Shop Loaner Review; 18 year old Citroën

"duurtlang" (duurtlang) 09/04/2015 at 12:11 • Filed to: None

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I had to bring my Peugeot to a shop for the yearly inspection, and received a loaner to keep me preoccupied during the day. Being a shop specialized in older but not vintage French cars, I got a ‘97 Citroën ZX wagon .

1997 was the last full year for the 1991-1998 ZX. The ZX competed with cars like the VW Golf, Toyota Corolla and the Ford Focus. Interesting titbit about the ZX: the rear axle aids steering. The ZX as a design does feel a bit older than the 1997 Peugeot 306 convertible (pre-facelift) I own, even though these cars share a lot. In 1997 you could get the wagon with 1.4L 75 hp, 1.6L 90 hp and 1.8L 112 hp NA gasoline engines and with a 1.9L diesel with (90 hp) or without (68 hp) turbo. This specific car had the middle of the range 1.6L gasoline engine. Empty weight: 1070 kg (2350 lbs). 5 speed manual, 237k km on the odometer. Options: power windows, power locks, power right (but not left) mirror. No AC.

My first impressions: adequate but not plenty of power, vague clutch, not very well isolated from road noise, good handling, not very communicative steering, spacious inside, comfortable but not very supportive seats (it is a loaner). Overal condition: good, considering age. Economic value: “how much gasoline is left in the tank?” category; high 3 digits, as are most unpopular cars from the era.

Conclusion: decent car, would recommend for budget buyers.

About my ‘00 Peugeot 406 coupe: During the thorough inspection they found nothing seriously wrong with my car, as usual. A bulb, a bit of rust on the edges of the (90k+ km old) rear brake discs and one broken exhaust mounting bracket. All four tires (90k+ km old) will need replacement soon, but are still safe. Which I obviously knew in advance. They fixed everything, excluding the tires. Total parts costs: <€10. Why do I know the brakes/tires are 90k+ km old? Because I’ve driven the car for 90k km and these parts were installed by the previous owner. Current odometer reading: 257k km.

For Sweden > duurtlang 09/04/2015 at 12:12

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This is fantastic, thank you

Chris Li > duurtlang 09/04/2015 at 12:15

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Too bad we don’t get these in America

duurtlang > For Sweden 09/04/2015 at 12:15

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Do I sense sarcasm?

For Sweden > duurtlang 09/04/2015 at 12:17

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no...

But if you need sarcasm, I can do that...

[ahem]

“Typical Dutch, trying to find sarcasm!”

How’s that?

duurtlang > Chris Li 09/04/2015 at 12:17

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You don’t have to wait very long. The hatch version was introduced in 1991, so almost 25 years ago.

My citroen won't start > duurtlang 09/04/2015 at 12:18

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My first car was a ZX 2.0 16v Dakar , 167HP of french fury and only 1190 kg. I miss that car and I didn’t know they made a wagon version!

duurtlang > My citroen won't start 09/04/2015 at 12:21

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Oh nice! I’ve got the newer and slightly detuned version of that engine in my 406 coupe, pictured above. I bet the ZX was more fun to drive though, due to the reduced weight/wheelbase, the steering rear axle and the extra power. My 306 convertible has the 2.0 8v version of the engine in your ZX.

Cé hé sin > duurtlang 09/04/2015 at 12:27

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Interesting Citroen, but not anwhere near as interesting as this. The Netherlands can into voitures sans permis?

Chris Li > duurtlang 09/04/2015 at 12:35

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That is true

duurtlang > Cé hé sin 09/04/2015 at 12:36

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It’s got a ‘full’ car license plate, commercial even. That exact ‘car’ is the only vehicle I crashed a car (the 406) into in my life. The bed is so low I overlooked it when reversing out of a parking spot.

According to the plates: 1996 Daihatsu Midget II, imported into the Netherlands in 2010, hasn’t changed hands since. 3 cylinder 659 cc engine, weighs 755 kg (or the same as a Suzuki Alto of similar vintage). 23 kW (31 hp). So it’s an actual car, although I doubt it would fare well on a highway.

What does voitures sans permis mean? Vehicles without license? Considering its registration you’ll need a full license to drive this Daihatsu. We do have Ligiers and the like here, which you only need a moped license/plate for but which are restricted to 45 kmh. This Daihatsu isn’t one of those, despite being a 1-seater.

My citroen won't start > duurtlang 09/04/2015 at 12:38

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It was a blast, especially for 18 year old me, not sure how I didn’t end up dead. I was certain the 406 Coupés were all 3.o V6s, huh I learned things today, thanks!

duurtlang > My citroen won't start 09/04/2015 at 12:40

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No, mine’s got the 2.0 16V. Sadly. In later years you could get a 2.2L gasoline and a 2.2 turbodiesel as well.

Cé hé sin > duurtlang 09/04/2015 at 12:41

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Literally “cars without licences”, actually those contraptions you can buy in France and other places (I’ve only seen them in France) and drive without the bother of having to get a class B licence - or more commonly if you’ve had it taken away from you. I’m told the French buy about 10,000 a year and pay proper car money for them. Driving one is on my bucket list.

duurtlang > Cé hé sin 09/04/2015 at 12:49

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We do have those here as well. They’re driven by old folks, city dwelling rednecks and teenagers. They’re crude and loud (2 cilinder diesel). While I haven’t driven one they aren’t on my bucket list either. You’re right about the price though, new they cost Toyota Aygo money. Used they apparently keep their value, this POS is 10 years old, has 50k km and they’re asking for €5750! Note that you can’t drive one faster than 45 kmh!

edit: or this, 3 years old and still € 8995 . Who spends that much on that little?

MultiplaOrgasms > duurtlang 09/04/2015 at 13:11

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The 406 did not get the passive rear-wheel steering suspension? Interesting. I know that the 306 and Xsara both had it, even though it was slightly neutered from the ZX, as well as high end Xantias.

Cé hé sin > duurtlang 09/04/2015 at 14:34

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I wouldn’t expect a vsp to be cheaper than a Yaris. One is made in hundreds of thousands in a factory where the body is welded and painted by robots and all the components are bought in huge numbers, the other is made by people in a big shed laying up fibreglass by hand, painting by hand and buying parts in small numbers. I doubt if you could buy one of those little industrial diesels for anything like what it costs Toyota to make a petrol one and the same applies to the other components.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Cé hé sin 09/04/2015 at 23:29

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Nope, Daihatsu Midget IIs are actual cars....they meet Japanese Kei car specs, so a 660cc engine putting out something like 36hp through an auto or a 4-spd manual. Most keis are around high 50-64hp, but the Midget is detuned for less horsepower and more torque. The standard trans. models are single seat as the shifter takes up the space on the left of the driver ....the auto trans models are 2 ”seats”.

I saw one done up in an olive-drab military spec paint scheme....it actually looked amazing. They are very basic little workhorse pickups, but awesome! :D Not fast at all though, haha! You could even get them in an enclosed version called the “Cargo” , but those only came with auto gearboxes.

:)