1992 Citroen ZX Advantage review from UK and Ireland
"A cheap runaround that is excellent when working, but does having annoying niggles and quirks"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Power steering pump failed after 6 months - £350 (explained the bad handling)
Cloud of white smoke emerged from under the bonnet at a roundabout - sticky caliper. £40.
Sticky brakes again.
Dashboard light failed & plastic strip guarding radiator keeps detaching from the bumper (cured every few months with super glue)
Parking brake light kept flickering when going around bends & inclines. Very annoying, however the car functioned OK. Eventually turned out to be low brake fluid (I would have thought it would have been covered at it's regular 6k mile service).
Sunroof temperamental at closing - opens OK with some clunking.
Annoying rattle from plastic strip on inner roof support.
Binding brakes, causing lack of acceleration & yowling noise, especially when cold.
Middle section of exhaust fell off.
Bodywork beginning to wear badly.
Passenger mirror thumped when parked (help in place by duct-tape)
Drivers mirror (glass section) fell off.
General comments?
Impressive specs when bought especially in comparison to Pug 309 equivalent, single electric mirror seems odd. Comfortable, with plenty of legroom. Non-factory CD interchanger does impinge on boot space.
The sliding rear seats (French feature?) are excellent, especially if you want a larger boot.
Very comfortable and has been fairly reliable, brakes being the temperamental aspect. The brakes themselves don't seem to be especially good and seem prone to sticking, despite several visits to a garage.
Handling initially was atrocious - seems to have been caused by failing power steering pump from 2nd hand purchase. Replacement cured fault, but the turning circle of the car is embarrassing to say the least.
The other major gripes are the acceleration, which is either good or diabolical, but this may be due to it being the non-turbo model. Also the single wiper is pretty poor especially in very heavy rain. Gearbox & clutch could be better - they are very 'slushy' but it is now a elderly car, used heavily by a learner driver.
Search for New and Used Citroen ZXs available in the UK
Click here to advertise your car
Recommended reviews
  | Cheap and cheerful |
| A workhorse and family member |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Model Year | 1992 |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.9 diesel Manual |
| Performance marks | 8/10 |
| Reliability marks | 7/10 |
| Comfort marks | 8/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 6/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 104000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 130000 miles |
| Date of Entry | 8th February, 2005 |