£500 isn't actually cheap for the Xsara. I never actually drove that model; only the Xsara Picasso 2.0 Auto and that was definitely the best Picasso to drive: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/citroen/citroen-xs.../ But we're talking of a 14 year old car that isn't exactly renowned for longevity. You'll see in the Picasso test that it warns of trouble with the different automatic in the Xsara and there's a bit more about that here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/citroen/xsara-1997/?...d