1999 Citroen Saxo VTR 1.6i 8v petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A expensive game

Faults:

You name it, it's gone wrong, everything from power steering to sunroof seals. Don't buy one of these unless you have money to burn. It's cost me 1000s in repairs and I'm not a boy racer. I could have got a Nova with less problems.

General Comments:

Quick, holds the road at speed, cheap and low insurance. But what you save on insurance be prepared to spend on repairs.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th October, 2000

11th Nov 2008, 07:17

I agree, what you save on insurance you pay in repairs. But the tax banding is high at over £100 for six months... Which is also why it's cheaper to insure perhaps?

A lot of the repairs tends to be general maintenance such as brake pads, but please be aware that things wear a heck of a lot more quickly on a Saxo than on other cars, it's likely that you'll be forking out £200 every 6-7 weeks for repairs which might include the following:

A new bearing plus fitting... CV joints... Driveshafts... CAT converter... Ignition barrel replacement... Clutch... Handbrake cable... Engine relays. I blame cheap parts manufactured by Citroen for these problems, but I have not heard of a single Saxo that hadn't had problems. You might even get extra unlucky and buy one that has an unidentifiable fault. Never, ever take it to a main dealer, they will rip you off and charge you even if they don't find a fault...

I have the Saxo VTR, it handles like a little go-kart and not even my new car matches the performance on corners, but my new car is much smoother to drive and classier and quicker (Audi A3 1.8 Turbo Sport). The Saxo is sitting on the driveway at the mo... Again it is in need of a new CV joint/Driveshaft and they were all replaced a year and a half ago.

I'll let you decide.

21st Mar 2009, 06:55

I have had my Saxo for 6 years, and the only thing I've replaced is tyres and brakes! I do over 60 miles a day to work and back!

I recommend one of this little wippers. Some times you'll get the odd Friday car, but don't let that put you off! You can get a Friday car even with Audi. Don't let someone's bad experience put you off.

22nd Mar 2009, 16:13

The majority of people who drive these cars thrash them around. If you don't thrash around in them and generally look after them, then they won't break.

1999 Citroen Saxo VTR 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Pocket rocket

Faults:

The airbag light began a little disco revolution down a bumpy road but the dealers fixed that.

It needs tracking all the time because it hammers the front tyres, a new front pair are wearing after 3000 miles.

The gearbox squeaks between third and fourth, the garage has had a bash and failed, they'll be seeing me again.

It's currently having a new front end because a Skoda had the last one, the damage is estimated at £4000, I've noticed that a lot of the reviews mention some sort of crash, don't people like Saxos or something?

General Comments:

Love the motor, best laugh I've had driving. All my mates are very jealous because they've got West Coasts. Superb performance and brilliant handling.

My only complaint is that it takes a while to get comfortable in the driving seat. If only it was faster than a Cavalier SRi.....

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th September, 2000

7th Sep 2004, 16:02

Tell me about it ours was keyed and the back end has been taken off thanks to a royal-mail lorry!!!

1999 Citroen Saxo First 1.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Worth the money - good for a first car

Faults:

The petrol cap started peeling after I dropped it on the floor. The dealer replaced it without questions.

The gears are sometimes a bit dodgy, but no serious problems.

General Comments:

I love my car. It's really nippy and although it's only a one litre engine, I still get a lot of fun out of it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th September, 2000