Saxo VTR - Am I mad?

HungryJoey

Hey lads, I'm looking for a cheap car at the moment (around the 3K mark) and have come accros a few tempting Saxo VTR 1.6 8v and a 16V version. The thing is its my first own car, after learning in my mothers leon or dads passat tdi.

To my suprise I was quoted around 100euro more on the VTR compared to 1.4 / 1.2 Ibiza's and Pug 306's. So I'm seriously considering one as they are nippy and fun to drive and cheap. I will not be doing it up and want a nice original car. I am not into "chaving" these up.

The 2 I have my eye on are both the same price listed as 2950

1: 1999 - 92K Miles - 1.6 16V (100bhp)
2: 1998 - 45K Miles - 1.6 8V (90bhp)

Somehow, I think I'd prefer the 1998 with it being lower millage but I am still yet to check out these cars to see their true state ( they look good in images anyway ). I may yet even hang on another month or 2 if it means finding a perfect one. I like the saxo vtr because its subtle and a little bit unique.

Any opinions?

Hj

Marcus.Aurelius

From a purely mechanical point of view I think the 16v is better. 8v Renaults were noisy and inefficient. I don't know what the 8v citroens were like, but knowing the french, I doubt they were great.

Open to correction

Cadzer

I have a 106 GTI 1.6 16v 120 bhp 97. This was also my first car. There great fun and i have had no major problems,replaced the CAT and ball joints.

Very simular to the Saxo ( badge change) and i would say go for it.

HungryJoey

Cool. I guess the best thing to do is have a look at both and see there condition, service history etc..

I have no problem waiting a little while if it means getting a better saxo. Never though of owning a 1.6 VTR as my first car How much is the TAX / Year on the 1.6? Also does the fact the VRT changing soon, affect anything that I should be aware of ?

Cadzer

HungryJoey wrote: »

Cool. I guess the best thing to do is have a look at both and see there condition, service history etc..

I have no problem waiting a little while if it means getting a better saxo. Never though of owning a 1.6 VTR as my first car How much is the TAX / Year on the 1.6? Also does the fact the VRT changing soon, affect anything that I should be aware of ?

Ya have a look at both , or at carzone, not sure if there is many VTR's on there but ther is a few GTI's. TBH i havnt looked into how much my tax will be after the change but it around €390 you can find it online.

You should have a look at the GTI's aswell you might find what your looking for.

Atomic Pineapple

you wont have to pay vrt if you buy within ireland and the new tax bands only affect cars registered after july 1st so you only have to worry about it if your goin to england to get a vtr.

there great little cars, nippy and great handling, just dont crash it!!

http://www.saxosportsclub.com/

http://www.saxperience.com/

a couple of websites you should check out for more info and if you can you should wait to find the right one

junior_apollo

Saxo will see you paying a slightly higher insurance as they are seen as being boy-racer-ish cars... But its worth it...

Was the owner of a 99 Saxo for almost 3 years before moving up to my current C4 Loeb... Loved my saxo to bits... really nippy car to drive, absolutely STICK to the road... never had even the slightest problem.. again i would agree with the above get the 16 instead of the 8 if possible as less problems, but for the money ur talking about id say u could get a 99 - 00, try to get the older shape saxo <99 as the square lights are much nicer...

This shape one is the one I mean...

http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=871453

Not much changed on this (from the pics can see have added an exhaust, and have changed the vent surround on the interior... but the rest seems pretty standard, and seats look like always had covers (ie in good nick)...

Wish ya all the best with your hunting and hope you enjoy urs as much as I did mine... (*sheds a tear for the memories of his baby*)

HungryJoey

Thats the one I am going to go have a look at Just a bit worried about the millage, but I gues any common problems they had they should be sorted out at 93K miles. Should I still consider it at 93K ? Thats the one I like, I recon the black will come up very nice after some paintwork detailing.

junior_apollo

IMO im never too worried about mileage... (within limits of course)... aslong as the car was looked after and serviced regularly it shouldnt make too much difference... ask all the usual questions... service history, timing belt, any crashes, any replaced parts... (my mileage was 115k and most of that was motorway mileage (Clonmel -> Dublin) so had big mileage but was always well looked after, only things ever replaced from her birth was the clutch 2yrs in (car was 8yrs old by then)... and the usual - brake shoes, timing belt, (typical service parts) etc etc)... nothing out of the ordinary though... never a problem...

Looking at that car i'm tempted myself to get one again... but ill let u to it haha... Make sure u check all the electrics and stuff aswell.. ie - fully operate the electric windows, check fog lights, remote central locking, check manual locking/unlocking, boot locking, lights, fan, heater, power steering, (as the person above mentioned he had to replace ball joints (CV joints)... so when you test drive one.. fully lock the wheels to each side when turning the car at a normal speed (in a car park or similar) and listen for any noises (knocking noise)...

If i think of anything else ill add haha...

OH actually - mine was the one without the sunroof... make sure u open and close fully that too and check it... even pour some wat over it to be certain if u worried at all...

HungryJoey

Thanks very very much for the sound advice. appreciate it - Now stay away from that VTR J/k

One other thing, if I do run into problems with the saxo, is there specialists who can look at the car or anywhere in perticular I should bring it? I'm no mechanic my self but I guess I'll learn the basics as I go on.

Hj