Saxo VTS for track days

[petrolheadseb]

Hi all, I'm currently considering buying a cheap Saxo VTS to use as a second car and to do the odd track day in. What I'm really wondering is whether they'd be able to handle being tracked?

I used to own a VTS a few years ago and thought it was a cracking car at the time, although I also know just how rickety the build quality is! The main reasons for going for a VTS are that it's cheap to buy, parts are cheap and they're relatively nippy. But what do you lot think?

[Defcon5]

Perfect for the job I think - all the bits that fall off will make it lighter!

[Kitchski]

The engine's a stong performer, yet strong and the shell is stiff as hell. Gearing could not be bettered all things considered and they're cheap to screw more power out of. Best of all, people HATE being overtaken by them!
Can't think of a much better base car for tracking these days. Cheap, competitive straight out of the box, a doddle to work on and easy to find bits for.

Only thing going against them is they're not quite as easy to get in and go as other mainstream offerings. You can tell they're related to the 205 GTi when you start hurling them around at speed. And as good as the gear ratios are, the gearbox itself is made of cheese. The brakes are ste in standard form, but 266mm Xsara diesel and 283mm Xsara VTS conversions are straight forward enough.

Don't forget the 106 GTI. Same car (better in road-guise really) but usually costs more.

[Sir_Dave]

Have a read of my project thread!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by Sir_Dave on Tuesday 30th March 14:40

[PetrolHeadSeb]

Sir_Dave said:

Have a read of my project thread!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by Sir_Dave on Tuesday 30th March 14:40

Very nice indeed, looks like you've done a cracking job on that. Are you the same Sir_Dave that used to frequent cliosport.net by any chance?

I've definitely been convinced that a VTS will make a great track car, but after a sale on one fell through at the weekend a 306 GTI6 came up for sale close to where I live, so after all of 10 minutes deliberation, I've snapped it up

I still wonder whether I should have waited for a VTS, but I've never owned a GTI6 before and have always wanted to, so I'm looking forward to seeing what it can do

Edited by PetrolHeadSeb on Tuesday 30th March 22:42

[Evo-Unknown]

Okay, so you went for a GTI-6 in the end then. Let us know if that turns out to be a good choice or not?

I use a Saxo VTS for the daily stuff and think it's great fun for what it is. I often wonder what it would be like stripped out a bit and ready for the track.
I'll second what others have said about the sloppy gearbox and terrible brakes as standard though.

I've never owned or driven a GTI-6, and they come well recommended it seems. The fella I bought the Saxo from though reckoned his previous GTI-6 fell a long way short of the VTS - on the road at least...

[Sir_Dave]

PetrolHeadSeb said:

Very nice indeed, looks like you've done a cracking job on that. Are you the same Sir_Dave that used to frequent cliosport.net by any chance?

Yup, thats me, still on there actually ....

Gti6 is a good choice, i would have quite happily had another 306 Rallye, but it wouldnt fit in my tiny garage!! Keep us updated and definately have a peruse of www.306gti6.com ...

Enjoy

[Ponk]

I would think the Gti-6 to be the better B road car of the too, the VTS or 106 Gti is superb on track. As others have said parts are very cheap and the engines strong.

I've nearly finished supercharging my 106 Rallye which shares a lot of bits with the VTS, can't wait

[PetrolHeadSeb]

Yeah I'll see how it goes, don't really know what to expect at the moment. As it's a bit older than the VTS I would have bought, it needs a bit of TLC to make it feel nice and tight, but initial signs are good. Fortunately it's just had a new cam belt, aux belt and clutch, which is handy and was one of the main reasons for getting it.

I haven't driven a VTS for many years so I can't really draw any comparisons between the two really. Although I have noticed that the GTI seems to be a little sluggish in first and second gear but then really picks up the pace in third and fourth, whereas I vaguely remember the VTS being strongest in second and tailing off in fourth. So I can imagine it suiting fast flowing tracks better than tight twisty ones, although that's just my own theory...

I also thought the GTI might be a bit more stable at higher speeds due to it having slightly more ground coverage, but again, nothing to back that up.

It'll be a slow conversion to a full track car and will probably just start off with a bit of TLC and some decent brakes and tyres with a view to giving it an initial outing in May / June time.

Will be my first track day so looking forward to it

[PetrolHeadSeb]

Ponk said:

I've nearly finished supercharging my 106 Rallye which shares a lot of bits with the VTS, can't wait

Bet that'll be a beast! Would like to see some pictures of it when done...