Re: 1997 Citroen XM V6 Exclusive Auto – For Sale
Posted: Mon May 16, 2016 4:53 pm
Lots of good points, well made. Choice-wise, an XM surely isn't sane, obvious, first or anything like that, the more so for being 20 years old.
Going somewhere, A to B, for us there is a choice: climb in the RAV4, or get the 2.5 out of the garage. If it's just into the village (4km) or down to the doctor's or bank or bit of local shopping (14km) it's the RAV. It's fine, does the job, handles mountain tracks and winding B-roads without a problem, and returns 33mpg. Hums along motorway at 120km/h without fuss. Parks in your average space, and doesn't attract unwanted attention.
But it's as interesting as washing the dishes, for both driver and passengers alike. It's not uncomfortable, lacking power, traction or ability . . . it's just uninteresting. Lots of modern cars are the same, efficient enough but essentially dull.
If the XM were the same, we'd probably have let it go some time ago, but it just isn't the same. The experience for both driver and passengers is rewarding and involving, and relaxing. The comfort is pretty well unsurpassed. It goes like the wind, and will exceed national speed limits with ease. Locally, it gives us 34mpg, long-distance 43mpg. It's only 2WD, but has never left us stranded, mud or snow, with all that weight over the front wheels, and extra ground clearance on tap.
So, we fire up the XM given half an excuse, anything other than a short local trip - an evening out, a long journey, airport run (120km round trip), a visit across or out of Spain. We've also chauffeured, and done the odd wedding. My son has done ours - and has the cap to prove it. Friends smile when we turn up in it to go out somewhere; they really do take it as a compliment.
If it's that good, would the XM be appreciated the same by everyone? Definitely not. I think I can safely say that none of our friends or neighbours would contemplate running one, even ours. Routine service costs are no more than anything modern, insurance the same, reliability ditto. But it does require attention, trouble-shooting (like any 15+ year old car) - and, in the case of the XM, a level of understanding and support (Club, documentation, know-how) if untold and impossible garage bills are to be avoided. This is too much for most folk, who simply want their four wheels to run as reliably as the very best washing machine.
For some though - and it's the "converted" who are reading this - it's the very satisfaction from understanding how it works. Quite a challenge sometimes, but a good workout for the grey matter, and getting/keeping it working is part of the attraction. (I have to do the same for the RAV4, but the emotional rewards are pretty thin.)
Our XM currently runs more or less like new. It hasn't always. It's had its traumas, and its moments. It sat for unused for nearly two years after coming to Spain, while we gave our attention to other things. But it has always called to both of us to fix me, don't let me go. And it has rewarded us 'in spades'.
Toy? Definitely. More like one of the family now.
Going somewhere, A to B, for us there is a choice: climb in the RAV4, or get the 2.5 out of the garage. If it's just into the village (4km) or down to the doctor's or bank or bit of local shopping (14km) it's the RAV. It's fine, does the job, handles mountain tracks and winding B-roads without a problem, and returns 33mpg. Hums along motorway at 120km/h without fuss. Parks in your average space, and doesn't attract unwanted attention.
But it's as interesting as washing the dishes, for both driver and passengers alike. It's not uncomfortable, lacking power, traction or ability . . . it's just uninteresting. Lots of modern cars are the same, efficient enough but essentially dull.
If the XM were the same, we'd probably have let it go some time ago, but it just isn't the same. The experience for both driver and passengers is rewarding and involving, and relaxing. The comfort is pretty well unsurpassed. It goes like the wind, and will exceed national speed limits with ease. Locally, it gives us 34mpg, long-distance 43mpg. It's only 2WD, but has never left us stranded, mud or snow, with all that weight over the front wheels, and extra ground clearance on tap.
So, we fire up the XM given half an excuse, anything other than a short local trip - an evening out, a long journey, airport run (120km round trip), a visit across or out of Spain. We've also chauffeured, and done the odd wedding. My son has done ours - and has the cap to prove it. Friends smile when we turn up in it to go out somewhere; they really do take it as a compliment.
If it's that good, would the XM be appreciated the same by everyone? Definitely not. I think I can safely say that none of our friends or neighbours would contemplate running one, even ours. Routine service costs are no more than anything modern, insurance the same, reliability ditto. But it does require attention, trouble-shooting (like any 15+ year old car) - and, in the case of the XM, a level of understanding and support (Club, documentation, know-how) if untold and impossible garage bills are to be avoided. This is too much for most folk, who simply want their four wheels to run as reliably as the very best washing machine.
For some though - and it's the "converted" who are reading this - it's the very satisfaction from understanding how it works. Quite a challenge sometimes, but a good workout for the grey matter, and getting/keeping it working is part of the attraction. (I have to do the same for the RAV4, but the emotional rewards are pretty thin.)
Our XM currently runs more or less like new. It hasn't always. It's had its traumas, and its moments. It sat for unused for nearly two years after coming to Spain, while we gave our attention to other things. But it has always called to both of us to fix me, don't let me go. And it has rewarded us 'in spades'.
Toy? Definitely. More like one of the family now.
