Citroen C5 Tourer or Peugeot 508 RXH

[Mr.Nobody]

So having looked at a few too many cars over the last few months and either being unhappy with the examples or not that impressed with them. My search has taken me on to French Cars. I’ve never owned anything French but I’ve heard they are quite good. Now two I’ve seen Are:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307049...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401185...

[OutInTheShed]

A mate had a C5 estate.
They are enormous.
They are lovely things to travel fast in, quiet smooth. Entirely un-exciting because it feels like you're pottering.

AIUI, they all have the comedy pumpy-uppy suspension and can be 'challenging to work on' due to steel bits corroding into alloy bits.
It's not like a Ford which can be fixed anywhere, or a BMW or alfa where you have the support of lots of enthusiasts and experts.
I'd buy one if it was cheap enough to laugh about if it only lasted 18 months.
A teenaged one for £6k seems like a gamble.
The 3 litre is not the most economical and high tax.

I had a Peugeot once, but a previous era so probably not relevant.
Diesel hybrid, 4WD. Very economical.
But I wouldn't stake too much on it lasting a long time.

[Jordie Barretts sock]

To say a Citroën can't be repaired anywhere is a bit disingenuous. They can.

That C5 doesn't have the hydropneumatic suspension either.

[itcaptainslow]

Not all C5’s have fluid suspension - of the later cars, only Exclusive spec models had it as standard. The rest of the range had conventional steel springs.

[OutInTheShed]

itcaptainslow said:

Not all C5’s have fluid suspension - of the later cars, only Exclusive spec models had it as standard. The rest of the range had conventional steel springs.

My mate's one had the little lever by the gear stick to make the car go on tiptoes through deep puddles.
The one linked to is an 'Exclusive', and the description says hydro-whatsit.

I think when most Citroens had hydro, there were more people around who could fix them.
Personally, I wouldn't let my village garage loose on it.
My mate's car had a clunk over bumps like level crossings, which defeated two garages but didn't fail the MOT, suspeect the MOT man didn't want the job of mending it. Other than that it was a great car, but in the context of buying a 54 plate car in 2010 for about £1500 IIRC. We did a few long trips in it for sailing events.

I'm looking at cars of similar size, age, price and wondering how many years to expect out of them.
Which of these cars will outlive the other?

[Mr.Nobody]

Are there any other recommendations for something big and comfortable?

[OutInTheShed]

Mr.Nobody said:

Are there any other recommendations for something big and comfortable?

A cheaper C5 might tempt me!

This one is perhaps the worst photographed car on AT today?
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401135...

Other than that, a 5 series, or maybe a more conventional Peugeot?

Possibly an A6, but finding a good one for sensible money seems like hard work.

Skoda Superb? again these often seem to hold their price too well.

It all depends on what you want to spend and how long you want to keep the car, whether you expect it to be worth anything at the end of that.

[Mr.Nobody]

The Supeb seem okay. Again I’ve never owned one but would like to go for a top spec model if possible. Any other Pugs that are worth mentioning?

[ZX10R NIN]

Unless you're happy to pay for main dealer servicing, then I'd discount the RXH.

As has been said before Mondeo or Insignia.

[Mr.Nobody]

ZX10R NIN said:

Unless you're happy to pay for main dealer servicing, then I'd discount the RXH.

As has been said before Mondeo or Insignia.

I don’t mind paying main dealer prices. I’ve tried a couple Mondeo they were okay but not that comfortable. A friend let me try his Insignia, quite nice. As I’ve never owned anything French I thought I would bite the bullet so to speak.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403087...

[OutInTheShed]

Mr.Nobody said:

I don’t mind paying main dealer prices. I’ve tried a couple Mondeo they were okay but not that comfortable. A friend let me try his Insignia, quite nice. As I’ve never owned anything French I thought I would bite the bullet so to speak.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403087...

Those things look quite appealing for the money.
I've looked at a few Mondeo estates around £6k, and they've all been a bit sordid, I get the impression the interiors just don't survive the way people use them. Maybe that's a regional factor in the South West, people here buy estate cars to fill with dogs and firewood.

[Mr.Nobody]

Any other suggestions or models I could look at?

[Jag_NE]

I really like the C5 but I’d expect a 13 year old version of anything to be troublesome. I’d only be tempted by that one if it had a folder of invoices demonstrating meticulous maintenance.

[Mammasaid]

Mr.Nobody said:

Are there any other recommendations for something big and comfortable?

Volvo?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402156...

[OutInTheShed]

Jag_NE said:

I really like the C5 but I’d expect a 13 year old version of anything to be troublesome. I’d only be tempted by that one if it had a folder of invoices demonstrating meticulous maintenance.

I'd rather have one which hadn't needed any work.

[Mr.Nobody]

Jag_NE said:

I really like the C5 but I’d expect a 13 year old version of anything to be troublesome. I’d only be tempted by that one if it had a folder of invoices demonstrating meticulous maintenance.

Yeah but I would imagine they would command somewhat of a premium. They do look good. I quite like the air suspension.

[OutInTheShed]

Mr.Nobody said:

..... I quite like the air suspension.

It can be a bit 'boaty' in old age.

[Mr.Nobody]

OutInTheShed said:

It can be a bit 'boaty' in old age.

Probably. I’m not that keen on the Volvo. Only other could possibly be a Jag, but I imagine it would come with some rather large bills.

[romft123]

Jag_NE said:

I really like the C5 but I’d expect a 13 year old version of anything to be troublesome. I’d only be tempted by that one if it had a folder of invoices demonstrating meticulous maintenance.

I had an exclusive for 5 years, the oil burner. its a heavy car. If we took it carefull we might...might get 50 mpg. regular driving 45. Bought it to tow a 2000kg caravan which it did effortlessly. BUT getting in and out was a pain, forever banging my head , as did passengers. Not that roomy inside but plush and very quiet.

Would I buy 1 again, NO

[Mr.Nobody]

Any other recommendations to consider?