2002 Citroen Saxo VTR 1.6 8v

Summary:

It's a 1.6 8v Go-cart

Faults:

The sunroof started leaking and needed to be replaced twice in the first 5 months of ownership.

Paint started to peel off rear bumper quite considerably within 4 months of having the car and needed to be replaced.

Purchased Citroen mud flaps with the car which have very poor attachments and often rub or ground out on speed bumps etc.

Both rear lights needed to be replaced due to them having condensation inside.

Often have problems selecting first gear and I have needed to force the gear stick on some occasions.

General Comments:

I purchased the Saxo for a very reasonable sum at the beginning of the year. I was attracted by the low insurance band and its sporty looks.

I am pleased with the overall performance of the car, the michelin tyres are very grippy due to their soft compound, but the front ones did wear extremely fast and I needed to replace them after 10,000 miles.

The interior is pretty basic, but the gear knob and white dials do enhance its appearance. The seats are reasonably comfortable and hold you in place nicely on the bends. I am very surprised that the electric window buttons and the air control knobs are not illuminated when the dash lights are on, which proves to be somewhat awkward at times.

I am extremely disapointed with the service I have received from the Citroen main dealer in Swansea. Their response to my problems with the car has been generally slow and certainly unsatisfactory.

The VTR does have its problems, as do most other cars, but at the end of the day it's certainly a popular hot hatch with street cred, good looks and excellent performance with plenty of scope for modification.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 17th December, 2002

27th Oct 2008, 08:28

1. The interior is basic, as that is what makes it so nippy.

2. I've had mine for years and there is NOTHING WRONG WITH IT.

3. The mudflaps you fitted? How do you know you just fitted them poorly? Plus that is an aftermarket part, NOT put on the car by Citroen.

4. It is a fantastic car. End of.

27th Oct 2008, 11:26

People use the site for a range of opinions, and whilst you are free to disagree with the reviewer it doesn't make them wrong. From my experiences with a Saxo (Westcoast in my case) it was a sub par car in terms of comfort, safety, reliability amongst other things that would make me think recommending the car purely on the basis of light and so reasonably nippy is not the full picture.

2002 Citroen Saxo VTS 1.6 16v

Summary:

Great fun for that country driving

Faults:

Exhaust mounting broke, and was knocking on the chassis. Fixed by dealer under warranty @ ~3000 miles.

Gearbox is very sticky when cold, engaging first feels rough, fine when warm.

Alarm kept going off at about 7500 miles, fixed under warranty (changed ultrasonics).

Handbrake as with all saxo's needs tightening up.

General Comments:

This car is great fun, performance is quite nice and handling is really good. 4,500 rpm and it takes off!

My tire's seem to have lasted well, try to do most of my thrashing in the wet. Although looking to replace them with Goodyear F1s.

Insurance is pricey though, I'm 22 and looking @ a renewal of £1400.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 16th December, 2002

2002 Citroen Saxo Furio 1.4

Summary:

Good value, fun to drive, very nippy

Faults:

Wheel trim fell off (probably a blessing in disguise-get alloys!)

Passenger's seat feels a bit loose.

Starting to rattle.

That's all!

General Comments:

Good value car. Reasonable looks and performance for price.

Comes in a choice of nice colours-Icelandic Grey is one to look out for. A bit on the basic side overall though.

Fantastic handling! Ride suffers a bit as a result, but you forgive it! Brakes are also excellent, just like a proper Citroen.

Seems to pick up dents easy, but many have commented on the looks in a positive way.

Dealers aren't fantastic though, make sure you haggle hard and go in head first-they'll back down!!

Good insurance premiums on this car, fuel economy is OK.

Pace is better than I'd expected, easily will do 100mph without hardly any pressure on the throttle at all! In fact is a tiny bit off a VTR really! Keeps up with Zetec-S Fiestas OK too.

Overall a good value, fun to drive car. A tad too common perhaps? A bit flimsy and basic, but you get what you pay for!

Better than a 106.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th December, 2002

18th May 2003, 12:48

The furio is a great bit of kit. In an Elise kind of way it is a "back to basics" kind of car. The point in the rev range where the torque/ power kicks in is far better matched for the gearbox than in the VTR. You might not blow away the hot hatch brigade, but you'll have great fun trying. You will also be driving a car that seldom goes wrong has cheap insurance, tax and is very economical. To better this car is to get a VTS, but think of the running costs.