Real Road Test: Citroën AX 11TZX - it's tinny! Sorry, tiny!

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  • Опубликовано: 25 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 746

  • @alpinisti310
    @alpinisti310 5 лет назад +145

    There’s a full-size ashtray at the front for the adults. The tiny one at the rear must be for the children, then. Well thought out, Citroen! 👌😁

    • @lookandlisten5740
      @lookandlisten5740 5 лет назад +37

      That's right, the child smoker has often been overlooked by car designers.. as has the alcoholic driver who yearns for sufficient wine bottle storage ! ... Viva la Citroen.

    • @crashbox7130
      @crashbox7130 5 лет назад +4

      Gauloises et pastis 😆

    • @the.internet
      @the.internet 5 лет назад +10

      You can fit champagne bottles in the doors and cigars in the ashtrays. Under a microscope, the AX was a limousine.

    • @rich_edwards79
      @rich_edwards79 5 лет назад +3

      So the kids can smoke their cigarettes, as Jay Smart would say. I can't remember when they stopped fitting rear ashtrays to cars. My Volvo has one in the console between the front seats, and another in the dash, but that"s from 1982, when most people still smoked like chimneys!

    • @georgehopkins
      @georgehopkins 5 лет назад +3

      Richard Edwards both my 2005 Jaguar XJ and 2002 Audi A6 have rear ashtrays, one in each doorcard respectively.

  • @Perkelenaattori
    @Perkelenaattori 5 лет назад +51

    Everyone should see the amazing video of the guy doing the Nurburgring with a Diesel AX that's done almost 700k kilometers. It's here on RUclips.

    • @themassiveprophet4148
      @themassiveprophet4148 5 лет назад +2

      ruclips.net/video/mBFjHjm0O5M/видео.html made me seasick though

  • @ministrone
    @ministrone 5 лет назад +62

    Dull fact: The Citroen AX wiper mechanism was also used on the series 1 Lotus Elise.

    • @notmanynamesleft
      @notmanynamesleft 5 лет назад +7

      I love facts like this 👍

    • @arrangrant4614
      @arrangrant4614 5 лет назад +1

      Didn’t Lotus use Citroen Cx door mirrors on the esprit?

    • @notmanynamesleft
      @notmanynamesleft 5 лет назад +1

      Lotus Esprit S4 has Mk3 Vauxhall Cavalier door handles.

    • @arrangrant4614
      @arrangrant4614 5 лет назад +1

      The mk1 Elise had Vauxhall Astra indicator and wiper stalks as well

    • @djhvideo
      @djhvideo 5 лет назад +1

      Range Rover had Morris Marina door handles (Or was it the other way around?)

  • @thelivingdodo2
    @thelivingdodo2 5 лет назад +25

    The phase 2 AX always reminded me of a miniature ZX inside. Incidentally I had a phase one AX GT with twin choke carb and to this day it is the most fun car I have owned!

  • @philstaples8122
    @philstaples8122 5 лет назад +50

    Many moons ago I had a little red AX GT, it was like a supercharged rolling skate and great fun. Once I'm sure I got a dent in the bonnet through hitting a bumble bee going at about 70 mph, they were very lightly built and if mine hadn't succumbed to rust I would have kept it for a few more years as it was great fun and cost pennies to run.

    • @martinda7446
      @martinda7446 5 лет назад +3

      Ha, ha, ha @ Bumblebee.

    • @stevenspilsbury9801
      @stevenspilsbury9801 5 лет назад +1

      I used to work with a girl who borrowed me her GT once, it was great fun to thrash around but the overwhelming memory I've got about the car was the whole door skin flexing every time I put the key in it to open or lock it.

    • @IamHedgehog
      @IamHedgehog 5 лет назад +3

      I had a grey AX GT great fun little car definitely wouldn't be classed as "safe" today .. did actually write mine off lol

    • @rossturnbull8632
      @rossturnbull8632 5 лет назад +3

      Ax g.t was an underrated fun little car to chuck about...ncap safety rating??0

    • @chilman6461
      @chilman6461 5 лет назад +3

      I had a ax gt mk2 K 92 and the engine over heated so I had a 106 gti engine fitted and it went very well had 125 mph out of it once very scary haha

  • @simonredfern2584
    @simonredfern2584 5 лет назад +42

    Well that clinches it I need an ax. I'm constantly spilling my wine all over me while driving!
    Epic lacquer peel, awsome.

    • @AllThingsAlex
      @AllThingsAlex 5 лет назад

      Best thing Ive read on the internet in ages!

  • @saintfunny
    @saintfunny 5 лет назад +19

    She certainly has 'patina' . I quite like the AX, they were everywhere in the early '90's.

  • @darrenmeears4667
    @darrenmeears4667 5 лет назад +41

    I remember my late sister had a purple one never let her down good memories cheers hubs 👍

    • @ryanhunt1205
      @ryanhunt1205 5 лет назад

      Are you Fred West ?

    • @angelicasilberstein3928
      @angelicasilberstein3928 5 лет назад +6

      When you said 'never let her down" is the same expression of saying " never left her stranded" ? I ask this because i'm spaniard speakin' and sometimes i need to readjust the slangs. Thank You

    • @angelicasilberstein3928
      @angelicasilberstein3928 5 лет назад

      @@scottwalker8152 much thanks!

    • @garysimpson3900
      @garysimpson3900 5 лет назад +1

      Happy memories are made on Hub Nut.

  • @the.internet
    @the.internet 5 лет назад +32

    I bought one of these with an ex girlfriend back in about 2010, £300 on eBay. We used if for years and it was dear to us, and never let us down! Only got rid of it because she got a hand-me-down car and the AX needed welding for the next MOT. Wish I'd found a way to keep it. I still keep an eye out for them today, they've become very rare.
    I'm 6'4 but could drive this, and indeed took it up and down the country on the regular. I found it charming. Very basic of course, nothing to it and no luxuries but that's the way I liked it.
    Ours had the Citroen logo on the front upside down (so the chevrons looked like v's). Back in the day when loads were around every now and again you'd see them with the upside down chevron badge. I always wondered how this happened - was there someone in the factory doing this deliberately? Was is some kind of in-joke on the production line? Was it someone's first day? Surely I can't be the only one who noticed this!
    Edit: ours was a 1 litre N reg Elation (4 speed), and a sibling had an AX Dimension as her first (and favourite) car.
    Edit 2: Ian, there was a diesel too wasn't there. I swear you could get like 80mpg in those or something. We'd easily get over 60 in ours on long runs driven sensibly! For years around when scrappage scheme was in effect and everything was about 'mpg' I always wondered why people don't just buy an old Citroen and tell the Labour government where to stick their car crushers.

    • @simonredfern2584
      @simonredfern2584 5 лет назад +9

      I saw a picasso thing on a new plate with upside down chevrons on the tailgate this week! Its still happening.

    • @graemew7001
      @graemew7001 5 лет назад

      How the hell did you fit in it at 6'4? I'm only 6 feet and I could not get a decent driving position where my legs weren't hitting the bottom of the wheel in my dad's one....even with the seat set right back. That annoyed me because they are a cracking little car.

    • @the.internet
      @the.internet 5 лет назад +1

      @@graemew7001 I remember it wasn't the most comfortable drive (I pretty much echo Ian's sentiments with the little pedals... There were one set of running trainers I couldn't wear cuz my big feet would press the brake and accelerator at the same time (same thing happened to me in Pug 106's). My head was very near the roof (sunroof model so gave me a few extra cm's) but I could indeed drive it - legs bent and I'd need a couple of stops on long journeys to stretch.
      Someone I know bought a classic mini earlier this year and damn I could barely move once in it (and getting in and out was horrid too). I gave it one drive and said never again. I met a guy in a carpark when we were out in it who was 6ft who was a mini enthusiast and I asked him how the hell he drove them. He said you can get rails put in that make the seat roll right back (presumably needed rear seats removing) as he couldn't drive them normally.
      My AX Elation had nice seats and the sporty 3 spoke wheel (adjustable iirc, rake on left hand side, so I had it as high as poss). The seats didn't tilt however which was a shame, they could only slide.

    • @graemew7001
      @graemew7001 5 лет назад

      @@the.internet You can get seat rail extenders for classic mini's but I found that you can also get a steering drop bracket and a longer steering wheel boss to alter that geometry which I found to be more comfortable. Mind at your height I'd just forget it and buy some other classic. Saying all this maybe the steering boss idea would work in an AX although I'd have lost the airbag of my dad's car to do that.

    • @benbrown3541
      @benbrown3541 5 лет назад

      A 1.5 Diesel was an option, certainly on later ones. My aunt and uncle had an N-reg 1.5 Diesel 5-speed. It wasn't particularly quick off the line, but the torque was immense, especially as the AX is so light. They reckoned it did 65 mpg+ all the time.

  • @oldengine9127
    @oldengine9127 5 лет назад +18

    I use the 1.0l as a daily driver, great car fast enough and fun to drive despite only having 44 hp.

    • @martijnkosters9024
      @martijnkosters9024 5 лет назад +2

      OldEngine weighs less than a full wine bottle, doesnt it?

    • @oldengine9127
      @oldengine9127 5 лет назад +3

      @@martijnkosters9024 Needs to be tied down in high winds.

  • @davesmith.devonfiregrave.
    @davesmith.devonfiregrave. 5 лет назад +11

    love them i had a citroen ax gti back in the 90s cost me £10 with a blown head gasket put eggs and rad seal in it lasted me 3 years good old days

  • @AdamMacleod83
    @AdamMacleod83 5 лет назад +8

    I loved my AX.... I've had 3 of them over the years!

  • @dragstar4407
    @dragstar4407 5 лет назад +5

    I passed my test in my dad's 1.4 diesel! Great car!!! Go to the moon and back on one tank!!!!

  • @jgvgjv2980
    @jgvgjv2980 5 лет назад +3

    I once owned a white 1 litre AX, loved it, economical and short journey and easy parking par excellence

  • @edwardmullan2724
    @edwardmullan2724 5 лет назад +10

    I was a passenger in one of these when it accidentally went on two wheels. Still remember the feeling of going in slow motion as the tarmac was passing by my window.

  • @jimmyjt16
    @jimmyjt16 5 лет назад +3

    My mate had the the GT version. Roughly 90hp and 700 kg! It was really quick & fun for it's time and wiped the floor with my 106 xsi.

  • @themassiveprophet4148
    @themassiveprophet4148 5 лет назад +1

    Drove both gasoline and diesel models between Spain and Portugal on 10 hr trips, back in the day.
    Great cars. Never a frown or a problem, and the pedals never gave me any pains either.

  • @Richie83131
    @Richie83131 5 лет назад +7

    I always liked old citroens , we had a 84 BX 1.4 a gold one , as a kid I thought the suspension was incredibly cool

  • @MINIMOTOMADNESS
    @MINIMOTOMADNESS 5 лет назад +13

    i remember a bloke i worked with called phil,he had the sporty one of these,he filled it to the top with oil,brimming out of the rocker box,what a bellend,lucky he did not start it,we drained it out and it was good too go,

  • @kf-dk5pb
    @kf-dk5pb 5 лет назад +1

    Had two of these over the years a petrol and a diesel loved both cars, even put a top box on the diesel and went to France camping as a family of 4, although a little cosy had no problems loved it.

  • @moviebod
    @moviebod 5 лет назад +4

    Nice map of the Crimea on the bonnet.

  • @BungleBare
    @BungleBare 5 лет назад +17

    This one is in the exactly the condition I remember these as being in; dented, faded, worthless, but fully functional and fun. Brilliant, economical, throwaway transport.
    I had a similar Pug 106 in the late ‘90s. Great fun, and makes so much economic sense. The French sure knew how to make entertaining econoboxes. No pretensions at all, unlike Audi A1s and the like - just frugal, entertaining, basic transport. Does exactly what it says on the (very thin) tin ....
    .... and all the better for it.
    Viva PSA!

  • @bookdork
    @bookdork 5 лет назад

    I have very fond memories of a black AX whose owner drove me around Aberystwyth in 1989-92. It was a little tight for my 6’3” size but they still make me smile.

  • @VDPEFi
    @VDPEFi 5 лет назад

    My grandma had one of these as her last car, it was a 1.0 4 speed, very late one in metallic green. My uncle bought it for her brand new for basically nothing when Citroen were having one of their massive blow out sales. She resisted at first because it meant getting rid of her b reg maestro that caused nothing but grief and most visits were spent getting it started, airing up the tyres etc. She had it collected by her local garage in Shrewsbury every year for a service despite averaging about 600 miles a year. It was passed to my cousin who used it all through uni. Great little motor.

  • @torresalex
    @torresalex 5 лет назад

    My better half has one and it's been her only car since it was bought new in 1994. It's been an everyday car ever since, and it just boggles the mind how reliable it's been. 25 years and it's never left its owner on the side of the road waiting for rescue. It's brilliant.

  • @markcherriman6136
    @markcherriman6136 5 лет назад +1

    Best one I had was a 1.4 diesel , drove it none stop to Switzerland , brilliant fun never missed a beat .

  • @k1ckyscotland988
    @k1ckyscotland988 5 лет назад +15

    With all that wine you'll be carrying the little car will sound like a milkfloat pulling into the street.

  • @ieatleds
    @ieatleds 5 лет назад +2

    I had a five-door 1.4 AX TZX. It had a great power to weight ratio. Really good up the Addingham bypass.

  • @crttft9203
    @crttft9203 5 лет назад +8

    Excellent vid - as always - great commentary. Great driving. Great car! I like the lightweight. "They sold 2.4 million of them in 12 years." That is for an 'economy car segment', but scale-wise, it is frightening to think that VW sold 2.7 million Mk1 Tiguans between 2008 and 2016 - approx 9 years - for what is a dreaded SUV, whilst at the same time churning out millions of Golfs as well! Many thanks Ian. Good luck down-under.

    • @buggs9950
      @buggs9950 5 лет назад

      There are nearly half again as many people on the world as there was in 1987.

  • @thatswiss1385
    @thatswiss1385 5 лет назад +5

    It's so hard to find a new car that short which look like a real car and not like a toy shopping cart! I love it! Big trunk too!

  • @jota1221
    @jota1221 5 лет назад

    I bought a 1.0 Debut back in the day and we went all over the UK on our jolly holls in it . Never let us down and was such a nice car to drive . Got passed down the family as each bunch got old enough to drive . Had it for years . one of the best cars we owned - such fun. .

  • @benbrown3541
    @benbrown3541 5 лет назад +1

    My uncle and aunt had a late-model N-reg AX 1.5 Diesel "Spree" special edition in metallic blue, blue interior. It had little raised-letter signs everywhere, in French. One of the best, attached to the wine bottle pocket, translated as "I do like the little pocket for the bottle of wine". Another one by the cigarette lighter said "The French smoke too much". Very characterful little car, good memories. Amazing that Citroen produced these for 12 years.

  • @tonytrumpet1973
    @tonytrumpet1973 2 года назад +1

    2 Year's on and after a year of ownership she's still going strong. A lot tidier now too 👍

  • @jeff1962-y
    @jeff1962-y 5 лет назад +11

    I mentioned yesterday about the Tercel being thirsty . Not so with the A,X. fuel economy was great .

    • @volvo480
      @volvo480 5 лет назад

      I drove its sister the Peugeot 106 with the same 1.1 engine, indeed it was very frugal. :)

  • @sg8539
    @sg8539 5 лет назад +4

    Being part of the psa group basically same to a couple of peugeot 106's I once owned apart from the badges.
    The 1.1 graduate was nothing special but the 1.4 or was it 1.5 diesel xrd was very good and reliable and a brilliant diesel engine plus they both had zero rust compared to their Ford and Jdm counterparts at the time.
    Great video Ian.

  • @tinplategeek1058
    @tinplategeek1058 5 лет назад +1

    Ah, the all glass tailgate. A tradition carried on with the 107/C1/Aygo. As you say, just be careful when closing them and always check for any obstructions first.

  • @michaeld7409
    @michaeld7409 4 года назад +1

    Remember the „sound of quality“ in my 87 Phase 1 TRE. Build quality left room for improvements, this being the only downside. mpg was incredible for a 1.1 petrol engine. Had a 4 speed gearbox, very well to drive on motorways and narrow country roads. Still miss it...

  • @viriatvsoflvsitania5422
    @viriatvsoflvsitania5422 4 года назад

    Wonderfull little car. I was offered one last year, a 1992 5 door 11 TRE. A family member passed away and he had one of these in his garage that hadn't been driven since 1999 when he got sick and couldn't drive anymore. The car sat for 20 years with just 35.000 Km in the odometer. Changed the oil, bled the old petrol from the tank, filled it with new petrol, didn't even changed the plugs and the thing started straight away after a couple of cranks. After that I did a full service: brakes and disks all round, new brake fluid, gearbox oil, 4 new tires and it's been my daily ever since. It's now on 42.000 Km and drives like a charm. Great city car, easy to park and economical.
    Fun facts: the 5 door doesn't have the quarter windows and the wine bottle holders in the front doors. And the models with air conditioning (like mine) looses the glovebox, because the ac motor sits inside the area where the glovebox is.
    Great first car for everyone who just got their driving license as it is very cheap to own, run, insure and fix up.
    Good review.

  • @chrisharrison8155
    @chrisharrison8155 5 лет назад

    Driven mine into work today. The 1.1i - and it gives me a grin everytime I get behind the wheel. The wiper motor is currently packing up so that only adds to the fun too.

  • @1Haloninja
    @1Haloninja 4 года назад +1

    I had a 91 AX TGE. Honestly the best car i have driven. Miss it to this day

  • @santiirigoyen3334
    @santiirigoyen3334 5 лет назад

    Great video.👍My father had a red AX 1.1TRE 3 doors phase 1,1990, in good conditions, 250 000km, zero problems.

  • @romac9516
    @romac9516 5 лет назад +1

    Drove one of these for a few years, very reliable, very basic and very cheap with a terrible stereo. Felt like a bit of tinfoil wrapped around some matchskicks but also bulletproof in its own flimsy way. Thanks for the trip back to the nineties!

  • @orderofmagnitude-TPATP
    @orderofmagnitude-TPATP 5 лет назад +14

    My first car was an AX 1.1 "Memphis" 91 pre-facelift
    Had a sticker that read "Shitroën"

  • @richardgregory8964
    @richardgregory8964 5 лет назад

    The first car i ever owned!!! At 17 years old the excitement was unparalelled! Happy memories! 😊

  • @garrylawless3550
    @garrylawless3550 5 лет назад

    I had a 1993 Citroen AX Debut, 1 litre engine, 5 door and silver. It was the best car I've ever owned and I've owned lots of different cars. The handling was superb, almost as good as our classic mini, the engine, although tiny, was enough, and I travelled all over Scotland in it. A fabulous car! Now I know there will be lots of people out there who have had bad ones and had terrible incidents in them, but my ownership experience was amazing. I miss that car.👍

  • @Super5gon
    @Super5gon Год назад

    AX's always been very fun to drive, I once drove a 14 TGS and surprised me for the performances.

  • @jo05dk
    @jo05dk 5 лет назад

    A mate of mine bought a white lowered AX Sport, many years ago. I never drove the car, but man i loved when we hooned around in it. Such a fun little car, and the two carbs certainly delivered in the soundtrack department. Small and light, with adequate power, is a great mix..as long as you don't crash.

  • @joannegray5138
    @joannegray5138 5 лет назад

    A friend of mine had an AX and it was a wonderful little runner. She lived on the North East coast at the time, but this little motor took her all over the UK every week (she was a motor scooter enthusiast and went to a lot of meet ups). She would travel regularly to Wales to see her (then) boyfriend (they since married and she lives in Wales now) and her little AX never let her down. However, it "died" in such a trvial way; in almost stationary traffic, she was rear ended by someone who braked just a smidge too late. She said she had come to a halt and the other car had almost fully stopped, going so slow that she barely felt any impact, but it was enough to damage that fragile back end and her car was a complete write-off.

  • @evanskitt2687
    @evanskitt2687 5 лет назад +2

    my auntie used to have a lighter green one when i was younger i used to love it because i thought it sounded sporty but it was just the blowing exhaust! 🤣

  • @martinneumann7783
    @martinneumann7783 5 лет назад

    I do remember a journey for a new years eve party from Paris to Angers with my french friends about 23 years ago. Four adult persons, over 300 km (186 miles) and an "average" heating, especially in the claustrophobic back of the car. A trip I never forget...

  • @frimleyfrodo
    @frimleyfrodo 5 лет назад

    I had a new AX 5 door with the 1527 cc Diesel engine in 1996 (a special edition Elation). I loved it! A hoot to drive on A roads and held it’s own on the motorway. Covered 47,000 miles in the 3 years I had it and then had to go bigger as babies required space (bought a 306 DTurbo estate). After it had run in it averaged nearly 70 mpg and servicing it myself was easy and cheap. The 5 speed box in the 1.5D resulted in very relaxed cruising.

  • @alex52741
    @alex52741 25 дней назад +1

    Der AX war nach meiner Führerscheinprüfung 1993 ,mein erstes Auto ,allerdings als TEEN mit nur 45 PS und als Sondermodell POP ,mit getönten Scheiben .Ansonsten -war Neuwagen -auch für damalige Verhältnisse absolut spartanisch ,weder Servolenkung -die gab es generell nicht -noch Zentralverriegelung und E Fenster ,ebenfalls nur 4 Gang Getriebe und auch keine Scheibenwischerintervallschaltung ,an Klimaanlage hat -außer in der Oberklasse -sowieso keiner gedacht damals .Dennoch ..bin mit dem durch ganz Deutschland und bis nach Belgien gefahren der war aufgrund seines geringen Gewichtes ABSOLUT LANGSTRECKENTAUGLICH !! Von 0 auf 100 in 13 bis 14 Sekunden ,Spitze 150 ,damit ließ man in DER Klasse und 45 PS ,jeden -wesentlich schwereren -Opel Corsa oder VW Polo -die damals neuen Baureihen -stehen .Ich war sehr zufrieden . Als Linkslenker natürlich 😉😁

  • @emmerson22
    @emmerson22 5 лет назад +1

    We had an AX about 25 years ago. I closed the tailgate a little over-enthusiastically one evening and ended up covered in shattered glass. We had a bit of a Citroen time owning a couple of AXs a couple of ZXs and a BX in our time.

  • @MGBetts1
    @MGBetts1 5 лет назад +9

    My father had one of these back in the day, a very early one (UK launch was Aug 1987). I think the later AX's had the pedals less offset (even if not quite central) - the LHDs never had this problem. 👍🏼

    • @tonys1636
      @tonys1636 5 лет назад +1

      The one problem when converting a LHD to RHD, something older British vehicles never had, if one looks closely at one there are blanking plates over the holes for LHD assembly as the need to export was important then.

    • @rabbishekelstein9477
      @rabbishekelstein9477 5 лет назад

      MGBetts1 LHD cars still have offset pedals

    • @tonys1636
      @tonys1636 5 лет назад

      @@rabbishekelstein9477 Most vehicles have slightly offset pedals, the brake and gas pedal are always right of the steering column, unless a very old vehicle with a central gas pedal. ( pre 1930's )

  • @Bfoxfield1
    @Bfoxfield1 5 лет назад +2

    I`ll never forget the night my friend and his sister came round in their mum`s 3 month old metallic purple AX - traded in a base model silver AX 1.0e for it. We went everywhere visiting every friend. Talk about street cred going through the roof but then again non of us was older than 14 lol.

  • @jstadnicki
    @jstadnicki 5 лет назад +2

    I had a 1.4D - Drove it to south east Poland near the Ukrainian border. Fantastic little car - simple, very economical and a joy to drive

  • @KevBell184
    @KevBell184 Год назад

    in 2003 i bought my first car, the 1993 1.0L AX, only had 4 gears and loved it, £795. I did once drive it 200 miles up the motorway, with those 4 gears, successfully. The engine noise at 70-75mph was sensational :D not sure what the revs got to but the engine didnt blow up, and i made it the 200 miles back the day after in one piece. Superb car.

  • @BillOdyssey
    @BillOdyssey 5 лет назад +1

    I loved my AX so much, used to lug my 4x10 bass rig all over the country and nearly never let me down..

    • @williamross2579
      @williamross2579 5 лет назад

      cynthiaVTS
      For me...
      2x10 Peavey cab with ‘Black widow’ Kevlar speakers, Peavey MkIII amp (only 200w iirc) Yankee Fender P, with DiMarzio fitted.
      From Swanage to Feltham... Redhill to Bognor... mine took me everywhere 😊

  • @klwthe3rd
    @klwthe3rd 5 лет назад +6

    This car is super cute! Tiny is better. For practicality being implemented it still has that Citroen quirkiness like the power window switches low on the doorcards and the wine bottle holders. Lol . Viva Citroen! 😘

  • @paulgee6111
    @paulgee6111 2 года назад

    I worked as a parking valet for the last seven years and my two favourite small cars to drive were the Citroen AX and the Toyota starlet, both great fun. I sold my 23yr old ZX estate to a workmate 2 yrs ago for £100 and he's still happily whizzing about in it!

  • @moschops2002
    @moschops2002 5 лет назад

    Best mate at school got bought a new AX by his folks in 92 (it was K183FUM if memory serves). Debut model, in white. Had many a fun evening hooning about in either it, or my Mini Van. The AX definitely got more from its 1 litre, a lot more quietly, but the Mini Van could out handle it.
    Both suffered damage from a humpback bridge on the same evening too - youthful exuberance, I think it's called.

  • @brentfairlie9159
    @brentfairlie9159 5 лет назад +1

    Great little car

  • @ginggur17
    @ginggur17 5 лет назад +1

    Yet another I wanted at 18, my friend had the gt version, loved it.

  • @jonathanthorpe1653
    @jonathanthorpe1653 5 лет назад

    I have owned my metallic purple AX for 14 years. It's always been brilliant on reliability and when It has gone wrong it's been easy to fix. The only major work has been rebuilding the rear torsion bar set up rear beam. It's on about 249k now and still going strong. I will try keep this going as long as I can. It does get a lot of attention on the road now, people seem to really appreciate it.

  • @stepheng8779
    @stepheng8779 5 лет назад

    Brought back memories, the last car my Mum and Dad had was an AX, nice to see one on the road again been a long time.

  • @siraff4461
    @siraff4461 5 лет назад

    My mate had the GT back while I had a Mini 1000. It was like a space ship. Even the rear windows were electric. They only opened about an inch but electric. Rear wiper, alloys and so on. Oh and it was a complete rocket.
    Brilliant little cars as long as you don't crash them.

  • @jani7683
    @jani7683 Год назад

    One of the best cars ive ever had, simple, reliable, fast, economical, roomy, tough and practical....all the car you need

  • @paulkirby5479
    @paulkirby5479 5 лет назад +1

    I owned a late 96 p spree in amazon green. 5 years and 40,000 miles. Only issue was tailgate hinges failure. If it was breezy and was open, to much stress would shatter the glass. I drove to the windscreen replacement centre, i lined up with 2 others.
    those wheeltrims ended up on the runout model. the late ones also had autochoke, a 5 speed box and a steering wheel that looked like it had an airbag. but didn't. and finally, the complete rear seat unit can be taken out to turn into a van. the best basic car I ever had. in fact, the best car I ever had.

  • @iliaslamari7315
    @iliaslamari7315 5 лет назад +1

    My dad had a 2000 Citroen Saxo 1.4i SX and it also was a fun car that handles corners as a treat. I only weight 850 kg, light and comfortable like the AX. *I remembered that the offset pedal box indeed was a pain for me at least.* Learn to drive in one at the age off 14 and I often pressed two pedals in at the same time by mistake... The AX, 106 and Saxo all have this pedal problem. Also, the 1.1-litre TU engines are notorious for head gasket failure. Around 10 years ago scrapyards where full of AX's, Saxo's, 106's that had rotten sills or a blown heads. I recommend the 1.4, it has less issues and is even more fun!

  • @olds8881
    @olds8881 5 лет назад

    I had a 1991 AX 1.1 Axion for 3 years. It was the Mark 1 model with the old dashboard, 4 speed gearbox, but with injection. I loved it to bits. Comfortable, very economical (18 kilometres a liter was no problem) and quite quick. No problem to cruise with 150-160 kilometres an hour on the German Autobahn.

  • @davebicker8618
    @davebicker8618 5 лет назад +12

    The offset pedal box is indeed a pain on long journeys, a trait it shares with the 106.
    I think chiropractors gave Citroen a backhander with these motors.

    • @EmyrDerfel
      @EmyrDerfel 5 лет назад +4

      Probably perfectly aligned in the LHD models.

    • @pauldavies6037
      @pauldavies6037 5 лет назад +1

      A girl friend of mine always drove with no shoes on I have done the same has more feel with the pedals P.S I dont wear high heels te he

    • @rabbishekelstein9477
      @rabbishekelstein9477 5 лет назад

      Emyr Derfel I can assure you it's not...

    • @razorback20
      @razorback20 3 года назад

      @@rabbishekelstein9477 I can confirm. However, I still prefer an AX with only the pedal block offset than a Clio mk1 where both pedals and steering wheel are offset. True story.

  • @BalhamHorsham
    @BalhamHorsham 5 лет назад

    I used to have a ‘94 AX “Cascade” - was great fun to drive and reliable. Found the wine bottle-capable door bins very useful!

  • @Wagons-Rule
    @Wagons-Rule 3 года назад

    I’ve had 3 AX’s, one from new in 94, a purple ‘Spree’ edition. Drove that one all over Europe with 2 children, a roof box and a woman, fab fun car! Bought both daughters Second hand AX’s too.

  • @chunkybeats79
    @chunkybeats79 5 лет назад

    My ex had 2 of these a green one like this and a red one. 4 speed manual was a good little car and we drove from Northern Ireland to Blackpool over the ferry in Stranraer. Great car and memories!

  • @TrenyCwm
    @TrenyCwm Год назад

    I bought an AX about 20 years ago and then a F reg GT a little while later. I sold them both ages ago, the GT for £800, which was in immaculate condition. After watching this video I've recently decided to get another one. Bought a 954CC Elation from 1995 2 weeks ago, it's lush.

  • @CaptHollister
    @CaptHollister 5 лет назад +1

    Light weight=more fun. Absolutely. My sister moved from Canada to Italy a very long time ago and for quite a while her car was a bare-bones, basicest of the basic (I'm talking Amish spec) Fiat Uno with the 900cc engine. It made all of 45bhp which probably didn't strain the 4-speed gearbox a whole lot. I got to drive it on visits there. Was it a good car ? not really, it had a few important traits in common with this AX, being both tinny and tiny, but boy was it fun ! you basically had to drive it flat out all the time. It proved, as does this AX, the old adage that it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than to drive a fast car slow. I can't think of any current car built to that ethos.

  • @TheFlyingSaucePan
    @TheFlyingSaucePan 5 лет назад +1

    Lovely! First car I ever drove in total illegality before I had my licence on small country roads... Except it was the mighty 1.0 with 45hp.

  • @philippenovaplaylist2715
    @philippenovaplaylist2715 3 года назад

    Yes, driving this car on these countryside roads is just brilliant. Very alive and fun for a 1.1 liter car.

  • @Sjoegerd
    @Sjoegerd 5 лет назад +1

    Love the AX! My first car was a white 5-door 1.1. It drove me everywhere with minimal maintenance. Very comfortable seats. Too bad it went incontinent and blew all the fluids on the street one day. Still miss that little bugger.

  • @TheCaptainSparky
    @TheCaptainSparky 5 лет назад

    I had one of these as my first car on a P Plate. Loved it. Especially the huge "Bottle holders" in the door cards, they always ended up full of tat! This video has given me a proper trip down memory lane! Thanks Ian

    • @TheCaptainSparky
      @TheCaptainSparky 5 лет назад

      I think it's still sat in P&T Moore's breakers yard in Leominster 🤣

  • @paulbennell3313
    @paulbennell3313 5 лет назад

    My cousin had a late AX. It was a great little car and suprisingly comfortable (for passengers) for its size. It had the 1.1 engine and it was certainly no slouch.

  • @rich_edwards79
    @rich_edwards79 5 лет назад +1

    My ex's mum had a black F-reg (so phase 1) 1.4 AX. I forget the exact spec. It was the flimsiest thing ever (I remember the whole dash creaking and rattling on cornering) and used to overheat constantly. Probably didn't help that we were both 6' tall and in the 20st range, coupled with the fact that my ex had a lead right foot, lol. It used to go like absolute stink even fully loaded up.
    After she wrote off her MK1 Fiesta, she bought a dark blue Phase 2 (I think it was on a K-plate) for about £200. It was immaculate apart from the fact that the stereo had disappeared, but had a significant oil leak from somewhere and would always mark its territory with a big puddle (and even 20-odd years on, there's still a big oil stain on the road outside our old house in Leeds). Coupled with the fact it was a diesel, it was the furthest thing from 'green', though it did get good mileage on a run. After we broke up she replaced it with a Saxo.
    We almost broke the tailgate in the first one loading it up with suitcases (plus the lock never latched properly, and always needed a good firm slam). I remember chuckling at how stereotypically French the wine bottle holders were, the downside being that anything smaller than a 2-litre bottle of pop would rattle around hopelessly and end up exploding when opened...
    I wish women did go in for useless, nerdy facts about things. I'd be fighting them off, haha.

  • @mattw8332
    @mattw8332 5 лет назад +1

    Impressive lacquer peel on the bonnet! Nice AX! From a time when cars had distinct characters.

  • @jarthurs
    @jarthurs 5 лет назад

    Happy memories, bought an AX 1.5d in 2007 for £300. The trailing arm on the suspension was shot but we nursed it to Stirling and back with only minimal farting as the tyre touched the wheel arch. Even with the fault it still did over 70mpg to Scotland and back.

  • @mattylamb9194
    @mattylamb9194 5 лет назад +1

    Lovely little car. And with some really practical touches.

  • @williamross2579
    @williamross2579 5 лет назад

    My first car, Citroen AX ‘Jive’ in arctic white... L96YTT. Took me across the A303 SOOOOO many times. Boot space was brilliant for lugging guitars and amps all about the south coast and SW London. 996cc

  • @LeightonW87
    @LeightonW87 5 лет назад

    My first car was a AX 3DR Elation 1.0, N reg.
    Loved the car and regret getting rid of them. those door bottle holders were great, the clutch was basically on its way out.

  • @jon-paulgrainger1303
    @jon-paulgrainger1303 5 лет назад +1

    Lovely little motor, the lacquer peel just sets it off haha. Loved the AX GT version too what a great car!

  • @theheathster2
    @theheathster2 5 лет назад

    I had an 87 AX11 TRS 5 door. Loved it! Went round corners on the door handles, yet oddly on rails. A great blend of suppleness and limpet like cornering , as you point out! My dad had a 10E, which was rather miserable by comparison. The gears in the 4 speed box were weirdly spaced, and it was somewhat gutless. Although, he could carry his wine in fine style, whereas my car was sadly bereft of such luxuries.

  • @tlongie6055
    @tlongie6055 5 лет назад

    Honestly, I never realised I needed a wine bottle holder in my life until I bought my AX! I mean, how often do you pop into the shops, buy a bottle and have nowhere in the car to put it... It just ends up rolling around in the foot well! Genius thinking from Citroën!

  • @petermilsom5638
    @petermilsom5638 5 лет назад +1

    The "crowded" pedals are because it is a left hand drive design with a rhd kit tacked on. Notice under the bonnet that the brake servo is on the left (above where the pedals are in a lhd). similarly, the footwell bulge is a potential footrest in a lhd, but on the rhd variant just causes the pedals to be shifted to the left. French design for the French market ;-)
    I had a'94 AX for 10 years and 100,000 miles (bought new). I currently drive a Berlingo Mk1, (facelift). It has the same "lhd" quirks - the gearbox stick out a bit into the drivers footwell on a rhd model, causing the pedals to be rather close together. On the "French"/lhd "original" , the gearbox bulge is in the passenger footwell, and causes less issues. (I previously had a Berlingo Mk1, pre-facelift, and that had the earlier gearbox and no such issues).

  • @mikeclarke6796
    @mikeclarke6796 5 лет назад

    That was nice. A friend had one and a gang of us used to go off rocketing around the country in it - four not inconsiderably hefty blokes. I often sat in the back for journeys of two to three hours and it wasn’t a chore despite my being 6’4” - I am fairly sure the driving seat did shift forward....

  • @richardnevillewalker672
    @richardnevillewalker672 4 года назад

    Just about the best thing ever built out of bacofoil. I very nearly bought one in the mid-nineties and thought they were an absolute hoot to drive. Simple, cheap, willing - everything a fun small car should be.

  • @theothertonydutch
    @theothertonydutch 5 лет назад

    I had a mate whose roommate had a red one and he kept it running with peugeot parts. Even the seats were peugeot.
    It was basically a peugeot. Love the peel on the bonnet. 90's patina.

  • @chrisformby3039
    @chrisformby3039 5 лет назад +1

    Ian, you are the only person to drive in sandles, thank God.

  • @BobM925
    @BobM925 3 года назад

    I have a 5 door phase 1. The dash is made of the same stuff that the insert in chocolate boxes is made of, but worse. It's also a diesel. I utterly love it.
    Fully agree re the pedal box, it's bloody uncomfortable after a while.

  • @arkeys74
    @arkeys74 4 года назад

    Trailing arms and torsion bars at the rear gives brilliant boot space! 👍👍

  • @WWarped1
    @WWarped1 5 лет назад +12

    Oh the AX, well done on finding one. Such a great small car, full of flaws that can be so easily be over looked. It looks so much easier on the eye than it's relative the ZX that looks like fat AX that needs a diet. The BX that looks like the mature father figure, to the AX teenage antics. Great video.

    • @nealya1291
      @nealya1291 5 лет назад +1

      Oi, don't diss the ZX. I had a 1994 3dr Neon special edition from new - told the garage not to apply the Neon pink stripes tho, that would've spoilt the looks, with its larger and wider 14 inch wheels!Handled great through fast bends with passive rear wheel steering, and was punchy enough. Girl friend at the time bought a new AX1.0 ....both were chucked about.... Ahem.

    • @friedensgabel
      @friedensgabel 5 лет назад +1

      Oh, you gotta love all of 'em. The AX definitely is the cutest of the lot though, yes.

    • @utubeleplague
      @utubeleplague 5 лет назад

      Beauty is relative, but to me the ZX is one really beautiful car, especially in a sporty configuration and metallic blue color.

  • @stephenwhite9786
    @stephenwhite9786 5 лет назад

    I had an new AXGT - it was very, very quick and lots of fun on the autobahn during a road trip to Austria.

  • @ewaf88
    @ewaf88 3 года назад

    Again thanks for the link here. I somehow used to get my left foot comfortable on long drives. I seem to remember my rear window was designed differently. I'll try and find my photos from 1988