Saxo VTS Reliability/Faults
Discussion
Hi all, my son is currently looking for a VTS, and I just wondered what the general reliability is like, and what faults to look for when we find a car to view?
He will be looking for an un-modified car with maybe 50-65,000 miles on it. As his current car is a VW Golf, I think that he's in for a culture shock, lol.
Regards
Tim
He will be looking for an un-modified car with maybe 50-65,000 miles on it. As his current car is a VW Golf, I think that he's in for a culture shock, lol.
Regards
Tim
Mainly just rear axle's as the wheel will slant in at the top, and rust around the inner wheel arches , people say the gear box's are a weak point but my GTI has done 115k and still runs sweet as a nut ...
All depends if you get a well looked after one or a thrashed boy raced one ...
I say get a 106 gti same car really , but just has a few better options and on the whole they tend to be better looked after ...
All depends if you get a well looked after one or a thrashed boy raced one ...
I say get a 106 gti same car really , but just has a few better options and on the whole they tend to be better looked after ...
He could always register here , and get some info , and maybe even find a decent looked after vts ...
http://www.saxperience.com/forum/
http://www.saxperience.com/forum/
Edited by 106 gti on Sunday 15th November 20:25
Aside from the rear beam look for a dodgy idle, they all idle a little rough but there doesn't seem to be an easy fix so I'd be wary of one which idles really badly.
Also check the alarm, when you lock the car off the remote they will usually go off randomly. That one is actually a reasonably easy fix so not to worry about but can get annoying!
My other half's had problems with her GTI not starting, it'll turn and turn but not start then all of a sudden start up. Again it's a reasonably easy fix but can get very annoying until you get round to it.
The gearboxes are w
k, but easy and cheap enough to replace and won't really need replacing unless you rag the hell out of them.
I would try convince them to look at 106s, they're so cheap now there's no point looking at Saxos and they're a hell of a lot nicer inside, especially if you're getting a late spec model with the half leather, half alcantara interior!
Also check the alarm, when you lock the car off the remote they will usually go off randomly. That one is actually a reasonably easy fix so not to worry about but can get annoying!
My other half's had problems with her GTI not starting, it'll turn and turn but not start then all of a sudden start up. Again it's a reasonably easy fix but can get very annoying until you get round to it.
The gearboxes are w
k, but easy and cheap enough to replace and won't really need replacing unless you rag the hell out of them.I would try convince them to look at 106s, they're so cheap now there's no point looking at Saxos and they're a hell of a lot nicer inside, especially if you're getting a late spec model with the half leather, half alcantara interior!
I have a vts and i love it, It does upset a few owners of the more expensive range of cars. Like said in the other reply rear axles are common and gearboxs are not the strongest but if you find 1 thats look after you shouldnt have a problem. In my eyes i think the phase 2 saxo is better looking than the 106. The 106 does have the upper hand with the leather seats but i think the dash is a little dated as i prfer the dash board in the saxo. Iv added a full exhaust system and air filter just to help it pick its feet up a bit more. They are good fun cars to drive. Good look with it all
Wife had one for 5 years from new.
Warranty work:
Paint pealed off of bumper and had to be repainted. Be careful when cleaning around this area, as the painted and black section of the bumper is one part. Absolutely do not use a pressure washer here. She ended up putting clear nail varnish over the seam to stop water getting under the paint.
Car alarm sensors needed replacing. Started going off for no reason. I would check the sensors are working as I wouldn’t be surprised if owners do not snip the wires.
Creaking exhaust manifold to exhaust mid-section coupling. Spring clamps replaced.
Out of warranty work -3 years old:
Creaking coupling again. Replaced myself for £12 and this time de burred the exhaust coupling. No more issues.
Creaky seats. Traced to a fouling piece of plastic under the seat. Cut it back and no further issues.
Exhaust mid section had a hole in it. Replaced myself for about £70 I think. I probably could have got it cheaper, but wanted it done ASAP.
ABS light came on. Traced to an ABS wheel sensor. Can’t remember if it was £50 or £70 to replace.
For some reason the alloys were hard to remove always sticking to the disc. Tyre fitters seem to have problems getting tyres to fit. Not sure why, but no real issue.
Serviced it myself and it never let us down and when there were issues they didn’t stop us getting from A-B.
Nightmare stories I have heard of though: Rear axle seizure as described. Have heard of coolant and oil leaks, but ours was dry. Also had a colleague who owned a 106 GTI from new and his cam belt went at just 40K and so recommend cam belts are changed less than 40K miles.
My concern would be the type of owner/s the car has had. These cars can get abused.
Warranty work:
Paint pealed off of bumper and had to be repainted. Be careful when cleaning around this area, as the painted and black section of the bumper is one part. Absolutely do not use a pressure washer here. She ended up putting clear nail varnish over the seam to stop water getting under the paint.
Car alarm sensors needed replacing. Started going off for no reason. I would check the sensors are working as I wouldn’t be surprised if owners do not snip the wires.
Creaking exhaust manifold to exhaust mid-section coupling. Spring clamps replaced.
Out of warranty work -3 years old:
Creaking coupling again. Replaced myself for £12 and this time de burred the exhaust coupling. No more issues.
Creaky seats. Traced to a fouling piece of plastic under the seat. Cut it back and no further issues.
Exhaust mid section had a hole in it. Replaced myself for about £70 I think. I probably could have got it cheaper, but wanted it done ASAP.
ABS light came on. Traced to an ABS wheel sensor. Can’t remember if it was £50 or £70 to replace.
For some reason the alloys were hard to remove always sticking to the disc. Tyre fitters seem to have problems getting tyres to fit. Not sure why, but no real issue.
Serviced it myself and it never let us down and when there were issues they didn’t stop us getting from A-B.
Nightmare stories I have heard of though: Rear axle seizure as described. Have heard of coolant and oil leaks, but ours was dry. Also had a colleague who owned a 106 GTI from new and his cam belt went at just 40K and so recommend cam belts are changed less than 40K miles.
My concern would be the type of owner/s the car has had. These cars can get abused.
Edited by Bourj on Tuesday 17th November 18:45
Having to change the cambelt at 40k is rubbish. 70-80k is the norm. The thing to remember with the 106/Saxo is that if something does go wrong it's generally very easy and relatively cheap to repair. Rust is also not a major issue as the shells are galvanised. As said though the cost to own and service will greatly depend on the previous owners.
As an example i'm running my Series 2 106 Rallye as a weekend car and track toy, it's still my main car and is used year round but it's use has dropped since I started working in London. In the 2 and a half years i've owned it the only failure i've had have been a clutch release bearing at 85k and the headgasket at 100k.
As an example i'm running my Series 2 106 Rallye as a weekend car and track toy, it's still my main car and is used year round but it's use has dropped since I started working in London. In the 2 and a half years i've owned it the only failure i've had have been a clutch release bearing at 85k and the headgasket at 100k.
Ive owned my GTI for nearly 7 years , and gone from 37k to 114k and apart from servicing ive replaced the cambelt , clutch went at 90k, the odd ABS sensor , had the axle sorted at 90k ish , apart from that its just been the odd problem with the fuel pump.
I will be honest and say in 7 years of ownership this car has been the most reliable car i have ever owned , and although its done 114k id drive it anywhere tomorrow if i had to .
Its also done France , and been to the "Ring" this year and got back under its own steam , never missed a beat .......
BRILLIANT CAR ......
I will be honest and say in 7 years of ownership this car has been the most reliable car i have ever owned , and although its done 114k id drive it anywhere tomorrow if i had to .
Its also done France , and been to the "Ring" this year and got back under its own steam , never missed a beat .......
BRILLIANT CAR ......
Update!! My son missed out on a couple of nice looking VTS, and then found a 106 GTI in the classifieds.
20,000 miles, service history, one owner!
The car looks around a year old, and I wanted it myself!
He picks it up from the dealer in two weeks, as his insurer said that he has to be 21.
I've not seen him this excited in a long time, and I just hope that it lives up to his expectations.
Thanks to all who have contributed.
Tim
20,000 miles, service history, one owner!
The car looks around a year old, and I wanted it myself!
He picks it up from the dealer in two weeks, as his insurer said that he has to be 21.
I've not seen him this excited in a long time, and I just hope that it lives up to his expectations.
Thanks to all who have contributed.
Tim
My son picked his 106 GTI up today, and to say that he likes it, is like saying that Angelina Jolie is ok to look at!
He said that the performance and handling are excellent.
I've told him that if he keeps the mileage sensible, and keeps it in the condition that it's in now, that he'll probably get most of his money back in a year or two.
He's promised me a drive in the near future, something to look forward to!
He said that the performance and handling are excellent.
I've told him that if he keeps the mileage sensible, and keeps it in the condition that it's in now, that he'll probably get most of his money back in a year or two.
He's promised me a drive in the near future, something to look forward to!
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