1999 Citroen Saxo VTR review from UK and Ireland

Faulty airbag sensor at 14,000 miles just after the warranty expired (Citroen billed me 98 quid for "airbag adjustments"!)

Handbrake cable came loose, rubbed against the rear wheel, snapped and needed replacing.

Starter solenoid replaced at 33,000 miles.

Water leaks into the passenger foot-well in heavy rain.

Front wheel-arch lining came loose.

The Saxo VTR is a fun, responsive, cheap hatch (to buy & insure) with good dynamics, which seems to come alive when really pushed hard.

The VTR can prove highly entertaining on twisty roads, you can chuck it into bends and roundabouts at ridiculous speeds without any nasty surprises (never try this in the wet though). I have found my VTR has become progressively more tail-happy since I brought it two and a half years ago, probably due to worn suspension parts and general abuse.

When pushing hard (4000-6500 RPM) and particularly in isolation you get the feeling it's a pretty quick hot-hatch, fooling you it's faster than it really is. But, performance-wise it's only warm, many other motors on the road can blow it into the weeds.

On the downside, the brakes are crap, the build quality is at best mediocre and there's far too many about. Citroen dealers are overpriced, unhelpful and non-interested. Depreciation is steep (when brought new). And driving the car hard you can expect to fork out for new front tyres every 6-8 months (they ain't cheap at 100 quid a corner) and new front pads every 10-12k.

Buy this car to have a gas, not for fit and finish.