Why I Bought a 2000 Citroën Xsara VTS - In Claudia Schiffer Yellow

[@canaloldiscool]

Awesome! few people realize how good this particular version is, in fact. Responsive steering, powerful brakes, griping seats and a free revving engine inside a mean-looking design. Perfect. Since 2002 I´ve owned 05 Xsara VTS 167 bhp (blue, yellow, green, red, silver) and I miss all of them. The blue one had a port and polished head, modified axhaust and a piggyback back in 2003 and used to have A3s 1.8 Turbo for breakfast on the straights. Of course it would be nasty from my side comparing the cars on the track... Keep up this jewel.

[@wanttj]

Agree with u. It looks better than the facelift version.

[@Petrolblog]

Definitely.

[@RichieRouge206]

Omg I had a T-reg 1.8 VTR in Helios Yellow. I adored it and even had the number plate T18 VTR for it. I also had a 1.7 X-reg Puma which was awesome. The handling was quite close between the two. The Ford engine was lustier but the Xsara was more comfortable. Miss both equally the same. The Xsara holds a special place in my heart as it was the first car I bought on my own without the help of my grandad (my grandparents raised me) who was very ill in a hospice at the time. He saw the car once and approved, loved the colour especially. It also did a mad dash from work to the hospice when I got a phone call to say he didn't have long. The Xsara handled the mad dash with gusto, far beyond the speed limit of the bypass, lights ablaze, hazards on... I sadly got there 5 minutes too late but that was because of traffic, not my lovely Xsara.

[@Petrolblog]

Sorry to read that you didn't make it to your grandad's bedside in time. I experienced the same thing when my father passed away. I'm pleased the Helios Yellow Xsara holds a special place in your heart.

[@shand1967]

I'm with you on the looks and particularly that rear wheel arch line. To me it is a fabulous bit of design. I hope Citroen shot the designer who came up with the phase 2 bulbous front end. I even don't mind the interior. I used to own a ZX 1.4 back in the day and I nearly replaced it with a Xsara but I bought a Rover 25 instead. To this day though I regret not buying a Xantia which is the last great Citroen in my opinion.

[@Petrolblog]

The rear wheel arch line is underrated. It’s not quite the rear arches on a three-door Nova, but it comes close. Would love a Xantia, but would also find room for a C6 and original C4 Cactus.

[@bunter6]

I had a Xantia 1.9 TD VSX and it was lovely, I wish i had bought an Activa before they started to go mad on price, antoher example of Citroen being so innovative.

[@Soulrollsdeep]

Calm down, Alan Partridge

[@carlc123]

Awesome vid! Im on my third VTS and have owned my current W Reg VTS for 12 years and is still going strong. Only a few left on the road now so we are part of an exclusive club!

[@Petrolblog]

Thanks Carl. The number of pre-facelift cars actually on the road is down to single fingers now...

[@RichieRouge206]

Yes really enjoying these videos

[@Petrolblog]

Thank you. I really appreciate that.

[@j_ondrusek]

We had a 2000 VTS (with facelift) in our family for 16 years, bought new. I sold the car with over 200k km on it when I moved overseas. I absolutely loved it and sometimes wish I still had it. None of the modern cars I owned afterwards had a rain sensor working as well as the in my Xsara VTS. I did not mind the ride quality, in fact I liked the feedback of it. If you take care of the rear suspension, it handles incredibly well.

[@Petrolblog]

Yes, I like the ride quality. The handing is unbelievably good. It speaks volumes that the people who owned a VTS wish they still had it.

[@deez7878]

My Dad was a bodyshop manager at a Citroen dealer when these were current. He bought one home once, in hideous yellow as above but with an awesome deep front spoiler which must have been factory as the car was brand new, but I've never seen another. Anyway, 'have a go in that!' he said to me-being a Ford man, I just thought 'this'll be shit... I was wrong! I caned it of course and was blown away, it was awesome! It sounded amazing, responded brilliantly to my abuse, it was just great and I was instantly converted. I bought an 1998 one, again in hideous yellow and kept it for a few years. My wife hated it, I loved it and was very sorry to see it go. I sometimes search the classifieds but they must be nearly all gone now, but what a great and underrated car

[@Petrolblog]

So few left. The thing about the VTS is that you *have* to thrash it to get the best out of it.

[@noahhyde1306]

Wow, what a car. My dad had a Xsara VTS he bought in about 2007, it was a 2001 1st facelift VTS in black. In 2009 the camshaft snapped and it’s been sat in my great uncles shed ever since. My dad loved that car, but the birth of me when the car got took off the road meant he had to use his money to buy a family car. Now my dad is wanting a good old hot hatch again now and there’s a plan to restore his old VTS with me, I just hope that plan comes true!

[@Petrolblog]

What a brilliant opportunity to put another VTS on the road. Good luck - would love to get progress updates.

[@mathewcribb1227]

I owned a Ph2 and a Ph2.5 unfortunately we never got the Ph1 here in Australia great cars, amazing handling, extremely reliable and build like a tank. Every now and again I have a look to see if there's any around but there not many left down under

[@Petrolblog]

There aren’t many left up here, either!

[@david1731048]

The car I learned to drive in, my parents car at the time. A 5 door LX in (emerald?) green. So many memories of that interior, and so long since I've seen one anywhere.

[@Petrolblog]

Nice car to learn to drive in. I actually saw a pre-facelift Xsara today; the first time I've seen one in ages.

[@rldoprado]

Very good. I'm from Brazil and here I have a 2002 xsara 1.6 16v, sold in Brazil as the GLX model.

[@Petrolblog]

Hello! I understand the Xsara is quite popular in Brazil.

[@rldoprado]

@@Petrolblog Yes!

[@lawrenceh1405]

Wonderful "walkaround" of a car that I never knew existed UNTIL I discovered PetrolBlog. I agree: one very sexy car, especially from the front aspect. The association with Claudia Schiffer is entirely apt. I suspect her people will be ringing up your people to arrange a lunch meeting as soon as such things are possible again. The interior isn't so bad. It's standard-issue for the period, very much like my 1997 Integra.... which is also a vista of gray cloth and plastic, with bits and bobs culled from the Honda Civic parts bin. Who buys a car for its interior? It's all about drinking in those exterior liquid lines and revving some RPMs. (A hot glue gun should sort out the bits of the Xsara that have come loose.) One wonders if there was a surplus of sport coupes/hatches in that era: the Acura Man was as forthcoming as the Citroen Man about knocking a few thou off my Integra.... Number plates: Could be worse. The State of Iowa sends you replacement plates every 10 years, whether you need them or not. (They're aluminium, so one rarely needs them.) The roof: NO BLACK (yech)!! Just a third shade of yellow (golden yellow?) for a harmonious transition between the front and back halves. Coupe vs Hatchback: I'm not a nitpicker there. In fact, I prefer the hatch, as I have saved a fortune in delivery charges by being able to transport bulky furniture, lawn mowers, power washers, and other items in a hatchback. My pet aversion is FOUR DOORS. Totally unacceptable! My parents drove sensible, economical sedans (saloons) when I was growing up, so I naturally have a terrible aversion to them. The Xsara VTS fits my automotive world view. Please continue prattling about The Fleet!

[@Petrolblog]

I never knew that about Iowa number plates. Do other States run a similar policy? Thanks for the detailed feedback, Lawrence - much appreciated. I'm in two minds about the black roof now! Hope all is well in Iowa. Stay safe.

[@asambi69]

The more understated 306Gti imo. A more grown up version if you will. I love the 306GTI also. But I do love the understated looks of the Xsara. I'm not a buyer to keep for money, But I can imagine good examples of these will go the way of good 405/309 Gtis and be going for silly money in 10 yrs time.

[@keungchaic]

I'm a huge Claudia Schiffer's fan. Well done!!!! Congrats!!!

[@Petrolblog]

Who doesn't love Claudia Schiffer?!

[@qnaap]

I am very jealous of your yellow VTS. Had one exactly in the same trim, same wheels (but LHD). I truly loved that car but once upon a time (I was probably brain dead) I traded it in for another car. As of this video, I'm searching for one again and set up alarms for new ads. I'm in the Netherlands and suddenly these cars are getting very very rare! I completely agree with you on the phase 2 Xsaras. They just look way too bulky on the front end. On phase 3 they fixed it a little bit with newer bumpers, but still, the Phase 1 VTS is just such a nice looking car. It's not exactly very exotic, it's not overly sexy, it's not boring, it's just.. right I guess. The side profile with this low stance with these fantastic wheels looks amazing :) Again, very jealous and please don't ruin the exterior by putting aftermarket plastic on it :) But judging by this video, I don't think you will. Thanks for making this video, brings back good memories.

[@Petrolblog]

Hello! Good luck in your quest to find another VTS. I'm not sure what the supply is like in the Netherlands, but it's very hard to find a phase one VTS over here. Needle in a haystack levels of difficulty! Don't worry, I'm not planning any ‘tasteful’ modifications!

[@Automarkt.Austria]

A PetrolBlog video. My day just got better. Btw. My 406 is running again and today i am going to pick up one of my all time favs. Audi 80 b3

[@Petrolblog]

Congrats on getting the 406 running. Tell me more about the 80!

[@Automarkt.Austria]

@@Petrolblog Well. it was a beater car. It has quite low mileage for a 30 year old car but needs some work like a new head gasket and other small things. It is dirt cheap obviously but i have a bond with this type of car. I want to make it run again and keep it :)

[@HiKennyS]

4:53 That Celica photo is quite extraordinary. And you should do a short series reading out nonsense in car sales brochures. (p.s nearly forgot to ask if you "want to share content" as is the normal in KZbin comments these days..)

[@Petrolblog]

Hey, Kenny, wanna be KZbin friends?! That brochure idea could work. A kind of automotive Jackanory for insomniacs.

[@blacktopmediauk]

I always liked the Xsara vts. I used to work at a Citroen dealer in Northampton when these were new. We had one the same as this as a demo. Not me, I usually ran a Saxo vts. Both were a hard sell honestly. With Saxo people would usually got for a 106 GTi, with Xsara vts, people would buy 306 gti6 or something else. Its such a good car too.

[@Petrolblog]

As I thought, then? The Peugeots were always the more obvious choice. Pretty sure sales of the Saxo were helped by keen finance deals, mind.

[@owensteele1645]

@@Petrolblog Also, at least in my area (Exeter), Citroen were offering free insurance and road tax deals on most of their range for a long time in the late '90s and early '00s, maybe even longer, for any driver over 18. As a result the 8-valve Saxo VTR and, in particular, the VTR-styled 1.4 West Coast special edition were very popular with many 18 to 20 year olds over that time. Imagine the back and sides of the dealership therefore being overrun by thrashed, unserviced, pop-rivet-bodykitted and aerosol-painted 205's, Vauxhall Novas and mk2 Fiestas being taken in part-exchange.

[@ryanstephen7806]

Great video and lovely narration! I have fond memories of the Xsara from my uni days in Sunderland in 2004....my mate had one and I had the good pleasure of being his co-passenger every now n then. I found your channel by accident and here I am, your new subscriber. I'd love to see cars (like BL cars, SAAB and quirky Citroens) from the 60s n 70s as well if that interests you. Thanks, looking forward to more.

[@Petrolblog]

Thanks for your feedback and for subscribing, Ryan. More content coming soon.

[@sb784]

A video on the ZX would be good. There's surprisingly few videos of ZXes on KZbin compared with other modern Citroens.

[@Petrolblog]

Might be a good idea. Need to order a new battery first!

[@1982paul100]

Still a great looking car! Love it Gavin! I also have that brochure tucked away somewhere!

[@Petrolblog]

Thanks for watching, Paul. Has aged well, I think. Not bad considering she’s 20 this year!

[@1982paul100]

@@Petrolblog loving your videos Gavin! Keeping me going during lockdown! Cannot wait to take my little mk1 Clio out for a good run down sone country lanes!

[@philipmcdonald2]

I had an x demonstrator and loved it the same colour as that swooped a Saxo vts the xsara drives like a proper sport car I’ve got a mk2 as a track day car now because I couldn’t find a mk1!!

[@Petrolblog]

Can't remember the last time I saw a ph1 for sale. Enjoy your track car - once things return to normal.

[@MrSlaiman37]

I have the same one..bought new in Feb 2000 😊 Mine is 626,000 kilometres...it 's 22 years old 😊

[@Petrolblog]

Good lord - that mileage!

[@RichieRouge206]

This car had earned you an instant follow and subscribe lol

[@Petrolblog]

Thank you. The power of a 'Claudia Schiffer' Xsara!

[@MrBrandonLau]

I have a c4 vts and I love it. Citroen make the most beautiful cars.

[@Petrolblog]

Would love a C4 VTS - there aren't that many around.

[@SpaManDan]

I owned this exact model and colour. A wolf in sheeps clothing. The same engine and chassis as the much more sought after 306 GTi6 of the same era. I loved to demolish Golfs and other 'hot hatches' at the lights, by the time they knew what was going on they'd be eating smoke.

[@Petrolblog]

Yep, it surprises a few people. Shame there are so few left.

[@citroen4ever]

Mine just passed the MOT :-) But I need a new speedo meter for mine.

[@patrickcrean7813]

Lovely car and great video. Any more on the 406 coupe?

[@Petrolblog]

Thanks Patrick. Not yet. The lockdown has put paid to plans, but hopefully things will get back to normal soon. Sorry!

[@patrickcrean7813]

PetrolBlog well done. Your choice of cars is very similar to some I’ve had. I had a Zx aura as my first car, 406 coupe as a daily for 10 years, a 306 gti which is basically the xsara you have as well. I also had a C6 which nearly ruined my life!

[@Petrolblog]

@@patrickcrean7813 Ha, you're living my dream! The ZX is a fine first car - mine was a Daihatsu Charade XTE! What went wrong with the C6, or would you rather forget about the entire experience?!

[@patrickcrean7813]

PetrolBlog what didn’t go wrong? Shock absorber, Particle filter, electronics, starter motor, burst LDS tank all in 6 months. Plus the car tax was €1400 a year here in the Republic of Ireland.

[@benhooper1956]

I do like the look of the Ph1. Was this colour shared with VW? I saw a W-Reg Golf yesterday in a very similar shade. Also, discovered there is a Peugeot 305 GTX estate that lives near me yesterday, when lockdown is over, Ill swing by and ask about it

[@Petrolblog]

That would be Futura Yellow (I think). One of the best colours for a Mk4 Golf. 305 GTX?! Wow - keep me posted on that.

[@benhooper1956]

@@Petrolblog Yes I am on the look out for a good Mk4 V5, in that pastel blue they did, with the black recaro interior and the split rim alloys. They've all done crazy miles though

[@chriszzzygames]

I want to buy this I had the vtr 1.6 8v identical but different interior mine was striped I wrote it off when I was 19 and have wanted one ever since just can’t find one

[@Matteo_Licata]

The Xsara is a fine piece of design, very well executed in all respects: volume, sculpture, graphics. Had it worn a different badge, enthusiasts would have been kinder to its looks, because it does look rather nice. But it's a Citroen, a brand from which we expected revolutionary, futuristic designs... The Xsara just wasn't one. Agree with you that Phase One is the one to have, as the restyling ruined it completely.

[@Petrolblog]

Yep, in the context of 100 years of Citroen, the Xsara is weak and lacklustre. It’s so unloved that it’s likely to be extinct soon, much like the ZX. Citroen should have called the Xsara Coupe a three-door hatch. Honesty is the best policy.

[@DougsCars]

Potato...waffles!? Love the color of the car.

[@Petrolblog]

We have strange food over here. Potato waffles go great with a fried egg, mind.

[@DougsCars]

PetrolBlog Sounds like something we’d have for breakfast here.

[@grayfool]

That probably wouldn't have been my choice at tha time. Maybe the Puma but it would have to be the sport. One of my cousins had an Integra Type R. What a car, I would love one now. How about a Laguna vid please?

[@Petrolblog]

Really wanted to own an Integra Type R when they were new. Still think the values are reasonable, considering what you’re getting. Will add the Laguna to the list!

[@gamernamedjacob]

I impulse bought a 1.8 16v vts that had sat outside for three years. It's quite rusted out as you could imagine and definitely not roadworthy. But then again it was only 150€ :P Now I'm unsure what to do with it, would the engine "drop in" a saxo or 106?

[@Petrolblog]

Many Xsara 16v engines were used for transplant purposes, but that would be a shame. Is your Xsara too far gone?

[@jamesharman3579]

I just bought a 1999 Xsara West Coast, in the same colour, 40k on the clock for £500, looks brand new. The only thing I've noticed and not sure if you have experienced the same but the clutch and accelerator almost 'stick' sometimes. Not sure if this a problem that needs fixing or just a quirk with the old Citreon's and just something I have to get used to. Would be interested to hear what you think! :)

[@Petrolblog]

Good car, good colour, great price! I remember seeing one a lot in Honiton. Not sure if it's the same car. Haven't experienced the sticking clutch/accelerator. Wonder if a commenter could shed some light on the issue. Enjoy your new car.

[@jamesharman3579]

PetrolBlog it’s actually eased off a bit as I’ve been using it. So I think it just hasn’t been used a lot but I’ll be doing plenty of miles in it. I’ve already had interest from a xsara club for when I want to sell it on!

[@TPerry2828]

A nice looking motor (despite that disintegrating trim and paintwork!!). Any progress on the mysterious, mothballed AX GT? Most importantly though ... WHERE ARE THE GOATS?? 🐐🐐🐐 🤔

[@Petrolblog]

You know, you’re the first person to mention the AX... might be a good one to do next. As for the goats, they asked for a larger shared of the non-existent ad revenue, so we’re working on a compromise.

[@davidvickers4228]

Where did you get your new plate from?

[@Petrolblog]

Fancyplates.com

[@ryanm.3681]

Lets do a driving vid of the Rado!!!

[@Petrolblog]

Once she's back on the road, I will.

[@bjornborg8213]

Love the Wheels

[@Petrolblog]

Yes, I've seen some examples of the VTS with aftermarket wheels, but I think these look good.

[@bjornborg8213]

@@Petrolblog true i had 17 inch Got the stock ones after a long search

[@davidvickers4228]

Fantastic car i would definitely own that 👍👍

[@Petrolblog]

Cheers!

[@benday1218]

I wonder why they didn't offer the 6 speed box on the Citroen?

[@Petrolblog]

Maybe it was a cost thing. Or Peugeot wanted to keep something back for the 306.

[@asambi69]

Not gonna Lie the OAP reg killed me.

[@neilcowie2329]

I worked on these when they were new. The centre console is rattling because someone hasn’t screwed it down properly after doing handbrake cables. Don’t bother painting the roof, that would be money wasted. Never particularly good cars or engines. Worst thing from my perspective was that 2 new cars, 1 would be noticeably slower. This one looks like it’s been lowered at the back with its horrible back axle with radius arm bearings and torsion bars.

[@Petrolblog]

Oh dear. I *think* this is a reasonably good one, but there are too few left for me to draw any comparisons.

[@hiagorennee8825]

I Love that color

[@Petrolblog]

Yeah, it's the best colour for a VTS.

[@benhooper1956]

that was quite a scumbag move from the garage as well destroying the plate - I guess they don't know you well? With the quattros plate, I am very worried as it has got black mould on it, but its the original, and while we probably should get a new one, I am not sure if it is so necessary to warrant it. Where did you get the plate remade?

[@Petrolblog]

I never returned to the garage. They didn’t think it was a big deal. Easy £10 for them - guess they do it to most people. The plate was an advisory - not a fail. Anyway, at least the front plate is original. Will email you about the supplier. Not sure if they still offer the service. Great quality plates.

[@simonk337]

For sale yet? 😂

[@Petrolblog]

No!

[@MashPedal]

My saved search for a Xsara VTS on eBay listing never goes off. Howmanyleft.co.uk doesn’t give me much hope either! I remember the Ph1 Xsara from when I was young. The door pockets that looked like they had melted, the double glove box as it had no airbag, and not forgetting the horn on the end of the stalk.

[@Petrolblog]

The heated rear window and horn switches are in great positions. Good luck with the search - you’ll have to move quickly for the right one!

[@eduardostremel241]

Interestly in Brazil we have the very first unit produced in the world of this car. I dont know why PSA decided that our market was the one to receive such a diferent car (Citroen was intruced in our market in 90's). kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYiqZmV9fZ2siJY you can turn on the subtitles and translate it to english, its not perfect, but close enough to understand the history of this unit

[@Petrolblog]

Wow, that's incredible - I never knew that. Really enjoying the channel, so thanks for the recommendation.

[@LWLW44]

I have life size cut out of Claudia Schiffer that Citroen used when promoting the Xzara your welcome to it just reply back

[@Petrolblog]

Amazing! Would love to know more...

[@bunter6]

Back in the Day my dad had a ZX Volcane that was a brilliant drive and i hoped he would replace it with a Xsara but he ended up buying a Megane SALOON! 🤮

[@Petrolblog]

Haha. The ZX Volcano (petrol or diesel?) was a brilliant car. Would love to my ZX 16v out of hibernation.

[@ryanm.3681]

OMG... EMF?!?! you need to stop hahahaha

[@Petrolblog]

Haha. Unbelievable, isn't it?!

[@TheSnoozer20]

Roof has to be black

[@Petrolblog]

Might have to see how it looks using Photoshop!

[@happylind841]

My dad had the exact same spec! Sadly it went to scrap🥲 loved that car

[@Petrolblog]

Far too many were scrapped. There are fewer than 30 on the road, with around 150 listed as SORN.