New and some questions

[Ry_B]

Alright everyone :thumbup:

Been reading around after some googling and reading some reviews and found this site, looks good and has a load of info but still got some questions

ATM I drive a 1.2 8v (yes 45bhp!!) Corsa..it's my first car and in 2 months I've had it for a year (scary how quick it's gone :o)

Anyway I'm 17 now but next month I'm 18

basically I want something a bit sportier as the Corsa is just too slow, been a good reliable first car and taken a hammering every day without fail, but it just doesnt cut it anymore lol, so Im thinking of getting a Saxo VTR as I think they look mint slammed on 15"s!! I'm into subtle styling so no OTT kits or anything!

So anyway enough of the rambling, the questions:

How much can you lower a Saxo by without having to do much work? What are the best springs/shocks? Is that all you need to do to lower it? Aprox cost?

I know you're bound to all be biased but are they reliable? What are they like on petrol if you drive sensibly and if you cane it? My Corsa got an average of 28mpg so anything better would be nice

What kinda things should you look out for when buying? I know the usual checks but anything Saxo specific?

Any common faults?

Just any general information would be nice, and also some slammed Saxo pics would be great

Cheers :thumbup: :

[Ry_B]

Oh and also, what's the difference between the pre facelift and facelift?

Heard there's a power increase and suspension tweaks? Think they look different aswell?

Cheers again for any input

[mike_obuk]

phase 2 has the rounded headlights as the main difference.

if your planning on canning a saxo be prepared for huge bills, they dont stand up to the task too well!

[GrantW]

90 bhp pre facelift VTR and 98 on the facelift. not sure about the suspension but its more than likely been tweaked. use the search button to find threads on suspension but ive heard that the Spax kit is good, im thinking of getting it but im still swithering over 40mm or 60mm.

[James]

VTR's are reliable if you look after them, treat them like shit and they will treat you the same.

There is a slight engine difference beetween the faclifted model and the non-facelift. The newer VTR's with the grey engines have 98bhp were as the old ones only have 90bhp. The facelift is just new lamps and different insides really.. Nothing special. Must admit though the non facelift model looks allot more aggresive than the new one. I dont think any suspension tweaks happened though.

On 15's youd probally be best going down around 40 - 50mm, i dont think that would involve much archwork, depends on the profile of your tryes really. My VTR is ok for petrol buddy but if you do tend to drive like an arse it will drink it

Best suspension you could get would probally be an eibach setup or a blistein setup but there expensive... look around for something cheaper if your on a budget. I have an Avo/Eibach setup and its brilliant.

Edit: If your buying take it for a test drive and listen for squeeks and shizzle... saxo's are renowned for being tin cans not that i want to put you of getting one.

[Ry_B]

Lol ok cheers for that so far.

I'd only cane it once it was warmed up, wouldn't even take it above 2.5k on a cold engine ever

And yea a few people have tried to put me off getting a Saxo as it's French lol

Oooh one more question, has anyone got a pic of the peddles? I'm 5ft 11 and apparently the pedals are really close and take some getting used to

[Yates]

if you have 3500 to spend i know where you can find a great VTR in mint condition...

wow clouds being helpful today, why?

[mike_obuk]

dont worry about the peddles mate, im 6 foot with size 13 feet and it was ok after a little getting used to! i actualy quite liked them being so close together after a while.

[Yates]

everyone says about pedals, but it takes one drive to get used to them thats all

[Ry_B]

Fair enough @ the pedals lol

And nah my budgets more like 2500 max should still find a nice example though

[beastgtir]

yeh no probs finding one for that kinda money.
another difference is cars registered after 2001 march have lower road tax.

vtr 2001+ = £125 a year
vtr upto match 2001 = £170ish a year?

[Ry_B]

BTT..the time is nearing

[James]

My last reply in this thread was 6th August 2006, 19:00;

Thats like ages ago..

[beastgtir]

take mine for test drive if you wanna check out the peddles.

they are pretty solid if looked after hence i always get mine serviced and oil changed.

creaks and squeaks are common.

things to check out for...

1) stiff steering. PAS pump could be on its way out.
2) start the engine from cold and see if it judders or missfires on idle.
3) check the gearbox. the gears are slightly loose as common but car shouldnt jump out of gears, not should you be able to knock it out of gear while accelarating.
4) if its lowered, ask how it was done. if the guy says SPLINES, then its been lowered incorrectly and could be costly to sort out aswell as dangerous.

if its lowered over 40mm, ive heard the backend flips out like mad.

[James]

Originally Posted by beastgtir

take mine for test drive if you wanna check out the peddles.

They arn't even that bad.. everyone just blows it out of proportion. I drove the fiesta in my test and that was just as bad...

[beastgtir]

il second that. my dad drives and my brother has done too. the do complain they are close together but not a real problem but ive got the citroen sports pedals which makes the surface of them chunky and even closer together.

[James]

lol beast.. standard FTW. What annoys me in my saxo is when my floor mats go under the pedals and i cant put my foot to the floor.. or when my shoe falls of and gets stuck.. In the saxos defence.. i really should tie my shoe laces.