Discussion
Hi All,
With regret, I missed out on buying the 106 Rallye with 12K miles that surfaced on here recently.
Anyway, I suspect I am not alone in the search for an excellent S1; I have sensible money marked for this purchase, but realise that it is still likely to take time to find the right example. In an ideal world, the S1 I have in mind is:
- standard - no bucket seats, 16v engines etc.
- good bodywork - small amounts of rust are acceptable but no crumbling boot floors.
- low mileage - realise these cars are getting on, so realistic about this
- good, original engine - no oil leaks, running issues etc.
- history - full history would be lovely, but again I am realistic.
If you know of anything that might be suitable - regardless of whether or not it is currently for sale, please let me know.
Kind regards,
Thomas
With regret, I missed out on buying the 106 Rallye with 12K miles that surfaced on here recently.
Anyway, I suspect I am not alone in the search for an excellent S1; I have sensible money marked for this purchase, but realise that it is still likely to take time to find the right example. In an ideal world, the S1 I have in mind is:
- standard - no bucket seats, 16v engines etc.
- good bodywork - small amounts of rust are acceptable but no crumbling boot floors.
- low mileage - realise these cars are getting on, so realistic about this
- good, original engine - no oil leaks, running issues etc.
- history - full history would be lovely, but again I am realistic.
If you know of anything that might be suitable - regardless of whether or not it is currently for sale, please let me know.
Kind regards,
Thomas
homologeo said:
Hi All,
With regret, I missed out on buying the 106 Rallye with 12K miles that surfaced on here recently.
Anyway, I suspect I am not alone in the search for an excellent S1; I have sensible money marked for this purchase, but realise that it is still likely to take time to find the right example. In an ideal world, the S1 I have in mind is:
- standard - no bucket seats, 16v engines etc.
- good bodywork - small amounts of rust are acceptable but no crumbling boot floors.
- low mileage - realise these cars are getting on, so realistic about this
- good, original engine - no oil leaks, running issues etc.
- history - full history would be lovely, but again I am realistic.
If you know of anything that might be suitable - regardless of whether or not it is currently for sale, please let me know.
Kind regards,
Thomas
They're fantastic cars. I don't think you'll find a better hot hatch, if you get a good one. Better drives than (hush hush) the 205 GTi, even. But without the 'mythical being' tax attached. Though it might not be that way forever as the Rallye numbers dwindle. With regret, I missed out on buying the 106 Rallye with 12K miles that surfaced on here recently.
Anyway, I suspect I am not alone in the search for an excellent S1; I have sensible money marked for this purchase, but realise that it is still likely to take time to find the right example. In an ideal world, the S1 I have in mind is:
- standard - no bucket seats, 16v engines etc.
- good bodywork - small amounts of rust are acceptable but no crumbling boot floors.
- low mileage - realise these cars are getting on, so realistic about this
- good, original engine - no oil leaks, running issues etc.
- history - full history would be lovely, but again I am realistic.
If you know of anything that might be suitable - regardless of whether or not it is currently for sale, please let me know.
Kind regards,
Thomas
The first thing to make your search easier would be to let go of an attachment to the S1 or S2. They are subtly different when compared side by side (the S1 better looking, the S2 better to drive is my take). Otherwise, they are so different to pretty much everything else out there that you'd be happy with either if you 'get' the Rallye experience.
In terms of standard cars, there are still some around. You'll no doubt see loads of stripped and caged cars or 16v conversions. I'd avoid the 16v engine - not to say it isn't a cracking piece of kit, but it lacks the character of the screaming 8v's that are so integral to the fun in a Rallye. Winding up those engines into their manic, chattering high rpm powerband is a joy.
Will you find a straight car with the original engine in fine fettle, good bodywork and full service history? You might, you might just. But buying on condition is much more important if you're just looking for a car you can drive and enjoy. There is nothing mechanically or electrically complex in these cars, but finding a car without rust may be tough. I consider myself very, very fortunate indeed to have found a rust free Rallye! I looked at a couple nearer to home that passed the six foot test with ease, but were left wanting when you got closer and started poking around. In the end I went for a car in Dumfries, as much out of necessity as desire, and was lucky to find it was a bit of a treasure. No rust, no mods, nearly a complete service history since the owner had bought it in 1999 when it had 2000 miles on it. It had 116,000 miles on it when I bought it, it's not getting on towards 120,000. So don't turn your nose up at a good deal, or a good car, because it's lived a little. The last 'low mileage' Rallye I saw for sale was a white S2 with about 55,000 miles on it which was nearer £4000 and seemed to be for sale forever.
A couple of things you'd do well to heed on your search:
The idle will be lumpy. Enjoy this and savour this. It's meant to be that way, and once you hit 5000rpm you'll come on cam and it will all make sense.
The gearshift is pretty notchy when it's cold and the gearbox can feel sloppy if you're used to softly shifting a stick. So don't be afraid to really drive the stick with your hand. You may also be surprised at the lack of damping in the gearbox - get your clutch in and out quickly and make your shift quickly. You'll see that the box responds well to a fast and firm touch. Slowly sloshing the stick back and forth and dragging the clutch in and out will make the box feel like an absolute turd of a creation and you'll curse it.
It will also feel like a bit of a chore in traffic, so make sure any test drive includes a few tricky B roads. The car doesn't feel like it settles down until you're really pedalling it hard, whereupon the weighting of the steering and the controls feels perfect, the engine feels happy, the gearbox feels tight and sharp and you're getting a flowing, graceful turn in because you can steer on the throttle. Only then will it click, and you'll probably be an addict from there.
Hi Baryonyx,
Thanks for taking the time to respond!
I saw your S2 on the Rallye Register - looks lovely. Do you have any plans for it?
The fact that the ealiest cars are almost 20 years old and can still evoke a passionate response like this is all I need to know.
I really do have my heart set on the series 1 - mainly because that naturally-aspirated 1.3 8V delivers 100BHP at 7200RPM, but if the right car doesn't make itself known before the end of the summer I certainly haven't discounted the series 2. I don't think I really appreciated just how rare these cars are, so I've already started relaxing my search to include just about any series 1 that's for sale in the UK. I'd love an enthusiast-owned low-mileage example and would be prepared to pay good money, but the very best examples are fast becoming a lesson in supply and demand.
The points re: lumpy idling and gearboxes are certainly helpful; I've found a few buying guides, but these tend to focus on rust and engine leaks, rather than the inherent quirks of the model.
Kind regards,
Thomas
Thanks for taking the time to respond!
I saw your S2 on the Rallye Register - looks lovely. Do you have any plans for it?
The fact that the ealiest cars are almost 20 years old and can still evoke a passionate response like this is all I need to know.
I really do have my heart set on the series 1 - mainly because that naturally-aspirated 1.3 8V delivers 100BHP at 7200RPM, but if the right car doesn't make itself known before the end of the summer I certainly haven't discounted the series 2. I don't think I really appreciated just how rare these cars are, so I've already started relaxing my search to include just about any series 1 that's for sale in the UK. I'd love an enthusiast-owned low-mileage example and would be prepared to pay good money, but the very best examples are fast becoming a lesson in supply and demand.
The points re: lumpy idling and gearboxes are certainly helpful; I've found a few buying guides, but these tend to focus on rust and engine leaks, rather than the inherent quirks of the model.
Kind regards,
Thomas
My plans for my Rallye are relatively simple. I've had the original(!) exhaust replaced with a stainless steeel item made by Advanced Automotive Systems in Newcastle. You can hear that in the link below. It should also give you an idea of the normal idle - both on the S1 and S2. When I get back from holiday later this year it will be getting some sort of carbon fibre induction kit, though I haven't decided the brand. Then it will be getting a coat of Waxoyl before winter, and a Quaife quick rack next year. Nothing major, and no visual mods planned either!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSybPzhA9DU
The TU5J2 and TU2J2 are actually pretty similar engines when you get to the cut and thrust of the matter; the S1 gets an effective 200rpm of operating ceiling above the S2 - the S2 makes effective power to 7000rpm and the S1 does so at 7200rpm, and both will give another 200rpm without complaint though you'd likely be making a shift by then. They both share the same 'light at the flywheel' kind of feeling, and are quick and willing to pick up when you depress the throttle. I'd prefer the S1 for track work (though some rear discs would be useful for that sort of braking), the S2 for road use; it has an appreciably larger amount of torque across a wider powerband, so the car feels a little faster along the roads where you can't get on WOT, and punches out of corners with a little more gusto. I'm not sure about the paper stats for which car is faster, they favour the S2 but Peugeot's stats are probably a little unreliable and I dobut you'd feel much difference on the road (I didn't, on the open roads). Of course, either car will still attract comments like "it's got no torque, where is my torque" from those who lack commitment with their right foot!
Anyway, I hope your search goes well, keep us updated and keep another Rallye on the road!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSybPzhA9DU
The TU5J2 and TU2J2 are actually pretty similar engines when you get to the cut and thrust of the matter; the S1 gets an effective 200rpm of operating ceiling above the S2 - the S2 makes effective power to 7000rpm and the S1 does so at 7200rpm, and both will give another 200rpm without complaint though you'd likely be making a shift by then. They both share the same 'light at the flywheel' kind of feeling, and are quick and willing to pick up when you depress the throttle. I'd prefer the S1 for track work (though some rear discs would be useful for that sort of braking), the S2 for road use; it has an appreciably larger amount of torque across a wider powerband, so the car feels a little faster along the roads where you can't get on WOT, and punches out of corners with a little more gusto. I'm not sure about the paper stats for which car is faster, they favour the S2 but Peugeot's stats are probably a little unreliable and I dobut you'd feel much difference on the road (I didn't, on the open roads). Of course, either car will still attract comments like "it's got no torque, where is my torque" from those who lack commitment with their right foot!
Anyway, I hope your search goes well, keep us updated and keep another Rallye on the road!
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