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:

I've only had it for few months, but have driven a fair amount that many people would drive in a year. Nothing has gone wrong yet.

There are few minor leaks I noticed. I will look deeply into it.

General Comments:

I think 80s and 90s were the time when car manufacturers were really making cars; not like now for the sake of it, and more to do with making commercial sense. Yes, these cars may not offer similar standard safety as modern cars, but they offer a lot of things that modern cars fail to do.

The design is very smart and attractive. Mine is a 1994 XSI, which is Phase 1 sport model. Later on during Phase 2, they discontinued it and came up with 1.6 16v, which is 20 BHP more and called it a GTI. Mine is a 75kw or 100 BHP.

This car offers:

- Very quick for what it is.

- Very fun to drive.

- Excellent handling.

- Great fuel economy for its age and the power it offers.

- Handles like a RWD.

- Comfortable even by present standards.

- Very reliable.

- One of the best super minis there is, which is worth keeping in my collection.

- Rust proof.

- Out performs any other of its competitors.

On the down side:

- They are now very rare in NZ. There are only 3 on Trade Me for sale as I write this review.

- Parts availability is getting harder, but with modern Internet accessibility - it's never hard from France.

- No power steering, and the steering is a bit on the heavy side, but it never bothered me (the Phase 2 has the option, but the Phase 1 right hand drive never came with any).

- The gap between the clutch and brake pedal is tight.

In summary - I bought this as a project car. It came with 10k worth of receipts since new, so was maintained very well by a top euro car workshop in Auckland. The body needs lots of care, which I will give it over the time. I plan to add this to my collection and will keep it as long as I can.

If you're considering one - I highly recommend having one. It will only bring a smile to your face. For very little money, it's a lot of fun.