Peugeot 406/Citroen Xantia - Alternatives?

[snotrag]

Considering buying another 'regular' car again, even if only for the winter. Getting fed up of no space to put my bikes in the Mazda.

Must be nice to drive. My £600 Audi 80 last year (must have been won over by the 'imagine'), was not. The doors made a nice sound when they shut, sure. But that does not a good car make, in my book. It was st to drive. Which made me hate it. 406 / Xantia should be much nicer to drive in French style.

Alternatives? Cheap to run (diesel most likely) cheap to run, practical. Other cars I think could fit my vague bill - 306 D turbo. Saab 900/9000. Honda Accord. Mk2 Golf.

What I don't want - Thirsty big engine. Anything with Carbs. Anything with terminal Rust. Anything with expensive parts. Expensive insurance.

Must have some small modicum of being 'nice' to drive otherwise I will get so frustrated and just hate it.

Rather have a nicer 'normal' car, than a rubbish 'premium' car. IE - I actually think a kitted out £750 Peugeot 406 is a better buy than a £750 supposedly 'quality german car' like a 190, E30 BMW or my Audi 80.

Ideas?

[Efbe]

e36 touring. engine size depending on what insurance you want to pay.

my 328i touring cost under a grand, 40mpg on motorway,27combined, though i do live high up in the hills. never skipped a beat. solid and a great place to be in inside

[MrPickle]

My dad picked up a SAAB 9000, brilliant condition, 100k miles, tax and MOT for £370ish on E-bay.
Was the CSE with all the kit on it. I'd highly recommend one as a 'normal' car tbh. Its a 2.0l petrol but still gets around 35mpg.
A xantia is an aqiured taste tbh. Big wafty suspension'd things that they are