My "2025" Citroen Ami..
Discussion
Evening all,
Apologies in advance, but I think it's been a few years since someone has posted one of these in here. Long story short, I had a Twizy 5 years ago and absolutely loved it, but sold it when we had a baby on the way, as it appeared it wasn't going to be used. I always regretted it, though, as it was great to drive and always got a lot of attention, even when next to much more expensive metal.
Recently, I considered purchasing another Twizy, but the expensive charger and brake failures became more prevalent as the vehicles have aged. I then randomly stumbled on the "Ami Summer" deals, which Citroen had advertised - costs were circa £700 down and £3.50 per month (!) for a 12-month PCP, or what I did, which was £50 deposit and 11*£65.
I thought about it for about 5 minutes and pressed the button on the base model, expecting all to be sold out as there was a bit of a buzz on social media, but in reality, I assume not many actually went through with it, and my order was accepted. This was 30/06 with an estimated 4-5 week delivery. I didn't really know what I would use the car for, but it was too cheap to turn down / try out, and I could at least run it to the station once a week!
I joined an Ami Facebook page and found a lot of discussion around the promotion. It was soon confirmed that Citroën was shifting old stock, and these were actually cars built in 2022/23. The first few deliveries encountered issues, including slipping drive belts and rusty wheels. There were also delays in deliveries, and eventually they pulled all deliveries to sort the cars out before they were delivered.
Eventually, I had the car booked to be delivered in early September, so it was an 8-week wait in the end. I, along with others, have also been offered a £250 "goodwill" payment for the delay, potential minor marks and damage on the car when it was delivered. Effectively reducing the cost of the year by a third if it appears in my bank after 14 days as promised.
Anyway, a couple of photos are below, and I will no doubt update this with my thoughts and likely make a few changes along the way, as I can't leave anything alone.
Apologies in advance, but I think it's been a few years since someone has posted one of these in here. Long story short, I had a Twizy 5 years ago and absolutely loved it, but sold it when we had a baby on the way, as it appeared it wasn't going to be used. I always regretted it, though, as it was great to drive and always got a lot of attention, even when next to much more expensive metal.
Recently, I considered purchasing another Twizy, but the expensive charger and brake failures became more prevalent as the vehicles have aged. I then randomly stumbled on the "Ami Summer" deals, which Citroen had advertised - costs were circa £700 down and £3.50 per month (!) for a 12-month PCP, or what I did, which was £50 deposit and 11*£65.
I thought about it for about 5 minutes and pressed the button on the base model, expecting all to be sold out as there was a bit of a buzz on social media, but in reality, I assume not many actually went through with it, and my order was accepted. This was 30/06 with an estimated 4-5 week delivery. I didn't really know what I would use the car for, but it was too cheap to turn down / try out, and I could at least run it to the station once a week!
I joined an Ami Facebook page and found a lot of discussion around the promotion. It was soon confirmed that Citroën was shifting old stock, and these were actually cars built in 2022/23. The first few deliveries encountered issues, including slipping drive belts and rusty wheels. There were also delays in deliveries, and eventually they pulled all deliveries to sort the cars out before they were delivered.
Eventually, I had the car booked to be delivered in early September, so it was an 8-week wait in the end. I, along with others, have also been offered a £250 "goodwill" payment for the delay, potential minor marks and damage on the car when it was delivered. Effectively reducing the cost of the year by a third if it appears in my bank after 14 days as promised.
Anyway, a couple of photos are below, and I will no doubt update this with my thoughts and likely make a few changes along the way, as I can't leave anything alone.
SirGriffin said:
That's awesome, may I ask where you got the deal, and if it's still being offered?
Look forward to seeing how you get on with this, I think one of these would suit a lot of my needs.
It was direct via Citroen, they literally threw out a discount code which took £3500 off the RRP! Unfortunately, they have now sold all 150, and it's a waiting list, but I have heard of a few people cancelling, so it could be worth an email. Send me a DM and I can forward the details.Look forward to seeing how you get on with this, I think one of these would suit a lot of my needs.
bennno said:
Cancelled my order, some horror stories about drive belts and rust on stock that had sat in the ports for 2-3 years
I was tempted to cancel, as I said, I don't really know what I will use it for, but I thought I'd stick with it given how cheap it was.The drive belt has been replaced (I'm told, as it was the main source of complaints), but it is slightly slipping, which is annoying. I am going to see how it goes, maybe investigate it myself or tighten it if out of spec.
As for rust, there are minor amounts on the chassis, but I'm confident it will last for at least 12 months. Otherwise, it's in much better shape than I thought it could be, given all the horror stories and the fact that they have promised a goodwill payment. Certainly doesn't look like it has been sat outside in the elements for 2 years.
So £515 for a whole year of use? Sounds madly cheap! I’d put up with a bit of rust underneath for that. Though the drive belt thing sounds annoying. Fascinated to see how this works out. It’s a car that I have no use for at all but can’t help be intrigued by. Saw one of the Fiat versions in France a few weeks ago and thought it looked brilliant.
Gad-Westy said:
So £515 for a whole year of use? Sounds madly cheap! I’d put up with a bit of rust underneath for that. Though the drive belt thing sounds annoying. Fascinated to see how this works out. It’s a car that I have no use for at all but can’t help be intrigued by. Saw one of the Fiat versions in France a few weeks ago and thought it looked brilliant.
Yeah, exactly that! I guess they really wanted rid of them and quick.. I've had to insure it obviously (£200), but it still seems like a very good deal to me.
It's probably a good thing that I didn't see these deals advertised or I might have ended up with yet another car that doesn't have a purpose! But at that sort money, who cares? People spend far more on Sky packages than that!
We did something not totally dissimilar around 15 years ago with a new Smart FourTwo. Seem to remember it being £100 up front and 2 years of £78 per month. 10k per annum limit. Was a fun 'experiment'.
We did something not totally dissimilar around 15 years ago with a new Smart FourTwo. Seem to remember it being £100 up front and 2 years of £78 per month. 10k per annum limit. Was a fun 'experiment'.
ferret50 said:
Are these limited to 35mph or so, please?
That seems to be the issue with similar vehicles in France, often have an impatient tailback of 44tonne lorries!
Err, yea 28mph. Though I have seen a touch over 30 downhill already!That seems to be the issue with similar vehicles in France, often have an impatient tailback of 44tonne lorries!
It is annoying, as my Twizy did 58mph (not sure if it should have done, as it was "mapped"), but I don't think it was an issue, as I think it was a "heavy quad" which doesn't have such a low speed limit. You can de-limit the Ami, but I think its against the law / wouldn't be insured.
Back when I was 16 I had a scooter.
I remember it feeling dangerous limited to 30. Once delimited it would do 45 and that was much more sensible. No 20 zones back then either so you needed atleast 35mph just in order not to impede everyday traffic.
28 in a 40 is at risk of being overtaken by keen cyclists.
I remember it feeling dangerous limited to 30. Once delimited it would do 45 and that was much more sensible. No 20 zones back then either so you needed atleast 35mph just in order not to impede everyday traffic.
28 in a 40 is at risk of being overtaken by keen cyclists.
ChocolateFrog said:
Back when I was 16 I had a scooter.
I remember it feeling dangerous limited to 30. Once delimited it would do 45 and that was much more sensible. No 20 zones back then either so you needed atleast 35mph just in order not to impede everyday traffic.
28 in a 40 is at risk of being overtaken by keen cyclists.
It should be fine in short 40's, often people are doing 30-35 anyway and by the time they get annoyed I will be back in a 30.I remember it feeling dangerous limited to 30. Once delimited it would do 45 and that was much more sensible. No 20 zones back then either so you needed atleast 35mph just in order not to impede everyday traffic.
28 in a 40 is at risk of being overtaken by keen cyclists.
ThingsBehindTheSun said:
I assume that once these leases are over and people hand them back they are essentially going to be worthless.
Wonder what Citrroen will do with them then, scrap them?
Not sure! If they are a problem now, they will likely have another problem in 12/24 months when people hand them back. I wonder/hope there may be another discount available on the balloon payment? Who knows!Wonder what Citrroen will do with them then, scrap them?
Forums | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff