Peugeot 106 GTi - daily driver?
Discussion
So I'm looking at getting a Pug 106 GTi S2 in the new year as my next car to replace my ageing and awful Fiesta. while dreary and boring to be in and drive, it has been very reliable.
I've been looking through the many forums and the general feeling is that the majority are dependable with the odd horror story here and there. Is this an accurate idea?
My commute in the morning takes less time than my car does to actually heat up, so it isn't a particularly bad problem if it doesn't start one morning, I could probably walk to work in less than 30 minutes, However on weekends I rack up the miles which could potentially suck...
In short, if someone could tell me some of the stuff to look out for when finding potential cars and when I go to view them, It'd be much appreciated, either that or some links to forums where someone has already asked the same question and I was too stupid to find it
Thanks,
Tom.
I've been looking through the many forums and the general feeling is that the majority are dependable with the odd horror story here and there. Is this an accurate idea?
My commute in the morning takes less time than my car does to actually heat up, so it isn't a particularly bad problem if it doesn't start one morning, I could probably walk to work in less than 30 minutes, However on weekends I rack up the miles which could potentially suck...
In short, if someone could tell me some of the stuff to look out for when finding potential cars and when I go to view them, It'd be much appreciated, either that or some links to forums where someone has already asked the same question and I was too stupid to find it
Thanks,
Tom.
I can confirm that they're utterly awesome little things to drive, and more than comfortable and practical enough for the daily commute. If looked after and serviced properly they should be pretty reliable too, yes. The problem is finding one that's been well looked after and not been modified, placing strain on components designed to work together as stock which will show now that they're older and leggier. Much like the RX7, the 106 GTi is a great driver's car pounced upon by modders to the degree that original ones are actually very rare.
I ran a year 2000 Xsara VTR (same engine and running gear as the 106GTI ) as a daily for 18 months, in that time the engine needed a coil pack and throttle potentiometer three times - rather expensive part at £500 for what should be a basic car. After the second one I just drove around with a fault code reader plugged in so when the sensor started playing up I could wipe the error and continue my journey.
Beyond that everything else that failed (cat, clutch, drive shaft, 2 engine mounts, downpipe, wheel bearing, calliper, boot lock, electric mirrors, stereo display, plus trivial interior parts like door cards falling off) must have been age related as my experience of petrol French cars is they fall apart between 60-80k.
For reference a few of my relatives have Citreons and they are equally terrible from Xantia era onwards but a couple of friends of mine work at a PUG dealer and have worked on my Citreon and concluded that the PUGs although sharing a lot of parts are clearly better built. Hence one of them has had 3 or 4 106GTIs , 306GTIs and LOVED THEM!
Beyond that everything else that failed (cat, clutch, drive shaft, 2 engine mounts, downpipe, wheel bearing, calliper, boot lock, electric mirrors, stereo display, plus trivial interior parts like door cards falling off) must have been age related as my experience of petrol French cars is they fall apart between 60-80k.
For reference a few of my relatives have Citreons and they are equally terrible from Xantia era onwards but a couple of friends of mine work at a PUG dealer and have worked on my Citreon and concluded that the PUGs although sharing a lot of parts are clearly better built. Hence one of them has had 3 or 4 106GTIs , 306GTIs and LOVED THEM!
I had a 106 Gti as a daily for 11 months, did 16k and drove it pretty hard on occasions, so I'm pretty well placed to answer this.
Reliability wise, the best bit about the 106 is that if anything does go wrong it is super cheap to repair, consumables can be had be had for pennies and they are very easy to work on as well, I have barely any mechanical knowledge but can manage the basics on these.
In terms of things to look out for, rear axles are prone to wearing and for a new/refurb you are looking close to £400 to replace. They also can eat through driveshafts, bushes and bearings, all are relatively cheap to repair but on an 12+ years old car they can be seized and be very awkward to replace. They aren't prone to rust but the places to look are under the boot carpet, around the bottom of the windscreen, under the battery and sometimes under the sideskirts.
You also have to bear in mind that being no younger than 10 years old you're never going to find a perfect example, but look in the right places (106owners, on here) and you will find some good ones.
I bought my Cherry Red Gti, R reg, for £940 back in June 2012, it was on 85k, FSH and was as mint as you could get. It needed a new axle which I got fitted for £380 from IMaxles(would highly recommend). After 11 months of ownership I sold it for £1500 on 101k and it was still going very strong.
As a daily driver it is never going to be a great cruiser but it's not as bad as you would expect. Ignore people who say you can't drive them with big feet, I'm size 12 and managed fine.
Make sure you get one with the leather/alcantara, the seats are brilliant and very supportive. I averaged 37mpg in my time driving mine, could always get above 30mpg around town and managed 52mpg doing 55mph on 400 miles of motorway.
However they are not meant to be cruisers, but as a B road thrash that will leave a smile on your face everytime they're brilliant.
I won't rant anymore but I loved mine, easily the most fun car I've ever had and is a future classic IMO. Just go for Cherry red or Sundance Yellow :P
Reliability wise, the best bit about the 106 is that if anything does go wrong it is super cheap to repair, consumables can be had be had for pennies and they are very easy to work on as well, I have barely any mechanical knowledge but can manage the basics on these.
In terms of things to look out for, rear axles are prone to wearing and for a new/refurb you are looking close to £400 to replace. They also can eat through driveshafts, bushes and bearings, all are relatively cheap to repair but on an 12+ years old car they can be seized and be very awkward to replace. They aren't prone to rust but the places to look are under the boot carpet, around the bottom of the windscreen, under the battery and sometimes under the sideskirts.
You also have to bear in mind that being no younger than 10 years old you're never going to find a perfect example, but look in the right places (106owners, on here) and you will find some good ones.
I bought my Cherry Red Gti, R reg, for £940 back in June 2012, it was on 85k, FSH and was as mint as you could get. It needed a new axle which I got fitted for £380 from IMaxles(would highly recommend). After 11 months of ownership I sold it for £1500 on 101k and it was still going very strong.
As a daily driver it is never going to be a great cruiser but it's not as bad as you would expect. Ignore people who say you can't drive them with big feet, I'm size 12 and managed fine.
Make sure you get one with the leather/alcantara, the seats are brilliant and very supportive. I averaged 37mpg in my time driving mine, could always get above 30mpg around town and managed 52mpg doing 55mph on 400 miles of motorway.
However they are not meant to be cruisers, but as a B road thrash that will leave a smile on your face everytime they're brilliant.
I won't rant anymore but I loved mine, easily the most fun car I've ever had and is a future classic IMO. Just go for Cherry red or Sundance Yellow :P
Definitely a great car for adding thrills to the daily drive. The 306 GTi-6 is nice, but aside from the 6 speed box, there isn't a great deal to recommend it for over the 106 GTi, especially as a driver's car. As mentioned, the key aspect will be finding a 106 GTi that hasn't been badly modified and trashed. There are still good examples floating around, and when you get your hands on one you'll notice that they are refreshingly very simple compared to most modern cars. There isn't a great deal to go wrong, and anything that does go wrong is easily and cheaply fixed.
Add to the handling, which is quite superb. Easy to park, decent boot, back seats, great car for day to day use and a real joy on a B road! The comfort and NVH aren't up to modern standards, but the payoff is a fairly raw and communicative drive. I use my 106 Rallye as my daily drive, and it is brilliant.
Add to the handling, which is quite superb. Easy to park, decent boot, back seats, great car for day to day use and a real joy on a B road! The comfort and NVH aren't up to modern standards, but the payoff is a fairly raw and communicative drive. I use my 106 Rallye as my daily drive, and it is brilliant.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
This is my review of owning one compared with a few other older hot hatches. Hopefully give you a idea of how they are to drive compared to some other well respected newer cars.
This is my review of owning one compared with a few other older hot hatches. Hopefully give you a idea of how they are to drive compared to some other well respected newer cars.
Aaand now I want one even quicker. It sounds like you can squeeze out more MPG than what i get from my fezz which is always a positive, however with almost double the bhp/tonne i doubt i'll be driving too economically. i have driven a 306 GTi briefly and i loved the half leather seats, oodles of support and quite squishy.
Colour-wise I want the cherry red, silver or blaaaaack.
Colour-wise I want the cherry red, silver or blaaaaack.
I've had two both fully stripped and used as daily's. They are reliable, cost pennies to fix when they do go wrong and handle extremely well.
I'd recommend paying top dollar and getting a very well maintained and modified one, they are fantastic as standard and unbelievably good when modified (correctly).
I'm driving a Clio 197 at the moment and as excellent as it is I think the 106 GTI is a far superior car.
I'd recommend paying top dollar and getting a very well maintained and modified one, they are fantastic as standard and unbelievably good when modified (correctly).
I'm driving a Clio 197 at the moment and as excellent as it is I think the 106 GTI is a far superior car.
billy939 said:
I had a 106 Gti as a daily for 11 months, did 16k and drove it pretty hard on occasions, so I'm pretty well placed to answer this.
I don't suppose you can comment on the driving position compared to a 306 gti?- CHOP* *CHOP*
StottyZr said:
I've had two both fully stripped and used as daily's. They are reliable, cost pennies to fix when they do go wrong and handle extremely well.
I'd recommend paying top dollar and getting a very well maintained and modified one, they are fantastic as standard and unbelievably good when modified (correctly).
I'm driving a Clio 197 at the moment and as excellent as it is I think the 106 GTI is a far superior car.
What this guy said, I'd say mine once modified was superior to my Clio 182 and Civic Type-R.I'd recommend paying top dollar and getting a very well maintained and modified one, they are fantastic as standard and unbelievably good when modified (correctly).
I'm driving a Clio 197 at the moment and as excellent as it is I think the 106 GTI is a far superior car.
With a Pugsport 2" decat exhaust, enclosed induction, Supersprint 4-2-1 manifold, lowered 20mm and on 15" wheels with wider rubber it was also slightly quicker than the other 2 as well, 139bhp at the flywheel in a 900kg car = big smiles!
tomcrowther said:
billy939 said:
I had a 106 Gti as a daily for 11 months, did 16k and drove it pretty hard on occasions, so I'm pretty well placed to answer this.
I don't suppose you can comment on the driving position compared to a 306 gti?- CHOP* *CHOP*
tomcrowther said:
oosh, I'm only 5ft8 on a good day, so the peddle box being too small is never going to be an issue, likewise i'll always be able to get behind the wheel.
it'll be staying as standard as humanly possible, i'm only 19 so without driving around with the mods undeclared I can't afford.
They don't drive badly standard, but they're the only cars I've had were simple breathing mods really do make a noticeable difference.it'll be staying as standard as humanly possible, i'm only 19 so without driving around with the mods undeclared I can't afford.
You can gain up to 20bhp just by sorting out the exhaust/intake! 140bhp in a 900kg car = 155bhp per ton (in other words, enough to have fun!)
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