Citroen AX 10e (1990 3-door) (Citroën AX)

Member Name: benedwards64

Product:	Citroën AX
Date:	08/03/09 (126 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very cheap, huge fun

Disadvantages: Basic, ugly

Background
I was given my AX as my first car. It was a 1991 10e poverty-spec model with a 954cc 45bhp engine married to a four-speed gearbox. It had a chequered past, 54k on the clock, and was a lovely shade of maroon.

Equipment:
There was very little to it. It had a four speed gearbox, wind-up windows, no rev-counter, no temperature gauge, no power steering, in fact it didn't even have a cigarett lighter socket! The stereo was basic but it worked, although the twin speakers in the back were pretty tinny.

Interior:
the interior was well thought-out but very basic. The dashboard was boxy, the speedo easy to read as it was the only dial there (apart from the fuel gauge), but there was plenty of storage space. The seats were very comfortable but lacked adjustment and the single spoke steering wheel was worryingly flimsy. Howver, there was plenty of space, the rear seats could fold flat or even be removed in a matter of seconds (it was put together like a mechano car) and the boot was a decent enough size. Mine didn't even have inertia-reel seatbelts in the back though.

Exterior:
It was very basic, with grey plastic bumpers and steel wheels. Rust was also a problem, with a little coming through at the arches, but the floor of the boot had practically caved in by the time I sold it. Panels were thin and dented easily, and the plastic bootlid was very flimsy and not exactly secure.

Mechanical:
The engine was very sturdy, and surprisingly sprightly for such a small unit. the gearbox was a little vague, but had typical french long-ratios. The non-power-assisted steering was still light, due mainly to skinny tyres and a light-weight car. The brakes were firm with a good feel to them, although they were scarily underpowered when there were four people in the car.

Driving:
My poverty-spec AX was incredibly light (less than 700kg), so despite the tiny engine it was enormous fun to drive. The comedy soft suspension had very long travel, so ride quality was brilliant but cornering was scary. The clutch was heavy with a very long travel, and the gearbox a little vague, although surprisingly long-legged for a 4-speed, so motorway cruising was fine, if a little noisy (there was no sound-proofing worth noting).
Parking was easy - it is a very square car with a tiny turning circle and good visibility.
Mine had a manual chike, which took a bit of juggling at times but jept the car nice and simple.

Reliability:
The whole car had an air of flimsiness to it, but was so basic that there wasn't anything to really go wrong. I had to replace both fron drive-shafts as they are a known weak point, but otherwise just replaced service parts in the time I had it.

Running costs:
Insurance is minimal (group 3 I think) and tax is cheap. As I'm sure you can imagine, it is very economical being so light and underpowered. Service parts from Citroen are hugely expensive, but there are plenty of pattern parts and second-hand parts available. The 135x13 tyres can be had for as little as £25 a corner. I sold mine for £200, so they can be had for very little as well.

Overview:
This car is incredibly cheap motoring and well suited to a first-time driver on a budget. It is also incredibly good fun thanks to its comedy suspension, light weight, and general basicness.

Summary: Cheap and cheerful. Fun to drive and easy on the wallet.

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