agree with your other points, although i also like them for their comfort, ride, space, economy or build quality.

Yes, there maybe things which match it on some levels, however it wont be an Xm, and thats all i want!

As ive said before, our Xm isnt an every day car, its a hobby/pleasure car. Whats the point in having something newer, mundane and totally cold and very boring like an avensis (i cant say how much i hate Japanese cars, they are just soul-less white goods!). when what I really want is something different, and not an obvious choise in a car! The Xm is a car which we do use a lot, but its still a pleasure to get into, it rarely gets used in the bad weather when salt is on the roads and is always pampered like a hobby car should be.

The thing I love about the Xm is, after driving our everyday (mundane) cars, its great to get into the Xm, which is so different from any other car you see on the roads. The fact the suspension is always thinking and sensing whats going on, it brings the car alive in a way. Not just coil springs and dampers, which when you compare it to big citroens are so basic.

Oh, and from what ive heard from merc owners, they are pretty poor. They rust very badly (they must be made from old fiestas or something), one person I know who bought a 98 E-class estate new had to have all the doors and the boot replaced under warranty at 2 years old because of rust! The build and quality is sometimes terrible and ive heard all sorts of problems with the air suspension the top spec ones, although the engine and other mechanicals seem to hold up very well. Most of all, they don’t interest me in the slightest

You can't beat a big Citroen for individuality!

How does that work out in mpg?

G

Just filled up the Xm. So it was 572 miles, 82 litres, which to my calculations is: 32.1MPG.

Seems to be what other 2.0 Auto owners get I think?

It has been mixed driving over the tank, chugging in and out of the garage a few times and a few miles around town, which always makes it use a lot more fuel. Although it was mostly a 500 mile run on the same day, so I was hoping from a bit more MPG from a good run. The last tank was 34MPG.

My dad seems to remember when we got it that it would do 38-40MPG almost on every tank, i dont see how though. My driving is to blame, apparently