Xsara VTR/S - recommendations?

[Digital]

I'm currently considering a change of car and the Xsara VTR/VTS is one that came up. I really need a hatchback, but haven't yet been able to find a picture of one with the boot open! So, can someone confirm for me that the Xsara "coupe" is definitely a hatch?

Any opinions from owners, past or present on how good they are, things to watch out for etc? Not especially bothered about outright performance so most likely would opt for a VTR for cheaper running costs.

Thanks

[ab86]

Digital said:

I'm currently considering a change of car and the Xsara VTR/VTS is one that came up. I really need a hatchback, but haven't yet been able to find a picture of one with the boot open! So, can someone confirm for me that the Xsara "coupe" is definitely a hatch?

Any opinions from owners, past or present on how good they are, things to watch out for etc? Not especially bothered about outright performance so most likely would opt for a VTR for cheaper running costs.

Thanks

Yes I can confirm for you that the Xsara Coupe is definitely a hatch! With a good sized boot at that.

Working for Citroen, I have driven plenty of these! The VTR is nothing more than a standard Xsara with 3 doors. Earlier ones were mainly the 1.8i 16v 112bhp petrol engine (pre-facelift) and had the potential to be pretty quick if they were worked. The later ones (post-facelift) got the 1.6i 16v 110bhp engine (still used today) and although very similar in performance (possibly slightly slower), were alot better on fuel and emissions (for those who care!!)

The VTS is a totally different animal, much faster, sounds great and eggs you on to rev it however it still has enough torque (for a NA petrol 16v) to make smooth progress. It's definitely not as quick as some other "hot" hatches (eg. Civic Type R, etc), but neither is it anything like as expensive. Essentially it is the same car as a Peugeot 306 GTi-6, but without the 6 speed gearbox.

Overall, reliability is pretty good on Xsaras - never a car that was notorious for problems as it was based on the Peugeot 306 which was already a few years old when the first Xsaras were introduced, and many of the launch problems had been ironed out. All the engines are strong, but particularly with the VTS, make sure there are no misfires as these can be expensive to fix, but again this is rare.

Hope this helps

[Kitchski]

Agree with the above pretty much. There are some different specs though:

1.6 8v VTR. Came with wheeltrims/basic alloys, Saxo VTR fabric on cheap seats, 90bhp and not much else. Slow, but quite frugal and very reliable/easy to work on.

1.8 16v VTR. Came with Saxo VTS 5 spoke alloys, Xsara VTS interior, rear disc brakes, 112bhp or there abouts and not much else. Goes quite well for a 1.8, fuel economy not as hot as 1.6. Still fairly reliable though. Has basic climate control system.

1.6 16v VTR. Ph2 models only. Engine as used in 206 XSi. Pretty basic again but as mentioned, good on fuel and emissions (helpful with the post 2001 tax regs).

All VTR's are basically normal Xsara's in that "Coupe" body (read 3 door hatchback with big boot!)

The VTS....different animal. Spec:

2.0 16v GTi-6 engine. 167bhp. Book time of 8.0secs 0-60mph, but in reality ALOT quicker. Will hit 140mph with ease.
Quicker ratio steering rack (2.4 turns LTL rather than 3.2). Steering is also deliberately heavier.

Bigger anti-roll bars, heavier duty shocks and lower springs. Wider rear axle. Very stiff ride compared with soft and squishy VTR.

283mm discs at front. 247mm rear. ABS fitted as standard.

Leather an option, but generally not favoured. Has the basic climate control system. Ph'2 have trip computer, but then you have to put up with the looks.

Friend recently worked out an average of 32mpg combined. Not bad considering the spec and age.

The VTS was actually developed by Citroen Sport. They put a load of effort into it, and this was reflected in the mental £18.5k price tag, without options! Couple that to a marketing disaster, where they didn't play on the basic hot hatch icon status of the Saxo VTS's, bigger, fast brother and tried to market it as a coupe. Even today, people still think they're diesels!, which makes them an uber cool sleeper.

Now under threat as they're cheap enough to buy purely to rip open and pinch the running gear to build a track 205 (takes the pressure off the BX 16v's and 405 Mi16's though!)

Without a moment to even consider the options, get the VTS. In Mauritius blue, or charcoal preferably. Don't think they did venetian red, but that would be sex with white Speedline/Compo's fitted!
The realistic savings over running a VTR would be minimal too. None will do 40mpg and all will drop to high 20's if you rag them.

Reliability wise, not too bad. Electrics are an issue in general, but nothing usually dies and causes serious problems. The cars fitted with the climate control sometimes lose feed to the fan motor, so your heater doesn't blow. It's easily rectified however. The 8v VTR is ALOT easier to work on yourself than the others however, the VTS can be a pig as the engine is rather stuffed in. But then you shouldn't need to get dirty too often.
All Xsara's have a heavy clutch. It's st, but its just the way they are.
Misfires are usually down to coil packs. About £40 for the 8v, which does all four plugs, and around £30 for each one on the 1.8 and 2.0 16v's (there are 4).
If it's done high miles, the engine/box should be ok if it's been looked after, but check the ream axle for excessive wear (wheels at serious camber angles) it's an MOT fail.
If it idles a bit funny, it's generally the coolant sensor NOT the idle valve/stepper motor (a common mis-diagnosis).

Overall they're pretty sturdy. Build isn't as good as the earlier Xantias, but it's enough.







Or better yet buy the TD I'm selling!

Edited by Kitchski on Friday 21st November 20:15

Edited by Kitchski on Friday 21st November 20:17

[Digital]

Thanks guys, very useful information there

I had the chance of buying a cheap Phase 2 VTR, but decided not to go for it in the end. I think if I do opt for a Xsara then it'll have to be a VTS I hadn't realised they cost quite so much when new though

[ab86]

Kitchski said:

Agree with the above pretty much. There are some different specs though:

1.6 8v VTR. Came with wheeltrims/basic alloys, Saxo VTR fabric on cheap seats, 90bhp and not much else. Slow, but quite frugal and very reliable/easy to work on.

1.8 16v VTR. Came with Saxo VTS 5 spoke alloys, Xsara VTS interior, rear disc brakes, 112bhp or there abouts and not much else. Goes quite well for a 1.8, fuel economy not as hot as 1.6. Still fairly reliable though. Has basic climate control system.

1.6 16v VTR. Ph2 models only. Engine as used in 206 XSi. Pretty basic again but as mentioned, good on fuel and emissions (helpful with the post 2001 tax regs).

All VTR's are basically normal Xsara's in that "Coupe" body (read 3 door hatchback with big boot!)

The VTS....different animal. Spec:

2.0 16v GTi-6 engine. 167bhp. Book time of 8.0secs 0-60mph, but in reality ALOT quicker. Will hit 140mph with ease.
Quicker ratio steering rack (2.4 turns LTL rather than 3.2). Steering is also deliberately heavier.

Bigger anti-roll bars, heavier duty shocks and lower springs. Wider rear axle. Very stiff ride compared with soft and squishy VTR.

283mm discs at front. 247mm rear. ABS fitted as standard.

Leather an option, but generally not favoured. Has the basic climate control system. Ph'2 have trip computer, but then you have to put up with the looks.

Friend recently worked out an average of 32mpg combined. Not bad considering the spec and age.

The VTS was actually developed by Citroen Sport. They put a load of effort into it, and this was reflected in the mental £18.5k price tag, without options! Couple that to a marketing disaster, where they didn't play on the basic hot hatch icon status of the Saxo VTS's, bigger, fast brother and tried to market it as a coupe. Even today, people still think they're diesels!, which makes them an uber cool sleeper.

Now under threat as they're cheap enough to buy purely to rip open and pinch the running gear to build a track 205 (takes the pressure off the BX 16v's and 405 Mi16's though!)

Without a moment to even consider the options, get the VTS. In Mauritius blue, or charcoal preferably. Don't think they did venetian red, but that would be sex with white Speedline/Compo's fitted!
The realistic savings over running a VTR would be minimal too. None will do 40mpg and all will drop to high 20's if you rag them.

Reliability wise, not too bad. Electrics are an issue in general, but nothing usually dies and causes serious problems. The cars fitted with the climate control sometimes lose feed to the fan motor, so your heater doesn't blow. It's easily rectified however. The 8v VTR is ALOT easier to work on yourself than the others however, the VTS can be a pig as the engine is rather stuffed in. But then you shouldn't need to get dirty too often.
All Xsara's have a heavy clutch. It's st, but its just the way they are.
Misfires are usually down to coil packs. About £40 for the 8v, which does all four plugs, and around £30 for each one on the 1.8 and 2.0 16v's (there are 4).
If it's done high miles, the engine/box should be ok if it's been looked after, but check the ream axle for excessive wear (wheels at serious camber angles) it's an MOT fail.
If it idles a bit funny, it's generally the coolant sensor NOT the idle valve/stepper motor (a common mis-diagnosis).

Overall they're pretty sturdy. Build isn't as good as the earlier Xantias, but it's enough.







Or better yet buy the TD I'm selling!

Edited by Kitchski on Friday 21st November 20:15

Edited by Kitchski on Friday 21st November 20:17

Blimey, and I thought I knew about them!! I appear to be an amateur next to you! Learnt some useful details myself here! Nice one mate!

Edited by ab86 on Friday 21st November 23:05