1988 Citroen AX 10E Splash 1.0

Summary:

Very satisfactory small car: economical and nippy

Faults:

Dodgy electrics.

Rear brake valve seized.

Weak handbrake.

Minor rust.

General Comments:

This has been my first car and so far it hasn't let me down.

The car seems very economical and is quite cheap to run.

Performance is OK for a 1 litre. Acceleration is fairly nippy and it copes OK with motorway speeds of 70mph+.

It is very underpowered once you have 4 people in it or heavier loads in the back.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 9th January, 2002

1988 Citroen AX RE 1.1

Summary:

A very economical, fun, first car

Faults:

The engine head warped due to excess heat, a result of the fan connection falling out of it's socket. The head gasket blew because of this warping, at 102000 miles.

The coil failed at 103000 miles.

Brake disc's and pad's replaced at 103500 miles.

General Comments:

The Citroen Ax is a very economical car.

It is very easy to drive, the steering is light and very responsive.

The suspension is too soft, therefore the ride can be uncomfortable.

There is a lot of space in the cabin for such a small car.

It's mechanically very simple, and can be repaired at home easily.

Since the above repairs it has started every time, first time.

Acceleration is poor and this makes overtaking very difficult.

The four gears are good for town, but struggle on the motorway.

Torque at low speeds in second and fourth gear is very poor.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th June, 2001

1988 Citroen AX 11 tre en vogue 1.1

Summary:

Unfortunately it's a bit girly

Faults:

It used to overheat at high speeds, this was down to a crook head gasket. Once replaced the car ran perfectly. This was at over 80000 miles. According to the service history, that was first head gasket problem. No other problems.

General Comments:

It's a bit small, but I am 6'2".

Great economic little runner.

Inside nice. Rquipped with electric windows and central locking to make life easier.

Very quick!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th April, 2001

1988 Citroen AX GT 1.4 petrol

Summary:

Bazza boy beater

Faults:

Well nothing yet, I just have a knocking noise on the gear box when changing gears and I was wondering if this is normal on the mk1 AX's. If you know email me on metal_belly@yahoo.co.uk.

Apart from that I'm a hells angel in it.

General Comments:

Cool car, nice suspension, very comfy for a small car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th March, 2001

1988 Citroen AX 11 TRE 1.1

Summary:

Bargain!

Faults:

Electrical faults concerning the headlights.

A jerky motion when accelerating hard.

General Comments:

Nippy, shifty and if you're a young first time driver, get one.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th February, 2001

1988 Citroen AX GT 1.4 petrol

Summary:

AX GT - I love you!

Faults:

New CV joints.

Head gasket blew.

General Comments:

I wanted one for ages, and when I got a mint one I was WELL happy.

I put a Pipercross on it too which made it even better!!!

Best car I've ever had - I've got a Saxo VTR now, but the AX is quicker!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th January, 2001

23rd Jan 2001, 14:36

I have an AX and raced a VTR, and know which is quicker as I left it behind. £700 as opposed to £6000, I know which one I'd choose.

30th Jun 2001, 12:49

AXGTs are the most underrated car ever!! Cheaper than a VTR, much quicker and not nearly as common. Great cars.

23rd Oct 2006, 13:44

I also have an AX GT, but I have decided to put a saxo cup engine on it :) 140hp!! I'm Portuguese, in VDG (bridge Vasco Da Gama) I have a top speed of 250km/h. Citroen rules!!

1988 Citroen AX TZS 1.4

Summary:

Small and smart pocket rocket

Faults:

Overheating.

CV joints.

Wheel bearings.

Fuel pump.

General Comments:

Very fun and quick car to drive. Better performance with a powerflow exhaust and performance airfilter.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th December, 2000

1988 Citroen AX TRE 4-door 1.1 petrol

Summary:

A good economy super-mini

Faults:

Seized brake calliper - 61,000 miles.

Cracked distributor cap.

Re-conditioned gearbox and a new clutch at 67,500 miles.

Two new exhaust boxes.

Broken weld on the driver's seat.

General Comments:

Far less rust prone than most British contemporary super-minis.

Has never broken down, very quick and nippy around town.

Comfortable seats, quite good quality trim and a soft suspension with bags of grip.

Still gives superb economy on motorway runs, 50+ mpg.

Overall, reasonable performance and cheap to run and insure.

Rear seats fold down to provide plenty of space.

However, parts are too expensive and sometimes require unusual tools.

Uses quite a lot of choke on short urban runs.

A little noisy at high speed and prone to wheelslip in the wet and bodyroll when pushed hard.

Tends to sit on its springs when loaded with 4 adults.

I still prefer driving it to comparable Fiesta/Novas of a similar vintage because of the easy gear change and the quick acceleration.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th November, 2000

21st Aug 2002, 19:19

Update - sadly the AX committed suicide in January 2001. A fire developed in the engine bay some 15-30 minutes after being parked up (after a fast 110 mile run). No idea why. A real pity, as it was going very well at 78,000 miles and there was virtually no corrosion anywhere.