306 GTI 6 VS ZX VALVER

aaronm · Post by **aaronm** » 13 Apr 2005, 15:01

Well, personally I think the 306 shape as said before is boring, and too similar to a 1.4 306.
The ZX 16V looks unusual, sporty and rare...

... compared with the 306:

VisaGTi16v · Post by **VisaGTi16v** » 13 Apr 2005, 15:24

Hi aaron, I see you have found this forum

306 looks good but as I mentioned above, doesnt stick out enough. The rallye's still go for crazy money on ebay and yet they are not as good as the french ones which were even more cut down and thus quicker

aaronm · Post by **aaronm** » 13 Apr 2005, 15:35

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> Hi aaron, I see you have found this forum

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Hello Darren, yes found a while ago when I was looking for Volcanes. Tis a good site. I think 306s are too common, and the ZX is a superior looking car!!!

FDV · Post by **FDV** » 13 Apr 2005, 23:17

Very tidy ZX you have there!

aaronm · Post by **aaronm** » 14 Apr 2005, 14:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by FDV

Very tidy ZX you have there!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Thankyou very much - you would never guess its done 135K...and completely standard!

Mosser · Post by **Mosser** » 15 Apr 2005, 03:23

From my days driving my Seat Leon cupra 1.8 turbo (six speed box) we did a track day up at bruntingthorpe and compared the cars and actually found the 6 speeders to be slower than the 5 speeders with the same engine, we could only summarise that the extra gearchange in the 6 speeder slowed it down, and upon quizzing Seat UK, they said that the 6 speed box was just a marketing gimmick to help make the image of the cars more sporty

NiSk · Post by **NiSk** » 15 Apr 2005, 12:10

I always thought that the six-speed box was a gimmic to get the extra-urban fuel consumption down - and thus give unrealistic average fuel consumption figures. If you stick it in top and let it roll at 60 it uses hardly any fuel at all . . .
//NiSk

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 15 Apr 2005, 13:54

I find the fitment of 6 speed gearboxes rather amusing as the cars that really need them - the slow revving turbo diesels don't get them and when they are fitted they are really configured as sprint boxes rather than giving a long legged cruising gear. I seem to recall thet Xara 6 speed was 21.5 mph per 1000 rev in 6th and my TD BX is 26 or so.
Remember Ford were still fitting 3 speeds in the early 60's (Consul and the last of the side valve prefect/popular and no doubt the side valve escort estate and Thames)
Jeremy

Post by **Thunderbird** » 15 Apr 2005, 14:43

As the 5-speed became standard, replacing the 4-speed gearboxes, the 6-speed is slowly becoming the new standard in manual boxes, except in entry-level cars.
Now, on Automatics, we've seen an higher jump - not long ago most automatic boxes were 4-speed, and few 5-speed, now the market is introducing 6-speed autos (most brands, like Peugeot, Citroen, etc.) and 7-speed autos (Mercedes for now). Two beneficts: comsmption and comfort of usage.
I had a small trip in one of those Mercedes and I can tell you the Mercedes 7-speed box is amazing. It's truly like you forget there is a gearbox - the acelarator/brake responds to your needs and there is no intrusive noises, vibrations, whatever, concerning the gear change. Higlhy recommended!

Daniel B · Post by **Daniel B** » 15 Apr 2005, 19:38

Jeremy - agreed, it is more of a marketing gimmick than anything else.
Did you mean 6 speed 306, rather than Xsara?
The 306 had a 6 speed box, the Xsara a 5, and that is the main, and only reason perhaps, why the Xsara was quicker on most counts

Dan

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 15 Apr 2005, 21:23

Yes I did - I know I looked it all up some time ago and that one was fitted somewhere in the range - half thinking of one for the |BX (assuming I could find one for nothing - we can dream - can't we!) then I realised what the ratios were.
Of course paper performance figures are one thing but on the road its something else and a gear that gives the right amount of available power for certain conditions is more use than having the change in the middle of the bit you want. Personally I like a long legged cruiser if I'm going somewhere and Vauxhall used to provide this as the difference betweeen the CDi Cavalier and the SRI - same engine - different gear ratios. Think VW did the same with the Gti and GLi Golf.
Mind you what about the series 111 XJ6 4.2 - 3 speed auto, engine red lined at 5000, and tallest V12 rear axle - 26.6 MPH per 1000 - went very well but you could notice the gaps with a heavy trailer!
jeremy

James.UK · Post by **James.UK** » 15 Apr 2005, 23:10

OI! The ZX is NOT ugly!! [}:)].. The worst it can be accused of is being rather mundane, as in nothing exceptional in its looks, but it is tidy and neat in appearance, certainly none offensive. [:p]
Personaly I Like its appearance, it sort of blends into the background in car parks, and gets overlooked by vandels and thieves [:D]... but on its own, and in a nice clean condition, its a smart looking car..[8)] [:D] [^]
Take a look on the new ZX website if you doubt it. [:D]
.

dillosk8ter · Post by **dillosk8ter** » 16 Apr 2005, 00:04

Certainly does!! My immac ZX was parked directly infront of my mates clapped Orion, yet they tried to get into the Orion (bent the door), doesn't have the chav appeal to joy riders I guess. The 306, a great looking car, does however appeal to chav's hugely......the amount round here with 'lexus lights' and max power tack is amazing.

Sl4yer · Post by **Sl4yer** » 16 Apr 2005, 04:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jeremy

I find the fitment of 6 speed gearboxes rather amusing as the cars that really need them - the slow revving turbo diesels don't get them and when they are fitted they are really configured as sprint boxes rather than giving a long legged cruising gear. I seem to recall thet Xara 6 speed was 21.5 mph per 1000 rev in 6th and my TD BX is 26 or so.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The Leon pulls about 3000rpm at an indicated 110mph in 6th gear. Pretty useful - it still goes keenly then. Hardly ever use 5th actually, normally for a bit of go at around 45-50mph on the motorway. 4th is exciting though - 40-80 takes no time at all.
Most of the newer diesels get them, but its no gimmick. Gives long legged and very quiet cruising, but still with plenty of go. The ZX TD wouldn't have the welly to make it worthwhile though. I think a reasonably sized family turbo-diesel car needs about 130BHP to make a 6-speed box worthwhile.

cornishbx16v · Post by **cornishbx16v** » 17 Apr 2005, 16:08

I agree that the zx is a good looking car, looks different from the other and always has done! i think its fair to say that the sporty citroen range of old has always been overlooked by the chavs as they are now! the only problem i have had with my Bx is the wing mirror getting damaged! but then the car is parked onthe road! there are a few zx16v's around down here, one more notably than others as it has been chaved up with big wheels and flip paint!! but they still do look good on the road! The 306 is a good car but almost a bit too refined i think! and as mentioned mixes with the other cars too easily! looks too much like an hdi!