Well the Invacar I've just put up a thread about is probably the most bare bones car I've owned, so time for a bit of contrast. Let's take a look at the most sophisticated one I've ever had by a long shot.
I still reckon that the series 1 Xantia is one of the most handsome looking cars Bertone ever penned - especially with the slightly more aggressive looking front end used on the V6 and Activa.
Something the French have generally demonstrated a good history of is making cars comfortable. This one is no exception.
I really need a new set of floor mats.
Rear legroom manages to put a lot of its competition to shame even today.
No blinding white or blue LEDs...nice comfortable, classy looking green.
Had her along to the Festival of the Unexceptional in 2018, where quite a few folks approached us and made a point of really regretting ever selling Xantias they'd owned.
Given the age of the design it still never ceases to astonish me how competent a car this is. It's comfy, has huge load carrying ability for the size, it's easy to wander around town or happy to drive all day on the motorway or blast around twisty roads at unfeasible seeming velocity...we won't speak about economy though...the TCT engine is a thirsty old thing!
The biggest challenge this car faces at the moment is the classic "sunburn" which seems to afflict almost every Dante Red Citroen I've ever seen. She really wants a full respray, however it's a job which will need to wait a while yet as I don't have a few grand to spare for it just now. When it does happen though I'm torn between a vivid, eye-searing bright red or that orangey yellow that you used to see on Saxos back in the day. Probably be the red though as I think that would suit the car really well.
I'll definitely be adding some more info and photos here in due course, but I wanted to get the thread started.
It's getting really rare to see a Xantia these days of any form...An Activa on the other hand is a real rarity now. Never thought for a second I'd ever have had the chance to own one until a friend made me an offer that was far too good to refuse.
Really need to get it to some shows this year, and I'd really like to get it to a track day so I can really see what it can do. Never go near the limits on a public road as it's capable of going both on corners and straight road sufficiently rapidly to get me in a huge amount of trouble...
I really have no idea what I'd replace it with if I sold it tomorrow...being such a master of seemingly all trades (except economy!) it would be a really tough order to fill.
I still reckon that the series 1 Xantia is one of the most handsome looking cars Bertone ever penned - especially with the slightly more aggressive looking front end used on the V6 and Activa.
Something the French have generally demonstrated a good history of is making cars comfortable. This one is no exception.
I really need a new set of floor mats.
Rear legroom manages to put a lot of its competition to shame even today.
No blinding white or blue LEDs...nice comfortable, classy looking green.
Had her along to the Festival of the Unexceptional in 2018, where quite a few folks approached us and made a point of really regretting ever selling Xantias they'd owned.
Given the age of the design it still never ceases to astonish me how competent a car this is. It's comfy, has huge load carrying ability for the size, it's easy to wander around town or happy to drive all day on the motorway or blast around twisty roads at unfeasible seeming velocity...we won't speak about economy though...the TCT engine is a thirsty old thing!
The biggest challenge this car faces at the moment is the classic "sunburn" which seems to afflict almost every Dante Red Citroen I've ever seen. She really wants a full respray, however it's a job which will need to wait a while yet as I don't have a few grand to spare for it just now. When it does happen though I'm torn between a vivid, eye-searing bright red or that orangey yellow that you used to see on Saxos back in the day. Probably be the red though as I think that would suit the car really well.
I'll definitely be adding some more info and photos here in due course, but I wanted to get the thread started.
It's getting really rare to see a Xantia these days of any form...An Activa on the other hand is a real rarity now. Never thought for a second I'd ever have had the chance to own one until a friend made me an offer that was far too good to refuse.
Really need to get it to some shows this year, and I'd really like to get it to a track day so I can really see what it can do. Never go near the limits on a public road as it's capable of going both on corners and straight road sufficiently rapidly to get me in a huge amount of trouble...
I really have no idea what I'd replace it with if I sold it tomorrow...being such a master of seemingly all trades (except economy!) it would be a really tough order to fill.
