Faults:

Alarm goes off for no apparent reason.

General Comments:

If you're in the market for a gti I would definitely recommend this car to anyone.

Even as standard it looks great, although it looks much better if you lower the suspension all round and put on a new set of wheels.

Don't be too quick to whack a set of big alloys on though, the car was designed around 14 inch rims. If you do the price you pay is slower turn in, slightly numb handling and reduced acceleration. The up side is obviously you're car will look better.

If you're interested in fitting a new set of alloys, I would recommend 15 inch wheels as a good compromise. They might not look as good as 16's, but they don't affect the handling or acceleration as I've mentioned.

The words 'Pocket Rocket' sum up this little giant killer! It goes like stink!

The engine lacks a little torque low down the rev range, but more than makes up for it at about 4500 rpm, where it really takes off all the way to it's 7200 red line.

It handles better than many more expensive sports cars.

It always seems to have a trick or two up its sleeve when you take a corner too fast. It's saved my neck a couple of times when I thought I'd lost it round the bends.

The downside to the good performance and excellent handling are you sometimes get a little carried away. I'm not a boy racer, but have to admit I drive faster than I should sometimes. The car can be like a drug, you just want to push it harder and harder.

If you can compromise on space (there's not much room in the back or the boot) and want a real performance bargain, this is the car for you.

Faults:

The BMW/MINI garage I bought this from had steam cleaned the engine. When I picked it up it was running on 3 cylinders and sounded like tractor over 3000rpm. It was very slow.

They lent me a MINI Cooper for the day while they sorted it out. Now it's a little rocket.

The panels do dent easily - but the dealership did manage to sort them all out reasonably well.

General Comments:

At first I thought I would regret getting the 106 having driven a brand new MINI, but no! I actually thought the 106 was a better drive.

Very good acceleration - but then you always want more when you get used to it, don't you?

Extremely good handling - especially for a FWD car.

The power steering is nicely weighted (you can't do a 3 point turn with your palm). It communicates superbly with the driver!

Some people think this car looks dated - well it has been around for five years or so, but I think it looks great still.

The interior is typical French car - lots of plastic, but the leather and suede seats are a great addition. The firm suspension shows up a few rattles, no great annoyance.

Seems a very well respected car... Clarkson frequently features the 106 GTI in his TV programmes.

Faults:

The alarm kept going off for no apparent reason, later discovered that the interior sensors were faulty.

When I purchased the car privately I found that it did not idle well, and on many occasions would cut out, however after a full service everything is running smoothly.

General Comments:

This car should not be under estimated by anything, you see the red line in no time and with a little work the performance can be even better.