1998 Citroen Saxo VTS from UK and Ireland - Comments

People just think they are crap because they are citroens, and have "boy racer" appeal. If you have never owned one then how can you post a reliable comment. Sure you pay for what you get with them, but what you get is good.

Just to clarify things, the b16a engine in VTi form kicks out 160bhp, and if you have an imported version from Japan, they actually produce 169bhp. Only the older CRXs with the early b16a engine produces closer to 150bhp.

Not 100% sure of the weight of the Saxo, but I know the Civic weighs in at 1050kg. I've not driven the CRX, but I have driven the Civic VTS and the Saxo VTS many times, and for straight line grunt I go with the Civic/CRX every time.

As for handling, it's hard for me to judge as the Civic had different suspension, but it was better than the Saxo.

I own a Punto HGT and I think I can beat a VTS; not easily, but I can do it.

If anyone has any other opinion, demonstrate it by mechanical matters, and experiences.

I'm not a boy racer, but I have a Saxo VTS. The reason I bought it was because I had about £3500 to buy a car, the criteria I had was.

1) Small : as I drive mostly to work on my own, and my last car was a Vectra and far too big.

2) No more thank 4 years old.

3) No more than 30,000 on the clock.

4) At least a 1.6 litre.

I managed to find an 03 VTS with 22000 on the clock for £3600. I have had no problems with it at all, and have had it for 10 months, but I do drive it fairly sensibly.

It was exactly what I wanted for the money, but I definitely wouldn't buy one thinking it was a fast car cos it's not, it's pretty poor; in fact I reckon my old xr3i was quicker, and it's pretty crappy to drive, I know it's hard to criticise a car you own, but all you VTS owners out there need to face facts.

XR3i's?? You don't even need to own or drive either car to know which one is quicker or handles better, and its not the XR3i. Its laughable to say that it is.

You could have bought somthing better, but slower than a VTS for that money.

That is a very brave and sensible comment. Not many people can stand up and slag there own cars off. Everyone else on this site seems to think there car is the best no matter what it is. You just gotta pay your money and be happy with what you have. I love my rover vi and id put that in the same category as a vts (same 0 to 60 time and power to weight ratio) its damn good fun and cost me 1200 quid with 62k on the clock. can't go wrong really.

Well until the head gasket goes.

Not trying to start another argument, but how would a VTS stand up to the only Escort RS Turbo??

The VTS is quick, and so is my Rover Vi, but the turbo in the Escort along with the dump valve could be a better smile factor.

What do you lot think??

Rover Vi owner.

Hi, I've just bought a brand new fiat grande punto 1.3 diesel. Anyone know anything about modifying them?

Thanks.

Perhaps upgrade its turbo if it has one.

Yeah it has one, probably only tiny though. will throwing a bigger turbo in not just create a lot more lag? What can I do about that. Plus with it only being a 1.3 how far can I go?

Its being superchipped this weekend hopefully.

It's a diesel, so it will have more torque than a petrol engine of the same size in general, and I think that would help overcome the lag from a larger turbo.

Cool, I'm learning. First gear is really crap though have to change gear at 10mph. How can I up the torque so I can set off in second? Am I being silly lol.

You can get it mapped for more torque and a bit more power, and vice versa. If it's your first car, I'd suggest using it to get used to driving. And then go for something with a larger engine, 1.6 petrol or 1.7td. Up to you of course; depends if you think it's worth throwing money at it.

It's my second car, and it's on finance for 5 years, so I'll be keeping it for that long at least.

The car will stand me at about 12k when I finished my finance, so definitely think money will be well spent making it the car I want.

How silly could a 1.3 engine be? Also would I be able to fit a dump valve?