Why did I buy a Citroen?

Why are you getting rid of it if it's excellent? Run it into the ground in about 15 years time and save yourself loads of money.

Brian ( snipped-for-privacy@tesco.net) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

The Xsara's not exactly the most fashionable car on the road - so it's ENTIRELY possible that "can't sell it" is because it was priced too high.

What plate, what spec, and how much were you trying to shift it for?

Selling because I needed a larger vehicle.

2001 (Y) LX 90. Priced at under the listed value in Parkers (£3600) for private sale, which is already low for the year of vehicle. Citroen do lose one hell of a lot in depreciation. So I bought it a year ago at a reasonable price, according to Parkers, and it has lost a further 20% in this year. Currently asking £3295.

Just looked in the current What Car price guide, and the private sale good price in that is over £4100.

This isn't the best time of year to be selling. Spring is traditionally when the market livens up.

Brian ( snipped-for-privacy@tesco.net) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

A quick look at Autotrader suggests that's about right - there's at least one similar but 02-plate for under £3k, but that's got 120k miles.

Trouble is, that money will also get you a similar age diesel Focus estate

- which is a FAR better car. The fact it's 59k is almost irrelevant - luckily, most people have given up the daft fixation on mileage, especially on diesels - 100k is nothing on a modern car, and 100k of motorway is FAR better than 60k of town.

All used cars are cheap as chips. Parkers is a good guesstimate. No more. If you bought it from the trade, than 20% is about right for the dealer's margin, certainly not massive depreciation in a year.

Add in that Xsaras are uncool - Nobody *wants* 'em. They're not the best lookers, and they have a reputation as being a bit bland to drive. Most people who want an HDi would prefer a 110bhp.

Don't forget that Y-reg has "turned the corner" as far as "visual age" is concerned - it's nearly five years old, and prefix-plates are definitely in the minority now compared to the newer-style ones.

Drop it to just under £3k, and I'll bet it'll sell.

"Brian" schreef in bericht news:CLHlf.976$ snipped-for-privacy@newsfe3-gui.ntli.net...

I don't buy a car to sell it; I usually buy a car for driving it.

Linea Recta ( snipped-for-privacy@abc.net) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

That rules Xsaras out, then.

So you must have a stack of old cars if you never sell them. And I have only done 16000 miles since I bought it, so you have to assume that I have driven it. If my circumstances had not changed, requiring a larger car, I would be keeping it. Unfortunately, I am not in the fortunate situation of being able to keep every car I buy.

Owned a Ford once, never again. In your opinion better, but unquantified.

But then EVERYONE always claims that the 150k is ALL motorway driving. Do you ALWAYS believe it? And why then, is it the first question asked, what's the mileage?

I bought it below dealers' price, and if I drop to the value you suggest the drop would be nearer 40% in the fourth year.

This is possibly the problem in the UK. The snob value of the year plates, the older one doesn't impress the neighbours so much does it? In France, you would be paying well over double the amount for the same car (though LHD of course), because they see a car for what it is rather than who it will impress.

I could GIVE it away I'm sure - well possibly. But then, that Y plate - all the neigbours have later cars. The name's not Bucket is it? (Pronounced Bouquet of course).

Brian ( snipped-for-privacy@tesco.net) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Ford have changed massively over the last decade, and now produce some superb cars - the Focus started that resurrection off, and remains an excellent car. Citroen went through a very dull patch in the mid-late 90s, producing some appalling insults to the badge. The Xsara is perhaps the finest example of that. It was mediocre when it was released, and did not age well. It's a ZX with added lard.

Bear in mind, when I say that, that I have only once in my life paid money to own a car that did not bear chevrons. It was a Hillman Imp, and it was utterly shit. I have _had_ plenty of non-Cit cars in my time, but I have never been asked to part with money for them. They were either company cars or given to me for free (that v6 75 was nice...).

Because most people are stupid.

The newest car I've ever owned is on an N plate.

"Brian" schreef in bericht news:gRxmf.3044$ snipped-for-privacy@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...

Of course I do try to sell my car or to trade it in when it needs replacement, but that's not my first criterion when buying a car.

Neither is it mine.

The only Ford I have had anything to do with recently was a Focus diesel, which broke down. Only had it for the wekend, low mileage car too.

I did have a 405 TD estate, which was probably the best car I have owned recently. Never let me down in six years.

Brian ( snipped-for-privacy@tesco.net) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

You are aware that Ford buy their TDCi diesels off PSA - they're the same engine as the HDi...?