Citroen ZX 2.0 16V Review

Overall Rating

There are only 400 of these cars currently registered on the road in the UK at the moment. If you want exclusivity then you have to find one of these. Quick, comfortable and cheap...these will embarrass some new car drivers, when the mood takes you.

Panels dent easily, head gasket problems on poorly maintained cars, starting to look dated, not as quick as it could be and people will say, " a citroen what "?

The early 155Bhp model Citroen ZX 2.016V was actually 150Bhp, this made it more of a tepid hatch than hot. The later engine 167Bhp is the prefered engine, it can be found in the 306 GTI-6 and the Xsara VTS, these cars are super rare though, and most owners won't want to part with them. The 150Bhp engine has a strange, yet fascinating, intake system which makes a lovely induction noise but it can go wrong. I has small vacuum actuators that break easily and a small electro-valve which controls them, this can break!
You will need to rev the engine to get the best from it, it tends to pick up really quickly above 4500 rpm. This will effect your fuel economy, you have been warned. Having mentioned fuel economy, expect between 25 - 35mpg, not great but you can live with it. I don't know a great deal about the 167Bhp engine so I won't make it up!

It still has that fantastic Citroen handling though, the floating rear axle (rubber mounts, these can wear but are fairly easy to replace)allow the rear axle to turn slightly on cornering, the harder you corner the more it turns. Push it and it will bite back, it does correct well though.

The bodywork shouldn't be rusty unless you find your car near the coast, it was partially galvanised at manufacture so should be rust free. The panels are like fag paper so you will most likely find small parking dents all down the rear quarter panels.

The interior is clean, if a little dated, the seats are very supportive and quite adjustable, height, rake, lumbar support, etc.
Check the seat ratchet mechanism and make sure it locks properly when you're sat in it, you will shoot back and not be able to reach the pedals at the most inopportune moments.

Servicing costs are cheap if done on a DIY basis, brakes, lights, radiators, and some electrical and engine components are available from specialist motor factors.(GSF, EuroCarParts)
Less common components are dealer only, and will cost you. Always check a motor factors first and dealer second.

Common faults will include, brakes warping, rear suspension mounts wearing, front ARB Droplinks, head gasket problems, individual coils breaking down (it has 4 seperate coils), to name but a few.
If the car has been well maintained you shouldn't have any major problems just remember the car is around 10 years old.

If you find one in the right condition and want an individual car, that will suprise, purchase one.