BY JONATHAN CROUCH
On the lookout for a Supermini bargain? Then it's hard to better Citroen's little AX. Now replaced by the bigger Saxo, it makes plenty of sense for the small car buyer, particularly as there are plenty around - at tempting prices.
A little car that's miserly at the pumps, but a whole lot of fun out on the open road. That suspension isn't as complicated as larger Citroens but it still irons out bumps with the composure of much larger cars. And because an AX tends to be lighter than comparable Superminis (and feels it), the car tends to feel a lot more responsive than the engine output would suggest. The 1991 facelift brought better brakes, a more modern dashboard and subtle bodywork changes. Theres also improved sound insulation, which was welcomed by most buyers.
You'll probably recognise these cars by their clear front indicator lenses. Unfortunately, those clever Perrier bottle holders in the doors found in the original design went west with the spruce-up.
Don't let any seller tell you that special editions are worth more; they're not. In fact, in 1994 and 1995, numerous new AXs were limited run specials, with fancy names like Memphis, Dimension, Jazz, Salsa, Cascade, Splash - I could go on, but you get the picture. Citroen are renowned as serial limited edition producers, and most of the changes are limited to fancy decals and minor equipment variations. The AX is still a reasonable runabout and you wont have to part with very much money to get hold of one.
Check for minor dents and signs of kerbing on the wheeltrims. Galvanised panels mean that rust shouldn't be too much of a problem, so any that you do find probably points to accident damage. Interior trim quality is far from the highest and should be checked for damage.
(approx based on a 1990 AX 1.0 excl VAT) An exhaust system is about £140. A clutch assembly will be around £100 and an alternator should be close to £100 (exchange). A radiator is around £100, a starter motor about £100 and a front headlamp around £85.
Front and rear brake pads will cost you something like £45 each
All the engines on offer feel perky - including the diesels. Later models got Peugeot's 1.5-litre normally aspirated diesel (there was never a turbo version), which felt faster than 5bhp and 6.5lbft power and torque increases would suggest. The straight figures reveal that it`s capable of topping 98mph and making sixty from rest in 12.7 seconds. On the road where it counts, the AX in this form is actually a serious middle-lane hustler, with overtaking requiring less forward planning than most rivals. So much so in fact, that if you're a sporty driver and can't afford to insure the GT and GTi models, you don't need to feel too hard done by. Later models, as I've suggested, were certainly quieter, a fact you can put down to either a more refined engine or better sound deadening; Citroen wont care which. Criticisms are limited to a touch of nose heaviness - the steering loads up quickly when youre cornering hard. Few potential owners are likely to drive in this fashion, however. Youll be more interested in the fuel economy of course, which Citroen claims is up to 78.5mpg in diesel variants. Most owners are more likely to achieve just over 60mpg in day-to-day use - but thats still pretty creditable.
The AX makes plenty of sense as a first car or an extra family runabout. There's little to go wrong and lots of fun to be had if you enjoy your driving. Just dont expect post millennium style refinement or trim quality. Still, "Vive la difference".
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