RE: SOTW: Citroen AX GT-5/TVR S2
Discussion
AX GT. In White. 
Popped into the Citroen Dealers oposite my office in whitechapel to kick some tires when my XR2i proved too expensive to insure after my first year of free insurance. Walked out having signed a deal for the brand new white one they had on display (must have been 1990 or so I reckon)
Oh what a 3 years we had. Off to grand prix loaded to the gills with tents, BBQs, Newcastle brown (those bottle holders came in very handy), all over the OK on camping trips. I expected in to all fall apart in 3 years. In fact nothing, zero, nada went wrong or fell off inside or out despite plenty of abuse. And what a grin machine, felt like warp factor 10 from standstill up until about 40mph.
One of the greats.
Edited to add - I also loved the single sweep windscreen wiper and the fact it seemed to have 10 times the grip of every other GTi in the snow.
Popped into the Citroen Dealers oposite my office in whitechapel to kick some tires when my XR2i proved too expensive to insure after my first year of free insurance. Walked out having signed a deal for the brand new white one they had on display (must have been 1990 or so I reckon)
Oh what a 3 years we had. Off to grand prix loaded to the gills with tents, BBQs, Newcastle brown (those bottle holders came in very handy), all over the OK on camping trips. I expected in to all fall apart in 3 years. In fact nothing, zero, nada went wrong or fell off inside or out despite plenty of abuse. And what a grin machine, felt like warp factor 10 from standstill up until about 40mph.
One of the greats.
Edited to add - I also loved the single sweep windscreen wiper and the fact it seemed to have 10 times the grip of every other GTi in the snow.
Edited by DeadMeat_UK on Sunday 7th February 00:38
Had two GT's. A red 89 and a black facelift 92 with better interior but still without a cat so it was a bit faster. As mentioned earier some tuners were getting 125+ horses out of those shopping trolleys. They were fast. Think one of the tuning shops was in Morecombe.
Loved both mine but wonder how much i would like one now
Loved both mine but wonder how much i would like one now
TobesH said:
Yep, the AX. Supposedly we are building eco friendly cars today, but the AX was so light, nimble and economical. When I was 18 I owned a AX 1.1 TRE. It really flew, even though I ragged it, it barely used any fuel, was reliable and brilliant fun. My mates had the predicable Fiestas etc, but the AX ran rings round them for its dynamics and straight line speed.
Why can't they build cars like this now? A lightweight simple hatch back with a small injected engine with a weight limit of 800kilos (AX’s weighed between 630kg and 848kg) yet cheap with some flair!
That's the aim of my Panda 100 Tobes. My company required that I buy something brand new and four door; and I can't fault it. Revvy little 1.4, not much unneccesary weight, but still has the creature comforts of a decent stereo and a/c, bargain price. Think it's 950kg or so.Why can't they build cars like this now? A lightweight simple hatch back with a small injected engine with a weight limit of 800kilos (AX’s weighed between 630kg and 848kg) yet cheap with some flair!
The TVR would be great fun and sound lovely, although I do think deep pockets would be required to keep it on the road! I wonder if it would take a V8?
The AX GT was a great car, I had both an AX GT and a GTi, the latter fitted with a 138bhp VTS engine. I don't know why "interloper" and "Lion" are laughing - the GT does get to 120mph indicated, although it took a wee while to get there. The GTi VTS got 142mph GPS!
Nice choices PH.
The AX GT was a great car, I had both an AX GT and a GTi, the latter fitted with a 138bhp VTS engine. I don't know why "interloper" and "Lion" are laughing - the GT does get to 120mph indicated, although it took a wee while to get there. The GTi VTS got 142mph GPS!
Nice choices PH.
AX GT 5Dr was my first 'new' car - bought for the honeymoon and served well on a long road trip round spain. As everyone has said amazingly sprightly due to low weight, which also showed in the general quality. It was great fun in the country lanes and could keep up with virtually anything on small Sussex B Roads. Had more trouble stopping it - had more than a few scary moments coming up to junctions. Still it went on to be a kid transporter and could take a largish pushchair which is nice.
My first car was an AX 1.1i 'Echo' I fitted GT alloys and seats and had it lowered 40mm on some Bilsteins, it would corner like nothing else, much to my mates surprise when he was following me and I went round sharp corner and cocked a wheel, how I didn't crash that car I don't know. It served me well though, 35k in 3 years before it failed its MOT and I sold it on ebay.
After that I looked for a GT but ended up with a 205 XS, same engine and close ratio box, but a tad heavier but better handling in standard form IMO.
ahh fond memories.
After that I looked for a GT but ended up with a 205 XS, same engine and close ratio box, but a tad heavier but better handling in standard form IMO.
ahh fond memories.
Noxide said:
The AX GT was a great car, I had both an AX GT and a GTi, the latter fitted with a 138bhp VTS engine. I don't know why "interloper" and "Lion" are laughing - the GT does get to 120mph indicated, although it took a wee while to get there. The GTi VTS got 142mph GPS!
Nice choices PH.
I'm chuckling over the top speed because it seems so improbable. Lets be honest here top speed is a product of power versus aerodynamics, weight above 100mph doesn't really factor as much. The GT has about 85bhp, it might indicate 120mph but I would suspect massive over read! Nice choices PH.
interloper said:
Noxide said:
The AX GT was a great car, I had both an AX GT and a GTi, the latter fitted with a 138bhp VTS engine. I don't know why "interloper" and "Lion" are laughing - the GT does get to 120mph indicated, although it took a wee while to get there. The GTi VTS got 142mph GPS!
Nice choices PH.
I'm chuckling over the top speed because it seems so improbable. Lets be honest here top speed is a product of power versus aerodynamics, weight above 100mph doesn't really factor as much. The GT has about 85bhp, it might indicate 120mph but I would suspect massive over read! Nice choices PH.
Autocar road test max speed was 108mph (125mph claims are then actually 112.5- that was probably downhill)
Why anyone would want to go beyond 70mph in this tiresome noise bucket is beyond me.
tali1 said:
interloper said:
Noxide said:
The AX GT was a great car, I had both an AX GT and a GTi, the latter fitted with a 138bhp VTS engine. I don't know why "interloper" and "Lion" are laughing - the GT does get to 120mph indicated, although it took a wee while to get there. The GTi VTS got 142mph GPS!
Nice choices PH.
I'm chuckling over the top speed because it seems so improbable. Lets be honest here top speed is a product of power versus aerodynamics, weight above 100mph doesn't really factor as much. The GT has about 85bhp, it might indicate 120mph but I would suspect massive over read! Nice choices PH.
Autocar road test max speed was 108mph (125mph claims are then actually 112.5- that was probably downhill)
Why anyone would want to go beyond 70mph in this tiresome noise bucket is beyond me.
tali1 said:
interloper said:
Noxide said:
The AX GT was a great car, I had both an AX GT and a GTi, the latter fitted with a 138bhp VTS engine. I don't know why "interloper" and "Lion" are laughing - the GT does get to 120mph indicated, although it took a wee while to get there. The GTi VTS got 142mph GPS!
Nice choices PH.
I'm chuckling over the top speed because it seems so improbable. Lets be honest here top speed is a product of power versus aerodynamics, weight above 100mph doesn't really factor as much. The GT has about 85bhp, it might indicate 120mph but I would suspect massive over read! Nice choices PH.
interloper said:
This weeks SOTW is almost the perfect bangernomics double act, the AX would make an amusing daily hack and the TVR could be an ideal long term project.
The TVR is getting grief as a money pit, isnt this just a standard scorpio power train? Add the cos version in there and should be reliable plus a bit of harmless tarting up (why be anal and go concours).Have to say if i was looking for a project car and skint, this looks quite sensible.
bencollins said:
interloper said:
This weeks SOTW is almost the perfect bangernomics double act, the AX would make an amusing daily hack and the TVR could be an ideal long term project.
The TVR is getting grief as a money pit, isnt this just a standard scorpio power train? Add the cos version in there and should be reliable plus a bit of harmless tarting up (why be anal and go concours).Have to say if i was looking for a project car and skint, this looks quite sensible.
I don't really understand the "Fear" that seems to sorround running one of these cars. If you are half compotent with a set of spanners it should be fine, if maybe a little time consuming.
RobM77 said:
tali1 said:
interloper said:
Noxide said:
The AX GT was a great car, I had both an AX GT and a GTi, the latter fitted with a 138bhp VTS engine. I don't know why "interloper" and "Lion" are laughing - the GT does get to 120mph indicated, although it took a wee while to get there. The GTi VTS got 142mph GPS!
Nice choices PH.
I'm chuckling over the top speed because it seems so improbable. Lets be honest here top speed is a product of power versus aerodynamics, weight above 100mph doesn't really factor as much. The GT has about 85bhp, it might indicate 120mph but I would suspect massive over read! Nice choices PH.
Autocar road test max speed was 108mph (125mph claims are then actually 112.5- that was probably downhill)
Why anyone would want to go beyond 70mph in this tiresome noise bucket is beyond me.
But the engine was like an old Jap unit from the 70s - i just couldn't live with the death thrash noise.I reckon you would struggle to hear even Brian Blessed at 70mph!
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