Faults:

It got a major servicing where the following needed replacing:

Temperature sensor.

Radiator cap.

Water pump manifold.

Spark plugs.

Spark plug leads.

Exhaust.

Licence plate lights.

Still needs fixing:

Central locking (right hand side doors not locking/unlocking).

Right front wishbone.

Transmission starting to knock (passenger side).

Right rear door not opening from the outside.

General Comments:

I bought this car for peanuts (150€). I needed a cheap ride with good fuel consumption. Needless to say, the car was fairly beaten up and needed a major servicing that cost me 300€.

It's a great city car. It handles really well and drives like a dream. Although it doesn't have power steering, it's the lightest non-PS I've experienced, lighter than in many other cars with PS, probably because it weighs just 720kg.

The 1.1 with mono-point injection was surprisingly quick with very good acceleration considering it's only 60HP. I've only topped 150km/h so far and it got there in a heartbeat. Again, its low kerb weight plays a part here, I'd imagine. Still, the XR is not a a XSI, meaning, although the engine is perky, it's no car for high speeds. It's rather unstable above 120, 130km/h and the brakes could do with a bit more stopping power (or maybe it's mine that it's been used and abused :) ).

Fuel consumption is so so, about 6.5Lt/100km on city roads, and about 5.5 on open roads/motorway under 120km/h. It's not amazing for a car with a 1.1 engine and 720kg, but then again, it features mono-point injection and it's 24 years-old.

It's obviously not that spacious inside and the general build quality is a tad below average, but then again, the 106 was launched 26 years ago...

As with the rest of Europe, the 106 was a major sales success in Portugal, so parts are everywhere and go for next to nothing from breakers and private sellers. New aftermarket ones are also fairly cheap.

Overall, it's a great city car, it's nippy and drives really well. It's easy to find a used one in fairly good condition going for 300 to 400€, and maintenance, insurance & taxes will not break your bank account. Comfort is OK, not brilliant, but not that bad either.

Still, if you're looking to get a car from the mid-90s, or about say 300 to 400€ (this is what you'll get in Portugal for this money as used cars are not cheap at all compared to other EU countries), that is reliable and with acceptable fuel consumption and low maintenance costs, then consider going for a Renault Clio 1.2 Mk1 instead. They're better built, more robust, comfortable and stable at higher speeds, even though the engine is not as lively and they're not as fun and nippy to drive as the 106 1.1i.

Faults:

Just a blown head gasket at 95000km and some oil leaks, nothing serious. The clutch was replaced just now at 109000km.

General Comments:

It's a quick car, great for the city. Handles great and it's got a roomy interior, for the front passengers mainly, but it's comfortable. It's also cheap to run.