and another newbie

[Mungous]

AXs are made from recycled shopping bags, and held together with the saliva of Gauloises smoking peasants.  They weigh so little that they often blow away in light winds.

But they are not in the same class as the 106 - the 106 is a modern hot hatch that somehow isn't really heavy (although still about 150kg lardier than an AX).  The AX is a product of the 80s - you would NOT want to have a crash in an AX.

tl;dr: AX is light and flimsy fun, 106 is better all rounder.

[LeeM]

Thank you indeed for the advice....I will be looking for a 106 after all your comments

cheers

[Don Simon]

Ax GTi is basically a 1.4 106 xsi in a anorexic ax shell
I am yet to see one in NZ. There was a ax 1.6 gt mutant (frankenax) for sale a while back.
I'm currently building a ax vts. I'll update build thread sometime soon

[rolly]

If I knew I was going to be in an accident, I would take the Clio/206 over the 106 :-) Just google a look at some 106 crash pics

Hell I'd take the SAAB over both!

[Don Simon]

Ax hitting anything = hurts

Also what happened to fastmaths?

[LeeM]

Hi--just continuing my investigations

I understand the Citroen Saxo is a pug 106 under another brand

Same?

Enlighten me ye experts

[Mungous]

Completely different...

...badges.

[Don Simon]

Saxo and 106 share same the body

[Mungous]

...and engine, gearbox, suspension, interior, electrics...

Badges, grill, headlights and taillights are about the only differences.

[LeeM]

And yet according to Top Gear the Pug out shines the Saxo in every way

[Mungous]

Ah yes well no-one ever got any sensible buying advice from Top Gear!

To be fair, the interiors aren't identical, and the subtle styling differences do sway people one way or the other. In terms of driving though, there'll be more difference between a good and bad example of either than between the two models generally.

Either car would be great - provided you find a good one. The Saxo VTS/106 GTi are the ones I'd go for.

[LeeM]

Thanks

This any good?  http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=888823838

Interesting

[MYRUSH]

I think those would be very similar to a 206GTi180?
Heres a review from a member on FF who has owned one;

"It had a noise in the belt drive area that sounded like an idler pulley bearing but turned out to be the water pump bearings. The pump was not leaking and was replaced along with cam belt and drive belts. The only other problem was with the centre high brake light not working. This was a computer problem that could have cost $1,000 for computer replacement but Bishop's managed to cheat the system by running a feed from one of the other brake lights. Total cost was around $155 and it is still working after 18 months or more.

Driving the car the suspension is firm but not overly so, there is always a feeling of being in control and the car has never done anything unpredictable or un expected. That is unless you were the guy in the Ford or Holden that thought he could keep up on the corners (I love French cars). This car is like an AXGT Citroen or a 205 pug thats been to finishing school. It now wears a suit and has manners but you know that if it comes to a bar room brawl it knows how to scrap.

Visibility is probably the biggest issue with this car. The A pillars are huge and sometimes I find myself having to peer around the right hand one when turning into a side street or driveway. C pillars are worse with both rear quaters being quite blind, this is the price you pay for a car that looks like this. I have had enough positive comments about the style and looks to make me think that the price may be worth it.

The biggest issue for passengers may well be access to the rear seat. This would be the worst 3 door car that I have owned when it comes to rear seat access. Inability to open rear windows may also be an issue for some people. However you don't buy a car like this to sit in the back yourself and the aircon is sufficient for the whole car. We travelled Auck New Plymouth return with 4 adults and back seat passengers said leg room comfort etc was fine.

Power? Enough to surprize most challengers and more than the fun police will let you enjoy. Weekend before last I was at the Citroen National Rally Taupo. Sunday we had the use of the track and both of the instructors for the day commented on the ability of the car. One of the instructors did a lap with me on board before making comment. Highlight of the day for me was overtaking a CX Turbo and managing to pull away. That should not have been possible as the CX Turbo is rated at 300 hp and C4 178 so I'm not sure if it was a car or driver issue. He was with the second instructor at the time and that instructor came up when we got back to the pit area and made his comments before coming out with me for my last 2 laps of the day.

At the time of purchase the car was on Nankang tires and I was always happy enough with the way that it handled. The week before the National Rally I had a full set of Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tires fitted with a noticeable improvement in ride and handling.

Fuel consumption is usually around 680k per 60 litre tank round town and I have had the computer tell me that I could get as much as 800 on a trip. That has never happened as boredom sets in and the need to have fun results in a return in the 700k range, this being more or less depending on the fun level. Happy to say it is normal to be less.

Gauges are fine and adjust brightness according to light levels, back light of the rev counter turns red just as you hit the rev limiter and the large digital display speedo sits up where everyone can see it. It is different if it wasn't it wouldn't be Citroen!"

[Mungous]

I think I took that car for a test drive a few months ago. Seemed a legit sale, but I think it has a water leak through the scuttle where some cack-handed muppet broke a plastic cover while swapping the pollen filter.

You can't really compare them to driving a 205/106/saxo - they're much more like the more modern and heavy 206.  The engine rates well on paper, but the tall gearing and progressive torque delivery in these means the car never feels very fast.  For spirited and fun driving I'd take a 106/Saxo over a C4 every time.  But for reliable, comfortable and safe motoring the C4 is light years ahead.

Also, LOL at a CX Turbo having 300bhp!

[LeeM]

Thanks for all of that...

Really appreciate your comments....