2001 Citroen Saxo VTR 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good performance and handling, but let down by poor build quality and poor aftersales from dealers

Faults:

Drivers door rubs on rear edge of front wing (door welded onto body at factory slightly out of position!)

Drivers door aperture rubber seal came adrift (took 5 visits! to dealer to rectify), in the end I fitted the seal myself as the mechanics fitted it like a blind man would.

Driver's door window rattles when fully closed or open about an inch. not rectified to date. Dealers attempts include packing window channels with masking tape to pack "rattle clearance out".

Driver's window squeaks when the car is wet after raining.

ECU unit reprogrammed twice, in 1st instance ECU warning light came on, in 2nd instance car was pinking under light loads. Now OK, but for how long?

Knocking coming from rear nearside over speed bumps, potholes,curbs etc.

Dealer unable to trace so sprayed grease over all of rear suspension units. I eventually found the cause myself, but do not know of a cure, fault is the handbrake equaliser bracket knocking against the chassis.

Occasinally idle speed varies up and down on its own.

Floorpan damaged when dealer lifted car on a 2 post lift incorrectly. Mechanics positioned lift arms under the floorpan and rear shock absorbers.

Stereo speaker blown in the nearside door.

General Comments:

Very poor build quality.

Dealers not interested after sale of car.

Nippy, fast acceleration with good handling/cornering.

Reasonable economy unless thrashed.

Speakers poor quality.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st March, 2002

18th Nov 2009, 13:12

I know the answer comes late, but the varying idle speed is normally a well known problem at Citroën dealers:

The root cause is the idle speed stepper motor, which becomes old. One cheap way to repair it is to take it out and clean it. Or simply replace it (around 200 euros).

The motor is located on the throttle valve block, on the opposite of where the gas pedal wire comes through.

And as its name indicates, it only comes into action when you release your gas pedal and the engine stays at idle speed.

2001 Citroen Saxo VTR 1.6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Performance car give away

Faults:

The car has performed faultlessly just like my previous VTR did.

General Comments:

Although the free insurance deal was the clincher for buying the car, it is a great car in its own right.

It only cost £8700 with a factory alarm and pearlescent paint. I knew what to expect with regards to handling, my previous car was another VTR. They can out-handle ANY other small car. The real difference with my new VTR is that it has the 100hp engine instead of 90hp. The real difference is in the top end power. Any other VTR's before last year are easy to beat away from the lights, and as for the VTS, well it's not far short.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th February, 2002

28th Feb 2002, 08:13

>> VTS, well it's not far short.

Oh please, give me a break !

21st Mar 2006, 14:50

I think he meant the gap was closed a bit a vtr is a great car just because of its isnurance group 7.

2001 Citroen Saxo VTR 1.6 (8v petrol) from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Head turner with the performance to match

Faults:

ECU went after 5000 miles.

General Comments:

Sport seats mean that this is a car that can take the mileage without giving the driver back ache afterwards.

Pedals seem cramped and too offset to the left for first few miles, but are soon adjusted to. Although when driving anything else I bet you are going to be hitting the wrong pedals.

Handling is superb and the engine has the kick when you need it.

Likes city driving, but feels even better on twisty country roads.

If you are tall (like me) you may suffer from lack of head room, but its a lot better than most for this size of car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th February, 2002

2001 Citroen Saxo VTR 1.6i 8v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A pocket rocket at pocket price's

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with the car as yet, but I've only had it around three months now.

General Comments:

The car really is very quick. I've done 0-60 in 8.48 seconds and it is currently maxing out at 127 mph, with no modifications whatsoever.

It really does have spot on handling and the braking from high speed is very steady and confident.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st January, 2002

21st Jan 2002, 18:15

8.48 seconds to 60 for a Saxo VTR? Hmmm - manufacturer's and tested figures usually come around 10.5 and they use accurate calibrated equipment. You sure they didn't slip the 1.6 16v from the VTS in by mistake because with a time like that you'll be munching at their tails!! - either that or your finger hit the stop button a little too quick!

A friend of mine used to have one and it never felt anything more than nippy to me - good handling though.