Talk to me about warm 106s and Saxos
Discussion
I'm contemplating getting a low-cost car for auto solos and trials. The Saxo VTR seems to be one of the favoured options, so I'm keeping half an eye out for one on eBay.
I was wondering ... what's the equivalent model in the Peugeot 106 range - Quicksilver? XSi? Are they mechanically identical?
If I do take the plunge the budget will be minimal. Around £1,000 max. It wouldn't have to be smart but it would have to be structurally sound and MOTable for that price.
I was wondering ... what's the equivalent model in the Peugeot 106 range - Quicksilver? XSi? Are they mechanically identical?
If I do take the plunge the budget will be minimal. Around £1,000 max. It wouldn't have to be smart but it would have to be structurally sound and MOTable for that price.
Downward said:
Xsi is 95 or 100bhp.
Comes in 1.4 pre 92 with no cat, Post 92 with cat taking it down to 95bjp. Later they put in a 1.6 with 100bhp.
All 8v.
Saxo was later so the 1.6 is same engine.
Thanks. Any other warm variants to watch out for? IIRC the Quick Silver was a 1.4, but can't remember if it was anything more than a body kit?Comes in 1.4 pre 92 with no cat, Post 92 with cat taking it down to 95bjp. Later they put in a 1.6 with 100bhp.
All 8v.
Saxo was later so the 1.6 is same engine.
So the "hot" version is the 106 GTI, same as the Saxo VTS, the "warm" versions were the XSi (if you can find one), the Rallye (also around 100-103bhp depends if its the 1.3 or 1.6ltr engine but its lighter than the xsi etc).
Quicksilver can also be classed as a warm hatch though the XSI is the one to go for.
You also have the XS, only 75bhp but sporty(ish).
Quicksilver can also be classed as a warm hatch though the XSI is the one to go for.
You also have the XS, only 75bhp but sporty(ish).
I'm pretty sure a Rallye, GTi or VTS would be outside my budget. Not sure what that's going to be, but it'll be minimal. To be honest, the most it'll get used for is novice auto testing, so it doesn't need to be especially quick. Just wondering whether a slightly warmer model (VTR/XSi) might be worth the premium over a standard 1.1i.
Salamura said:
It definitely would be. The VTR is a pretty good warm hatch.
My second car was a 97 VTR in blue. Great little car. Perfect for auto testing. I preferred the mk1 shape to the mk2. What you really want is a 106 GTI - had one of those too, far better than the VTR but you’ll struggle to find one nowadays.
pidsy said:
What you really want is a 106 GTI - had one of those too, far better than the VTR but you’ll struggle to find one nowadays.
I'd love a 106 GTI. I've had a 205 GTI and a base spec Saxo. Between them, there must be something close to hot hatch perfection. I suspect they'd be well out of budget if I could find one, though. I'm looking for something I can use for grass auto testing and probably trials as well, so the chances are it won't last year long. Certainly highly unlikely I'd ever have a chance to sell it on and recoup some the money.
Anyone know where there's a recent buyer's guide for the VTR? I've seen a few on Google, but they all date back a while (possibly before rust etc. became an issue).
Gotta admit, I was mildly surprised to see Saxos getting mentioned again! The VTR is a great bet for a cheap hot hatch with the low weight so long as you pre-empt maintenance and don't abuse it.
Provided you can find one that has been looked after (i.e. not totally ragged) and a later one where they actually seemed to galvanise the chassis, then you're in luck. I say this because I have two, an mid-age '99 1.1 (just as they were beginning to phase out single-point injection, 3-stud rims and the older layout interior fusebox) where the chassis isn't galvanised but panels and doors are... go figure and a recently acquired '02 VTR which does seem to have either a galvanised chassis or they otherwise stepped their game up regards rustproofing.
Only problem is VTRs (& the VTS's) are somewhat in short supply now as far as I'm aware which makes finding one that hasn't been hammered really damn hard. The silver one I have is unfortunately pretty filthy in the bay due to the previous owner almost never cleaning it afaik and leaving an oil leak to... well continue to leak (he did at least keep the oil topped up...). Tried to clean the one I got but too busy with work honestly so it'll be getting moved on to someone who has the time (and space!).
While we're on the topic, what on earth were Citroen thinking with the p/s setup on the Saxo?! Electric to hydraulic?! Madness I tell you.
I can't comment personally on the VTS as I haven't tried one but I can also attest to the power the VTR has. In-gear performance is spectacular from a roll... say 25 -> 60 in very few seconds. It almost 'scrabbles' at the tarmac (or whatever your current road counts for) - almost reminds me of a rabbit. With sufficiently grippy rubber on the front, it's quite impressive even with the very slight weight increase I think it has over the base models. I know the MA receives much stick for being made of cheese but after 205k, mine has no noises or other distasteful oddities emanating from the 'box so my personal opinion is that it is more solid than the crowd tends to think.
Hope that helps!
Provided you can find one that has been looked after (i.e. not totally ragged) and a later one where they actually seemed to galvanise the chassis, then you're in luck. I say this because I have two, an mid-age '99 1.1 (just as they were beginning to phase out single-point injection, 3-stud rims and the older layout interior fusebox) where the chassis isn't galvanised but panels and doors are... go figure and a recently acquired '02 VTR which does seem to have either a galvanised chassis or they otherwise stepped their game up regards rustproofing.
Only problem is VTRs (& the VTS's) are somewhat in short supply now as far as I'm aware which makes finding one that hasn't been hammered really damn hard. The silver one I have is unfortunately pretty filthy in the bay due to the previous owner almost never cleaning it afaik and leaving an oil leak to... well continue to leak (he did at least keep the oil topped up...). Tried to clean the one I got but too busy with work honestly so it'll be getting moved on to someone who has the time (and space!).
While we're on the topic, what on earth were Citroen thinking with the p/s setup on the Saxo?! Electric to hydraulic?! Madness I tell you.
I can't comment personally on the VTS as I haven't tried one but I can also attest to the power the VTR has. In-gear performance is spectacular from a roll... say 25 -> 60 in very few seconds. It almost 'scrabbles' at the tarmac (or whatever your current road counts for) - almost reminds me of a rabbit. With sufficiently grippy rubber on the front, it's quite impressive even with the very slight weight increase I think it has over the base models. I know the MA receives much stick for being made of cheese but after 205k, mine has no noises or other distasteful oddities emanating from the 'box so my personal opinion is that it is more solid than the crowd tends to think.
Hope that helps!
Actually went and bought a 306 XSi. The 106 would be more suitable for my purposes, but this is a tidy car owned by a mate of mine for many years. The local dealers were offering him an insultingly low trade-in value ... so I offered to match that and let him have a go on the autotests. 
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