This will be my next daily driver. At the moment I am still fixing it up. It is a base model Citroën Xantia. 1.8 liter engine and few options including power windows (front only), a rear wiper and power door locks. Runs on barbecue gas :P

Bought it for €350 in decent shape. It does have a few problems but hey, it's cheap, it runs and the bodywork is in good shape, which were my main requirements. The rest can be fixed. Problems include a flat accumulator sphere, bad idle on LPG, a broken seat belt catch, clutch adjustment required, a hole in the hatch and faded taillights. Duck tape everywhere. The engine is noisy, sounds a little tired although it makes pretty good power for a 1.8

Planned mods include a V6 spec interior, power rear windows, some suspension work, a front brake upgrade and of course the 2.2 engine I was already working on.

After driving the BX for a year I decided it would probably be best to start fresh with the new engine I was building. When I bought the BX, I was in a bit too much of a hurry to get rid of my petrol bill. It did the job, but for the 2.2 turbo project I would have preferred a slightly better (looking) basis. There's also an advantage to building it up on the side at my own pace, while the current BX is still providing cheap miles on a daily basis.

Still undecided what to do (I did have the BX mostly sorted in the technical department and might have to start all over if I were to get another car) I decided to keep my eyes open for any LPG-legal car that the engine I'm building would fit into. That would be Peugeot (309, 306, 405) or Citroën (BX, Xantia). I aimed high - if the right car would cross my path, the decision would be made for me, if it didn't then fine, I'd just work with the BX. If I bought another car, it better be worth the trouble.

So here's my wish list:

• Cheap. Not going to spend a lot of money on another car if I already have a decent one, and need the money for the engine project. Definitely under €1000 no matter what.
• No sunroof this time. The benefits are not worth the added weight, loss of headroom or the potential rust/leak trouble as the car ages.
• Not above 1250kg (2750lbs) kerb weight, to keep tax and insurance within reasonable limits.
• Nice body, nice color.
• Some luxury. I knew I wouldn't get all my wishes within such a limited budget, but I didn't want to spend too much time and money installing it all myself.

After keeping an eye on various marketplace sites for a few months, I came across this black one. Advertised for €700 but the salesman said he'd let it go for 400 as is. So I offered 350 and picked it up the following week - at which time the replacement hatch and taillights were already waiting for it ;) Put them on, gave it a quick wash and took the pictures above.