1998 Peugeot 106 GTi 1.6 16v from UK and Ireland
Summary:
Like some kind of beautiful dream!
Faults:
Factory-fitted back box dropped off on the evening I bought the car from Peugeot.
Battery died of a mystery illness one evening when I used the remote central locking. Possibly down to an earthing fault.
Handbrake cable detached itself from fitting, my inside wheel edge (rear) cut a nice groove through it!
Radiator deteriorated and a slow leak started.
Rear washer inoperable, this causes the wipers to do funny things too. Possible earthing fault, possible dealer sabotage.
Alarm sounds at its own will! Over sensitive. Is fine if ultrasonics disabled.
Catalytic Converter needed replacing immediately after MOT at 58'000 miles.
General Comments:
Certainly the greatest car I have driven! The minute you put your foot down you know you're going to have fun and a smile breaks onto your face... I challenge you to drive one and not smile!
My 106 was not modified although I had ordered a forced air induction kit from 'Ecosse' and a Rage exhaust. Unfortunately, a lorry wrote my car off before I'd had the chance to fit them.
I had fitted an Ecotek valve and was finding that it really improved the feel of the acceleration, it was a lot more responsive and true to what I wanted her to do.
With a standard 120bhp, I was able to take my 106 to a top speed of 126 before getting scared and backing off! The 106 GTi seems to get to 90ish, slugs for a moment and by the time you reach 100 it's begging to pull harder! Certainly from lights it will seldom be matched although I've struggled keeping up with some Subaru's. 1st gear takes you to 30mph, 2nd up to 60, 3rd will take you to 90 but you'll be pushing her hard, 4th and 5th are there for the rest of the ride.
The handling of the car was just superb, you know when you think you're about to lose a car on a bend... your heart sinks... you close your eyes and grit your teeth... the 106 will almost certainly pull through!
The interior is inherently squeaky, as was with the 205, and the standard speakers although not too bad, don't like rock music very much... they buzz.
I'm approx. 6ft and 15 stone and I found the driving position very comfortable, however there's no room in the back when I'm in the front.
The rear wheel arches have a tendency to get chipped very easily. The panels are also quite easy to dent so watch where you park it.
Manufacturers parts are expensive, but there are cheaper alternatives on the market so shop around and find yourself a reliable and reasonable mechanic to do all of your work as Peugeot are expensive and not necessarily very good.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 20th May, 2003
24th Aug 2009, 14:34
Any turbo scooby will be fast enough to beat a 106 GTI without even trying that hard, you know that.
24th Aug 2009, 15:34
To be honest book times are for bragging rights and not a lot else on public roads. Unless you only engage in traffic light grand prix's, then it will usually come down to who is the more gutsy (or as I like to call it 'stupid').
If you really want to know how quick your car is, then do like the 206 owner mentioned and get your car down to a track or drag strip. You only have to look at 1/4 mile times to see that Evos and Imprezas are in another league to 106 GTis, and that the real hot hatches are also noticeably quicker (although on the roads upto 60/70mph it may not seem it).
24th Aug 2009, 05:35
The GTi is the best hatch you can get. It looks good, it goes well, and to be fair some Scoobys ain't that quick, and you know it!
And for the 206 GTi and your 172s, they're crap. I've raced loads of em. I always win; not been beaten by one yet. Yes OK mine ain't standard, it's pushing 150bhp ish and weighs 816. Not even a tonne.
The 206 GTis are worse than the Clio, but they're no match. If you've got a GTi and want a good race, race a Type-R and not a standard one.
It all boils down to the driver; think you can drive - there's always someone better!!!