Tuesday 7th June 2016

Peugeot 106 Rallye: Spotted

Fast 106s are heading the way of 205s - get in while you can!

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Now every enthusiast is aware of the current Peugeot situation. Yes, things aren't quite what they used to be, but recent Peugeot Sport models have shown it hasn't completely forgotten how to build a great fast car. Then everyone carps on about the old stuff a little bit more...

When was the last time you heard 'optional airbag'?

But it really is worth remembering how hardcore some of these Peugeot pocket rockets were, proven perfectly by this 106 Rallye. Back in 1998, your Peugeot dealer would have asked whether you wanted your 865kg (!) 106 in white or blue, then asked if sir would like to pay extra for an airbag and power steering. One airbag as an option! Sure, the late 90s probably seems a while ago now, but this was still the time of Mk4 Golf GTI; it certainly wasn't an era of safety and refinement being secondary priorities. Well, unless you were Peugeot... And to think this is the softer of the two 106 Rallyes!

The Series 2 Rallye swapped the original's 1.3-litre screamer for a torquier 1.6-litre eight-valve engine, altering the character and making it slightly less frantic. These things are all relative though; today a city car hot hatch is something like a Twingo GT, and can you imagine what a Rallye feels like in comparison to that? 'Intense' may well be the word.

Commitment to the PH cause!

It would appear this intensity and focused nature is becoming in demand too. That or everyone who wanted a 205 has been priced out of the market and moved on to the 106 instead. Either way, where not so long ago around £3,000 would have bought you one of the best S2 Rallyes, this car is for sale at £5,995. Granted it is the last of these cars to be registered in the UK and has less than 60,000 miles, but it's clear that the values are rising. Even this 100,000-mile car is for sale at £4,495. As a point of reference though, six grand of 205 GTI is either a 1.9 GTI with nearly 100,000 miles more than the featured Rallye, or a CTI. Yes, a 205 CTI is six thousand pounds. A 106 Rallye still looks decent value then.

So now's the time to grab one. Buy one, remind yourself why light and simple cars really are the best, and you probably don't stand to lose a lot when you sell it. Sounds good, right? Meanwhile we'll badger Peugeot Sport to create a 108 Rallye for the 21st century and the resurgence can continue!

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PEUGEOT 106 RALLYE S2
Engine: 1,587cc 8v four-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 104@6,200rpm
Torque (lb ft): 97@3,500rpm
MPG: Probably OK given the weight
CO2: Probably not given the age
First registered: 1999
Recorded mileage: 58,458
Price new: £9,895 (1997)
Yours for: £5,995

See the original advert here.

[Source: RallyeRegister]

[Krikkit]

Fantastic cars these, very raw and charismatic.

This one's got an airbag which is a rare option, and PAS as well (again a rare option).

[Krikkit]

Yes and no - it's a reasonable system, and gives the car a much faster rack. The standard manual one is a bit pedestrian for a car with a tendency for oversteer.

The ultimate is retrofitting a Quaife quick rack which the members club had commissioned, but that's an expensive option.

[Krikkit]

DanQyou said:

Are there any cheaper alternatives to this car? similar power and weight would be nice for a fun weekend car (:

There are a few Rallye's in various stages of modification available on the market - they only made 500 of the S2 so they're quite rare. A decent standard(ish) one can be had for £2k. A lot of them have some gentle mods, some of them have the transplant of a GTI engine which makes them very nippy indeed (faster than a Clio 1*2 thanks to the close ratio box).

[Krikkit]

MikeGoodwin said:

I remember a 1300cc S1 coming along to a cliosport meet once when I was much younger. I was a passenger in a 172 and this guy had brought his S1 and it didnt have any problem keeping up with the clios! I remember him overtaking use up a hill when the drive of said 172 was going for it although I think he might of had us in the wrong gear. Still impressive.

For an S1 being 300kg lighter and having a close ratio gearbox gives it a much bigger turn of speed than 100hp would suggest.

That, and the Peugeot TU is easy to mod - a lot of them run throttle bodied engines with cams etc for 130hp, 160-180hp for the GTI-engined ones.

[Krikkit]

edwheels said:

It had some really cool things. The Oil Temp Gauge doubled as an Oil Level Gauge (when the the ign. was on but not the engine) - never seen that before or since.

Agree with everything else, but I'm glad it's not just me that found this particular feature incredibly useful! Such a useful and simple thing to be able to check the oil level every time, it becomes 2nd nature after a while.