Citroen is a French car manufacturer that produces amazing rally cars and also general cars for road use some of which are made with the rally versions in mind. French build quality and reliability are often slated but after having 5 French cars they really aren't all that bad, they certainly have character and are very unique.
The Saxo VTS has a 1.6 16v (1587 cc) 4 cylinder engine the top model Saxo which produces 120bhp at the flywheel with 107 lb-ft it as a book top speed figure of 127bhp all though I have had mine faster as standard as figures aren't always 100% accurate and can even vary from car to car but they won't
be far out. It weights only 935kg so has a lot of power and not a lot of weight making it a rather fast car with a nice 0-60 in just 7.6 seconds. They are a very small hot hatch with dimensions of length 3718 mm, width 1595 mm and height 1360 mm.
Specifications
It has all of the following as standard from new…
PAS (power assisted steering) ABS (anti-lock braking system) Electric Front Windows EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution) from November 2002 only Digital Clock Electric and Heated Mirrors Oil Temperature Gauge and Maintenance Warning Rear Spoiler Front Fog Light Third Brake Light Driver and Passenger Airbag 15" Alloy Wheels Front Seatbelt Pretensioners Anti Theft Alarm Sunroof 3 Setting Heater/Fan
My own experience with this car
I have had one of these cars since November 2007 I already had and still have a 1.4 model Citroen Saxo and fancied the quicker top model so I went out looking for one and found a Wicked Red 2000 'W' plate with 90,000 on the clock and full service history for just £1925 took her out and fell in love with her. The first thing I did was go out and buy some good sportstyres for her so her handling could be at it's best, after a while of getting used to a slightly different car I couldn't be more impressed with her, she is absolutely rapid for a 1.6 and will surprise most things of the lights including other cars with bigger engines. Her handling is amazing you can just throw her into a corner and get continuous grip the suspension is rather stiff and can be quite a hard ride especially over speed bumps but this helps with the amazing handling of the car. The inside of the car is rather basic compared to most newer cars with no air conditioning which would be useful in the summer all though I am considering getting this fitted. Also the seats that come with it are not what you would expect from a top model car so they have been replaced in mine with the half leather half alcantara seats from the 106 gti that area direct fit. The standard brakes on this car and every other Saxo are horrendous no matter what you do to them, I have upgraded mine to some off a Peugeot 306gti-6 and these are a vast improvement and only need a little grinding to fit.
These cars are far from safe with just a 2 star NCAP rating but I'm not to bothered about safety when I am having so much fun in this small sporty hot hatch!
There are a few problems I have had with this car that are a common problem these include…
Power steering, the ignition barrel wires heat up and melt and the whole ignition barrel will need replacing this does cost a lot! But first check it is not just the fuse or power steering pump that are broken.
Airbag light, often the wires under the driver seat come loose and the airbag light will flash this is also common with Saxos but is simple to fix.
Rear axle, mine started knocking the rubber bushes inside it wear away after time mine has done 100,000 miles though now and it is easier to just replace the beam this is very expensive and again a common problem.
Leaks and Knocks, steering knocks are also common usually really simple to fix just a bush or something, also sunroofs and aerials leak which usually need sealing or the pipes cleaning out these are also cheap and simple to fix.
I have found the car club http://www.saxperience.com really helpful with problems and a good Saxo enthusiast's site.
These cars can be bought dirt cheap the MK1s which are from P registered to V for about £1000 to £2000 depending on mileage, MK2s can be bought from V registered to 2003 and prices vary from £1800 up to about £3500 again depending on mileage and condition. Always make sure you buy one with full service history.
Fuel consumption on book says 33mpg combined but it doesn't get as much as that especially when enthusiastically driven, i run mine on Shell V-Power which does improve MPG a bit.
The Citroen dealerships are rather expensive and it is usually worth getting parts elsewhere is possible some branches give really good customer service others are rather useless just depends on your local dealership.
I have added pictures of Rou my Saxo VTS as well… yes she has a name and is part of the family!!!
I may also add more to this review at a later date.
Pictures of Citroen Saxo 1.6i
On a rolling road the weekend before last.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I'd like a new car, something a bit more economical, sounds like a good one but a bit too big for me
groovyem100 23.04.2008 13:21
Much improved and useful review. Contained some interesting information to consider when buying the car. Em x
adrian142 18.04.2008 23:49
A good review, which, I must say has put me off this car. I have two kids (9 + 12) anyway so I do not think it would be the car for us. Useful to know all the problems it has. Thanks. Adrian
Advantages: Great town car, economical to run and have managed to fit an amazing amount of stuff in (including a 6 ft tree out of the sunroof, a complete patio set and a full-on Ikea buy-out - not bad!). Cheap to service and is quite nippy when it isn't full! Disadvantages: Can't adjust rake of driver seat so my husband has to stand on the clutch pedal to get in! Also, very low braking on the pedal - this is a design issue & technically safe but can feel v last minute.
MG121 10.07.2003 ·
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Review of CitroenSaxo1.1
Mar 17th, 2008
(Apr 17th, 2008)
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