Faults:

The head gasket blew at 32,000 miles.

The catalytic converter went at the same time.

The oxygen sensor and manifold sensor needed replacing.

The shocks and top mounts went at 35,000.

The ABS sensor also needed replacing.

The front brakes, pads and bearings also needed replacing at 35,000.

General Comments:

This is one the finest hot hatches I have driven, it literally has go-kart handling and grip.

It is quite a fast little motor, but it needs to be thrashed to get the best out of it which is why it has cost me a fortune on engine and suspension parts.

Faults:

My exhaust fell off on the second day after I bought the car.

My radiator blew on the third day after I bought the car.

Second gear went at about 47000 miles.

General Comments:

What can be said about Peugeot's 106 Gti that hasn't already been said, well here goes, have you ever driven a go-kart that'll do 140 mph, if you're a Gti owner then the answer is yes.

Sadly the car's previous owner didn't look after it too well, so things went wrong eg exhaust, radiator. But after spending nearly a grand on modifications, janspeed, ecosse induction etc. The car was in a word 'flying'.

The 106 Gti is one of few cars on the road that looks sweet standard, pretty good rims, flared arches and nice front fogs make it a small car that looks the part in anyone's driveway.

Once you drive one of them and you see that needle on the rev counter dancing up and around 8000 rpm you know that you are in a true hot hatch, the best in my opinion since the 205 Gti.

Can Jeremy Clarkson be wrong, not in my mind, he rated this car a better handler than the Porsche 911 and I couldn't agree more. I have driven cars that are a lot quicker, but none that are as much fun to drive.

I've been up against tough competition off the lights in my 106, but she has never let me down yet against any other 1600 car, whether it's a Corsa sport, a CRX V-Tec or even a Starlet Turbo I have always came out on top, up to 60 anyway.

Believe it or don't, 0-60 mph is in the high 6's, 0-100 mph is 16.6 seconds and top end is 140 mph, though there has been a few mods.

Faults:

Alarm goes off for no apparent reason.

General Comments:

If you're in the market for a gti I would definitely recommend this car to anyone.

Even as standard it looks great, although it looks much better if you lower the suspension all round and put on a new set of wheels.

Don't be too quick to whack a set of big alloys on though, the car was designed around 14 inch rims. If you do the price you pay is slower turn in, slightly numb handling and reduced acceleration. The up side is obviously you're car will look better.

If you're interested in fitting a new set of alloys, I would recommend 15 inch wheels as a good compromise. They might not look as good as 16's, but they don't affect the handling or acceleration as I've mentioned.

The words 'Pocket Rocket' sum up this little giant killer! It goes like stink!

The engine lacks a little torque low down the rev range, but more than makes up for it at about 4500 rpm, where it really takes off all the way to it's 7200 red line.

It handles better than many more expensive sports cars.

It always seems to have a trick or two up its sleeve when you take a corner too fast. It's saved my neck a couple of times when I thought I'd lost it round the bends.

The downside to the good performance and excellent handling are you sometimes get a little carried away. I'm not a boy racer, but have to admit I drive faster than I should sometimes. The car can be like a drug, you just want to push it harder and harder.

If you can compromise on space (there's not much room in the back or the boot) and want a real performance bargain, this is the car for you.