Own a ZS but looking for a ZT, disappointing test drive....

[Big_GT]

Petrol or Diesel aside Still a fantastic car, the problem here is asking for an opinion is like asking what someones' fav drink is, everyone will defend their favourite but the truth is they are all actually very good

[guru]

I've owned a couple of ZS180's and a 75 CDT and for the last 3 years my daily driver has been a ZTT 190 so I've tried quite a lot of the range. The short answer is that if performance is important to you stick with the ZS. Even my 190 feels muted compared to the ZS. If you want the same kind of performance you really would need to look at a V8 and obviously accept that they come with a far higher price tag.
If however you want a little more refinement then the ZT would be an excellent choice. The ZS's interior is largely made from the same material that yogurt pots are made from and was a very poor place to be in comparison to the ZT which feels solid and well built.

[zscort]

Originally Posted by alanjay

It was an honest, if slightly misleading description, three male owners and one female owner, equals one Lady owner.

This made me chuckle, good to see theres still a few Arthur Daley types selling

Originally Posted by guru

The short answer is that if performance is important to you stick with the ZS. Even my 190 feels muted compared to the ZS. If you want the same kind of performance you really would need to look at a V8 and obviously accept that they come with a far higher price tag.

I did assume that a 190 would be a more comfortable grown up ZS, so would expect a slight concession to handling, stiffness and pull and you've confirmed that for me.
I would absolutely love a ZT260 and even considered selling my mk2 Escort to get the funds for one. In fact when my wife asked what car I'd buy if I won the euro roll over, I showed her a 6 grand ZT-T260 on e-bay!!

I do need to test drive a few, but annoyingly don't have time to go very far to look at a car, typically, not many for sale within 20miles of my house at the moment.

I did wonder with the diesel if it had issues, but at the price I wouldn't want to spend much more on it fixing it. There was only one key, which was a £200 worry already that I don't need!

[DMGRS]

That 1.8T looks to be an absolute bargain - I love Firefrost.
Reminds me of Nightfire Red - my 620ti was in that colour.

[KenR]

A multitude of answers to the same question lol. In my experience, go and have a look, test drive, niggle find, make the choice on what you felt was the best one, haggle a bit and go home happy

With the best will in the world, you will likely walk away more confused and uncertain after all of these answers have circulated in your brain

Just go with what you find and feel.

Good luck with the search

Ken

[YorksMG2013]

I am in a similar position in that until a year ago my daily drive was a ZS180 (mk.1), and then I 'upgraded' to a ZT (facelift 190 SE).

I still find my ZT a little sluggish off from the lights or a junction (revs drop down to 800-600 rpm quite readily, so I have to rev it a little). When you're under way everything is fine, but yes less eager perhaps than my ZS (as has been said ZT is a bigger and heavier car). Yes the v8 would give you more of a 'performance' feel, but things like insurance, VED and fuel economy put me off (not saying I wouldn't like one though! lol)

The ZT is a very good looking car, well put together, and with some of the toys, feels a quality vehicle.

Andrew

[Pistonbroke666]

Here's my two cents.

If you're looking for a big car with a premium vibe that can shift but not cost the Earth in fuel when you press the loud pedal you'd would be wise to investigate a remapped 1.8T.

If you're going to be doing high mileage then a remapped diesel would make for a good compromise.

[Billy1mate]

You say spec is last on your list but forum experience tells me most on here like to retrofit bits. Be aware you might get sucked in. To that end try & find one with options, the switch panel below the climate control panel is the place to start.

[carguy143]

You will find the ZT will feel slower as it's a bigger car. My previous car was a Rover 416, it was only as the name suggests a 1.6 but due to the size it felt like you were going faster than you actually where. I find the ZT doesn't feel as fast as it actually is due to the refinements over other models.

Originally Posted by Billy1mate

You say spec is last on your list but forum experience tells me most on here like to retrofit bits. Be aware you might get sucked in. To that end try & find one with options, the switch panel below the climate control panel is the place to start.

So very true. So far I have gone nuts. Projectors, heated memory seats, cruise control, black oak dash (with correct switch panel), mg 7 rear lights and a DAB radio have all found their way in to my ZT.