22 plate Toyota Aygo X, with 2.5k miles on the clock.
You don’t expect much with ‘city cars’. And I wasn’t disappointed.
Sloppy gearchange, incredibly light steering which seemed disconnected from the road. Trim rattles, absurdly poor performance from 72bhp in a lightweight car, and very expensive to boot.
I’ve had several superminis as hire cars, but this was far worse than any rental I can recall.
Apart from the fuel consumption showing around 50 mpg, and it not breaking down, I can’t think of any other redeeming features.
Maybe a jaundiced view because I was hoping for a standard Yaris as a courtesy car.
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Perhaps a lot of people would be happy with 50mpg and not breaking down?
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My daughter had a 59 plate Aygo.
Did everything you said. Including the fuel economy and didn’t break down.
Never felt safe in it due to the size and, especially on motorways, it took so long to get it up to speed my daughter never wanted to brake cos she would need to pull into the left lane until she could get back up to speed to keep up with traffic.
Have never experienced that in a car before.
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I think it’s probably a fine city car....nothing inherently wrong with it, but I was very surprised with the price, £17.5k for a 22 plate auto on Motorpoint. £14k for a 22 plate manual.
Quite a few reviews mention it’s lack of performance, 0-60 in 15s.
Out of all the mini type city cars I’ve had as rentals it’s by far the worst...I expected a downsized Yaris, but nothing like in terms of build quality. Very surprising for a Toyota.
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The Aygo is same as Citroen C1 or Pug 108?
Both kids had one as their first car. SFAIR both had relatively basic trim and, at the time there was only one engine option, at least as petrol.
Drove the son's a couple of times and it seemed to be just another small 'city' car. OK performance wise, similar to the to the Skoda Citigos I had when my Roomie was in for service. Perhaps a bit less comfortable and with the 3-cyl buzz more evident but if something that size met my needs it have been fine.
Not as good as something the next size up for longer trips but D and her Beau took theirs over to Harris at least once. Not a limo but a damn site more relaxed at M/way speeds than the BL Mini I cut my teeth on!!
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I quite like a run out in my son’s old Aygo, yes it’s back to basics etc, but it was cheap to buy and is cheap to run, but I can see that’s I’d maybe expect more from one that cost as much as the one they gave you.
As Bromp says, it’s way ahead of the stuff that filled that slot when I started driving!
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I remember, somewhat ruefully, thinking I was going to be fine with whatever the MB dealer gave me as a courtesy car while mine was in for a service. I knew I had a long day planned but thought anything would do.
Of course they gave me a Smart.
They’re probably fine when you get used to them but it didn’t feel great on the M6.
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>> Of course they gave me a Smart.
>> They’re probably fine when you get used to them but it didn’t feel great on
>> the M6.
...an absolute hoot for local work, but less so for the Autobahn. (Though better than one might assume).
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LL said an Aygo X, which is very different to to preceding Aygo/108/C1, and has largely Yaris underpinnings (since the "joint venture" is no more.)
Last edited by: tyrednemotional on Fri 30 Jun 23 at 09:11
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>> LL said an Aygo X, which is very different to to preceding Aygo/108/C1, and has
>> largely Yaris underpinnings (since the "joint venture" is no more.)
Thanks for that - crossed purposes then.
While looking to replace the Roomster I test drove a Yaris but rejected it as sounding too much like son's 107. Some people may like the 3 cyl beat; I don't.
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>> The Aygo is same as Citroen C1 or Pug 108?
It's the Pug 107, isn't it?
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>> It's the Pug 107, isn't it?
Both I think as the 108 was, to a large extent, a facelift of the 107.
Citroen (and Toyota) stuck with the same names.
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.I expected a downsized Yaris, but nothing like in terms of build quality. Very
>> surprising for a Toyota.
>>
They aren't really Toyotas, mainly french hence why they are noticeable a worse car than the rest of the proper Toyotas.
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They do look quite nice, in my opinion anyway. I like the ones with a roll back canvas roof. I could imagine being happy enough with one of those as a holiday renter.
I’m hoping to retire soon, but it keeps getting pushed back, nonetheless I suppose I’d better start taking an interest in small Japanese hatchbacks hadn’t I? Part of the deal I gather.
;-)
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>>Part of the deal I gather.
>> ;-)
>>
.. it's now a campervan for those retirees with any life left in them. (Plus a beige Volvo ;-))
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I could see a day van in my new life. You know the sort of thing, Transit sized, basic accommodation, room for bikes etc. Useable as a second car if required maybe.
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>> .. it's now a campervan for those retirees with any life left in them. (Plus
>> a beige Volvo ;-))
Or in my case, a Hilleberg Akto and a Tarptent Squall 2, with Hoka trail shoes.
A 3 way share of a camper van was discussed amongst friends, but we all wanted to do different stuff...one wanted to potter in the U.K., another 2 months travelling the Spanish coastline, I wanted a 4 month trip from Cape Finisterre to Montenegro.
A friend took his old motor home to Albania last year...he went well off the beaten track and should write a travel guide. Braver than I.
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>> I’m hoping to retire soon, but it keeps getting pushed back, nonetheless I suppose I’d
>> better start taking an interest in small Japanese hatchbacks hadn’t I? Part of the deal
>> I gather.
I went down that road Runfer…it’s not that bad, and a small Japanese hatch gets you from A>B. Not in the style of a Stuttgart taxi but hey ho.
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I’d say your small Japanese hatchback is not entirely typical of the genre mind you!
Agonising a bit about it all in truth, keep the Merc because it just works for me, or buy a sporty thing and use her wee Jeep for practical stuff or look into a day van.
Inertia is usually my default position of course.
Last edited by: Runfer D'Hills on Fri 30 Jun 23 at 12:35
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Runfer…keep both.
Wait until the onset of winter and buy an MX5 in Soul Red.
Obviously you’ll have considered that option, just my tuppence worth.
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You’re not far off my current thinking there! The MX5 might be a Fiat 124 though, I just slightly prefer the subtle styling differences.
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>> You’re not far off my current thinking there! The MX5 might be a Fiat 124
>> though, I just slightly prefer the subtle styling differences.
>>
One of my regular walks in Spain took me past a bright yellow Barchetta. Earlier this year it had been replaced by a Puma.
Barchetta looked lovely, perfect as a soft top runaround in a warm climate
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>> You’re not far off my current thinking there! The MX5 might be a Fiat 124
>> though, I just slightly prefer the subtle styling differences.
I sort of agree with you there, I don't mind the retro styling on the 124. Looks good in the primrose colour. Sadly it has a hatchback engine, a petrol turbo 1.4 which I have no doubt would go up the Stelvio in third - more grunt than the naturally aspirated Mazdas and no doubt easier to drive, but...
Soul Red and whatever blue was in the range at the time are almost the only non-monochrome colours for the MX-5 (two grey/silver, black, and white). There was an orange 30th anniversary job, marmite. Ours is Blue Reflex Mica. At the moment there is a beige too (which is not called beige of course).
Retirement eh? I look forward to revised style guidance.
I sadly lost my sun hat of 20 years or more (Tilley T3) on holiday. Had to get another. They now include "suitable for (age)" in the descriptions, based on the reviews I think. I noted with alarm that my choice is "suitable for - 65+". I thought it made me look rather rakish, paired with a fleece.
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Funnily enough, my wife’s Renegado has a version of that 1.4 turbo engine in it and I quite like it. I’d think in a lighter lower car it’d be fine. Of course if I get serious about it I’ll try out a few different options including MX5s. My good pal has a Z4 that he rather enjoys.
Yes indeed, I shall have to trial the fleece thing too I suppose, it may well turn out to be a form of epiphany. Especially if teamed with elastic waisted trousers and horizontally striped polo shirts eh?
;-)
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Oh dear, I appear to have a horizontally striped polo in my wardrobe already. I have no elastic-waisted trousering, but I did snaffle some natty britches from Sainsbugs recently that seem to be entirely elasticated. Luxury.
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>>
>>
>> Yes indeed, I shall have to trial the fleece thing too I suppose, it may
>> well turn out to be a form of epiphany. Especially if teamed with elastic waisted
>> trousers and horizontally striped polo shirts eh?
>> ;-)
>>
And a pair of Crocs to set it off.
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'Sensible' grey trainers with velcro fastening?
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.. he's probably already discovered slip-on Sketchers....
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>> .. he's probably already discovered slip-on Sketchers....
Many a true word T&E! Sadly I did have to resort to just those and the Nike equivalents for a while last year when I couldn’t do up my laces!
Better now though thanks.
;-)
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..I still do up my own laces; I'm grateful for those days I can get my second leg into my trousers without falling over, though ... ;-)
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>> I'm grateful for those days I can get my second leg into my trousers without falling over, though ... ;-)
That reminds me of a conversation I had with my local bike mechanic and fellow mountain biker who was trying to sell me the idea of adding a dropper post upgrade to my hardtail. When I explained that I don’t tend to ride that bike so hard as to need one, he pointed out that at my age, it might be more use in enabling me to get on and off it more easily! :-(
(For the uninitiated, a dropper post is a gadget that allows you to raise and lower the saddle on the move by using a switch on the handlebars. Comes in handy on more technical descents)
Last edited by: Runfer D'Hills on Fri 30 Jun 23 at 22:03
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Since my bout of plantar fasciitis I can’t wear normal “flat” slippers around the house. So I have my house “trainers”, a pair of Adidas trainers that are only worn in the house. But they are lace up.
Maybe I should look next time for slip ons….
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>> 'Sensible' grey trainers with velcro fastening?
I’ll check those out thanks Kevin, are there any particular makes you can recommend?
;-)
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I'll ask the guy I saw at the fag counter in Sainsbury's last weekend. I had a quick giggle at him - suit trousers, long sleeved shirt and the aforementioned trainers. He had the last laugh though.
"I'll have one of those scratch cards, two of those and can you check these lotto tickets for me?"
It would have been quicker to go through the regular self service checkouts for my nibbles and dips.
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Currently wearing a pair of such grey trainers with velcro fasteners, comfortable and easy to get on . Usually though I wear lace up deck shoes for smart casual.
I got the trainers from Cotton Traders who were founded by Fran Cotton who was an England front row rugby player. They always have big sizes in stock.
They are also my choice for casual wear, Chinos, Polo shirts etc as I can always get my correct size , currently 3XL, although they do up to 5XL.
Most High St stores are useless for the 'larger' man.
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Must’ve had a big old engine in that helicopter eh?
;-)
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The payload of the helicopters in our fleet is around 2500 kgs and
I was around 14stone when I retired Runfer..now close to 19 stone. I am 6ft so not massively out of proportion.
Lets just say my partner describes me as 'cuddly' rather than overweight ..... :-)
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I'm 6ft and 16 stone. My doctor describes me as borderline obese!
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BMI definition of obesity can be misleading Tom ,it depends on whether the weight is fat or muscle .
Top rugby players are 6 ft or so and 18 or 19 stone of mainly muscle..
I will admit I could afford to lose a few pounds ( stones) bur I do like my food and having just returned from a couple of weeks in Italy I consumed wonderful home made Pasta , Pizza , Gelato and local wine so ended up half a stone heavier than when I started.
The diet would start tomorrow...but we are already booked up for a full three course Sunday lunch..
.
Maybe Monday.....
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>> I was around 14stone when I retired Runfer..now close to 19 stone. I am 6ft
>> so not massively out of proportion.
>>
>> Lets just say my partner describes me as 'cuddly' rather than overweight ..... :-)
www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-weight/bmi-calculator/
A BMI of 36.
The NHS says you are 'obese'. Rather more than 'cuddly'.
Any road. Your choice.
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Morbidly obese if you have one co-morbid condition.
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I am 5'11" and 15.5 stone, so merely "out of condition"
Mind you I lost 3 of those stone when I had a chunk of bowel removed, but fastidious feasting has managed to correct that position.
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Around 5' 9" albeit the last inch took until well after 21.
Natural weigh is under 10 stones, probably closer to 9 but got over 11 when too sedentary at work and getting brekky and lunch from Greggs.
Below 10 again now but too many of my calories are beer....
Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Sat 1 Jul 23 at 20:53
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I'm 6' and weighed in at 10 stone 6lb last night. That's heavy for me, normally two or three lb lighter.
I've been the same weight since I was about twenty and I'm one of those lucky ones who can eat what they like with no effect. Fast metabolism I believe.
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A friend who worked for Nissan told me that the UK Yaris has been built in a factory in northern France for over 20 years...my courtesy car, the Aygo X, in wannabe mini SUV style, is Czech built.
My GR Yaris is built in a specialised facility in Motomachi, on a dedicated production line previously used to build the Lexus LFA, of which only 500 were built. Apparently they lost money on each one, despite being sold for mega bucks...I don’t know what their RRP was.
I’m informed that after production of the ‘standard’ GR Yaris finishes, with 25k being built, there may be very limited edition production runs of more hard core variants.
Not for me, thank you.
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Ooooo....Cheapest Lexus LFA on AT is £650k. Core blimey. That’s a lot more than they were sold for initially. Two others are asking a million.
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>> .I expected a downsized Yaris, but nothing like in terms of build quality. Very
>> >> surprising for a Toyota.
>> >>
>>
>> They aren't really Toyotas, mainly french hence why they are noticeable a worse car than
>> the rest of the proper Toyotas.
>>
It’s the other way round - design and engineering-wise they are Toyotas through and through, built in a Czech Republic JV factory which PSA (as was) used to put their own Peugeot/Citroen badges and front/rear styling on. Built down to a price, and it shows. The VW UP is a better car IMHO.
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Toyota Aygo - Courtesy car - Duncan
