Ideal intro for the road
Nothing.
Like my first car in many respects, but just a bit newer and slightly more polished handling and better brakes.
Great for learning to drive in, and easy to park. When pushed on a twisty road, will never bite back, but just do what you want. Great nimble, simple car, which has got me looking for a 106 rallye.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 17th February, 2006
A suppleness that puts many larger cars rides to shame
Once the engine has fully warmed up, the idle speed remains at about 1000rpm or even slightly higher. This is too high, I have yet to find the cause of the problem.
Occasionally the engine just cuts out and won't start easily. It will maybe fire, but then cut out. Then after starting it again its fine.
Also, occasionally when pulling away from junctions there is a power loss- the car just creeps at about 10mph and then suddenly it regains the power and moves properly!
It can be very sluggish and jerky when cold, but warms up very slowly.
Clock bulb has blown, but it's going to cost so much money to take the dash off and fix it, probably not worth it!
Rear door doesn't close unless you slam it and in icy conditions the drivers door won't close due to it being frozen.
Clutch isn't the nicest to use.
With amazing refinement, this car puts many larger cars to shame. There is minimal road noise and engine noise is never excessive. The ride has a suppleness that I have never experienced in any other car, it just soaks up bumps and speed humps are dealt with superbly. Handling doesn't suffer either- there is never any serious body roll. Fuel economy is also good, as is performance for a 1.1 litre.
It's fairly comfortable, but all round it feels dated and build quality is well below the standards of Japanese cars. The footwell is extremely cramped and the pedals are far too small. The styling isn't really to my taste, but It looks better than an equivalent age Nissan Micra.
Being the Zest 3 model, it's got power-steering (nicely weighted) and electric windows, plus an airbag. Ours is also 5-door which is unusual and probably better to have.
I believe air-con was never an option on the 106, which demonstrated that in 2004 when production ceased this Pug was a very dated model!!
I would recommend one only if it has full service history and you aren't too tall, as it's very cramped. Also, the standard radio is the most basic I have ever come across
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 17th January, 2006
Aircon was never available on the 106 in the UK, it was neither an option or standard fitment.
I flipped a Zest 3 over in a bend and I walked out of it with a few scratches and bruises. The car withstood being flipped over, of course it was a write-off. But the fact is I walked out of it, it is a well-built and strong car.
Amazingly quick, but fragile
The crank pulley decided to detach itself from the crank, Destroying the head and bending most of the valves in the process.
Alarm sounds every 10 minutes.
Great fun car, Goes like the wind and sticks to the road like no other car I have driven.
Despite having major problems with the engine within only 2 weeks of buying the car, I would still rate this car the best I have ever owned.
0-60 in 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 135ish seems much faster in this car.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 3rd December, 2005
24th May 2006, 10:42
I've owned the zest 3 for the last year, personally I've only had two problems with it.
1. the foot-well is too small difficult for my size 11
2. the car could really do with extended arches, this would (in my opinion) make the car look great.