AX for Daughters

Robin · Unread post by **Robin** » 21 Nov 2004, 19:13

OK, so it has been confirmed that the latest 'cool' car is the AX.
Daughters one and two are learning to drive and the AX is the right size and I think I can afford one of them! Just watched one go on E bay for £155.
So what do I need to look out for?
Is the 954cc engine good for 100,000 plus assuming good service history?
Were these cars galvanised?
Which is the model with all the goodies on?
Don't want a GTI because of learner driver insurance. Over to you ...
[:D]
Cheers all, Robin

Unread post by **martyhopkirk** » 21 Nov 2004, 22:59

Good luck - I have been looking for a good 1.5 diesel for what seems like yonks with little sucess. The Memphis is nicely loaded with C/L S/R and Ef/W. Yes they were galvanised, but still rust if this is compromised. Like all cars, service histort (inc oil changes every 6K) are what to look for and the 954cc will do 100K + miles if looked after.
Its finding a GOOD one thats hard.

Robin · Unread post by **Robin** » 21 Nov 2004, 23:58

Marty, I had not given the AX a thought to be honest until I was badgered to look for one. There are few on E bay but I am waiting for one to come up near here, Cambridgeshire. I had assumed they would use their mothers car but an elderly Saab is not considered 'cool'.
I guess they have different uses for the back seat compared to my day. Just as well I guess. Mind you they are 18 and 21 so nothing we can do in that sector that they have not already tried I guess!!
At least I can now look for a Memphis. Cheers Marty and good hunting for yours too. Robin

Unread post by **cheesesliceking** » 21 Nov 2004, 23:59

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Robin

OK, so it has been confirmed that the latest 'cool' car is the AX.
Daughters one and two are learning to drive and the AX is the right size and I think I can afford one of them! Just watched one go on E bay for £155.
So what do I need to look out for?
Is the 954cc engine good for 100,000 plus assuming good service history?
Were these cars galvanised?
Which is the model with all the goodies on?
Don't want a GTI because of learner driver insurance. Over to you ...
[:D]
Cheers all, Robin
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Apart from the normal used car stuff look out for Rust on the boot floor, Rust behind drivers headlight near w/screen filler bottle, loose drivers seats, rust around filler cap. The body panels are pretty thin so dont be surpised to see a few dents etc.
The GT (1.4 carb), GTI (1.4i) & Forte (1.1i & possibly 1,4i too?) came with the goodies, electric windows, central locking, sunroof, Bodykit, alloys (GT & GTi), front foglights, rear spolier, sporty seats (GT & GTi)less bare metal inside door & pillars etc.
GT Insurance Group 9
GTi Ins Grp 11
Forte Ins grp 6
all three are pretty fuel efficient & look good with L pates..
This explains it a bit better:
http://www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/carre ... nge_id=271
[:D]

JSP_AX · Unread post by **JSP_AX** » 22 Nov 2004, 02:23

www.axownersclub.com
Ax's rule i have a 1.5 diesel and it goes like stink when it winds up being a diseasal lol
on the lookout for a 1.1i forte but its proving to be very rare,
a word of caution check on the drivers side of the head for an oil leak its a comman problem that the head gaskets go but only have a small oil leak and don't show any other symptoms ie: overheating, white gunk on oil filler cap and oil in water. mines been leaking oil for the last 10k miles might adventually get round to getting it done.
I am also 17 and theyr'e definatly cool cuz theyr'e unusual
I LUV MY AX!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pat · Unread post by **Pat** » 22 Nov 2004, 03:28

I'm glad to know that the ax is the new cool car.
I had a 1.4 diesel ax with all the goodies in Spain for 10 years . I bought it new and travelled from Spain to England various times with my 2 small daughters in car seats plus all the luggage ( no roofrack nor trailer ) and it went great till it fell foul of the dreaded head gasket thingy but I kept on driving it for 6 months with the gasket shot, water pouring out of the overflow on the expansion tank filling it up every 5 - 6 miles. I eventually took the rad cap off , run it without pressurising the cooling system topped it up every 4 miles or so (fun in the winter as Madrid can get below freezing! ) and I used it every day for 3 or months . Ok I had to have a 5 litre bottle of water with me ,but it was a testimony to just how strong these liitle motors are.
As for rust in Spain you don't see rust anywhere, even at 10 years old.Car was pristine and it still had the original exhaust after 150,000 miles. Can anyone beat that? I always likes it , my mates thought it was rubbish.
By the way it always averaged 60 mpg. even when shot!!

gardenpeas · Unread post by **gardenpeas** » 22 Nov 2004, 03:57

good choice ax a brilliant first car mine was a dimension lasted to years many crashes it still goes but only three gears in the box now not four. got a spree now the one litre engine has plenty of power done 350 mile journey's with no problems
would suggest get good front tyres michelin the best as they do plough round corners badly on cheap tyres

mbunting · Unread post by **mbunting** » 22 Nov 2004, 11:55

Yep,
I've had a Xantia TD, a 405 TD, and the AX 1.5D
Ax is a nice cheap car to run, plenty of rattles, but in very good condition ( inside & out ) for 243k miles.
More comfortable than the 405, but obviously not the Xantia !
35 litres of diesel lasts me anywhere between 500 and 650 miles depending on how I drive it. My current average is about 68mpg.
To give you an idea, we managed to travel back from Inverness to Sheffield on 3/4 of a tank.
However, in a front end crash, I'd like to be sat in the boot before I hit, and in a rear end crash, I'd like to be on the bonnet beforehand ! Thin panels & light weight = tin can !!!

madasafish · Unread post by **madasafish** » 22 Nov 2004, 13:55

Well I would suspect a Peugeot 106 will last bodily better than an AX and have better crash protection. But if your daughters insist on an AX so be it:-)

jonathan_dyane · Unread post by **jonathan_dyane** » 22 Nov 2004, 16:43

Hi Marty,
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by martyhopkirk
[br Yes they were galvanised, but still rust if this is compromised.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I must say, I'm pretty sure the AX wasn't galvanised, although with a little care rust shouldn't be a problem. Back inner wings can sometimes be tricky.
PS, I take it you've decided not to sort the ZX then?

Unread post by **martyhopkirk** » 22 Nov 2004, 23:07

I was informed the later ones were (or at least benefited from the hot dip process or something - I have a 96 Citroen range brochure somehere so i will check that.) - Could have been misinformed.
Nope the ZX has finaly shot itself in the foot by busting both door locks on the same day.
Came back to it after work to find the Central Locking had activated itself and I had to climb in through the boot.

rossnunn · Unread post by **rossnunn** » 22 Nov 2004, 23:12

Never did like the AX's tailgate, always thought if I owned one I'd end up slamming it too hard and watching the rear glass pour all over my feet.

Unread post by **cheesesliceking** » 23 Nov 2004, 17:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by madasafish

Well I would suspect a Peugeot 106 will last bodily better than an AX and have better crash protection. But if your daughters insist on an AX so be it:-)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
no difference in crash protection,,, being as its the same car.[:)]

allmond · Unread post by **allmond** » 23 Nov 2004, 18:30

Surely the 106 is the same as the Saxo, not the AX?
Jamie

madasafish · Unread post by **madasafish** » 23 Nov 2004, 19:18

106= Saxo yes.