saxo vtr

[killinginblack]

Opinions wanted on the above really, how well do they drive etc, decent enough steering feel? ride quality/handling etc etc etc.

Currently have a C2 GT and im thinking of freeing up a bit of cash thats tied up in it.

Any advice gratefully recieved

[number2301]

killinginblack said:

Opinions wanted on the above really, how well do they drive etc, decent enough steering feel? ride quality/handling etc etc etc.

Currently have a C2 GT and im thinking of freeing up a bit of cash thats tied up in it.

Any advice gratefully recieved

My Girlfriend has a 106 1.6 XSi which is a very similar car, handles quite well, steering is reasonable, ride quality is nice. All compared to a 205 GTI which probably means compared to your C2 the steering feedback will be excellent, handling should be much better but ride quality will probably feel poor.

[Kitchski]

The ride's not too bad actually, although it's less refined than a C2. They go well enough to keep up with traffic and the economy is good so today's insane fuel prices hurt slightly less.
Handling is one of the best things about it. Very old school French hot hatch characteristics.....lots of lift off oversteer!

[sean19]

I have a 2000 VTR with 55,000 miles. Its not the most refined to say the least, but its honestly good budget fun! I sold a Golf GTTDI to save on the £2200 a year insurance premium that the Golf was costing, to be honest wish I had got the VTR to begin with.

Things to watch out for are:-

Timing belts due every 40,000
Gear boxes are weak
Bushes seem to go pretty quick, changed the front bushes on mine 12,000 miles ago, think they have gone already.
Mine also has a tendancy to run hot in traffic or when thrashed, had the head done, aswell as the Rad and water pump & thermostat still no cure

They are great round town, can get 35ish mpg quite easily (no onboard computer but a guess). On the run they are noisy, well very noisy. At 85 your looking at 4,000rpm but its the road/wind noise thats so loud! Not a great commuter car.

I also suggest fitting quality front tyres. Had Falkens on when I first bought now have some rubbish fitted. They make a HUGE difference to the handling!

I got to be honest a friend of mine has the 1.4 furio C2 and I dont think its as 'fun' to drive as the saxo, feels a little heavier and soggy.

If you dont want to lose power what about a VTS? Wish I had saved a little more for one but they were £450 a year more to insure.

All in all cheap fun!

[Kitchski]

The way to cure the hot running issues is to fit a VTS radiator. They're wider and have a higher capacity. They're about £70 from ECP and usually bolt right in.

[sean19]

Kitchski said:

The way to cure the hot running issues is to fit a VTS radiator. They're wider and have a higher capacity. They're about £70 from ECP and usually bolt right in.

Is it a common problem?

I will give it a go. Will probably get a scrap yard one though.

Thanks

[Braiths]

Im on my second vtr '03 with 30,000 miles and i think there good cars for what you pay. It will feel like going back in time coming from a c2 but they can be a lot of fun! The only thing that really annoys me with mine is the gearbox when its cold-its a pig to get in gear and crunches into second but apart from that my experience is its a good honest car. It doesn't bother me personally on the motorway but I guess it depends what your used to. take one for a drive and see for yourself.

[Kitchski]

sean19 said:

Kitchski said:

The way to cure the hot running issues is to fit a VTS radiator. They're wider and have a higher capacity. They're about £70 from ECP and usually bolt right in.

Is it a common problem?

I will give it a go. Will probably get a scrap yard one though.

Thanks

Yeah, well in all of the VTR's which have the 1.1 radiator. Some came with the bigger VTS one, and some the smaller as used in all the little engined versions. It's just not up to the job.

We changed my girfriend's rad over and the needle now sits bang on halfway on the temp gauge. When it rises above slightly, the fan kicks in and brings it back. Happy days!

Only issue is that the bottom hose needs to either be cut down, or re-routed (you'll see why when you change it!) We bought a new one and changed it for a VTS unit though so it fits properly.

If you have the cooling fan that sits on the back of the rad, it fits right on but you need to make a smaller bracket just to bridge the gap to bolt it on, only a straight bit of metal about 12cm long does the job.

[ralphk]

i had a saxo, now im on a C2 vts, but im thinking of going back to free up some cash too.

Obviously a saxo VTR int going to be as refined, or as fast, but theyre bloody fun to drive, which is what counts really