1997 Citroen Saxo VTR 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Simply the best car for insurance group 7!!!

Faults:

Rear bumper laquer has started to peel off, only on the corner, this can be sorted out easily by using a spray of clear paint laquer.

Stereo didn't work, and was wired all wrong from the inside of the car.

Cat needs replacing at 28 on most cars if not treated respectfully.

Sunroof creaks when opened and closed.

General Comments:

The car is amazing for the insurance group...only group 7! My very old Nova SR was higher than that, and a lot less powerful or as impressive.

I bought the car in the intention to modify it, I've changed the wheels over to 15" from the standard 14" to add extra grip and better appearance, and also the stereo has been changed.

A must is to change the rear panel speakers as these will blow if any kind of power is put through them, get some 6x9 speakers and get them flushed with the rear parcel shelf.

Sorted little car that can't be beaten on price!

The new Corsa is £11k standard... the new VTR with a higher spec and sporty edition is only £10.5k.... explain that Vauxhall!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 11th January, 2001

1997 Citroen Saxo VTR 1.6 8v petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A cheap insurance, sports hatch with looks to die for!

Faults:

The catalytic converter is waiting to be replaced as are the two front fog lights in the bumper.

Neither of the lights were there, and the wires were left hanging down since I got the car, so according to Citroen that will be fixed as booked in with myself. We will wait and see what happens with this situation.

Also the rear bumper (left side) has lost its plastic coating, and the paint has lost its shine as well due to this. Citroen will be informed as the car is under warranty and it's only 2 weeks since I bought the car off them.

General Comments:

The car is a very good car, it has a low insurance group for its engine size, and is a very good car to tune performance wise. New exhausts, air filters and ECU chips are available, as is a new turbo from SST.

Look out for some thrashed VTR's, these can be easily restored to fast cars with a new filter, new plugs and new exhaust system.

Beware of petrol related problems, my VTR is drinking loads of petrol, but that's probably due to the damaged catalytic converter.

I previously owned a 1.1 Forte, but after finding out how much the insurance was on the VTR I soon swapped, within 1 year I had owned two Saxos! My older one was a W-REG 1.1 in metallic red registration W47 UGF, but my current one is a P-REG with all the extra trim for a snip at £7000.

That includes electric windows, central locking, alarm, immobiliser, tinted glass, sunroof, metallic paint, ABS brakes, power steering, alloy wheels, race style seats, RDS radio cassette, and front and rear speakers!

The VTR is certainly the car to have at the moment, and remember it's not all about speed, but if that's what you want, then the VTR does 0-60 in less than 8.3 seconds! So it's not slow for an 8-valve car... in fact, it's faster then an Mazda MX-5! Both on 0-60 and on top end speed!

You won't be disappointed with the car..... it's the best I've seen on today's ugly car market!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th January, 2001

10th Feb 2006, 05:25

Phase 1 0-60 of 8.3 don't make me laugh that would be knocking 1.6 seconds off.

19th Apr 2006, 13:30

No no not 8.3. if its 97 its about 9.7 - 9.9. if its 99 onwards you be looking at 9.1 - 9.3 seconds.

15th Jun 2010, 17:30

Whenever I argue with the wife and feel down in the dumps, I know I can always rely on a Saxo VTR owner to make me laugh. 8.3? Not even if you pushed it off a cliff.

8th Jul 2010, 16:46

19th Apr 2006, 13:30 - Accurate figures. I used to own a VTR a few years ago, a 2003 model and I had it remapped. It put out 110bhp at the rolling road and 8.6 to 60 (the real deal, not just a stop watch and some guess work). 8.6 you say? No way! Well if we consider for a second that the VTS is 120bhp and does 60 in around 7.6 seconds. Then 8.6 from 110bhp is perfectly realistic.

Then suddenly you grow up. But it was fun at the time.