Are citroen ZX's any good?
Discussion
Hi,
Can anyone tell me if ZX's are any good? Any particular models to go for or avoid, know problems etc.
Need to get a run around for stuff that won't fit in my Quantum (such as passengers!) - preferably something reasonably comapct on the outside (no barges as I have to find a space in London
) yet with a decent ammount of space. Maximum budget is £1000, preferably somewhat less. Needs absolute mechanical reliability as a priority (although I'm not worried if a few bits of trim part company), insurance should be relatively cheap, decent economy is a bonus (would consider a diesel) and finally - as an after thought, something vageuly ammusing to drive would be good although first and foremost it has to be cheap and practical.
Any other suggestions welcome - thought about an old 306, but thought that might be stretching the budget and reliability a little?
Cheers,
Chris.
Can anyone tell me if ZX's are any good? Any particular models to go for or avoid, know problems etc.
Need to get a run around for stuff that won't fit in my Quantum (such as passengers!) - preferably something reasonably comapct on the outside (no barges as I have to find a space in London
) yet with a decent ammount of space. Maximum budget is £1000, preferably somewhat less. Needs absolute mechanical reliability as a priority (although I'm not worried if a few bits of trim part company), insurance should be relatively cheap, decent economy is a bonus (would consider a diesel) and finally - as an after thought, something vageuly ammusing to drive would be good although first and foremost it has to be cheap and practical. Any other suggestions welcome - thought about an old 306, but thought that might be stretching the budget and reliability a little?
Cheers,
Chris.
They might have used to have been so, but not any more, this is French stuff and it does not age well, lots off cooling relating issues emerging, electrical, steering, driveshafts etc etc etc. Really? The (secondhand) reviews online were all glimmering - never seen such a positive consensus. Some rated the driving experience higher than others, but none had any complaints about reliability. They may be old, incorect or just plain biased though!
I've heard the Japanese stuff lasts very well until a seemingly pre-determined date than discintergrates over night!!
Had thought about a Daewoo/Suzuki etc. but they're not that much cheaper to buy and nobody seems to rate the driving experience.
Also, difficult to find anything mid sized - can anyone suggest specific alternatives? Must be cheap to insure, small on the outside (306/Focus sized) but biggish on the inside (preferably with a hatch rather than a saloon) and should be a reasonable motorway car - no Fiat Seicento's screaming at 5000rpm to do 80
I've heard the Japanese stuff lasts very well until a seemingly pre-determined date than discintergrates over night!!
Had thought about a Daewoo/Suzuki etc. but they're not that much cheaper to buy and nobody seems to rate the driving experience.
Also, difficult to find anything mid sized - can anyone suggest specific alternatives? Must be cheap to insure, small on the outside (306/Focus sized) but biggish on the inside (preferably with a hatch rather than a saloon) and should be a reasonable motorway car - no Fiat Seicento's screaming at 5000rpm to do 80
mafioso said:
Hmmmm i seem to remember blowing one off in my Ka a while back so doubt they're the quickest things in the world!
The only ZX that a Ford Ka could outrun would be the 1.9D.
All of the others would be faster... the 1.4 is actually surprisingly swift for a 1.4, and the 2.0i 16v version goes like stink, as its basically a 306 S16, but lighter.
OK, having taken one of these from 62,000 miles to 140Kish in two years, I feel somewhat qualified to comment. 
Basic reliability is pretty good, but they do seem to get through handbrake cables (my parents who had it from new and who now have it back as a runabout have had the pleasure of paying for the 5th(!) handbrake cable at the last MOT, this is a design weakness apparently), front brake pads (needed to change them at every major service, and on one occasion I didn't even make that! Can't be my driving style, as a set of front tyres lasted 50,000 miles while I had it) and exhaust parts. The 1.4 is quite nippy from a standstill but doesn't have any meaningful acceleration in spare at motorway speeds, the 1.6 does nothing better really, except drinking more fuel than the 1.4, the 1.8 seems to be rather nice or so I'm told.
Basic reliability is pretty good, but they do seem to get through handbrake cables (my parents who had it from new and who now have it back as a runabout have had the pleasure of paying for the 5th(!) handbrake cable at the last MOT, this is a design weakness apparently), front brake pads (needed to change them at every major service, and on one occasion I didn't even make that! Can't be my driving style, as a set of front tyres lasted 50,000 miles while I had it) and exhaust parts. The 1.4 is quite nippy from a standstill but doesn't have any meaningful acceleration in spare at motorway speeds, the 1.6 does nothing better really, except drinking more fuel than the 1.4, the 1.8 seems to be rather nice or so I'm told.
Oh, forgot to say they drive alot more fluently and lightfooted than contemporary Golfs, Astras and Escorts (although in case of the latter two that can be said of pretty much anything, either one defines 'stodgy') - if you find the back end is rather too keen on helping the front turn in when lifting the throttle, the rubber mountings of the passive rear steer axle are probably $hagged. Don't ask how I know... 
I've heard good things about the ZX, They are significantly cheaper than 306s of the same age probably due to a less sporty look. The later ones are probably best to go for. The best blend of performance practicality and economy would be the 92bhp 1905cc Turbo Diesel models.
If you're after a sporty look, keep an eye out for the 'Volcane'TD models with colour coded bumpers/driving lights/alloy wheels/sports seats, in both 3 and 5 door config. The insurance group is slightly higher for this model, being in group 10.
There are lots of models in the range but basicly it goes like this:
Reflex - Poverty spe, Groups 5-7
Avantage
Aura
Volcane - Top spec Groups 8-10
A ZX volcane
If you're after a sporty look, keep an eye out for the 'Volcane'TD models with colour coded bumpers/driving lights/alloy wheels/sports seats, in both 3 and 5 door config. The insurance group is slightly higher for this model, being in group 10.
There are lots of models in the range but basicly it goes like this:
Reflex - Poverty spe, Groups 5-7
Avantage
Aura
Volcane - Top spec Groups 8-10
A ZX volcane
Edited by Nurburgring on Sunday 14th January 23:04
Cheers guys.
Hmmm, maybe not so bad then afterall?
Well, probably the one production car I've had most fun driving is my mum's 1.1 Citroen Saxo - although it does have to be said that thing feels knackered now at 60,000 miles. Possibly due to me piloting it across potholed Devon b-roads everyday until I left home
Anyway, my reminising aside - I liked the baby Citroen, so I'd be keen to try the next one up.
One of the occasions I'd use this as opposed to my Quantum or whatever I replace that with would be for long motorway trips, so with that in mind, maybe the 1.9 TD would be a good bet. Anyone know how much better the Volcanne diesel is to drive? They seem to be rather rare and relatively pricey to insure, so I'd probably stick to the 1.9 TD or a standard petrol example.
Yes, I've heard a few interesting stories about the passive rear wheel steer - not to mention first hand experience of it with a friend who used to terrify us in his parents tweaked 1.9 TD, when I was about 17! What exactly do you do with a car that presumably will lift off oversteer normally, but then continues to oversteer due to the bushes on power?
Hmmm, maybe not so bad then afterall?
Well, probably the one production car I've had most fun driving is my mum's 1.1 Citroen Saxo - although it does have to be said that thing feels knackered now at 60,000 miles. Possibly due to me piloting it across potholed Devon b-roads everyday until I left home
Anyway, my reminising aside - I liked the baby Citroen, so I'd be keen to try the next one up. One of the occasions I'd use this as opposed to my Quantum or whatever I replace that with would be for long motorway trips, so with that in mind, maybe the 1.9 TD would be a good bet. Anyone know how much better the Volcanne diesel is to drive? They seem to be rather rare and relatively pricey to insure, so I'd probably stick to the 1.9 TD or a standard petrol example.
Yes, I've heard a few interesting stories about the passive rear wheel steer - not to mention first hand experience of it with a friend who used to terrify us in his parents tweaked 1.9 TD, when I was about 17! What exactly do you do with a car that presumably will lift off oversteer normally, but then continues to oversteer due to the bushes on power?
I imagine that the Volcane TD is very similar to the other TD models, although I've not driven them. It might infact be a good idea to choose another model rather than the Volcane as they're probably more likely to have been driven hard due to the sporty appearance.
I have also read that it’s impossible to obtain a replacement brake compensator on the Volcane model, as it supposedly has rear disk brakes whereas the other models have drums. I'm not sure if this is true, but it seems to be more trouble than it's worth in comparison to the other TDs of lower insurance group.
I'll be looking out for a ZX TD soon for commuting, where I'm sure the turbo will get lots of use on the trips home
Edit to say: Check for all the probs listed in the 'buying 306' thread as they're basicly the same car with some badge engineering.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=343927&f=23&h=0
I'd check the rear beam first, if thats got problems - run! i.e if the rear wheel slope inwards at the top. Jump up and down in the boot and if it bangs and crashes look for another car.
I have also read that it’s impossible to obtain a replacement brake compensator on the Volcane model, as it supposedly has rear disk brakes whereas the other models have drums. I'm not sure if this is true, but it seems to be more trouble than it's worth in comparison to the other TDs of lower insurance group.
I'll be looking out for a ZX TD soon for commuting, where I'm sure the turbo will get lots of use on the trips home
Edit to say: Check for all the probs listed in the 'buying 306' thread as they're basicly the same car with some badge engineering.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=343927&f=23&h=0
I'd check the rear beam first, if thats got problems - run! i.e if the rear wheel slope inwards at the top. Jump up and down in the boot and if it bangs and crashes look for another car.
Edited by nurburgring on Wednesday 17th January 17:19
Thanks - some good stuff to look out for.
I agree on the Volcanne - only see one for sale very occasionally and you can bet it'll have been thrashed, plus the insurance seems to be innordinately high for what I've heard isn't a massive difference to the normal TD.
I do wonder if diesel is a false economy though - they seem to do about 45mpg rather than 35, which is around 20% better economy, but diesel costs 10% more than petrol in most places, so the actual savings are quite small. I suppose you don't have any ignition system to go wrong, but there again you gain a turbo and much more torque to attack gearboxes diffs, driveshafts etc. Hmmm.
I agree on the Volcanne - only see one for sale very occasionally and you can bet it'll have been thrashed, plus the insurance seems to be innordinately high for what I've heard isn't a massive difference to the normal TD.
I do wonder if diesel is a false economy though - they seem to do about 45mpg rather than 35, which is around 20% better economy, but diesel costs 10% more than petrol in most places, so the actual savings are quite small. I suppose you don't have any ignition system to go wrong, but there again you gain a turbo and much more torque to attack gearboxes diffs, driveshafts etc. Hmmm.
'Volcane' was the designation that originally went with the 2.0 8v engine, before the 16v came which was simply dubbed '16v'. Later it apparently became a trim level, but if the UK ZX model history was anything like over here, the waters will be muddied by the vast number of 'special edition' models, lots of which had the fat colourcoded bumpers (including the obligatory fog lights) and colourcoded mirrors of the Volcane and Furio (1.8i 'warm hatch' version) models.
Aren't there any suspension or engine differences? According to Parkers the Volcanne is 3 insurance groups up on the basic 1.9 TD and 3 seconds quicker to 60. Either way if thy're seen as being a hot hatch, the chances of finding one that hasn't been 'well used' by now must be pretty minimal. Probably get a better drive out of a more mundane model that's had an easy life.
One of my housemates has a na diesel. He's complained of it being a little leisurely in pace!
I suppose the petrol 1.4's are more likely to have one elderly librarian owner and 20,000 miles on the clock.
One of my housemates has a na diesel. He's complained of it being a little leisurely in pace!
I suppose the petrol 1.4's are more likely to have one elderly librarian owner and 20,000 miles on the clock.
Nurburgring said:
I've heard good things about the ZX, They are significantly cheaper than 306s of the same age probably due to a less sporty look. The later ones are probably best to go for. The best blend of performance practicality and economy would be the 92bhp 1905cc Turbo Diesel models.
If you're after a sporty look, keep an eye out for the 'Volcane'TD models with colour coded bumpers/driving lights/alloy wheels/sports seats, in both 3 and 5 door config. The insurance group is slightly higher for this model, being in group 10.
There are lots of models in the range but basicly it goes like this:
Reflex - Poverty spe, Groups 5-7
Avantage
Aura
Volcane - Top spec Groups 8-10
A ZX volcane
If you're after a sporty look, keep an eye out for the 'Volcane'TD models with colour coded bumpers/driving lights/alloy wheels/sports seats, in both 3 and 5 door config. The insurance group is slightly higher for this model, being in group 10.
There are lots of models in the range but basicly it goes like this:
Reflex - Poverty spe, Groups 5-7
Avantage
Aura
Volcane - Top spec Groups 8-10
A ZX volcane
Edited by Nurburgring on Sunday 14th January 23:04
My OH had a Volcane TD for about 5 years. Bought at 60k, sold at 130k when it was beginning to feel a little bit tired.
She was doing 100 miles a day and regularly got 45-48 mpg at 0.8-0.9 units. Smooth and quiet on the motorway, but very responsive as you were at the right revs for instant mid-range torque.
It’s a generally decent car. Nice ride - a balance of comfortable when pottering but felt nicely damped when 'making progress', good handling, reasonable poke though it runs out of puff at the top end, as you'd expect. Great seats with good support and adjustment.
Basically a 306's frumpy sister, but still not a bad looker IMO.
Things to be aware of: 6k service intervals come round quickly, 'french' build quality and electrics (OH’s regularly blew headlight bulbs).
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