Citroen AX GT.......no idea what it's like!
Discussion
Kitchski said:
It wasn't just my car there, though. Oh no. There were plenty of other cars normal people don't give a fig about. Remember when S10GTA used to buy interesting cars, and then blog about them? Here's one that escaped!:
(I can't be arsed to find the thread, but it's now owned by one of the Practical Classics mag writers, and is often used as a shooting platform for snapping other classics on the move for features etc). Really nice XM, too! Far too nice for Simon....
Here you go.(I can't be arsed to find the thread, but it's now owned by one of the Practical Classics mag writers, and is often used as a shooting platform for snapping other classics on the move for features etc). Really nice XM, too! Far too nice for Simon....
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=118...
Was a good car, except for the engine and auto box. They were not a good combo. I should have held out for the V6.
And I'd argue the V70R is interesting.
S10GTA said:
Here you go.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=118...
Was a good car, except for the engine and auto box. They were not a good combo. I should have held out for the V6.
And I'd argue the V70R is interesting.
That was genuinely a good thread. Can only assume you got so bored, so quickly because you were trying to replace an Alfa 156 GTA with a 150bhp 2.0 auto http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=118...
Was a good car, except for the engine and auto box. They were not a good combo. I should have held out for the V6.
And I'd argue the V70R is interesting.
V70Rs are interesting compared to most German equivalents, but no where near an XM in terms of interestingness. You only have to read that thread to see how much it captivated the reader!
Great thread and road trip write-up!
Thanks for posting the picture of the Visa GTi - I had a near identical one about 20 years ago, so that brought back a few memories, not all of them good though (it was great when it worked, but it usually didn't). Glad to see Citroen improved the rust-proofing between the Visa and the AX - I remember cleaning the drainage channels around the sunroof and stopping when I realised the soft spongy stuff I was prodding was in fact the head lining. I painted it all with Hammerite, put the sunroof back in and never opened it again.
Thanks for posting the picture of the Visa GTi - I had a near identical one about 20 years ago, so that brought back a few memories, not all of them good though (it was great when it worked, but it usually didn't). Glad to see Citroen improved the rust-proofing between the Visa and the AX - I remember cleaning the drainage channels around the sunroof and stopping when I realised the soft spongy stuff I was prodding was in fact the head lining. I painted it all with Hammerite, put the sunroof back in and never opened it again.
Spumfry said:
Great thread and road trip write-up!
Thanks for posting the picture of the Visa GTi - I had a near identical one about 20 years ago, so that brought back a few memories, not all of them good though (it was great when it worked, but it usually didn't). Glad to see Citroen improved the rust-proofing between the Visa and the AX - I remember cleaning the drainage channels around the sunroof and stopping when I realised the soft spongy stuff I was prodding was in fact the head lining. I painted it all with Hammerite, put the sunroof back in and never opened it again.
Get your chequebook out then:Thanks for posting the picture of the Visa GTi - I had a near identical one about 20 years ago, so that brought back a few memories, not all of them good though (it was great when it worked, but it usually didn't). Glad to see Citroen improved the rust-proofing between the Visa and the AX - I remember cleaning the drainage channels around the sunroof and stopping when I realised the soft spongy stuff I was prodding was in fact the head lining. I painted it all with Hammerite, put the sunroof back in and never opened it again.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-Visa-GTI-RARE-/3...
And pop some brave pills
Kitchski said:
Get your chequebook out then:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-Visa-GTI-RARE-/3...
And pop some brave pills
Seriously, there are only two people on PH that i think would be daft enough to buy that! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Citroen-Visa-GTI-RARE-/3...
And pop some brave pills
So come on, Kitchski if you can't be tempted surely you can convince S10?
omgus said:
Seriously, there are only two people on PH that i think would be daft enough to buy that!
So come on, Kitchski if you can't be tempted surely you can convince S10?
I'd actually be quite tempted (though I can't lie, I'd go for a XU9 or even 16v conversion) if I didn't have all this other junk going on.So come on, Kitchski if you can't be tempted surely you can convince S10?
S10 is the type to buy something like that, knowing that he can't actually fix it himself.
Another brilliant thread Kitchski.
Cool car. My younger bro had a GT500 ? years ago. Black with green badge etc and leather trim. Maybe half leather actually. I went down the Vauxhall Nova route back in the day. The AX GT was still a rare delicacy around my way.
Look forward to seeing that rear bumper turn white again.
Cool car. My younger bro had a GT500 ? years ago. Black with green badge etc and leather trim. Maybe half leather actually. I went down the Vauxhall Nova route back in the day. The AX GT was still a rare delicacy around my way.
Look forward to seeing that rear bumper turn white again.
Looking forward to updates!Haven't been using the AX as much of late, mostly because it's been b
d hot and the Saab's air-con is SOOOOOOO bloody good! But what with the smokey-Joe start up smoke and the front suspension/steering knock, the AX isn't as satisfying to use daily as it should be.
That said, had a good run out through the Hampshire countryside last Sunday! Covered about 70 miles all in, which was surprising as I didn't feel I drove that far! Took the camera along for the ride:
The top picture was taken near Farley Mount, near Winchester. I used to go there all the time as a kid, and I've taken loads of pictures of various cars I've owned over the years at that very spot.
I have to be honest, I posed a question on a couple of FB groups that I frequent asking advice on potential value of the AX. Now I really don't want to sell it, but I have too many cars (have done for years, to be fair) and I could do with recouping some of the money I've laid out on them. We already have a Saxo in the ranks, so as painful as it was to write it, I asked what sort of values people would put on the car in its current condition. Ideas ranged from a troll who said no AX is worth more than £500 to someone who reckoned £3k! I'd love to buy into that, but I'm sure he was just being kind! Generally people were guessing around £1500-£2000, which sounds great considering mileage etc, but then I remember a rusted out project white AX GT went for £1600 a few months back, and that didn't even run! This one has a brilliant shell, great interior, good mechanicals and more history than you could shake a stick at......and it was at this point I decided I wanted to keep it again, as I know another one won't just be around the corner. It feels as if I sell this car, that's it for the AX GT chapter of my life.
Problem is, I probably am going to have to sell it at some point. Currently debating bunging it on eBay, warts 'n all, and kicking it off at the very least I'd want for it. If it goes, then it was financially worthwhile. If it doesn't, I get to keep it.....but might have to sell another car.
Bit of a crap car time at the moment for me, but looking forward to the 4th September, as the beardys at the Citroen Car Club have arranged a 'Parking with planes' event, where you rock up at a museum in Coventry full of planes, and park your old Citroen among them for the day. I'm planning to take the AX and the BX to this, so hopefully that'll be a day I'll remember
d hot and the Saab's air-con is SOOOOOOO bloody good! But what with the smokey-Joe start up smoke and the front suspension/steering knock, the AX isn't as satisfying to use daily as it should be.That said, had a good run out through the Hampshire countryside last Sunday! Covered about 70 miles all in, which was surprising as I didn't feel I drove that far! Took the camera along for the ride:
The top picture was taken near Farley Mount, near Winchester. I used to go there all the time as a kid, and I've taken loads of pictures of various cars I've owned over the years at that very spot.
I have to be honest, I posed a question on a couple of FB groups that I frequent asking advice on potential value of the AX. Now I really don't want to sell it, but I have too many cars (have done for years, to be fair) and I could do with recouping some of the money I've laid out on them. We already have a Saxo in the ranks, so as painful as it was to write it, I asked what sort of values people would put on the car in its current condition. Ideas ranged from a troll who said no AX is worth more than £500 to someone who reckoned £3k! I'd love to buy into that, but I'm sure he was just being kind! Generally people were guessing around £1500-£2000, which sounds great considering mileage etc, but then I remember a rusted out project white AX GT went for £1600 a few months back, and that didn't even run! This one has a brilliant shell, great interior, good mechanicals and more history than you could shake a stick at......and it was at this point I decided I wanted to keep it again, as I know another one won't just be around the corner. It feels as if I sell this car, that's it for the AX GT chapter of my life.
Problem is, I probably am going to have to sell it at some point. Currently debating bunging it on eBay, warts 'n all, and kicking it off at the very least I'd want for it. If it goes, then it was financially worthwhile. If it doesn't, I get to keep it.....but might have to sell another car.
Bit of a crap car time at the moment for me, but looking forward to the 4th September, as the beardys at the Citroen Car Club have arranged a 'Parking with planes' event, where you rock up at a museum in Coventry full of planes, and park your old Citroen among them for the day. I'm planning to take the AX and the BX to this, so hopefully that'll be a day I'll remember
Hrimfaxi said:
Did anyone else spot the RS200 in the background on page 2? What's the story with that?
Sorry I missed that! It wasn't an actual RS200, all is revealed here: What's the story with that? https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.56251253...
Quick update time!
Got around a bit in the AX at the end of August/beginning of September. First off, it was a trip to Bruntingthorpe in order to have my ears completely ruined by some noisy cold war jets (the best type of jets):
Trip there and back covered with no drama at all. Went with a mate who commented on the way back "It's done pretty well, this!" Once again, mid 40's to the gallon. Trip was worth it, partly for the comedy of the Stag driver in front, who kept stopping in the queue to pester marshalls to let him park near the planes (he ended up with the AX and all us other peasants) but mostly for the portly young guy guiding the traffic in through the gate, who upon spotting the GT seemed to have a man-crisis and came running ever with the greatest smile I've ever seen in Leicestershire (possibly), because "I haven't seen one of those in AGES!"
Guy in the Stag didn't get his own mini-welcome party, did he? I do like Stags though.
The next day, I went to a local sleepy car show in Gosport. It's a lovely location (first time anybody's ever scribed that about Gosport), overlooking the Solent, and really has plenty of potential. Sadly, the organisation isn't what you'd class as 'dynamic'! I'm not even sure they know what Facebook is.
Took the AX down, along with the TVR. Had a couple of older sniffy types moaning that it shouldn't be in a classic car show, but then to be honest I wasn't fussed - I took it there for the reason I used to take my BX: Ease! It's a base, you can get a picnic out etc, gives the kids somewhere to sit when they get bored. I only gave it a really brief clean, mostly because I didn't want to take the piss. I'm not a showy-polishy kind of car guy, I like driving them. And taking crap photos of my own!
Speaking of photos, I followed it down the road for the first time that morning. My missus was given the option of the TVR with the heavy steering, heavy clutch, stiff gear lever and poor visibility, or the AX. She took the AX!
Have to admit, I thought it looked really cool from behind. Rear bumper looks a lot more damaged than I thought it would as the shadows pick it all up a bit, but generally it looked very cool from where I was sat!
Show went like this:
A photo my 7yr old, Liam, grabbed on his own little camera:
We did have a lady walk up with her kids though. She was pretty excited from what I've been told, and was telling her kids about how this was her first car, so it was worth taking it
The following weekend, more miles for the AX! This was an event I'd really been looking forward to though. I mentioned before the 'Parking with Planes', and I'd planned to be adventurous and take two cars up to Coventry, which again led to my wife having to do the automotive equivalent of choosing which limb she'd like removed more, and choose to pilot an AX or a BX. She chose BX this time. She chose well
We made a right little day of it. I'm mad into my planes, and my kids (7yr old twin boys, and a 4yr old boy) do the natural thing of latching on to whatever their parents like, so they quite like them too. They also love going in both these cars, so it was a fun day all round, other than for the fact I get quite a few anxiety problems, and was having to deal with the fact I knew that my whole world was basically riding up in two near-30 year old Citroens on busy motorways covering just under 300miles. Breakdowns, crashes....whatever, I was worrying most of the way there! But, the cars didn't let me down, as usual.
First stop (4yr old has a bladder the size of a Babybel), Cheiveley services. Obligatory sad-bd shot obtained:
The boys were grabbing shots all the way too:
Not sure if deliberate arty-shot by potentially genius 7 yr old, or just bad focus....:
There are a number of planes I love that I knew were at the Museum, so was happy to get to park next to one of them:
Again, no trouble at all on the trip, from either car too. I'm now at the stage with the AX where I'd happily attempt to drive it anywhere. They may be rattly, but they always get you where you want to go, and you've got to be REALLY unlucky to not make it to your destination!
There was a plan to finish off the 1000 mile marker with a trip to Little Horwood for the Chevrons rally, but I decided to can that idea on the night before as I'd been spending lots of weekends driving around at that time! That particular show was just a case of driving there and standing in a field (no planes in sight!) so I spent the day with the kids again
Since then, I've been shopping for AX bits again. The knock from the front end has got much worse, again. I can't keep driving it like this, but I *think* I might have figured out what the issue is. A new steering rack and inner tie rod set has been purchased £55....for the whole lot, new! I've also sourced a used steering column which is much lower mileage, with the hope that I can get rid of the play in the upper column. Sadly, the replacement has arrived also with loads of play (after I asked the seller to check it - you can't miss it!), but speaking to a guy with a very tidy GT at the planes event, he said that he thinks they have play in until you bolt them in. Can't see how it would work like that, but he's a knowledgeable guy and he's done it before, so I'm putting my faith in his words!
I've also got to do the valve stem seals. The AX was parked in my street for a week or two up until the weekend just gone, so it was more fun than normal getting it started (carb + mechanical fuel pump mounted on engine, and no non-return valve on system - win). Once it did fire, I managed to almost gas a poor little girl who just happened to be riding past on her pike to death! LOTS of smoke. We're talking Deltic diesel locomotive levels of clag. The seals need changing, as they aren't doing much sealing!
That is, unless you read Classic Car Weekly. If you read Classic Car Weekly, I've already done them:
Yup, I submitted it to the experts for valuation. I am going to end up selling the car, there's no question on that now. I wanted to get some idea of values, even though it's a very tough car to appraise (as he writes in the piece). I have too many cars, I've overstretched myself and I need to reign it in a bit. I had most of the year with the AX and I've massively enjoyed doing what I've done. I don't know how soon it will need to go, but I know I've got to do the rack and the valve seals, so there will be some more oily installments coming up yet!
Got around a bit in the AX at the end of August/beginning of September. First off, it was a trip to Bruntingthorpe in order to have my ears completely ruined by some noisy cold war jets (the best type of jets):
Trip there and back covered with no drama at all. Went with a mate who commented on the way back "It's done pretty well, this!" Once again, mid 40's to the gallon. Trip was worth it, partly for the comedy of the Stag driver in front, who kept stopping in the queue to pester marshalls to let him park near the planes (he ended up with the AX and all us other peasants) but mostly for the portly young guy guiding the traffic in through the gate, who upon spotting the GT seemed to have a man-crisis and came running ever with the greatest smile I've ever seen in Leicestershire (possibly), because "I haven't seen one of those in AGES!"
Guy in the Stag didn't get his own mini-welcome party, did he?
I do like Stags though.The next day, I went to a local sleepy car show in Gosport. It's a lovely location (first time anybody's ever scribed that about Gosport), overlooking the Solent, and really has plenty of potential. Sadly, the organisation isn't what you'd class as 'dynamic'! I'm not even sure they know what Facebook is.
Took the AX down, along with the TVR. Had a couple of older sniffy types moaning that it shouldn't be in a classic car show, but then to be honest I wasn't fussed - I took it there for the reason I used to take my BX: Ease! It's a base, you can get a picnic out etc, gives the kids somewhere to sit when they get bored. I only gave it a really brief clean, mostly because I didn't want to take the piss. I'm not a showy-polishy kind of car guy, I like driving them. And taking crap photos of my own!
Speaking of photos, I followed it down the road for the first time that morning. My missus was given the option of the TVR with the heavy steering, heavy clutch, stiff gear lever and poor visibility, or the AX. She took the AX!
Have to admit, I thought it looked really cool from behind. Rear bumper looks a lot more damaged than I thought it would as the shadows pick it all up a bit, but generally it looked very cool from where I was sat!
Show went like this:
A photo my 7yr old, Liam, grabbed on his own little camera:
We did have a lady walk up with her kids though. She was pretty excited from what I've been told, and was telling her kids about how this was her first car, so it was worth taking it
The following weekend, more miles for the AX! This was an event I'd really been looking forward to though. I mentioned before the 'Parking with Planes', and I'd planned to be adventurous and take two cars up to Coventry, which again led to my wife having to do the automotive equivalent of choosing which limb she'd like removed more, and choose to pilot an AX or a BX. She chose BX this time. She chose well
We made a right little day of it. I'm mad into my planes, and my kids (7yr old twin boys, and a 4yr old boy) do the natural thing of latching on to whatever their parents like, so they quite like them too. They also love going in both these cars, so it was a fun day all round, other than for the fact I get quite a few anxiety problems, and was having to deal with the fact I knew that my whole world was basically riding up in two near-30 year old Citroens on busy motorways covering just under 300miles. Breakdowns, crashes....whatever, I was worrying most of the way there! But, the cars didn't let me down, as usual.
First stop (4yr old has a bladder the size of a Babybel), Cheiveley services. Obligatory sad-b
d shot obtained:The boys were grabbing shots all the way too:
Not sure if deliberate arty-shot by potentially genius 7 yr old, or just bad focus....:
There are a number of planes I love that I knew were at the Museum, so was happy to get to park next to one of them:
Again, no trouble at all on the trip, from either car too. I'm now at the stage with the AX where I'd happily attempt to drive it anywhere. They may be rattly, but they always get you where you want to go, and you've got to be REALLY unlucky to not make it to your destination!
There was a plan to finish off the 1000 mile marker with a trip to Little Horwood for the Chevrons rally, but I decided to can that idea on the night before as I'd been spending lots of weekends driving around at that time! That particular show was just a case of driving there and standing in a field (no planes in sight!) so I spent the day with the kids again
Since then, I've been shopping for AX bits again. The knock from the front end has got much worse, again. I can't keep driving it like this, but I *think* I might have figured out what the issue is. A new steering rack and inner tie rod set has been purchased £55....for the whole lot, new! I've also sourced a used steering column which is much lower mileage, with the hope that I can get rid of the play in the upper column. Sadly, the replacement has arrived also with loads of play (after I asked the seller to check it - you can't miss it!), but speaking to a guy with a very tidy GT at the planes event, he said that he thinks they have play in until you bolt them in. Can't see how it would work like that, but he's a knowledgeable guy and he's done it before, so I'm putting my faith in his words!
I've also got to do the valve stem seals. The AX was parked in my street for a week or two up until the weekend just gone, so it was more fun than normal getting it started (carb + mechanical fuel pump mounted on engine, and no non-return valve on system - win). Once it did fire, I managed to almost gas a poor little girl who just happened to be riding past on her pike to death! LOTS of smoke. We're talking Deltic diesel locomotive levels of clag. The seals need changing, as they aren't doing much sealing!
That is, unless you read Classic Car Weekly. If you read Classic Car Weekly, I've already done them:
Yup, I submitted it to the experts for valuation. I am going to end up selling the car, there's no question on that now. I wanted to get some idea of values, even though it's a very tough car to appraise (as he writes in the piece). I have too many cars, I've overstretched myself and I need to reign it in a bit. I had most of the year with the AX and I've massively enjoyed doing what I've done. I don't know how soon it will need to go, but I know I've got to do the rack and the valve seals, so there will be some more oily installments coming up yet!
Edited by Kitchski on Monday 19th September 21:22
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