Faults:

Nothing really has gone wrong with the car out of the ordinary.

General Comments:

I had a Peugeot 206 1.4 which I got a few years ago, but it was stolen and written off. I bought a ZX and was pleasantly surprised. The car looks older and less fashionable than my previous car, but is faster. I noticed that its acceleration was quicker than a 7 year younger Peugeot.

The ZX handles really nicely round country roads, unlike the poor handling the Peugeot had.

Altogether I think the ZX was better value for money than paying £8000 for a 206.

Faults:

Wiring to the fuel pump broke.

Wiring to the fuel pump broke (again).

Head gasket at 98,000 miles.

Brake lights stay permanently on or flashed whenever the clutch was used.

General Comments:

It's my last Citroen ever. I had a petrol ZX Furio once and that had engine problems. I now have a blown ZX Turbo Diesel.

The car, while it lasted, was nippy for a diesel, but it slides - the handling is nowhere near my old Mazda 323. It makes it entertaining, though, but at times scary.

The steering's pretty dead, the engine (when it worked) was loud and the sunroof whistled above 50mph.

A disaster, despite FSH.

Faults:

The clutch cable had stretched over time and ended up popping out of the plastic retainer body on the pedal when the floor mat interfered with it. Lucky I had tools to fix it in the car, but another example of floor mats causing a potentially dangerous problem. The replacement part was only £17 from a Citroen dealer so no complaints, but I have heard it is a much more difficult and expensive job for Xantias (dashboard removal).

The car really does not like 95RON unleaded, it runs much better with Super where I can find it, so when I can't I use Millers Octane Plus-c which for £3.50 a bottle boosts the octane up to acceptable levels, Japanese turbo owners might find this useful too.

General Comments:

Still handles superbly, I've added a strut brace, Yokohama rubber and Powerflex PU suspension bushes, and I only realise how good it is when I drive other cars.

The 306 looks nicer, but even the GTi6 doesn't feel as quick. Maybe if I try one that's done 50,000 miles it might be loosened up, or opt for a Rallye and throw out the back seats (the Citroen weighs less). The S16 is now becoming sensible money to buy, but just as hard to find.

For £3000 what else goes as well, handles and stops like the ZX. The only thing I would change is to add a turbo version, like the old 405.

Faults:

Rear wiper seized up causing the motor to burn out. New exhaust lasted only 2 years. Tyre wear very heavy. Cassette tape player works intermittently. External guttering system blocked by a couple of fallen leaves meant leaking into passenger footwells. Leaking radiator hose (car in the garage right now!)

General Comments:

This is a very comfortable car to drive that is fabulous on twisty roads, excellent mid range power. Lots of niggly faults and expensive spare parts though. Not as much fun as my AX GT.