Article on Saxos

[Story_4_InFlux]

Saxo owners

I need your help. Or at least, I want to hear your thoughts on why the Saxo is such a great car. I'm harvesting quotes to use in a story for InFlux magazine (the Adrian Flux insurance mag - influx.co.uk).

The story is on why so many young drivers choose French hatches like the Saxo as their first car. What is it about them that makes them such a great choice? Why are they so popular? Has it gone beyond pure finances and practicality, and instead buying your first Saxo is a rite of passage, the key social acceptance amongst peers. Or is it simply a great lightweight, highly moddable small car that ticks all the right boxes?

What is it that you love about the Saxo?

I'll be using the best responses as quotes in the article.

Just so you know, there will be 106s in there too, as this is about the french hatch, first-car phenomenon. This piece is an ode to the small Gallic hatchback; a celebration of frisky French featherweights.

Thanks, in advance, for your help people.

Rich
:drink:

[Chris91]

I feel it's mostly the reliability and looks of the car what young drivers tend to go for, like myself. Compared to most cars with similar litre engines etc. i feel the Saxo is one of the easiest to mod for example, this is what young drivers look for in a car. I know people think drivers in Saxo's are boyracers and all that, but it's not all about that at all. The Saxo is a really fun, nippy and good looking car to have!

[Jazz]

It captures the spirit of youth. Fun to drive, simple and easy to modify, with cheap parts and accessories.

[dynebaruk]

The saxo has got better looks, better handling and is faster than other cars in the same price range. That's why I bought mine anyway.

[Story_4_InFlux]

I feel it's mostly the reliability and looks of the car what young drivers tend to go for, like myself. Compared to most cars with similar litre engines etc. i feel the Saxo is one of the easiest to mod for example, this is what young drivers look for in a car. I know people think drivers in Saxo's are boyracers and all that, but it's not all about that at all. The Saxo is a really fun, nippy and good looking car to have!

Don't worry, my car is (subtly) modified and my journalistic past includes a stint on - dare I say it - Max Power. So I make no judgements.

Keep these comments coming. Really appreciate your thoughts.

Cheers guys

[MrHouston]

For me, I chose a Saxo as my first car because they just have the look that a young lad wants, they look amazing modified as well as standard. The colour range is excellent and it handles like a go-kart, what more could a young lad want? Plus it's cheap to run and cheap to find parts.

[cj_99]

The huge amount of knowledge that is out there helped me make my decision always knowing that someone will know what the problem is as most people will have encounterd it.

Cheap performance,maintance and replacement parts also made me think.

Only downside is the perception that people still have about the saxo i.e the CHAV and the unmistakable mc donalds car park, i never go there in my saxo because all i get is grief

[phillyh]

For me;

-Cheap to run (unless the cars cursed)
-Easy to mod, with lots of options
-Cool looks, especially the mk 2 saxo!

[Ferg]

~ Cheap to buy
~ Cheap to run
~ Cheap to repair
~ Cheap to insure for a relatively okish quick car.
~ When driven properly just as quick as alot of things on track
~ Haven't dated too much
~ Easy to modify to your own tastes
~ Lots of modifications on the market
~ Bang for Buck - Can't buy alot quicker for the money.

[GoochyBoy]

Fun to drive, can race or look serious at the same time, cheap to mod, plenty you can do, reliability. :y:

[steviee90]

saxos look great standard and modified, they are easy to modify, cheap to run and provided its been looked after they are quite reliable. They are all still quite modern looking especially mk2, they handle brilliantly , parts are cheap and i feel the VTR/S are brilliant as a second car, they really teach you how to drive as they are a bit sportier you need to learn a bit more about driving if you have one. All in all i feel they are just a very desirable car to have

[Jaytee]

They're a brilliant first car to be honest. cheap to modify compared to other cars, and fairly cheap to fix if they go wrong. Also because its mostly held together with torx screws easy to change bts and to get you learning about the various mechanical and general maintainance jobs that go along with owning a car. Before i had one i had no mechanical knowledge at all. Now i feel i could do various jobs on my car myself. To sum up, They are a great looking, cheap to run, easy to modify nippy, quirky hatch. In vts mode they will also surprise a lot of other cars with the quickness and the superb handleing. Dont think i will ever sell mine tbh.

[Furio_Matt]

I'm sure for the most part it's not that people want to own a small slow hatch...It's just that insurance companies refuse to insure us for a sensible premium on a superior car :D

[Adamski]

main reason i got mine many moons ago, was its fun-per-pound ratio. the vtr was pretty specced out compared to other cars for the money to.

influx was one of the best things about flux i thought, i used to like getting the mag through the post when i was insured with you guys.

[djflipsaxo]

The fist saxo I ever bought was a VTS. Simply because it was good looking and quick. Being a young lady I wanted a small car and this was ideal.

[flynnsvtr]

I think first and foremost its the cost, at 17/18/19 its unlikey your going to be able to get anything flashy, so you try and make the most out of your budget, by getting a saxo for what you lack in possibly reliability, its made up for in cheap servicing, cheap upgrades, cheap running costs and with the likes of teh VTR/S decent performance.

For what they are, they are one of the best in the market, and have been for quite some time.

[goodall3518]

They're easy to modify, generally cheap to run and maintain, and allow a sense of individuality to be instilled within the car with the vast amount of modifications available. That, and the fact it brings people together in such clubs as Saxperience, which is probably the best fact.

[Stickyjam]

Or is it simply a great lightweight, highly moddable small car that ticks all the right boxes?



yes.

well besides it being cheap to buy and run aswell.

[Maxamus]

Its like a Mechano set things just bolt on and off with minimal effort :D

[Nij]

One of the last cars the 'average joe' can tinker with and modify.

[AJ_SAXO]

I feel it's mostly the reliability and looks of the car what young drivers tend to go for, like myself. Compared to most cars with similar litre engines etc. i feel the Saxo is one of the easiest to mod for example, this is what young drivers look for in a car. I know people think drivers in Saxo's are boyracers and all that, but it's not all about that at all. The Saxo is a really fun, nippy and good looking car to have!

reliability you say?? lmao!!

[Olly]

Basically it caters for so many.
Those that want a small good looking car,
Those that want a fast cheap car
those that want home-mechanicingCheap parts
'' '' '' Cheap thrill
And one that want to modify as its oh so easy.
Even old people like them as there easy to park :y:

[LVC_VTR]

saxo=sexo :D

except when your broken down on the M25 (dont put that bit in the mag)

[Bowey]

I feel it's mostly the reliability and looks of the car what young drivers tend to go for, like myself. Compared to most cars with similar litre engines etc. i feel the Saxo is one of the easiest to mod for example, this is what young drivers look for in a car. I know people think drivers in Saxo's are boyracers and all that, but it's not all about that at all. The Saxo is a really fun, nippy and good looking car to have!

reliability? i hope your joking haha

[DavoVTR]

Personally, reliability sucks! Its just fun to drive, can throw it anywhere and it'll respond fairly quickly.

[Story_4_InFlux]

Guys and gals...

Thanks for your comments. Been very helpful. Nice to find forums that aren't populated with moaning idiots and bitter old whingers, which seems to be the norm elsewhere.

The piece will be on influx.co.uk in a couple of weeks, as far as I know.

Take easy people. Happy Saxing

Rich

[Fidge]

on a personal basis:

Great fun to drive, easy to handle, likes going round the twisties, cheap to run insure and repair/modify, really easy cars to work on if it gets damaged (after all we're discussing first cars and most people have a nock or a bump, fault or not). and not to bad looking :y: