Yesterday

Citroen Saxo VTR | PH Auction Block

They didn't really make 'em like the Saxo 25 years ago - so imagine how much fun that'll be now

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Nothing illustrates the scarcity of classic pocket rockets like a quick browse of the PH classifieds. There are gems in there, for sure, but they haven’t been affordable for a very long time. There are pricey hatchbacks that aren’t quite so good as well, but that’s nostalgia for you. What’s most notable, really, is what’s absent: Fiestas, Corsas and Puntos with more than a 1.2, basically, with an honourable mention for the Puma as well. 

Probably it’s unreasonable to have expected a decent amount of survivors, really, given these were cheap cars back in the day. They weren’t typically driven with much consideration for the future, to put it politely. Sometimes they were driven without consideration for anything at all, and we probably all have a story to tell about that. 

In the current climate, then, a 20,000-mile, no-reserve Saxo VTR certainly stands out. Even if it wasn’t gleaming in gold. If ever there was a car you wouldn’t expect to find in such time warp condition, it was the 90hp Saxo eight-valve. This was the car you could get the free insurance on, that cost £9,995, and which offered the crash protection of a croissant. They were never meant to make it this far, and certainly not with an MOT for at least every year there’s been a digital record. This has been in use continuously for more than a quarter of a century, miles gradually ticking on by with three owners, not parked up to be forgotten about. 

It gets better, too, as the Saxo has survived all this time without modification. Which is like finding an unscratched compact disc or tape that’s never been rewound with a pencil, but there we are - miracles do happen. And doesn’t it look brilliant for it? Pert and pretty on small wheels like all the finest French fancies, you wouldn’t change a thing. People will come around just to see the upholstery and wind the sunroof, guaranteed. 

As something to use in 2026, this surely has to be the ideal time machine. Bar some some titchy pedals, the Saxo was always easy to drive; crucially, too, it’s going to feel heroically fast far below the speed limit. Tiny wheels means tiny brakes and tiny tyres, which won’t cost much to replace. Things that don’t weigh much don’t use much fuel. And yet such is the Saxo’s following in the UK that it’ll attract attention like the very thirstiest (in every sense) supercar.

So whether to relive a misspent youth, or having just missed out first time around, owning a Saxo VTR in 2026 promises all sorts of joy. See elsewhere for long distance refinement, luxurious appointments or scintillating performance; but for the unrepeatably raw thrill of a souped up supermini, look no further. Not least because there really aren’t that many left.  

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See the original advert

[rossub]

Gold…. why’d it have to be Gold.

[Alex_225]

I think these look great, they're small, pretty little cars and no doubt a great drive (only ever driven 106s to compare). But it's a shame the colour is the same as a morning p!ss.

[BricktopST205]

When I passed my test these were doing the rounds where Citroen would give a years free insurance with them. Absolutely nuts at the time for a 17 year old. If you could afford the car that is!

[mjspencer348]

815 miles a year for 26 years, I'd say that makes this one unique. How Citroen managed to offer free insurance on these back in the day is one of life's mysteries, but many were glad they did, a properly fun first car.

Edited by mjspencer348 on Friday 21st August 18:02

[Jte3397]

I ran one alongside a EP3 Type R and FD3S RX7. Brilliant fun and lift off oversteer on tap. The most fun I've had driving on snow too. If I had the space, I'd be tempted, even if it is gold.

[normalbloke]

I love these. My friend has one in currently albeit an S. He often has a few quirky things in amongst the bread and butter cars..

https://www.avenuecarswinchester.co.uk/details/use...

[MC Bodge]

Alex_225 said:

I think these look great, they're small, pretty little cars and no doubt a great drive (only ever driven 106s to compare). But it's a shame the colour is the same as a morning p!ss.

You may need to see a doctor

[MC Bodge]

mjspencer348 said:

815 miles a year for 26 years, I'd say that makes this one unique. How Citroen managed to offer free insurance on these back in the day is one of life's mysteries

I wonder how many of them were written off soon afterwards?

[Baileyk]

Owned a first gen VTR in blue. Build quality of an empty spam tin but by god I drove that car like I stole it.

[pidsy]

Baileyk said:

Owned a first gen VTR in blue. Build quality of an empty spam tin but by god I drove that car like I stole it.

So did I. P611 MKO

shame I “max powered” it, it was a great little thing. They didn’t do the free insurance on the VTS though iirc

[s m]

pidsy said:

Baileyk said:

Owned a first gen VTR in blue. Build quality of an empty spam tin but by god I drove that car like I stole it.

So did I. P611 MKO

shame I max powered it, it was a great little thing. They didn t do the free insurance on the VTS though iirc

They definitely did do it - 2 years of it when I got mine - you may have had to be 21 or 25 though for the VTS insurance deal

[SFTWend]

It might be one family owned from new but they didn't love it much with only 4 services in 26 years.

[pidsy]

s m said:

pidsy said:

Baileyk said:

Owned a first gen VTR in blue. Build quality of an empty spam tin but by god I drove that car like I stole it.

So did I. P611 MKO

shame I max powered it, it was a great little thing. They didn t do the free insurance on the VTS though iirc

They definitely did do it - 2 years of it when I got mine - you may have had to be 21 or 25 though for the VTS insurance deal

I was 18 so must’ve been below the threshold.

[simon-tigjs]

It mat be a bit time warp , but it 10% of it miles in year one , 30 ? % of it miles but 2006 and saw a welded exhaust 10 year later . Then nothing till recent . . Low miles does not equal no wear. The build up in this engine could be huge Treat it gently ! Fun little thing but run on a shoestring

[Code Black]

I had the Mk2 but VTS in Diablo Red. A really fun car. Lift off over steer when “required”. Still miss the car a lot.

[vaud]

Alex_225 said:

I think these look great, they're small, pretty little cars and no doubt a great drive (only ever driven 106s to compare). But it's a shame the colour is the same as a morning p!ss.

Drink more water before bed...

[disco666]

Nice.
Not something I’d buy, in any colour, but I quite like the gold.

[cerb4.5lee]

I can't think of these without thinking about the pedal box in them to be honest. I reckon that there's more room in my Caterham's pedal box than there is in these for sure.

Such fond memories of these and the VTS though, don't get me wrong.

[TCEvo]

I had one of these in blue on a W when it was a couple of years old. Traded an XR2i + cash for it. Loved the VTR from the moment I got it.

Put a set of Toyo's on & as my work daily it spent a lot of time being hammered around the roundabouts of Basildon & along the A127 and A13.

It was replaced after a couple of years by an Astra (company car) - sold to a girl from Dagenham.

Mate had a pre-facelift VTR & another a VTS - which always felt quite a bit quicker.

[s m]

cerb4.5lee said:

I can't think of these without thinking about the pedal box in them to be honest. I reckon that there's more room in my Caterham's pedal box than there is in these for sure.

Such fond memories of these and the VTS though, don't get me wrong.

I know this is often mentioned Lee…. but I’ll say hand on heart I never found it an issue in 4.5 years of ownership - I’m size 10.5/11. They really were fantastic handling little cars if you like a mobile chassis