Used Citroën Xsara Coupe 1997 - 2004 review

The Xsara Coupe is an anonymous-looking small hatch with three doors. But, in a bid to lend it some street-cred, Citroen offered only the quicker engines from the Xsara line-up and stiffened the suspension a touch. The VTR is more of a warm hatch but the VTS is pretty hot.

Drivers of any version will appreciate the clear dashboard, if not some fiddly buttons and the squidgy, unsupportive driver's seat, while passengers will find there's a fair amount of space inside. However, shoulder room in the rear is tight for three and there's only a lap-belt for the centre passenger. The boot is big and practical and the rear seats split-fold, but the spare wheel is slung underneath in a cradle, which makes life easy for thieves unless a security bolt is purchased. Equipment levels are high and all models have alloy wheels and air-con, and most have a CD player. But, the biggest problem is just finding one. The Xsara coupe was never a big seller when new, so it's a rare sight second-hand.

The best thing about buying an ordinary car that's no longer current is that it's going to be cheap. First owners may have suffered savage drops in value, but that's all in the past. Look after it and in a year's time it might even sell for what you paid for it.

The Xsara is cheap to service and repair, but it's not the most reliable car, so you'd be wise to budget for problems. Insurance costs are average: the 1.6 petrol and 2.0 diesel models are group 9, the 1.8 is group 11 and the 2.0 in group 16. And, fuel economy isn't too bad, either - the 2.0 HDi promises up to 54mpg overall, the 1.8 33mpg and the 2.0 a reasonable 30mpg overall.

Try for the 167bhp 2.0 VTS if you can afford the insurance: it's quick and, providing it is looked after, handles well. Otherwise, the 1.8 or 1.6 VTR models are a good second best. Note, though, that older 1.6s muster only 89bhp, whereas post-face-lift cars have 110bhp. That makes quite a difference and the 89bhp cars are a bit slow and coarse. The 110bhp version is smoother and noticeably quicker.

Otherwise, there's a quick 2.0 diesel, also with 110bhp. This is rare, but worth seeking out because it's a rapid car that is also cheap to fuel and insure. All Xsara coupes are well equipped and post-2000 models are notably good for safety kit. Most have twin front and side airbags, plus anti-lock brakes. Also, expect to find air-con and a CD player, as well as remote locking and electric windows.