The Xantia is an excellent all-rounder, and exceptional in several ways. Only one word of warning: as with any large saloon these days - remember the fuel bills.

I bought my Xantia about a year ago. 2.0i 16V SX - ABS, power steering, twin air bags, electric windows (F + R), electric mirrors, AC, 6 speaker stereo with 6-CD changer, alarms,...etc...etc. It came with 12 months unlimited parts and labour warranty and 12 months roadside assistance. With under 12,000 miles on the clock, I still got it for under £12K and I've had no problems (touch wood)

Superb people carrier, ride is smooth and quiet, the stereo is one of the very best I've heard. My brother (who drives a new VW Passat) agrees that the stereo is better in the Xantia. Interior is well designed and doesn't dissapoint like the equivalent Fords and vauxhalls. Compared to all other saloons in the same sort of price range, I would put it in the top 3.

However, things I would now consider when buying are:
1. I bought mine before real pressure started to be put on UK car prices. Citroen have responded to this by keeping the prices more or less stable, but putting more stuff in their cars as standard...some real bargains can be picked up nowadays, especially for pre-registered models.

2. Any bigger engined car will cost more to run - fuel costs having risen so much in recent months, I would think twice before buying a Xantia - high running costs will also put downward pressure on its resale value.

3. Road tax is of course higher on any car with more than a 1L engine - but I wouldn't be surprised to see this increased even more on 1.8's and 2.0L+ cars in future (especially if the govt can't generate as much as it wants through tax on fuel!)

4. Cars with power steering, big wheels and ABS, put extra wear on tyres and brake pads. Citroen has softened it's brake pads to cut down on hard breaking problems, but this means pads we
ar out a little quicker.

Unusually for me, since driving the Xantia I hadn't even considered my next car because I was so happy with it; until fuel costs started to bite me. Now, I'm having to be sensible and consider changing to a smaller engine - but I won't like it.