C3 versus ZX

[FrenchLeave]

My wife is a ZX fan (auto only). She had a very nice 1.9D which she loved until I filled it with petrol - don't ask!

Offering her a choice of replacement she selected a C3 with 1.6 petrol engine with the funny Sensodrive gearbox; and she hates it! And reminds me constantly that she would have been allright if I hadn't ruined her ZX.

ZX's are becoming scarce but I managed to locate a very nice low mileage 1.8i auto. Driving it home I got to comparing it with the much newer C3. For what it's worth, these are my conclusions:

The electric steering on the C3 is superb and much better than the powered steering on the ZX.
The two engines are similar in performance but the 1.6 wins hands down on economy. I like the added control the Sensodrive gives me, my wife doesn't.
Automatic lights on the C3 are nice but I can do without the automatic wipers which either don't wipe in heavy rain or go bonkers in a drizzle.
The electrical gee-gaws on the C3 are nice too; cruise control, fuel computer readout etc. The front armrests are appreciated, as are the picnic tables on the back of the front seats, the multitude of cupholders (only one in the ZX) and the folding wing mirrors.
The C3 has air conditioning whereas the ZX has to make do with a sunroof. C3 also has ABS.

So far there's no contest with the C3 the easy winner - that should be no surprise as it's ten years younger. But...

The ZX boot wins hands down, it's larger and a better shape and is augmented by the clever sliding rear seat.
Finally (and most important for aged bones), ride comfort. The choppy ride of the C3 just cannot compare with the fluid ride of the ZX. Was there ever a conventionally sprung car that rode better than the ZX? Why Oh why did the Citroen engineers bin that in favour of the choppy suspension of the C3?

What do you think?

[Norlander]

Go with the ZX. Less to go wrong or break.

[Citroenmad]

The ZX is a great and underrated car, very good handling and ride, spacious and simple. They are getting rare now and can suffer from rot too, but get a good one and as you know, it will be an excellent car.

Modern cars do bring many benefits though and the C3 has a good few, just the safety features alone, the stronger body and if you like a few toys, the Exclusive has many.

With your auto wipers, make sure the wipers are in good condition and give the screen a good cleaning with something which removes grease. I use Hob Brite:



Yes, its for the kitchen but it works a treat on the car windscreens too, better than any glass cleaner at removing grease.

If the sensor detects grease on the screen, or a wiper is leaving a line over the sensor, then it will fool the sensor into thinking its raining.

The C3 has never done much for me, so I think I would prefer a ZX. The sensor drive box takes a lot of getting used to.

What about a Xsara 2.0HDi auto, some ZX traits but with some modernity and more available.

[bxzx16v]

It's the Zx for me , had two 1.9i Volcanes that handled amazing and rode very well too , also a 1.4 reflex which was comfy and now the Zx16v which really can take the corners but is harder riding than any of the others .

Mark

[Rhothgar]

Yep. ZX. My other half has a 1.9TD which only needs a set of wings welding on to be able to fly. Economical when not pushed. 1.8i Auto not so economical.

1.9TD very hard to come by now. The other week a beautiful silver one sold on Ebay for around £630 from memory.

[Northern_Mike]

C3 wins every time for me, and I've had 2 ZX TDs and a 1.4 Petrol . All were nice cars. However, they are made of tinfoil , they are very basic and don't have any modern features at all.

Some would view this as an advantage. Not me. Modern, toys, safe. That's what I'd want my missus to be driving around in. Me? Maybe I'm getting soft in my old age, but apart from a broken spring, the modern cars I've had or used via work have all been utterly reliable , if dull.

[Norlander]

Modern, toys, safe.

Rather a car with excellent road-holding and handling to avoid a crash,
than a multi-explosive device seeking a shunt to actualise its marketing blurbs. And the ZX isn't flimsy.
As for "modern features" what's so great about an electronics nightmare?
(said he who still uses a cellphone from the 1990s )

[FrenchLeave]

I agree the easy servicing/repair of the ZX is a major selling point (I'd forgotten how easy it is to adjust the stop lamp switch for example) , as is the ability to run it up on home car ramps - something that can't be done on the C3 because of its low chin spoiler at the front and equally low valance at the back; and I don't trust the Citroen bent tin jacking points.

Thank you Chris for the Hob Brite tip, I'll try that.

I do enjoy driving the ZX, but find myself missing cruise control and air conditioning.

But of course when I climb into my XM I've got everything until it comes to filling it up. If you think the 1.8 ZX is bad you should try the V6 XM; there again I don'tdo much mileage these days so it's not so important.

I'm glad my scrambled thoughts raised some interest.

Derek

[bxzx16v]

Would love to see some pics of your Xm

Mark

[waynedance]

Cruise control and air con...mmmmmm I would miss these in a car.

Did the Zx ever have A/C? always liked the look of them in the 90's but got a bx instead due to the suspension and more toys. Saying that not many toys, was an E reg 1900 petrol TRS auto, with 4 x elec windows, remote cobra locking and.........oh front fogs. Oh and abs with badge on the boot, ha ha .

[Citroenmad]

I wouldn't buy a car without air conditioning now, its a luxury I like to have. Cruise control I do like but can live without it, its very nice to have on a long run and its why our C5s are the choice for long distance cars, rather than the XM or Xantia.

[Peter.N.]

Personally I would go for the ZX every time because I can repair them, but if unlike me you can afford to send it to a garage, the newer cars do have some advantages.

Peter

[bxzx16v]

My Zx16v has aircon but Im pretty sure it was optional at the time I've not seen another with it

Mark

[waynedance]

You got rare expensive option there on the ZX.

[Sl4yer]

My Zx16v has aircon but Im pretty sure it was optional at the time I've not seen another with it

Mark

There was a Volcane automatic with leather and aircon doing the rounds a few years ago. That MUST be rare! Don't think I've seen another ZX for sale with aircon actually. Even ABS is relatively rare.

I still miss my ZX. The C3 is more practical in some ways, and the improved safety is a great bonus. In my experience, the ZX is more reliable and cheaper to run that the C3, but perhaps we're just unlucky. In terms of enjoyment, there's no comparison.

James