Why is the ZX unpopular with many?

dmcclymont · Post by **dmcclymont** » 15 Jan 2005, 02:56

I have had three now, we still have two, a 1.4 petrol did 150K miles and was sold as a going concern, a TD on 155K and fine and a basic petrol one on 135K or so, no major issues with any?
Strange reputation, although `doubters` when we purchased the vehicals have since gone through a small number of more `reliable` vehicals [;)]
Would a Xsara be as reliable - they look more complicated?

dillosk8ter · Post by **dillosk8ter** » 15 Jan 2005, 03:16

'Why is the ZX unpopular with many' Good question, I have had a 1.4i reflex plus in v. smart ice blue met for five years now. It has performed faultlessly apart from expected wear and tear, never broken down, still in mint condition and running perfectly at 98,000. Certainly in a different league to '90 to 00 escort which rust, fall apart, unrefined and poor handling!!! I would argue its the best small family car of its time...........never seen a totally clapped, rust ridden ZX same doesn't go for Escort, Astra and even mk3 Golf.

Dave Bamber · Post by **Dave Bamber** » 15 Jan 2005, 03:19

Hmmm, good question. Is it down to the fact they just a tiny bit dull[:0][B)] The styling doesn't set your pants on fire and the interior didn't move the game on much, as it looks like a narrower BX.
I'm off to hide behind the sofa now, as all the pro ZX types pop up and give me a thorough drubbing[B)][B)]

bxbodger · Post by **bxbodger** » 15 Jan 2005, 03:21

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">'Why is the ZX unpopular with many' <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Because its got a double chevron badge!!! Had it been a blue oval or a gryphon instead it would have sold in droves.

rossnunn · Post by **rossnunn** » 15 Jan 2005, 03:27

Put it next to the 306 & which one would you choose? The 306 looks much better so it sold better. If the ZX looked the same the 306 then we'd all be driving them.
I like the fact the ZX it the better car. Ok so its not as pretty but it is a tad lighter & because its not popular you can get them for silly money. Although because of this resell can be poor. To quote from my own website:
'OK, so this is my everyday car a Citroen ZX. Why a ZX? perfectly simple really, its a Peugeot 306 less about £1000'

dillosk8ter · Post by **dillosk8ter** » 15 Jan 2005, 03:29

True, not the most exciting car ever!!!! but honestly neither is the BX, the ZX is definaly the more exciting to drive the BX ,I've found,car feel a little unsure of itself round the bendy bits. Interior similar to Bx yes but alot better quality and better screwed together......do like BX and own one aswell as zx.

mrbump · Post by **mrbump** » 15 Jan 2005, 04:35

The reputation of the zx is one of, if not its best quality! It means that its so much cheaper for those who know![;)]
It maybe gets lower marks with the 'professional' reviwers just because it's nothing to write home about. It had the same excellent psa diesel engine that had been about for a while when it was released, but did nothing else special. You could say that the infamous Citroen quirkiness/reliability tag was adopted when there was nothing else to comment on. But really the same problems affect almost all non-levitating pugs/cits of the time.
But if the 306 was the best handling family hatch for a long while before the focus, and noone can fault the PSU td engines for not performing when it comes to economy and performance, what can be wrong? Maybe the zx just never looked right? Why do 205's, 306's and 405's do so well, but in other guises with a Citroen badge an almost mechnically identical car doesnt score so high?
I think they may have just got it wrong...[:)]

drpau · Post by **drpau** » 15 Jan 2005, 04:49

Ive never owned a zx but I always liked the look of them, esp the Volcanes. I remember reading a review years ago that praised the ZX on its handling ability, but having never driven one I cant comment.
You certainly see more ZX's than you do Escorts of the same era which definately says something I think.

drpau · Post by **drpau** » 15 Jan 2005, 04:54

For the Xsara in terms of reliability, Ive had little gremlins- airbag lights, then side airbag lights that have appeared and disappeared (for now). Ive also got a strange leak through the bottom of the windscreen- water flicks up onto the dash where the speaker is (noticed it when it had been snowing!). Other than that nothing really six months in!

dillosk8ter · Post by **dillosk8ter** » 15 Jan 2005, 15:55

Also when ZX was launched in 1991 What Car described it as 'the nearest thing yet to the perfect family car' and Autocar 'the best car in the real world'. The ZX also picked up numerous awards in Auto Express's New Car Honours 1992 including; Overall champion, top diesel car and top compact car. Also interesting to note that Citroen has a 'reputation' for unreliability yet both sister company Peugeot and Renault are far worse. Think that the design of the ZX is also ageing very well........looks alot less dated than its contemporaries...still smart at 14 years old.

Post by **martyhopkirk** » 15 Jan 2005, 16:18

My ZX was far more fun on the corners than my AX, it also had a pleasant enough equipment level as standard - and want rocket science to fix.
However as Dave says, it was about as interesting to look at as semolina (esp as mine was White!) and the interior was not a place you would want to spend any lenghth of time without first hiding all the sharp impliments.
Xantia far more fun place to be when sat in traffic, AX squeezes into gaps the ZX couldnt.

dillosk8ter · Post by **dillosk8ter** » 15 Jan 2005, 16:26

Very tempted to get Xantia or XM when change car......which would be the better choice? guessin Xantia

dan.2cv · Post by **dan.2cv** » 15 Jan 2005, 16:27

I remember when the Yugo Sana came out, I saw one in the distance from the back and mistook it for a ZX....
When the ZX came out I had just started driving and would have given my right arm for a Volcane, especially when the TD came out as it was really unusual to have a 'hot hatch' with a TD engine. I would have been the envy of the college car park. Sadly my Fiesta 1400S had the task to perform and in it's day in mercury grey it did quite favourably!

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 15 Jan 2005, 16:29

We have both ZX 1.9D and BX DTR Turbo estate. The ZX is an excellent car but somehow the BX is better to drive. Its something to do with the positioning of the controls or something but there it is - advantage hydraulics!
Incidentally Dave the Zx is acually a noticeable bit wider than the BX and has an even worse steering lock! It is much better put together and quite heavy - just lighter than the BX estate which is about 14 inches longer!
Its all understandable when looked at in context I suppose. BX was old and being replaced by Xantia, AX was doing well, so need for an astra sized car to be slotted in - hence ZX. Citroen were going for something a bit less extreme styling than the BX - although the AX has a family resemblance, Xantia has not and ZX bridges the gap - especially the early ones without that strange plastic grill!
Of course if you sit in a wind tunnel and design aerodynamically efficient cars everyone will come out with the same answer as the only difference will be the window shapes etc. this is why everything from the late 80's and early 90's looks the same and Zx is no exception. Thats not to say its bad looking - its not - just undistinguished!
verdict - a very nice car, cheap to run, adequate performance (but ours is only 1.9D not turbo) good grip (better than BX due to self steering rear) uninspiring brakes that rides well and covers ground nicely unless you want to overtake up motorway hills when actually its not that bad - just seems slow after TD BX. I can't complain as it goes everywhere at 80 to 90 without complaint and will still return about 55mpg. - Oh yes its got a nice electric sunroof as well which I really miss in the BX (Estates can't have them due to step in roof!)
however which would I rather drive - no contest - BX anyday!
jeremy

dillosk8ter · Post by **dillosk8ter** » 15 Jan 2005, 16:52

Do enjoy piloting my bx, esp now the suspension has been overhauled!!! fantastic ride, corners well (not in ZX league by any means)but find the steering bit lifeless and uninformative, got BX14 and can't believe how quick it is (alot smarter than ya average BX too....Triton Green). Would like to fit GTI/TZD spoiler and bumpers (interior too). Think that the BX is seriously underated, lookin good for a 23 year old design but not without its faults build quality (tinny and insubstantial), can be skitish esp in recent heavy wind, all to easy to lock brakes up Which? mag gave the BX the lowest safety score for its class (based on crash test)...then there was the 'exploding BX' scenario which afflicted a few when still in prodution including my uncles tzd estate when just few months old leaving a burnt out shell.....apparantly caused by electrical faults.