Tell me about..... Toyota Aygos

[RoadworkUK]

Not for me, you understand. Christ no.

 

For my parents to run as an auxiliary conveyance.

 

They have, at the moment, two cars. An E39 540i which is sacrosanct and ring-fenced and will not be going anywhere until the sky is lined with porcine wing-flappers. And they have a KA.

 

The KA has been lovingly fondled by my Dad for fifteen years, and has received so much hot MIG action that it's hard to remember where the remaining original tin actually is.

 

Aside from being water-soluble, the KA has been little short of brilliant. I know they are loathed around here, but it was always devilishly entertaining to hoon around the Essex lanes in, and not vile enough to put an occasional long-distance, low-price jaunt out of its roster of possibilities.

 

It's been mechanically bombproof, too. OK, the spark plugs corroded into the head and had to be drilled out, and it's had its share of bushes and bearings, but it's a 15 year old Ford.

 

Anyway. He reckons, come MOT time in October, it's number might be finally up. He's struggling to keep up with the amount of welding required, it seems determined to corrode beyond the wit of man. (They all do that, sir).

 

Naturally, I want it to be replaced with an Alto or a Whizzkid or something else wholly inappropriate but THAT'S JUST FANTASY. We were discussing Audi A2's (I've always found them intriguing) but he has a hankering for something six years old max.

 

Anyway. Aygo, Pug 107, Citroen C1 (?) How would any of these stack up as a long-term ownership proposition? I drove an Aygo a few years back and thought it quite a giggle, but have no idea if they're doom-laden or not.

 

Over to you. Thanks.

[tooSavvy]

Someone put clockworx in the back of an IMP

 

TS

[cms206]

We had got a brand new Citroen C1 1.4HDi as a runabout to replace a Mk3 Golf 1.9D; our company had a fleet deal with Citroen which went across the board though wasn't really popular (staff for example could get 42% off list price on Picassos, C5s and the like). I've driven a 107 and Aygo 1.0 petrols. They're not all that comfortable if you're above a certain height or width, they feel like they're much older than they are with spindly gearsticks and lots of exposed metal, they've a stupid single pantograph wiper and in the 1800 or so miles we had our C1 HDi it ended up A-framed to the dealer about half a dozen times.

Our other issue was it was so tiny it was often in blind spots - think it had both front wings and bumpers replaced at least three times - but it was on an airfield so the stuff we were using round about it was a bit big and often mirrorless.

In the true shiters way, it lasted about 18 months and was replaced by a 1.6 diesel Mk2 Golf van because our MT couldn't use a computer.

[chaseracer]

I've had one (well, a C1... same difference...) as a courtesy car a couple of times.

 

They are fun and handle well. They are comfortable and have plenty of space inside - for two. The 3-pot pez motor hums away enthusiastically, to noticeable effect; more so than the 1959 boat anchor nailed into the sharp end of the Kak. C1s and 107s tend to be a little cheaper than the Aygo.

 

If they're used to a Kak, the oldies will like it.

[purplebargeken]

They are very small. Almost Smart car sized from what I can tell. Other than that I know nothing. Hyundai are bringing out a new i10, so the previous model (same as mine) should be going out with a hefty discount. May be worth considering as they are less small but very good little cars.

[tooSavvy]

^^^^ agree on velocity. Buzzed one or two @95 happily.... don't know what the driver was experiencing tho

 

TS

[KruJoe]

I can't tell you much about these, but I believe they're well loved by trade and punters alike.

 

A good friend of mine has a petrol C1, it looks very much like this:

 

 

He bought it new about five years back and has loved it. He's emigrating in in a couple months, so will be looking to sell. Pm me Earl, if you need more info on it.

 

[Wilko220]

Obviously* that £300 CityRover for sale in another thread is what they need...

[chaseracer]

...only if RWUK doesn't like them very much! 

[ruffgeezer]

If they liked the Ka, then there isn't much reason not to like one of these, they are very much a cut from the same cloth but with the added benefit that this cloth doesn't rot to pieces at the sight of a bit of moisture.

 

As an aside, we have a choice of 3 C1s all with low mileage in stock at the moment, all reasonable spec and in good nick, you'll find no better place to buy a used car, I can guarantee that, and no, sadly I'm not on commission!

[gordonbennet]

Bloody good little car, get the Toyota version regd after 2010 and it'll stll have the remainder of the 5 year warranty...which being Toyota isn't spare bog roll.

 

Early cars had a smaller clutch which doesn't last, not a big problem the later one is a stright swap and a cheap job.

 

Road noise is a bugger, i have soundproofed the daughters Aygo successfully with self adhesive soundproofing pads from ebay for around £40, arse end and over the rear wheelarches and inside doors have no proofing whatsoever, doing these has made the car much nicer to live with.

Proper radio and speakers in it too now, the standard items are shite.

 

Piss easy to work on, i slipped new pads and discs on it in record time last year, tyres are cheap as chips really sensible size.

 

Lots of glass, air con is worth having.

 

This blokes blog is well worth perusing, handy tips galore...some good shite in there,  nutters shoving twin cam 1600 engines in the buggers, love it.

http://my107.blogspot.co.uk/

[londonm]

If it's for your mum, you're in the same position as I was getting a motor for my girlfriend a few years ago. My GF knows jack about cars, and I made her do the rounds of all these sorts of cars with me. The Aygo looks great, I drove one and thought it was good. However, it felt very small and whilst it's a clever design I didn't think it was particularly comfortable or practical other than as a city car. The Peugeot version is probably ok, but as much as I like Citroen I dont want to open the door and have the handle come off in my hand. We looked at various Hyundai i this and that, didn't rock her boat at all. In the end she wanted and got a new shape Vauxhall Agila 1.0 which I thought would be as boring as crap, but has ended up being loved by the two of us. The engine is asthmatic, you won't be on the fast lane of motorways, but the cabin is huge and comfy for its class and it has a hidden compartment in the largish boot to hide shopping. It seats 5 comfortably, and turns in to a van with back seats down. It's genuinely been brilliant, and built by Suzuki (their version is Splash) it seems really reliable. Just avoid getting it serviced by the poisonous lying retards at Vauxhall.

[Alexg]

I've got one, well Mrs Alexg has, and I used to sell 'em for a Pugshit dealer. I think they're brill little whizboxes; small, light, nimble and fun to chuck about. Yeah it's basic looking, but that's rather refreshing and the Aygo kind of makes a funky theme of it. Only real problems in 40k miles of ownership have been wear and tear stuff. Clutches are adjustable, and you'll get used to doing that, they do suffer from cracked pressure plates too - though but I think that's more problematic on pre-09 facelift models. Toyotas hold their value better than the Cit/Pug, despite it being the same car,and usually are found better equipped. We're looking to replace it now and would almost certainly get another if she wasn't after more space.

[dugong]

They're decent little cars. I had one a courtesy motor when my C4 was delayed - it was the three-pot which was pleasantly vocal. Decent on fuel and good to throw around other than overly light steering - which probably won't bother your folks much. Very easy to park. 

The only thing going against them is the tiny, shoe box sized boot, which is miniscule in comparison to a Ka. 

I'm surprised a tuning house hasn't gutted one and added a turbo. An Aygo \ C1 \ 107 with 120 bhp would be the nearest modern equivalent to an old school hot hatch in recent years. 

[Asimo]

Nice 3 cyl. petrol engine. Tiny boot, don't go for a 4 door unless the folks are tiny. Easy to get well over 55mpg out of town.

 

The 3 cyl. petrol Mitsubishi Colt is much better to drive / sit in for about the same cash.

[RoadworkUK]

Hmm. Mitsi Colt. Totally forgot about those.

 

I think they take up a bit more road space than the Aygo, though, don't they? Needs to be able to fit into one side of a double garage and leave Dad a bit of tinkering space.

 

Ta for the insights so far, chaps.

[Bren]

Mark v fiesta. Cheap, nicer than a ka without all the rot, but not so solid as to prevent your dad losing his touch mig - wise.

[dollywobbler]

The Peugeot version is probably ok, but as much as I like Citroen I dont want to open the door and have the handle come off in my hand.

 

All three versions are built in the same east-European factory, so I'm not sure how a Peugeot could be different from a Citroen.

 

I really like them, though it's a while since I last drove one (Aygo in about 2006 I reckon).

[Talbotman]

Aygo c1 107,all great buzzboxes. All built in the same factory so the badge difference means nothing. Only things really are the as above mentioned small clutches on early examples...the light flywheel on these can tend make people ride the clutch too much on take up which wears them prematurely.Water leaks from the door and boot seals can sometimes be and issue too...but thats about it. The trade loves them..and put it like this..if youd bought a brand new c1 vibe for 5995 or a bit cheaper 6 or seven years ago...today you'd still be looking at at least 2 grand to buy thatsame car retail today. Small boot and slightly bouncy ride aside....they run on air..and you've always got the safety net of if you dont like it you can always sell it without losing too much wonga.

[Partridge]

I can't think of any reasons to recommend them.

 

A friend had one for a first car, and it was mechanically robust enough, even standing up to her hair and beauty student crunch 'n' hunt gear changes. The inside wasn't much cop though, and things liked to break off a lot. The little knob (stop sniggering) used to control the air con/heating would fall off from time to time in your hand. Not ideal. The drivers window leaked and the tailgate was forever giving her problems. It was only a couple of years old.

After half an hour in it I'd start to get stiff (again, stop sniggering). I went on a two hour journey in the bloody thing as a passenger and felt like I'd been kicked in the back when I got out.

It was nippy enough though and seemed to handle well.

 

As a first car to learn the ropes in I think it would be fine, or OK to potter to the shops in-but if it has to tackle long journeys, forget it.

[hairnet]

agree on the mk 5 fester

 

near enuff same era but they dont rot

 

 

aygos c1s rock battered this from belfast to tipperary via mountains and in 400 miles in 36 hours. it did 53 mpg - i like them.  would buy one if needed a small car -  boot is shit and rear legroom is poo but for around town theyre ace and motorway they aint bad

[Ghosty]

What about Kia Picantos? They seem fairly decent if you don't buy the base spec one, because the seats feel like they've been covered with recycled bin bags in that.

[phil_lihp]

I had an Aygo as a courtesy car from the bodyshop last year, quite a fun little thing to thrash around in, very much in the spirit of the original Ka except not full of holes.  Hyundai i10s and Picantos as suggested might be worth a look in this category too, the original Picanto is a fairly similar concept and they're both well made (although watch out for brake and ABS issues on i10s).  I know someone who has owned an 06 Picanto since new, it's been used as a van and treated appallingly but has to my knowledge never given them the slightest bit of bother.

[Mr Lobster]

Had a couple as Greek Island hire cars and I really like them, pleasingly agile and nice to thrash about. Not what you'd want off long distanced motorway stuff but for round town they're ace.

[twosmoke300]

We had a new one for 6 months and 6k Inc a trip from Cornwall to Aberdeen . Was fun to drive locally and did well on the motorway. Economy was poor I thought . We never got over 45mpg which our vectra dti estate used to do.

But the reasons we got rid were that the boot is useless and was just so badly equipped. Ours was a good spec with leccy Windows Bluetooth etc . However no boot light and courtesy lights only on drivers door . No sound deadening at all . Stones under the arches sounded like you had been shot.

The interior didn't feel like it would last well either.

[Tayne]

 

 

aygos c1s rock battered this from belfast to tipperary via mountains and in 400 miles in 36 hours. it did 53 mpg - i like them.  would buy one if needed a small car -  boot is shit and rear legroom is poo but for around town theyre ace and motorway they aint bad

 

 

And that's a long way!

 

I have nothing further to add to this thread.

[Cavcraft]

I know absolutely shit all about them, other than that I think it's illegal to have wheel trims on a C1.

[Rocket88]

Automatic gearboxes are [like all small engined autos] fucking dismal.

[alf892]

it will be like being pushed down the road in a shopping trolley so unless thats their thing tell them to avoid.

 

This opinion is based only on my own blind prejudice. But it is right

[gordonbennet]

Oh for Gawds sake don't consider the auto, its another automated manual shite box designed by satan, presumably whilst nursing the mother off all fuckin hangovers and a sore arse.

 

In fact, apart from Volvo lorry boxes, there isn't a single automated manual box worth the proverbial tinkers piss.

 

Note new Toyotas have moved away from these boxes, and i suspect that when Aygo get replaced that shite box will be consigned to the ''what a fuck up'' bin the rest of the range was chucked in, if Toyota can't get the things right what hope any other bugger.

 

Why you may wonder am i so against these things, well i delivered thousands of the buggers of all makes in my previous car transporter work, all shite of the hightest order...and to add to the misery of it all since 2005 nearly every bloody lorry i've had the misfortune to pilot has had one of these bastard boxes...my current steed has the wonderfuckingfull ZF AS Chronic shite box, oh wondrous joy, its shite...i could write a bleedin book on its failings, how the fuck did they ever get 'em through type approval?

 

And breathe...