ZX or Xsara?

[DT2912]

Hi,

Thanks for all the responses to my previous post about ZX handling. They have been most helpful!

My ZX is going well at the moment and my wife is considering going down the route of an older Citroen too. She loves the ZX but we have noticed there are a lot more Xsara saloons to choose from within our price bracket and area.

I have been told that the Xsara was not as well put together as the ZX and less durable. What do people think? We are considering a 1.4 petrol spec. How does the Xsara compare for DIY? I find the Zx generally quite friendly to work on so far.

Thanks.

[citronut]

i would say basically the Xsara is the new/newer ZX really,

apart from the newer the Xsara it will have more electricary atatched

[Citroenmad]

The Xsara is almost a ZX but it depends what age Xsara you go for. Later cars will have multiplexed electrics with a comms2000, not often a cause for a problem but its there as a possibility. Otherwise its a newer car and they dont seem to suffer chassis rot in the way ZXs can do.

I'd argue a case for a HDi, a superb engine which is reliable and cheap to run. The 1.4 petrol is a good little unit but can see a head gasket failure.

[citronut]

i think the usually rust i have seen on ZX's, is due to tyre shops and the likes just shoving the jack under without paying attention to what they are jacking on, more often than not on the outrigger box sections at the bottom of the bulkhead/front of the floor pan,

regarding the TU lump and H/G failure it does seem to be a common fault, but it is a very easy head to remove,

[citroenxm]

I DO NOT Think the Xsara is as well made in the pastics depearment over the ZX..

How many Xsaras do you see with a different coloured door open handle on the drivers side?? They are a common breakage on these, also the dash vents appear to be makde of paper machey (cant spell it) too and seem to break easilly.. the rear axle wear is a continued problem too, so watch for that..

Personally if I was forced, it would be a later mk.2 with slatted grill ZX over a xsara any day... Awfull things!

Oh theres is one small advantage, gas struts on the bonnet! Not deserved, but a nice addition. The Xantia should of had those!