Cheap and Cheerful Saxo VTS ownership... 182 Sold.

[Daz_RT_04]

So earlier in the month I come to a conclusion the 182 had to go. I didnt advertise the car for sale, but after being made a fantastic offer It was gone.

It was coming upto a stage in its life, where it would require a fair chunk of cash spending on it. Cash I couldnt justify after owning 3 Cliosports before hand.

I decided my next car was to be cheap and cheerful, yet still posses some fun...with the benefits of lower running costs, whilst I save my arse off for something a little special.

Enter the VTS...

1st job - Number plates.

Next up was to replace the 'torn and taped up' induction hose.

Managed to find a suitable piece of Samco hosing in a mates shed...

The bay was dusty/oil ridden and general untouched. As usual, the rocker covers were leaking which was the next job. I also did a spot of cleaning.

Working for a Peugeot dealership, I can usually source genuine parts for a very good price.

Spark Plugs, 5 Litres of Total Oil, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter and Air Filter all sourced for £30 :approve:



I didnt really fancy the 4x4 ride height, after Umming and Arrring over lowering the car, I managed to blag some New Eibach Springs for £50.

I also replaced the droplinks for £12.


So, here it is after an afternoon of scrabbling around on the floor, combined with alot of swear words and the odd bit of blood (Bloody torsion bars)

Total for parts - £92.00

Saving on insurance for the month - £44.00


There's no real additional plans for the car bar fixing what breaks. Tyres possibly in the next few months.


I've got to say, although the 182 is better in pretty much everyway... this little saxo is hilarious to drive!

 

[Bluebeard]

I do like the look of them and can totally understandwhy you bought one (cheap, fun etc) by my god I hate driving them!!

 

[MR.172 Cup]

Total parts are very cheap lol! Good little swap that.

 

[alex-avfc]

I do like the look of them and can totally understandwhy you bought one (cheap, fun etc) by my god I hate driving them!!

What makes you say that Daniel?

I can kind of understand...day to day my 106 gti used to feel tiresome...clunky gearshift, no torque, thrashy engine etc. On the right road it came alive and felt sublime though!

Good motors these but don't expect to save much money between this and the 182, you'll probably end up having to spend a few bob on bits for this.

Also, are the droplinks genuine? Non gen ones fail within months (as I found out!)

 

[Gouldy]

Who did the torsion bar?

 

[Daz_RT_04]

What makes you say that Daniel?

I can kind of understand...day to day my 106 gti used to feel tiresome...clunky gearshift, no torque, thrashy engine etc. On the right road it came alive and felt sublime though!

Good motors these but don't expect to save much money between this and the 182, you'll probably end up having to spend a few bob on bits for this.

Also, are the droplinks genuine? Non gen ones fail within months (as I found out!)

Ohhh it can be tiresome I agree! Its all for the greater good though.

There not genuine as I'm a tight arse. It's alot better on fuel than the 182 on my commute, I think that's largely down to the fact I simply can't be bothered to ring its neck.

 

[Daz_RT_04]

Who did the torsion bar?

Myself and a mate. How come?

 

[Russ_16v]

I do like the look of them and can totally understandwhy you bought one (cheap, fun etc) by my god I hate driving them!!

Im with Dan, they 'feel' cheap, and me being 6ft 3 and all leg I can't drive them lol, but for what you need it looks perfect mate, and looks quite tidy too!

 

[Gouldy]

Myself and a mate. How come?

Not bad, most people do them and f**k 'em up.

Were they a pig to get out?

 

[Jimbo_M]

Nice little buy pal, I would defo have another one if my circumstances changed.

 

[Ian_182]

So to sumarise you have spent more than actually keeping the 182.


I would like a go in one though.

 

[welshname]

So to sumarise you have spent more than actually keeping the 182.


I would like a go in one though.

You're forgetting to include the selling price of the 182 and the buying price of the VTS

 

[Daz_RT_04]

Not bad, most people do them and f**k 'em up.Were they a pig to get out?

Yeah I know what you mean. It's do simple to do but people do somehow balls em up!They were an absolute arse to get out lol!

 

[Daz_RT_04]

You're forgetting to include the selling price of the 182 and the buying price of the VTS

Yeah that's it. The Citroen cost me less than a 1/3 of what I sold the 182 for

 

[andywa]

Not bad. Great little cars.

 

[Poopensharten]

Fantastic cars, owned a 2003 VTS and a 1999 GTi...

As Alex said though, running costs are few and far between a 1*2, tax is the same and insurance is only slightly more forgiving. In my opinion 0-100 is a close call which is a good thing, 130bhp/ton is handy, and they respond well to modifications. An exhaust, camshafts and remap usually brings them to 145-155bhp which is pretty handy with a sub 1000kg car.

The one we had was an actual freak, we never got it rolling roaded but we did slay some seriously nice more expensive metal in it!

 

[leeds_182]

Looks tidy enough mate.

 

[paul]

nice

 

[partybish]

I always fancied one of these, glad to hear you're happy with it after the 182! It looks loads better now it's sitting lower :approve:

 

[alex-avfc]

Fantastic cars, owned a 2003 VTS and a 1999 GTi...

As Alex said though, running costs are few and far between a 1*2, tax is the same and insurance is only slightly more forgiving. In my opinion 0-100 is a close call which is a good thing, 130bhp/ton is handy, and they respond well to modifications. An exhaust, camshafts and remap usually brings them to 145-155bhp which is pretty handy with a sub 1000kg car.

The one we had was an actual freak, we never got it rolling roaded but we did slay some seriously nice more expensive metal in it!

Very true, mine never had cams but I enjoyed the difference a Pugsport, decat and four branch mani made. The mods really do bring them alive.

I actually enjoyed thrashing it more than I do my Clio, I find them more rewarding when you do so, but the rest of the time the Clio is better.

Enjoy anyway, it'll never be dull to drive!

 

[DanielJames]

Nice mate, had 2 of these in that colour before!

Out of interest did you do anything regarding the rear load balancer? Had to unseize the one on the 106 the other day, as all the brake pressure was being sent to the rear!

 

[Daz_RT_04]

Nice mate, had 2 of these in that colour before!

Out of interest did you do anything regarding the rear load balancer? Had to unseize the one on the 106 the other day, as all the brake pressure was being sent to the rear!

I did adjust it a little to compensate the lowering. Had to unseize it as per usual.

The brakes work lovely

 

[Daz_RT_04]

Little updates on the Saxo.
I've owned the car for about 2 and half months now without any real wallet opening issues.

I've done odds and sods here, cleaning and generally tidying the car up for its eventual sale.

I wanted to freshen up the black trims that had faded.

Cue the 'Smooth Peanut butter' tactic.

Bingo...

Next up, The front brakes had an annoying squeel under braking.

For the cost of nothing, I cleaned and re-greased up the sliders on each side - Fixed.

I also got handy with some caliper paint that I blagged.


Here's some pics of how the car stands after a dash of peanut butter and water!

Note: Another split standard hose replaced with a yet another blagged piece of blue silicone piping lol.

The oil filler cap has been weeping for a week or so and today, through meaning to remember time and time again, I finally replaced it.

Total spend this month - £12 max (Filler cap, Flat wiper blades and Tesco's finest Peanut butter)

 

[DaveDreads]

Car looks tidy mate.

I'm going to try that peanut better trick on my rear bumper insert,
struggling to get it out then give it some satin black is just too much effort.

 

[andywa]

Every time I look at this thread I go straight onto autotrader and eBay! Cars looking good.

 

[alex-avfc]

Looking nice mate.

Where did you get that little silicone breather hose from? They are often prone to seeping on the 106s and Saxos.

Good move on the new oil filler cap too, once I changed mine it never leaked again, must be an improved design.

 

[Addicted]

They look tidy, it's just a shame there's so many of them round my way, driven by total dicks, otherwise I'd probably have had one too before the Clio!

 

[imprezaworks]

Car looks good. I eneded up buying one in blue, its starting to grow on me

 

[alex-avfc]

Car looks good. I eneded up buying one in blue, its starting to grow on me

They are a grower and they definitely take some getting used to, in order to be appreciated!

 

[Clio172T]

Nice vts, I've owned quite a few saxos and they are a lot of fun and cost nothing to maintain or fix

 

[Daz_RT_04]

Cheers for the comments guys.

The silicone hose used was a piece from a universal kit that I cut to size.


Got to admit, for the price of parts for these, I'm struggling to resist buying goodies for it

 

[marinemackay2003]

its a no brainer when you look at how cheap parts are, compared to the clio

sooo much more value for money

are you bringing it to the yeovil mini meet?

 

[Cookson]

I miss my Saxos. Had two of them, both Mk1s. Was always put off by the baby-sick covered trim.

Always think if I was to downgrade from the clio, would probably get a Mk2 VTS

 

[Poopensharten]

Can someone enlighten me with the peanut butter on the bumpers please? I gather by the pictures it brings them up?

 

[leeds_182]

Can someone elighten me with the peanut butter on the bumpers please? I gather by the pictures it brings them up?

First I heard of it, I always used linseed oil on mine.

 

[Daz.]

looks nice that!

 

[Daz_RT_04]

Little update on the Saxon Martin...

MOT time.

I was quietly confident that it would pass without any major issues tbh. It failed... On 2 tyres! Which in my eyes is a win.

2 Tyres later and it now has 12 Months ticket :approve:

-----

It had one advisory which did frustrate me a little though... Yes the commonly problematic Rear trailing arm bearings!!

I was in two minds as to wether I could be arsed to sort it or not. The main fact being a dont intend to own the little beast at this point next year?!....But, the main reason why I chose to own the little Saxo in the 1st place was due to me working for a Peugeot Dealership (Parts cheap as muck and alot of spares, contacts etc)

Needless to say, a week later and shes now rocking a 106 Gti Rear beam that was refurbed approx 2 years ago, with only 8k since! Result for the cost



Total cost of the MOT, 2 Tyres and Rear Beam - £146.84


I'd also scabbed a set of Hyundai i20 mats (It had none before) and a new brake fluid resevoir cap (lettering was starting to wear off) for free .

And then today she reached a mini milestone...

Thats all for now

 

[Poopensharten]

Looks fantastic mate, nice standard example!

 

[ABOO]

Got to say I think a standard VTS still looks good, other than the interior! Couldn't live with that.

Pacewise notice much difference from 182 in mostly day to day driving? Planning any mode, manifold etc..

 

[DanielJames]

Still looking good mate.

Dan