Phill me in about a Phrench Pholly

[Junkman]

Well, the Junkwoman and I have come to the conclusion, that Japanesish ware from the island of Japan doesn't really cut it.

For our second car, predominantly used by wifey for taxi chores, we would like to return to European offerings.

 

One thing that got my attention, is the Shitroen ZX, mainly due to current market values.

 

I'm not looking for advice as to which style, gearbox, etc., because we know that it'll be a 5-door bader if any.

We also know about the virtues of XUDs.

 

What we are actually looking for is expertise in regards of the shiteness, which must be sufficient, of course.

What are they like in terms of French spec softness, comfyness, noise, sturdity, load huggingness, etc.,

you get the picture.

 

We were quite happy with a BX, apart from the uncalled for daftness of the suspension on oil basis, and the obnoxiousness

of the BX forum.

How does the ZX compare?

 

I mean, it's rather pretty, actually.

[Asimo]

Peugeot 309 really, is it not?

[dollywobbler]

ZX is nowt like a BX. In Citroen terms, they're about as exciting as a three-week old baguette. However, they're really just a Peugeot 306 but more overlooked. 

 

So, practical, handle well, pretty comfortable, electricity sometimes escapes. Heater matrix bit of a weak point, and dash out to change. Available as XUD non-turbo auto for extra shite points and performance.

[Partridge]

Ah! Now you're talking. In 2007 a poo brown one was bought for my Mum to learn to drive in but she never drove it...In the end my Dad used it, hated it, and sold it. I kinda liked it, despite not getting a chance to drive it. It was the same spec as this:

 

It rode OK. Better than most in it's class.

 

Was put together pretty well.

 

Very "French"

 

Average practicality.

 

It was passable.

 

Comfy, but not as comfy as a Xantia.

[mouseflakes]

There's an old Clarkson review on Ooootooob where he quite likes the ZX. I don't know if his opinion holds any weight?

 

I mean, it's rather pretty, actually.

Agreed - go for an early one with the neater grille (slot). Well, I think they look better anyway.

 

I'm jealous already.

[Louise2cv]

Heater matrix bit of a weak point, and dash out to change.

Yeah but yeah but. I have done this job which qualifies it as not hard and therefore nowt to worry about.

 

My folks had one I think the worst thing that happened was an oil leak (common on that engine I think...petrol summat or other) which they couldn't be arsed fixing so it went to auction at about 10years old and was still chugging about last time I checked the tax-me-bob.

 

Worse bits? General appearance (OK for wedge enthusiasts) single wiper (mad flapping at high speed, not elegant) and I think the immobiliser caused nerves, but probably because it was the first electric thing other than lights, wipers, radio that they'd ever had on a car.

 

Conclusion: might.

[Sigmund Fraud]

They're good cars, but slightly more dull than ditchwater. Comfortable, spacious, reliable, easy to fix when they go wrong.

 

Just make sure it's not rusty, the auto gearbox isn't about to explode (because PSA !) and the rear arm bearings are not shot. If those bits are OK, you'll be onto a winner !

[forddeliveryboy]

I rate them, despite being as dull as ditchwater from a mecheng pov. Good driving position, airy cabin, doesn't feel as if it's all Peugeot. Altogether refined and rather attractive. Even ladies seem to enjoy driving them. Obviously, buy the earliest you can for shite points.

 

This slush-matic oil-burner even has a tax disc and has just been listed on fleabay with £50 off and free extra pictures, showing the osr wheel is almost as vertical as the other. Check the chassis rails behind the front subframe for rot and that the seller's not actually living in the hedge.

 

http://www.gumtree.com/p/citroen/diesel-automatic-citroen-zx-1.9d-6-months-mot/1079004640

 

[Noel Tidybeard]

ZX is nowt like a BX. In Citroen terms, they're about as exciting as a three-week old baguette. However, they're really just a Peugeot 306 but more overlooked. 

 

So, practical, handle well, pretty comfortable, electricity sometimes escapes. Heater matrix bit of a weak point, and dash out to change. Available as XUD non-turbo auto for extra shite points and performance.

nay mr wobbler the ZX came first so actually the 306 is a boring zx

[twosmoke300]

The 1.9 d I had was the worst car I've had by a mile . slower than Moses dog , worse on fuel than the escort 1.6d it replaced , omghgf , rear brakes needed almost weekly fettling and god awful seats.

[castros_bro]

I'm on to my ZX NA diesel No. 3, used for taking cement mixers, gas ovens etc from UK to Portugal via Land of Frogs @ 48 mpg. Surprisingly relaxing to drive long distance, Rear suspenders clounks when rubber subframe mounts get lazy but replacements are 5 pound each, central locking sometimes don't, RHD clutch cable is a baasstard (not used on an auto), heater/fan sometimes works part time, single wiper with a silicon blade is good even in an Iberian monsoon, front seats good enough for tall bloke dossing in layby when tired, don't open the electric sun roof, change water pump + cam belt (140 euro fitted), screen washers will block (2 pound each), back brakes will need gentle massage occasionally, Tow bars can block spare wheel carrier from being used unless bending forces are applied.

[beko1987]

I'm on ZX number 2, both chronicled on here, both great! Tend to gravitate to them now

 

Plus points are lots are still on their second owner, lovingly cared for, belts changed, clutch changed and fairly low miles. Seem to have missed the barrying scene too, so nice unmolested examples about

 

My Aura 1.4 was more comfortable than my current Volcane, softer suspension. I've not had any heater matrix issues so far, just the accelerator cable which was easy to change despite the shit modern parts! Parts are generally cheap, tyres are cheap, washer jets do go shit, I found them for £2.20 each on ebay. Central locking does do a citroen, my 1.4 used to go off randomly so much I just stopped alarming it, current ZX has had the siren disconnected, and does set the alarm of every so often as the headlights flash. Bonus point is their so undesirable you can leave them unlocked and they attract no attention!

 

Sunroof does a citroen, my current one is immobile due to apparently it goes back at an angle then pops out of the track, not touched it as it's watertight which is all I care about!

 

1.4 pez wasn't much less economical than the 1.9td in general, 1.9s happier on the mway though, I found 85-90 was about it on the 1.4, not much more afterwards. Keypad can be disconnected as on all citroens with it fitted, dash can squeak, but a well aimed punch sorts it out for a bit

[beko1987]

My current one on it's good side

 

 

and my old spotless one, not a dink or dent on it, do regret selling it, although the XM was fun!

 

 

 

 

Late dash

 

 

Early dash

[dugong]

Charade not working out? MRS_JUNKWOMAN did not seem impressed.

 

Funny, I'm sure I said to get a 306 or ZX but you said I was talking crap.

OTOH, you can get five door Volvo 340s for not much coin in CVT flava.

[Louise2cv]

Oh yeah.... The central locking. Yeah that went wrong too, backing up the old man's assertions that the more "extras" you got on a car the more there was to go wrong.

[dugong]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-Peugeot-306-1-8-LX-/181553261629?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2a456aec3d

 

If you're not that bothered about performance, a phase 2 auto 306 might be just the ticket.
Avoid models with sunroofs and watch the electrics (stretched electric window cables was a comedy favourite. They'd crese up with the door closed, but work perfectly when opened).

Rust shouldn't be a huge problem on the Phase 2s, they were heavily undersealed by the factory.

The 306 made better use of the platform and was at least true to what it was trying to be - unlike the ZX, which had Citroen foamers shrieking about the dilution of the marque.
 

[carlo]

Really like ZXs, don't know how you can describe a twenty year old french car that handles, steers and rides that well as dull.  We had a diesel turbo which was a great, reliable machine for a couple of years.  They're about the last of the simple cars before the electronic mid-nineties madness and general weight took over, and for that reason I'd get one before the coded keypad came in (even though my 405 one has never gone wrong, they're just a bit of a pain to use.)  I reckon they also look attractive, in a clean nondescript sort of way.  Mark I definitely looks better.  Heater matrix sure is a weak point, ours smelt of 'curry' for a while but hung on in there.  Heater fans often go too, fix is to bypass, fit a switch and make it a full speed or nothing setup.  Diesel autos are painfully slow, but a 1.8 auto would be a very pleasant machine.  Same gearbox as was in your 405 estate, so no problems there.

 

Can't think of a better quality Autoshite machine for the money.

[Junkman]

In the end my Dad used it, hated it, and sold it.

 

Why? What did he not like?

[Junkman]

OTOH, you can get five door Volvo 340s for not much coin in CVT flava.

 

Nah, man. We are neither teachers, IKEA fans, nor Scottish.

[Junkman]

The 306 made better use of the platform and was at least true to what it was trying to be - unlike the ZX, which had Citroen foamers shrieking about the dilution of the marque.

 

The 306 is so goppingly awful looking, that it's banned from my driveway.

[dugong]

The 306 is so goppingly awful looking, that it's banned from my driveway.

 

You're blind. The 306 was one of best looking small hatches of the early 'Nineties. You'll have a Charade on your driveway, but not a 306? UR MAD M8

[Junkman]

Comfy, but not as comfy as a Xantia.

 

A small car is usually not as comfy as a bigger car.

I would consider a Xantia, but it is as big as a 405, which we got rid of because we want something smaller.

It also has that liquid suspension system, no?

You know, if I throw someone off a roof, and he lands on a stack of sprung mattresses, he'll survive.

If he lands in a puddle of oil, he'll blend with it.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

A small car is usually not as comfy as a bigger car.

I would consider a Xantia, but it is as big as a 405, which we got rid of because we want something smaller.

It also has that liquid suspension system, no?

You know, if I throw someone off a roof, and he lands on a stack of sprung mattresses, he'll survive.

If he lands in a puddle of oil, he'll blend with it.

Rather depends how deep the puddle is.

[Junkman]

There's an old Clarkson review on Ooootooob where he quite likes the ZX. I don't know if his opinion holds any weight?

 

 

What he says is inherently consistent.

He praises the seats and interior, and that's what really counts.

I don't think we'll ever be able to appreciate the virtues of the self-steering rear axle by puttering around in Greater M.

What would be appreciated however, is soft suspension with long travel. How does it do in that respect?

[dollywobbler]

Why not go and try one? Then you'll know. It won't be as floaty long-travel as a BX, but will probably be better than the ol' Mitsubishi.

[castros_bro]

^^ What he/she says  go try one or two, here's the key to mine. Don't try the blipper to open/lock the doors as it is just an anhänger.

 

 

 

 

 

[Junkman]

Why not go and try one? Then you'll know. It won't be as floaty long-travel as a BX, but will probably be better than the ol' Mitsubishi.

Because I don't know of one I could try.

The BX we had was surprisingly unfloaty. Well, it was, but much less than I would have expected.

More on a facelift CX level, which makes having to maintain a suspension system complex enough to enjoy Rube Goldberg so utterly pointless.

The Mybitofshite is surprisingly soft, at least for Japanish standards. It also has a more citroenesque interior than Citroens manage to muster

for the past three decades. The Damocles-sword hovering over the Mobilesushi is the terrible spare parts availability, which makes it a liability

as a daily.

[Junkman]

^^ What he/she says  go try one or two, here's the key to mine. Don't try the blipper to open/lock the doors as it is just an anhänger.

 

 

DSCF0019.JPG

 

That's awfully nice of you, thank you so much!

But aren't you located further away than France?

[Junkman]

Isn't it just awful that you really have to try cars nowadays?

Back in the good times, when you bought a BX, you just knew what you are getting.

[castros_bro]

That's awfully nice of you, thank you so much!

But aren't you located further away than France?

 

For a week or two I am mostly being in Guildford looking at secondhand wood burning stoves + fire bricks whilst juggling Renner Diesel, 106 diesel and  ZX diesel into two parking spaces.