28th May 2004, 23:03
I am thinking about buying the MicroCar1. I have been quoted around £8,500. I have an Aixam 500 which I have had a lot of problems with. Is the MC1 any better?
You can find me at BenjiUK@AOL.Com. I would love some feedback on this car please. Also paying all this money out does the car come with a tape deck radio?
12th Sep 2004, 09:37
I am a long term Reliant owner, Following Reliants ending production of three wheeled cars and needing to upgrade from my older car (Reliant Robin) from which I have had stirling service, I have purchased a 2year old Microcar, a Virgo HSE. When these motors fist appeared I was sceptical to say the least, because of the small low powered engine and its rubber band transmission. However, I could not have been more in error, a trial run around and my money was in the till, I am quite impressed and happy with my Virgo. It is a little quieter than the Robin and a tad slower, but quicker on the getaway and a real joy in heavy traffic. New drivers will have a little difficulty in coming to terms with this motor, because of the transmission. but once mastered, it will perform well. Martynhall@aol.com
8th Jan 2005, 12:31
If you were buying one for economy then based on the stated figures, i'd say FORGET IT.
My 14 year old Polo... can hold five people plus luggage and will do over 90mph... could either meet or exceed those figures in the same conditions!
(i got 44mpg on a 75mph trip... and over 65mpg staying at 55mph)
How can something so small, so slow, and with such a small engine be so comparitively uneconomical? what are they doing wrong in the design?
5th Dec 2005, 07:10
Please, please, please - Go to a Mercedes MCC Smart dealer and drive a Smart car before looking to buy one of these Microcars / Axiam's...
The Smart will cruise at 80mph, it will easily get 50 + mpg, costs £65 a year for tax.
It's a much more car for your money - Oh and the reliability and safety are now legendary.
11th Dec 2005, 01:01
Mercedes MCC Smart, reliable and safe? Not sure about that. Some tip over when cornered hard. That`s not safe.
17th Jan 2006, 15:02
I own a MCC Smart Passion,. It has never toppled over and I corner hard, many times.. I know a lot of people who own smart cars and I have never heard of any of them toppling over... I have added K&N Filter and a re-map and it now has 105 bhp and will exceed 90mph. fuel economy is 50mpg easily and I have never owned a better car. they are legendary.
The Microcar is a derivetive of the snowmobile and built by people who build boats... need I say more!! There is no support network and they have sold less than 3500 cars in the UK.
BUY A SMART CAR...
19th Mar 2006, 06:40
All the people above suggesting a Polo or SmartCar or similar are missing the point of the microcar
YOU CAN DRIVE THEM ON A MOTORCYCLE LICENSE.
30th Mar 2006, 12:50
To increase the top speed in these things, you must replace the engine. Briggs and Stratton sells the 3/LC which has 3 cylinders. not sure about the cc thorugh.
Installing it might be difficult, because they don't make an automotive derivative, so you might have to use a chain drive to the transmission.
30th Jul 2006, 21:15
You can make aixams faster by altering the spacing of the transmission pulleys, but there's something wrong if you can't get more than 35mph. 55mph should be attainable.
The 2 cylinder diesels sound like a dumper truck.
25th Aug 2006, 15:09
My mum has a MicroCar Virgo HSE and hers does 60mph quite easily, and its like lightening out of junctions/traffic lights etc!
She has the occasional trouble of it stalling @ junctions, but it starts again straight away or to stop it stalling using the choke.
I've driven it often too, and think it's a fab little car, she's thinking of changing it to a 4 seater Axiam if the do a petrol one as the diesel is SO noisy you need ear defenders to drive one.
Does anyone know if they do a petrol Axiam?
Louise, Suffolk.
12th Nov 2007, 02:05
I just bought a -01 Ligier Ambra 500 diesel (lombardini engine). Struggling to find a dealer for either Aixam or Ligier, I found a local Ligier dealer.
Moped-registered as it is, it did about 30 mph originally... On the top-variator you will probably find spacers..? (sorry for my lack in english, I'm from Norway) stopping it to gear all way. You can check if your belt goes all the way out on the top variator. If not, you should have this crap as well. Just remove the outer disk with the weights and all, and you'll probably find this things on yours as well. Mine does about 45mph now. A LOT less up hills : (
What is your fuel consumption on the diesels? Mine does about 50mpg... They say it should do at least 70mpg, so I don't understand what could be wrong with mine. I'll have the injectors checked soon, I've checked everything else.
Except relatively high consumption on this one at the moment, I couldn't find a cheaper car to own, each year I save about £400 only in insurance and taxes compared to a normal car!
Well, a Smart would be a lot more fun to drive, but with all the positive attention given to my yellow Ligier, it sure gives a lot of fun in its special way ;) Not to mention the price-difference, a used smart costing anywhere from £6.000 here, and £1.400 for my Ligier!
14th Mar 2008, 18:59
Sheesh, wouldn't it be worth getting a car license so you don't have to drive automotice crud like this? OK, if you're single, live in a big city and only do local work, then it makes sense - otherwise I can think of no other advantage. My 200 quid banger does 50mpg, has room for 5 and their luggage, and will do 100 mph.
5th Jun 2008, 14:40
Hi Anyone, I need a new drive belt for my Ligier Ambra, looked in loads of websites but no luck. HELP PLEASE! I haven't had the car very long but find it quite fun to drive, apart of course from the noise but even that is not too off-putting.I am hoping a replacement belt will help to lower the revs. johnunderhill@btinternet.com.
23rd Apr 2004, 09:47
I've had my virgo for nearly a year now. Very pleased with it great for town driving once done 260 miles in 5½ hours. Top speed ain't everything. A lot more reliable than my 3 wheeler.