I've been looking for a new motor and have been considering a Saxo VTR on an R plate. Anyone got one and if so what do you think of it? Performance, handling and reliability are the biggies.

Hi Chris

My younger brothers got an R reg

He's had it just over a year, performance is ok, he's had it lowered and handling ok

But reliability, 2 new ignition switches, head gasket and clutch were the expensive ones

Adrian

SHMBO has got a Y plate vtr, Very nippy little car Bit dear for the front section of the exhaust £250 can only get it from a dealer

Overall Would give it the thumbs up

Drew

[Edited on 30/6/05 by subk2002]

Have you considered the Pug 106 GTi ? The same car under the skin, but slightly better looking IMHO

Wouldn;t consider anything other than a VTS the 16v version.

You'll not like the insurance costs tho. Very well known for boy racers. Millions must have been crashed !!!

Yeah, loads with light front end damage in the paper, including the one I'm gonna look at tomorrow. Still, I'm on a budget and VTS's are a little more expensive.

I do like the 106 GTi's but they're a bit dear too.

I wanted a Saxo a few years back, but couldn't find one at the right price. Ended up with a 1.6l Pug 106 XSi. I think they're the same in all but badges and trim??

Went like f*ck on the twisty stuff, but was under geared, bouncing off the limiter at 130mph in fifth. A sixth gear would have made it seriously quick! Pulled like a train to the red line in every gear.

Insurance was mega money though and parts and servicing weren't cheap either. It cost me in excess of £3k in a year to insure, service, parts and petrol. (Mine only did about 12-16mpg). And Yvonne only did 5,000 miles that year! So I swapped it for a Matiz!

Mind you mine had Group N stamped on the Vin Plate and was a holomogation special.

Go for it if it's cheap!

Mike

Chris, get some insurance quotes first.

The Zetec-s fiesta's are better mate. Handle better and are cheaper on insurance and are more powerfull.

The saxo's interior falls off on the older ones.

It's gonna be about a grand for the car and insurance isn't too bad. Under £400 from initial enquiries.

Seems everyone I've spoken to has something good to say about them, except Top Gear that is, so I think it might be an option.

Cheers Guys.

<EDIT>...and Dan :-)</EDIT>

[Edited on 30/6/05 by Chris_R]

I've got a slightly newer one and have found a few reoccuring things with mine.

with the sun roof open check the bolts are tight down the side as you look in from outside mine vibrate loose and if they come off are a pain to get back on.

Air bag warning light comes on intermittent - when seats pushed fully forward the wire comes loose under the seat as it is not long enough.

Engine sometimes fails to pick up and revs at around 800rpm. Fixed by turning ignition on and off. Dealer can never find a problem and just keeps reloading ecu software.

The rides ok and corners pretty good on a decent set of tires.

Metalic paint work thin and bird poo soons mark it if not removed quickly.

easy to chip to get around 20bhp more.

Chipping seems like a good idea. An extra 20 bhp would make a big difference.

Have you tried spring washers on the sunroof?

[Edited on 30/6/05 by Chris_R]

Tied a test drive in one a few years back, got in and couldn't get the seat back far enough and had the wheel on my knees. Gave up and went home. Only 6 foot tall.

Only a gand for an R plate... Gee how cars depreciate. Still think of R as nearly new... Come back my C plate 80 sport all is forgiven

Would have thought better with the VTS, cant be much in the price and insurance these days...

VTS's are group 12 insurance IIRC. The VTR's are group 6 IIRC. Search for a good one they are usually thrashed by Gary boys.
I have been told that chips exhaust systems and filter will give a good increase.

Id still rather a zetec-s though, Bit biased cos iv got one.

Looking in the paper tonight an R plate VTS is going for £2800, same plate VTR is going for £1000. I'd like a MKIII Golf GTi, but I'd rather get something that's not gonna need any work. For £1000 I'd get a K plate Golf. See your point about the Fiesta, but I'm not keen on the looks.

Thanks to everyone for the replies. Gonna have a go of a couple of VTRs tomorrow so I'll let you know the verdict.