Citroen Ami - Bear with me!

[bargeista]

I picked up a Citroen Ami at the weekend. The new version not the 1970's one!



It might seem very un-ph but I only live about a mile and a half from work and it's all 20 / 30 limit.

It feels so bad to fire my car up and drive a mile only to switch it off again so this seemed like the obvious answer to that problem.

So far my impressions are that...

Yes it's slow, 28mph.

The step off from junctions is fine and allows gaps to be utilised.

The general feeling of the handling is quite decent. I can take roundabouts flat out, the steering and brakes are quite nicely judged and being totally unassisted have a decent feel.

There's something nice about having to preserve momentum and resisting the urge to lift.

Definately not for out of town but for general errands and my short comute it's saving my ICE cars!

[Over over under steer]

Congratulations. I think these things are a wonderful product however with a specific use case. I would love one, and keep mulling it over for a second car, however we do need to ability to go 40/50mph

I've heard about people unlocking a few more mph with some software modifications but then you're into a world of warranty questions.

[bargeista]

Over over under steer said:

Congratulations. I think these things are a wonderful product however with a specific use case. I would love one, and keep mulling it over for a second car, however we do need to ability to go 40/50mph

I've heard about people unlocking a few more mph with some software modifications but then you're into a world of warranty questions.

Thanks!

It would be more useful if it did 40 for sure. I don't feel like it has a lot more to give, maybe 35. The actual chassis feels like 50 would be fine though.

'Flat out' it sounds like a washing machine on the spin cycle.

[bakerstreet]

bargeista said:

I picked up a Citroen Ami at the weekend. The new version not the 1970's one!



It might seem very un-ph but I only live about a mile and a half from work and it's all 20 / 30 limit.

I like the Ami, but at that distance, why don't you cycle (If you are physically able)

[bargeista]

bakerstreet said:

I like the Ami, but at that distance, why don't you cycle (If you are physically able)

In an ideal world I would but I have a dog that I take in to work with me.

In the summer I mainly walk it but in the winter months it's not as appealing in the cold / wet / dark.

Also if I walk to work and I want to get some shopping for dinner, I have to walk to the shops about 1/2 mile away from my work leaving the dog there, walk back, pick the dog up and walk home again.

With the car I can lock her in it for the 5 mins I'm in the shop and do it all on the way home.

[Caddyshack]

I like these but I felt the speed is too low for the roads I use.

I have a Twizy and regularly spend time in 40 or 50 limits - it helps to be able to do 50 mph.

You can add a "power box" to the Twizy that allows over 70 mph (down hill) and doubles the torque....Might be good if the AMI could do 40?

[anonymous-user]

My issue with these is they are £8,095. I cannot see many situations where you wouldn't be better off buying a second hand VW UP! or Kia Picanto/Hyundai i10

[RazerSauber]

bakerstreet said:

bargeista said:

I picked up a Citroen Ami at the weekend. The new version not the 1970's one!



It might seem very un-ph but I only live about a mile and a half from work and it's all 20 / 30 limit.

I like the Ami, but at that distance, why don't you cycle (If you are physically able)

Depends on weather and what equipment is needed for work I suppose. Either way an electric car for popping to the shops, work and maybe the school run? Ideal use case. Alright, 28mph is a bit slow but how often do you get to sit at 30 on a 30 road? You'll be forever meeting the person in front at the next set of lights.

[bargeista]

Joey Deacon said:

My issue with these is they are £8,095. I cannot see many situations where you wouldn't be better off buying a second hand VW UP! or Kia Picanto/Hyundai i10

I leased it so it was 2350 deposit plus £39 per month.

A cheap supermini would be an option but I've got enough cars that break and need fixing and this just gets me to work and back with no extra workload added!

[paulrockliffe]

Joey Deacon said:

My issue with these is they are £8,095. I cannot see many situations where you wouldn't be better off buying a second hand VW UP! or Kia Picanto/Hyundai i10

Yep, the money on these and similar is absolutely mental.

It's a shame because I'm a big fan of the concept, if not the execution, but my Citigo was £3k, does proper speeds, costs nothing to run and is an absolute hoot. I'd happily swap it for a single-seater that was a huge chunk smaller and lighter for £8k, but not one of these, they're too slow and flimsy.

[bargeista]

Caddyshack said:

I like these but I felt the speed is too low for the roads I use.

I have a Twizy and regularly spend time in 40 or 50 limits - it helps to be able to do 50 mph.

You can add a "power box" to the Twizy that allows over 70 mph (down hill) and doubles the torque....Might be good if the AMI could do 40?

I definately agree, 40 would be a lot better. 70 would be terryifying though, I think the Twizy is a significant step on, this seems to have some kind of washing machine motor, at least it sounds like it. It's a more golf cart than proper car in reality.

[mooseracer]

bargeista said:

I picked up a Citroen Ami at the weekend. The new version not the 1970's one!



It might seem very un-ph

Au contraire mon Ami I'd say it is very PH indeed.

[Caddyshack]

bargeista said:

Caddyshack said:

I like these but I felt the speed is too low for the roads I use.

I have a Twizy and regularly spend time in 40 or 50 limits - it helps to be able to do 50 mph.

You can add a "power box" to the Twizy that allows over 70 mph (down hill) and doubles the torque....Might be good if the AMI could do 40?

I definately agree, 40 would be a lot better. 70 would be terryifying though, I think the Twizy is a significant step on, this seems to have some kind of washing machine motor, at least it sounds like it. It's a more golf cart than proper car in reality.

I think I would want to wrap it in the yellow and red to look like the little tykes pedal car for the fun of it. I bet loads of people smile and wave when you are in this. On the whole, people seem to really like the Twizy. I camo wrapped mine in the white and grey camo as my daughter wanted it done.

[Jhonno]

Joey Deacon said:

My issue with these is they are £8,095. I cannot see many situations where you wouldn't be better off buying a second hand VW UP! or Kia Picanto/Hyundai i10

For that money you could buy a Leaf even.. That will do 100mph and travel 80 miles (for a 24kwh).

[bargeista]

Caddyshack said:

I think I would want to wrap it in the yellow and red to look like the little tykes pedal car for the fun of it. I bet loads of people smile and wave when you are in this. On the whole, people seem to really like the Twizy. I camo wrapped mine in the white and grey camo as my daughter wanted it done.

My brother keeps telling me to do something like that. There are actually some graphics to go on it but I'm not a massive fan of them. I might put the two that go in to the square shape in the door on.

There's some others which look like they will restrict my rear 3/4 visibility so I'm giving them a miss.

What's mad about it is when you collect it all the accessories are in a box on the passenger seat.

You have to fit the hubcaps and floor mats yourself and put on all the stickers as well as fastening some storage nets inside.

They supply some cubby bin things that are supposed to go on the 'dashboard' but they are truly terrible quality and don't even fit roughly so I have left those out. Plus they are bright orange so cast a really bad reflection up in the windscreen.

I've also sacked off their mobile phone holder thing, again it looks pretty flimsy and I prefer the uncluttered look of the dash.

There's some door bin nets I might fit but if I will only put a driver side one on as I don't want my other half putting tissues and covid masks in there.

The best thing about it it is that it doesn't have vanity mirrors. It annoys me when people get in and immediately open the vanity mirror and start adjusting their hair or whatever. Having said that I haven't actually had a passenger yet...

[MonkeyBusiness]

I love these. The 28mph slightly puts me off I thought they might hit 35-40.

These are going to be a winner for Citroen.

[confused_buyer]

Jhonno said:

For that money you could buy a Leaf even.. That will do 100mph and travel 80 miles (for a 24kwh).

I suspect most £8k Leafs would struggle to do 80 miles.

[blueg33]

I want one and I don't even have a use for one! I live in a village 40 miles from work and its A roads and motorways, I very rarely travel at 30mph as all my regular roads are 50 plus.

Please help me make up a justification

[PistonTim]

I think they are amazing but that speed really almost a liability unless in the middle of a big city in which case why not run / walk / cycle / bus etc (dog notwithstanding).

One that could do up to 50/60mph even with a 30 mile range for example would be super fun.

[Jhonno]

confused_buyer said:

Jhonno said:

For that money you could buy a Leaf even.. That will do 100mph and travel 80 miles (for a 24kwh).

I suspect most £8k Leafs would struggle to do 80 miles.

For 8k you will get a top end 24kwh/bottom end 30kwh, they average ~4 miles/kw. So both will do 80 miles.