The Citroën Saxo - The Best Car in the World
Discussion
In April this year I bought my first car, a 2002 Citroën Saxo which costed, as a man told me earlier that week, less than a flat screen television. It had a 1,1 litre petrol engine, four cylinders, and pedals aligned to the left of the driver's seat. When I bought it it was a machine to me; just a car, but now I must bid it farewell as I move out of the country I bought it in, I absolutely love it. When I say love it, I mean I'm crying as I write this, because it has left that much of a mark on me.
Why? First of all, I know that for every single one of us our first car is special. It's that first taste of freedom, of being the master of your own destination, of being a real adult. I had long been a slave to the bus timetable and lifts, but this car gave me the freedom that I so craved. However, this changing doesn't make a man weep, as I know I'll drive again. Something was and is special about that car, and let me tell you what.
For those unfamiliar, the Citroën Saxo is a supermini, a tiny car that is very agile. It has small wheels and sits quite low to the ground. This means, first of all, that spinning the wheels on starting off is something within reach of every driver, without much effort. Secondly, the small size and low centre of gravity allows you to turn at speed, keeping the hammer down at tight corners and give yourself that racing driver feel in your everyday life, and to get around a city environment quickly as well. The brakes are also very well made, allowing for late braking, so you can keep moving for longer.
The car is like a puppy: it's small, excitable, and will gnaw your ankles without causing any harm. The top speed is not high, but that almost adds to the beauty. That, coupled with the fantastic agility and brakes on the car mean I can have fun when driving on difficult roads, which had I driven in a Ferrari or a Porsche or maybe even a newer Citroën would probably have killed me. You can put your foot to the metal, feel fast, even actually go quite fast, and know you are well and safe, and you're going to make it home. Like driving a go kart, you have the absolute thrill of being on edge and driving to the machine's limits, despite not actually going that fast, and being able to take the tightest of corners, only having to brake at the last minute, feeling like a real driver, and then taking off again, haring towards the next corner. Coupling that with a David versus Goliath feeling whenever keeping up with or overtaking any car or other vehicle that is remotely expensive, and it is easy to develop feelings for it.
To summarise: I'll buy more expensive cars, faster cars, bigger cars, newer cars, and better cars in my time, but will I ever buy a car that is more fun? That gives me more joy? That puts a smile on my face while driving it? That makes me fall in love like this one? Given the memories made driving this fantastic little car, I would probably say no, and that is why when asked which car is the best in the world, I would happily skip by any advance by a Bugatti Veyron, McLaren P1, or even my childhood hero the Lamborghini Murcielago, and go for the excited puppy wagging its tail in eagerness, step into a 2002 Citroën Saxo, and start firing on all four cylinders.
Why? First of all, I know that for every single one of us our first car is special. It's that first taste of freedom, of being the master of your own destination, of being a real adult. I had long been a slave to the bus timetable and lifts, but this car gave me the freedom that I so craved. However, this changing doesn't make a man weep, as I know I'll drive again. Something was and is special about that car, and let me tell you what.
For those unfamiliar, the Citroën Saxo is a supermini, a tiny car that is very agile. It has small wheels and sits quite low to the ground. This means, first of all, that spinning the wheels on starting off is something within reach of every driver, without much effort. Secondly, the small size and low centre of gravity allows you to turn at speed, keeping the hammer down at tight corners and give yourself that racing driver feel in your everyday life, and to get around a city environment quickly as well. The brakes are also very well made, allowing for late braking, so you can keep moving for longer.
The car is like a puppy: it's small, excitable, and will gnaw your ankles without causing any harm. The top speed is not high, but that almost adds to the beauty. That, coupled with the fantastic agility and brakes on the car mean I can have fun when driving on difficult roads, which had I driven in a Ferrari or a Porsche or maybe even a newer Citroën would probably have killed me. You can put your foot to the metal, feel fast, even actually go quite fast, and know you are well and safe, and you're going to make it home. Like driving a go kart, you have the absolute thrill of being on edge and driving to the machine's limits, despite not actually going that fast, and being able to take the tightest of corners, only having to brake at the last minute, feeling like a real driver, and then taking off again, haring towards the next corner. Coupling that with a David versus Goliath feeling whenever keeping up with or overtaking any car or other vehicle that is remotely expensive, and it is easy to develop feelings for it.
To summarise: I'll buy more expensive cars, faster cars, bigger cars, newer cars, and better cars in my time, but will I ever buy a car that is more fun? That gives me more joy? That puts a smile on my face while driving it? That makes me fall in love like this one? Given the memories made driving this fantastic little car, I would probably say no, and that is why when asked which car is the best in the world, I would happily skip by any advance by a Bugatti Veyron, McLaren P1, or even my childhood hero the Lamborghini Murcielago, and go for the excited puppy wagging its tail in eagerness, step into a 2002 Citroën Saxo, and start firing on all four cylinders.
I know the feeling fella. My first car, granted it wasn't a Saxo, was of the same vintage and with a similar amount of "power". That didn't stop it giving me massive grin every time I took it to a B-road, as it was light, the small engine meant that you really needed to manage the momentum, but also it was easy to chuck it into a corner without getting understeer due to the light nose. And if you really tried you could even get lift-off oversteer, all within the legal limit. How could you not love it?
Yes, expensive, accomplished and powerful cars are fun, but so are cars like the Saxo, just in a different way.
Yes, expensive, accomplished and powerful cars are fun, but so are cars like the Saxo, just in a different way.
I wouldn't call it the best car in the world, but in 2001 I had a 1998 Saxo 1.1i as my first car, I loved it and I'd have another one today, but preferably in VTS guise.
It would have to be red of course, and have the mk1 square lights as I never liked the facelift version, but I'd definitely have one.
So not the best car in the world, but definitely one of my favorites.
It would have to be red of course, and have the mk1 square lights as I never liked the facelift version, but I'd definitely have one.
So not the best car in the world, but definitely one of my favorites.
I had one, it was my first car after I passed my driving test in 2006, I bought it off of ebay for five hundred quid, it cost a grand to insure 
I can't remember if it was a 1.0 or a 1.1, an S reg (has since been scrapped) in a crappy burgundy red colour, with wheel trims IIRC
It was great - what a hoot, I haven't driven one since but I can fondly remember tooling it down a few winding back roads as fast as able (not very fast at all), it was light, "pointy" and had terrible sound deadening so it really sounded like you were thrashing the arse off of it to make it go - brilliant fun! No frills motoring.
I can't remember if it was a 1.0 or a 1.1, an S reg (has since been scrapped) in a crappy burgundy red colour, with wheel trims IIRC
It was great - what a hoot, I haven't driven one since but I can fondly remember tooling it down a few winding back roads as fast as able (not very fast at all), it was light, "pointy" and had terrible sound deadening so it really sounded like you were thrashing the arse off of it to make it go - brilliant fun! No frills motoring.
"Best car in the World" ?..........that is an endless debate and maybe pointless in the end.
Well IT IS one of the best at what IT does and what IT was designed for that cannot be argued .....I am with the OP when it comes to the enthusiasm he has for the car and it's capabilities.
But then I love driving the little AX as well, light as a feather and dances round country lanes with comfort that a modern car cannot achieve (due to weight) and with an equal amount of terrier like fun for life.
Well IT IS one of the best at what IT does and what IT was designed for that cannot be argued .....I am with the OP when it comes to the enthusiasm he has for the car and it's capabilities.
But then I love driving the little AX as well, light as a feather and dances round country lanes with comfort that a modern car cannot achieve (due to weight) and with an equal amount of terrier like fun for life.
Edited by Stickyfinger on Tuesday 4th July 07:48
FN2TypeR said:
I had one, it was my first car after I passed my driving test in 2006, I bought it off of ebay for five hundred quid, it cost a grand to insure
I can't remember if it was a 1.0 or a 1.1, an S reg (has since been scrapped) in a crappy burgundy red colour, with wheel trims IIRC
It was great - what a hoot, I haven't driven one since but I can fondly remember tooling it down a few winding back roads as fast as able (not very fast at all), it was light, "pointy" and had terrible sound deadening so it really sounded like you were thrashing the arse off of it to make it go - brilliant fun! No frills motoring.
I passed in 2007 and mine was blue but the rest is pretty spot on for me too, even to the point of not remembering whether it was a 1.0 or a 1.1! I can't remember if it was a 1.0 or a 1.1, an S reg (has since been scrapped) in a crappy burgundy red colour, with wheel trims IIRC
It was great - what a hoot, I haven't driven one since but I can fondly remember tooling it down a few winding back roads as fast as able (not very fast at all), it was light, "pointy" and had terrible sound deadening so it really sounded like you were thrashing the arse off of it to make it go - brilliant fun! No frills motoring.
DoubleD said:
I had a VTR when i was younger. I did enjoy owning it a lot, but.......its far from the best car in the world ha ha
Should have got the VTS...... 
Seriously though, I owned one for just under 5 years from new
Great little hatch, loads of fun to drive, some memorable journeys in it through the Alps to Italy
Wasn't my first car, or even hot hatch but I could see why they got great reviews
OP is being a bit silly as mentioned - you will find other, better cars...but i agree, your first car does leave it's mark.
I've had 2 Saxos.
A '96 P 1.1 SX 3door
and a 2001 Y 1.1 Desire 5 door.
The later one was much quicker...and actually IMO very quick for a little 60bhp car. I did like zooming around in it, it did have a sense of fun.
It also had a sense of fragility and mild danger. This isn't noticeable when you are a young driver but now that i'm 34 with a kid and another on the way....the safety aspect becomes much more important.
Also, they are from another era both in size safety and also in physical size. They are a very small car now. SWMBO has a 107 which is enormous in comparison. I did actually get stuck in the back of mine when i was sitting in the back for a journey, i had to take my feet out of my shoes to get out of the car.
Things move on....but yes....i look back on my Saxos with fondness.
I've had 2 Saxos.
A '96 P 1.1 SX 3door
and a 2001 Y 1.1 Desire 5 door.
The later one was much quicker...and actually IMO very quick for a little 60bhp car. I did like zooming around in it, it did have a sense of fun.
It also had a sense of fragility and mild danger. This isn't noticeable when you are a young driver but now that i'm 34 with a kid and another on the way....the safety aspect becomes much more important.
Also, they are from another era both in size safety and also in physical size. They are a very small car now. SWMBO has a 107 which is enormous in comparison. I did actually get stuck in the back of mine when i was sitting in the back for a journey, i had to take my feet out of my shoes to get out of the car.
Things move on....but yes....i look back on my Saxos with fondness.
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