Mrs Shed can be quite a demanding woman, expecting conjugal relations on an impossibly frequent basis, sometimes more than once a year. As the dutiful husband, Shed is determined to fulfil his marital obligations every February 29th without fail, come hell or high water. As far as he is concerned, anything else is a bonus. For her.
He is equally firm when the time comes round for Mrs Shed's ten-yearly car change. He always makes sure to choose the best possible vehicle for his needs. Sorry, that should of course have read 'her' needs.
A completely standard 106 GTI. Really
This week's offering strikes Shed as the perfect runaround for him. Or Mrs Shed.
Something has gone slightly wrong in the last few years, but back in the 1980s you were still allowed to have some fun on the roads. Peugeot's 1991 launch of the 106 opened up many of the roads to joy. Sprite-like and largely unencumbered by big metal bars designed to protect you in an accident, even the titchiest-engined models could bring tears of joy to committed drivers. 106s were slightly heavier than the earlier 205, but that wasn't much of an issue if you were behind the wheel of a 120hp 1.6-litre Peugeot 106 GTI, one of the last joyful hurrahs of that happier time.
Clarkson called the 106 GTI the second best handling car of all time. Evo described it as so focused, it was almost on fire. On the road, there wasn't much to choose between the Peugeot and the equivalent Saxo, the identically-engined 120hp VTS. The 15kg lighter Cit had a small 0-60mph advantage, but that was counterbalanced by a general view that the Peugeot had tidier handling. Even at 950kg it was hardly lardy. It was cheaper to insure and somehow classier than the Saxo, but both were an absolute hoot to drive, with pin-sharp steering, terrier-like front-end grip and a lovely suspension compromise between compliance and discipline - an increasingly elusive mix these days.
Foibles fixed and ready to enjoy!
Now, this may come as a surprise to some, but cars like the 106 GTI tend to be driven quite hard. This need not be a bad thing, but you should pay at least passing heed to the state of the cambelt (it's a right mess when they snap) and the catalytic converter: regular exploration of the rev limiter zone will fatigue it. Poor running will often be a crumbly cat.
Driveshafts, clutches, gearboxes and linkages all take a pounding, and play in the suspension is common. Trailing arm bearings are known for failing. If that's happened, fitting uprated torsion bars isn't a bad shout while you're re-beaming and polybushing the back end, and you might as well braid up the brake lines while you're under there: the standard braking set-up depends on you keeping on top of it if you want it to be on a par with the performance. Upgrading to 306 XSI or 206 GTi calipers is a good move.
GTIs can chomp through airflow or crankshaft sensors. You will experience weird electrical foibles, some of them from the alarm system, some from chafed wiring. Power steering pumps might go missing, but might also re-awaken with a smart tap from a hammer. The sunshine roof might dampen your syrup every now and then.
Many a 'faster' car will see this (maybe)
Our Shed has had just about every weak point addressed and fixed in the last two years. The mileage might seem on the high side, but these are tough little cars. Petrol 106s will easily go for two years without major servicing. Unmolested GTIs come up about as regularly as a politician's kept promise, so this one is worthy of further investigation.
The spine-twistingly offset driving position and small footwell won't please everyone, least of all Mrs Shed who possesses feet with all the delicacy and grace of an estuarial dredger. Never mind though, she can always get the bus.
Peugeot 106 GTI
First Registered in April 2003
Moonstone Blue paint colour
Mileage: 125,000 approx.
MOT till Feb 2015
Tax till Dec 2014
Number of Previous owners: 3
GOOD POINTS:
Standard, with no modifications.
Every MOT certificate from July 2009.
Rear Beam rebuilt in March 2011.
New NSF & OSR ABS sensors Feb 2012
New Rear Dampers June 2012
New D/S Driveshaft July 2012
New N/S Driveshaft April 2013
New Lower Arms April 2013
Refurbished power steering pump April 2013
20,000 Service carried out in July 2013, which included: Resealing of the cam carriers, new cam belt, new front pads and discs and oil + filter change.
New alternator August 2013
New drop link, shock absorber top mountings, new front coil springs, new mid rear exhaust sections and underbody wax oiled. November 2013.
I have the receipts for all of the above.
Sunroof resealed and drains pipes cleared, Jan 2014.
Car starts every time and has not let me down. Engine pulls in every gear, does not smoke and barely use oil or water
BAD POINTS
Remote central locking no longer works. Have to use the key to lock and unlock the car. After being broken into in November 2011 the door locks were changed due to damage, thus a different key is used to enter the car than to start it.
The rear boot locked seized and was replaced, again another key is needed to lock / unlock the boot. Leather around top of gearstick has come away due to stitching breaking. The fuel gauge does not read properly until the last third of a tank is remaining.
Reason for sale: Bought another 106 GTI (my third) that had done 37,000 miles.
Car is located in Sutton Coldfield, B73.
Viewings welcome: Please call 0797159837 to arrange.
£1000 o.n.o