1994 Citroen ZX Reviews

There was a blown radiator hose a few years ago (my mother was the only one that drove it back then, and never checked the coolant level).

The cables on one of the back windows rusted and broke (lack of use).

The bottom of the boot rusted (again, it's because she never cared about wiping spilled detergents and water).

A very comfortable car.

Too fast, really. The gearbox reduces very little: the top speed on second gear is 90 km/h!

Shifts smoothly although the gearbox linkages are a bit worn (the other driver, my mother, uses the knob to hold herself in place)

Handles very well due to the 4-wheel (passive) steering system.

The combination of a well designed suspension and good ground clearance make it perfect for bad roads.

The plastics can rattle a bit, but even that is easily solved at home.

Mechanics are very simple and many repairs can be done at home. There isn't much to go wrong.

Usual service items, battery, filters, glow plugs replaced.

3 drive-shafts replaced - split rubber boots should have been replaced earlier.

A comfortable, economical workhorse with good performance.

This has been a good car. It has a great engine and is easy and cheap to self maintain.

- 1x clogged injectors (needed cleaning)

- 3x or 4x had to change the negative pressure (AC AV system) diaphragms and major part of the whole system

- had to change all (4) the ignition spools for about 3x

- petrol pump gone off at ca. 120.000 km

- one bearing of the main belt crushed at the service check before my and my mechanic's eyes

- almost all the hoses and distributors for negative pressure system had to be renewed (otherwise the engine ran like the oldest diesel on earth)

- flywheel sensor renewed at 120.000 km

- thermostat renewed at 120.000 km

- sunshade mechanism for driver and co-driver wore to the end at ca. 110.000 km

- huge problems with central locking of the 3rd door

- the mechanism of the driver's electric window had to be renewed

- the catalyst went off at app. 120.000 km.

At the end I had a PhD out of this engine ;)

This car was really something.

I've had it for 6 years and in this period and I had so much mixed emotions about it.

When there was nothing wrong, it was a superb vehicle.

It handled awesome, I especially liked the elastic-kinematic rear axle, the interior was very user-friendly and ergonomically designed.

The feeling in general, the seats were sporty, firm but nevertheless very comfortable.

On the other side, all the failures and at some points almost illogical faults or troubles sometimes pushed me over the edge of nerves.

New clutch at 101000 (knew this when I bought the car).

Leaking head gasket at approx 120000; replaced and no problems since.

Faulty ignition switch, turned on the radio when the door was slammed shut! Fixed for a tenner from the scrap yard.

Now has a few knocks and rattles.

Other than that, just general wear and tear.

Previously had a company Renault Scenic (a nice car, not without its own problems though) but had to find a cheap car when the company folded.

Found the ZX with the alloy wheels on eBay for a mere £240 due to a worn out clutch.

For a 1.4 it seems to be quick, and with the aftermarket wider wheels, sticks to the road like glue. My wife also has a ZX that is two years newer, this has a multi point fuel injection and power steering, but does not have the speed, handling or fun factor that mine has.

Since buying the ZX, I have upped the mileage to 156k. The engine still has plenty of life left in it, and goes well.

I have a 50 mile round trip to work each day, along some twisty country lanes; a lot of fun and I still get around 35-38mpg.