The Citroën Saxo’s days are numbered. After nearly eight years it will be superseded in 2004 by the C2. The car has been a big hit in Britain and while I’m sure its successor will be cuter, cleaner, cleverer and maybe even cheaper, one thing worries me: will it be as much fun to drive as the current Saxo VTS? Introduced in January 1997, the VTS has a 120bhp 16-valve 1.6 litre engine. That’s about the same power as a 1.8 litre Ford Mondeo but in a car that’s 1,100lb lighter, which means a top speed nudging 130mph and 0 to 62mph in just 7.8sec.

But what price performance? Very little in the Saxo’s case: you can pick up an early 1997 P-plate for £3,500.

In 1999 a minor facelift introduced larger Citroën chevrons on the grille and bigger headlamps, enhancing the looks without dating the early cars.

The top-spec VTS comes with a factory-fitted sunroof, ABS and 15in alloy wheels. The absence of an air-conditioning option shows the car’s age but at least no compressor means less weight.

The result is a car that simply begs to be driven. The steering is light but precise, handling is superb and the ride is surprisingly supple.

As with most small front-wheel-drive cars the pedals are slightly offset because of wheelarch intrusion, which can take a little getting used to. Headroom is pretty good but push the driver’s seat back and you’ll find very little rear legroom.

The VTS is a great car but some people face a big problem: group 14 insurance means it might cost as much to insure as to buy. Don’t worry, though, Citroën has a solution: the VTS’s little brother, the VTR.

A VTR looks very similar with colour-coded bumpers, alloys and front foglights but under the bonnet there’s an eight-valve 1.6 litre engine producing “only” 100bhp, dropping it into insurance group seven. Which also means bargains are like hen’s teeth. A second-hand VTR will set you back only £300 less than the meatier VTS because people realise it offers only mildly diluted thrills for much cheaper insurance.

Fuel consumption depends largely on how you drive: thrash a VTS and you’ll drop below 30mpg, but the VTR should return 10mpg more.

Servicing is every 12,500 miles or once a year. All new Citroëns have a three-year/60,000-mile warranty so if the car’s fairly new get it looked over by a dealer before it expires.

Start your search by checking availability nationwide and comparing prices in the used car section at www.citroen.co.uk. Don’t count on finding any cheap Saxos, though: mint low-mileage examples often fetch over book value, but at least you should have no trouble selling it.


VITAL STATISTICS
Model Citroën Saxo 1.6 VTS
Engine Four cylinders, 1587cc
Power 120bhp @ 6600rpm
Transmission Five-speed manual
Fuel 33.2mpg (combined)
Acceleration 0 to 62mph: 7.8sec
Top speed 127mph

CHECK IT OUT
Rear seat Folds down on all models, the VTS has the more versatile split back bench
Space Remember this is a supermini so rear legroom is limited
Spare wheel Lives under the car and can be a target for thieves
Sunroof Factory-fitted unit is tilt-and-slide on the VTR and VTS
Stereo If it has an upgraded audio system ask if that stays when you buy the car
Security Keypad immobiliser standard on all cars, VTS also has ultrasonic alarm
Insurance VTS is group 14, the VTR only group 7 Economy Enthusiastic driving can push the VTS below 30mpg, VTR does 10mpg more
Comfort Air-conditioning is not available on any model
Foglamps Check for stone damage, they are prone to chipping
Brakes ABS standard on the VTS but an option on the VTR
Wheels VTS gets 15in alloys compared with 14in on the VTR
The one to buy Citroën Saxo 1.6 VTS in metallic silver. 2000 W-plate with 30,000 miles. Pay £6,550 at a Citroën main dealer or £6,050 privately <!-- Beginfunction Start(page) {OpenWin = this.open(page, "CtrlWindow", "toolbar=yes,menubar=yes,location=yes,scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes");}// End -->

VALUES Citroën Saxo 1.6 VTS
Mileage 20,000
2000 W Trade £5,400. Retail £6,850
2001 Y Trade £6,250. Retail £7,695
2002 02 Trade £7,250. Retail £8,675

Mileage 30,000
2000 W Trade £5,100. Retail £6,550
2001 Y Trade £5,875. Retail £7,325
2002 02 Trade £6,825. Retail £8,225

Mileage 50,000
2000 W Trade £4,525. Retail £5,950
2001 Y Trade £5,300. Retail £6,750
2002 02 Trade £6,275. Retail £7,675

Source: estimates based on confidential CAP black book prices. 'Trade' is what a dealer would pay to buy your car; retail is what you would pay a dealer