1993 Citroen ZX Reflex review from UK and Ireland

Clutch needed replacing at around 65,000 miles.

Knocking noise (CV joint) while cornering hard at low speed.

Small amount of welding starting to be needed at MOTs.

Passenger window broken (doesn't open).

All locks are broken.

When the first car I had after passing my driving test was written off, I had this car passed down to me from my nan. With her driving alone, it is a trouper to have survived this far!

It's not an amazingly beautiful car, but in white (minimal fading), when polished up I believe it to have aged really well compared with other older cars at the time. It doesn't look 'old' and I find it quite good looking. It is a tank - due to an accident while parking on a steep slope my boyfriend bumped into the car in front quite violently and actually pushed it onto the curb, with it's bumper falling off and a big dent. When we checked my car it did NOT have even a scratch on it.

It is a quick and nippy car. It builds up speed relatively quickly from standing, compared to other cars I've driven with similar engines, and can trundle along at some impressive speeds on the motorway. It is very satisfying to overtake some newer posh looking cars in my little old ZX, which I regularly do. It really bites into the clutch, I find it easy to drive and responsive, you can feel the car pulling at any speed when you step on the gas, and it easily ambles along in higher gears in lower speed limits.

The clutch needed replacing, has been fine since and shall be for years I should imagine. The knocking requires a new drive shaft - these are cheap to replace I just haven't got round to it. It has been there for past two years and as long as I'm considerate on the steering and straighten up when the knocking starts in the corner it's fine. It's a robust little car and will soldier on with all sorts of funny noises and bumps. The windows and locks are nan induced, and a new set of locks and fixing the window are annoying little extra jobs, but don't affect the car.

It is REALLY cheap to run, with my boyfriend on my insurance as a new driver it is still cheap, petrol goes far and it will run on low petrol fine, the tax is low considering older cars and their exhaust emissions.

All in all, I love my ZX, and even when the MOT decided it needed new brakes (they had been on the advisory for years and really were awful!) I forked out the money simply because I love it. It has a good little engine on it, runs well, gets me anywhere, is cheap to run, drives well in cities and on big roads and starts every time (I have NEVER had trouble with starting).

Despite being neglected service wise - the oil needs changing drastically and the cooling system has all sorts 'growing' in it and looks awful - it continues to run and run well, it only sees a garage at MOT time and has had so many things on the advisory year after year that just don't seem to deteriorate at all.

This is a great first or second car for a small family, has very decent boot space, excellent reliability and good performance, and is so cheap to pick up second hand now. Unlike these new cars on the market it is built to last and even when not serviced regularly and with all of it's peculiarities my car has kept on and on going with no major problems. I will never part with it, even when a new car is needed as it has done me proud, when the day comes to replace it, it will sit on my drive and I shall service and practice on it as it has been the ideal 'replacement' first car!