Nothing illustrates the scarcity of classic pocket rockets like a quick browse of the PH classifieds. There are gems in there, for sure, but they haven’t been affordable for a very long time. There are pricey hatchbacks that aren’t quite so good as well, but that’s nostalgia for you. What’s most notable, really, is what’s absent: Fiestas, Corsas and Puntos with more than a 1.2, basically, with an honourable mention for the Puma as well.
Probably it’s unreasonable to have expected a decent amount of survivors, really, given these were cheap cars back in the day. They weren’t typically driven with much consideration for the future, to put it politely. Sometimes they were driven without consideration for anything at all, and we probably all have a story to tell about that.
In the current climate, then, a 20,000-mile, no-reserve Saxo VTR certainly stands out. Even if it wasn’t gleaming in gold. If ever there was a car you wouldn’t expect to find in such time warp condition, it was the 90hp Saxo eight-valve. This was the car you could get the free insurance on, that cost £9,995, and which offered the crash protection of a croissant. They were never meant to make it this far, and certainly not with an MOT for at least every year there’s been a digital record. This has been in use continuously for more than a quarter of a century, miles gradually ticking on by with three owners, not parked up to be forgotten about.
It gets better, too, as the Saxo has survived all this time without modification. Which is like finding an unscratched compact disc or tape that’s never been rewound with a pencil, but there we are - miracles do happen. And doesn’t it look brilliant for it? Pert and pretty on small wheels like all the finest French fancies, you wouldn’t change a thing. People will come around just to see the upholstery and wind the sunroof, guaranteed.
As something to use in 2026, this surely has to be the ideal time machine. Bar some some titchy pedals, the Saxo was always easy to drive; crucially, too, it’s going to feel heroically fast far below the speed limit. Tiny wheels means tiny brakes and tiny tyres, which won’t cost much to replace. Things that don’t weigh much don’t use much fuel. And yet such is the Saxo’s following in the UK that it’ll attract attention like the very thirstiest (in every sense) supercar.
So whether to relive a misspent youth, or having just missed out first time around, owning a Saxo VTR in 2026 promises all sorts of joy. See elsewhere for long distance refinement, luxurious appointments or scintillating performance; but for the unrepeatably raw thrill of a souped up supermini, look no further. Not least because there really aren’t that many left.
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