wizardinho Posted August 30, 2004 Posted August 30, 2004 I searched all over the Internet and couldn't find a single info about this one. Does Saxo have galvanized car body? I am considering to buy 1.5 diesel version, probably from year 2000 or above, and thus i am intereseted about that particular one. Also, there are several generations of Saxo, so could someone please tell me what were the initial years of release for each generation? When was the most recent generation released? And finally I read a lot about uncomfortable front driver seat. Is it really so bad? Thanx a lot for your help! Quote
pork_pie Posted August 30, 2004 Posted August 30, 2004 The first generation Saxo was launched in Summer 1996. In January 1998 there were a few cosmetic changes e.g front grille, coloured dials. In Autumn 2000 the final generation was launched and this was the final version leading to its discontinuation. This included a completely different nose, changes to instrumentation, trim and standard equipment and a more powerful engine for VTR customers. As for galvanised steel....well from what I have researched on the net, the latest generation Saxo qualifies for the 12 year anti corrosion warranty. The Saxo is not particularly gifted for its driving position. The seats are thin and uncomfortable bit its made worse by offset pedals that are placed too close together and a steering column that is not adjustable in any direction. The 1.5 diesel is an old unrefined unit which follows a very old format: indirect diesel injection with no turbocharging or intercooling. As a result the unit yields around 60bhp and is as economical as a modern FAMILY 2.0 litre diesel (53.3 mpg). If you can get one for a good price (you should do as modern small diesels blow it out of the water and bearing in mind safety features are extra and air conditioning is only available in left hand drive cars) then go for it if there are no other alternatives. Check the brakes, airbag wiring and the cooling system as well as these are weak points Quote
wizardinho Posted August 30, 2004 Author Posted August 30, 2004 Thanx a lot. Those informations were really helpful. Still I have some more questions now... As for 12-year car body warranty, could you please tell me the URL of the page where you found this info, because I could not find it anywhere? You also said that brakes, airbag wiring and coling system should be checked 'cause they are weak points. Could you please explain all that in little more detail? Thanx again! Quote
tronboy Posted August 30, 2004 Posted August 30, 2004 Brakes are feeble. Airbag wiring problems are mainly caused by an iffy block connector under the seat which is prone to bad conductivity. The driving position is only suitable for those with short bodies and longish legs. Tall people would be best to drive in a recumbent position. Quote
wizardinho Posted August 30, 2004 Author Posted August 30, 2004 Well if brakes are feeble, there's nothing I can do, right? I mean, if they are feeble by factory default... As for the airbag, guess that this means it won't open during car accidents? Or it (god forbid) opens without any reason? Hope it's not the latter. However I suppose that a good home-made connector would be the best solution instead of the factory one? Funny if that is the case. Short body and long legs you say? Seems like woman to me :P I won't be driving long distance, just about 20 miles every day. If it is so unpleasant to seat than that's too bad, car really looks ok to me otherwise. Never thought that it would dissapoint on some basic things like driver seat... Guess I'll have to try for myself. Quote
pork_pie Posted August 30, 2004 Posted August 30, 2004 Thanx a lot. Those informations were really helpful. Still I have some more questions now... As for 12-year car body warranty, could you please tell me the URL of the page where you found this info, because I could not find it anywhere? You also said that brakes, airbag wiring and coling system should be checked 'cause they are weak points. Could you please explain all that in little more detail? Thanx again! -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I'll try to find the actual URL another time. Type "Citroen Saxo anti corrison" in any ISP homepage. But the 12 years anti corrosion warranty should give you some idea that there is come decent bodywork protection. In the case of the Saxo, the manufacturer probably put it through the same laminator where one can put A4 sized paper....." BRAKES: The rear discs/drums prematurely corrode and they squeak especially when reversing - something the technicians cant seem to sort out. AIRBAG WIRING: Tronboy answered it but with the added point that the airbag warning light intermittently lights as the result of the bad connection. About £180 to fix. Cooling system: Radiators leak. Cooling level and compositon needs to be monitored.Overlook this and big repairs are required. The car is undriveable if you are taller than 6ft Okay the seats are fine if a 20 mile commute is all you do. Quote
blackrat Posted April 30, 2005 Posted April 30, 2005 I have just traded in 1.5d saxo (2000) for xara desire and all I can say is thank god. Dont get me wrong the saxo was a good little car in that it was cheap to run (53mpg) :) and reliable but it resembled a tractor on a cold morning and if you want to get anywhere fast forget it. It has the acceleration of a slug and you will need a run up on the hills. Found the driving position comfy but the pedals are very close together. All in all a good plodding machine but that is it. Quote
pork_pie Posted May 1, 2005 Posted May 1, 2005 The Saxo 1.5d compared with latest small engines is prehistoric. The 1527 cc had: 1: Indirect injection compared to high pressure common rail fuel injection units. 2: No turbo, no intercooler. 3: Been coupled to a very short petrol engine type gearbox (top gear equalled 22mph per 1000rpm when most are 25-33mph per 1000 rpm) 4: Required services every 6000 miles rather than 12.500 or most recently every 20,000 miles 5: Reasonably fuel efficient at 53 mpg - the same as an old Xsara Hdi 110. The 1,4 Hdi in a C2 musters 69 mpg. The engine generated only 58bhp and kicked as much carbon dioxide as a Citroen 2.0 Hdi 90. Even unit would fail Euro III let alone Euro IV! However it was the "best" small engine available in the them days. Other manufacturers did have similar specced engines at the time but despite bigger engine capacities they were no quicker than Citroens. Says a lot!!!!! Bl00dy awful! Now we have 1.4 diesel engines kicking out 90 bhp.12 years ago to have a 1.9 kicking out the same amount would have been big news! Which engine is faster, cleaner and more fuel efficient? I rest my case. With all these factors gobbled up Quote
truemouse Posted May 28, 2005 Posted May 28, 2005 The driving position is only suitable for those with short bodies and longish legs. Tall people would be best to drive in a recumbent position. 6'2", at the time I was around 300lbs and I have size 14 feet (uk) Owned an early '96 AX and rented out Saxo's in Germany through SixT and AAFES. I had no problem at all. Dem thing fitted me like a glove. However, I did have a glass-tile sunroof which I had in the back-seat most of the time and had my hair blowing in the breeze of german autobahns. (And I'm not bald yet) The only vehicle that I've ever had to use the sun-visor on was a 26 ft 9 ton GMC top-kick U-Haul furniture truck, but I still maintain that the AX and Saxo were very comfortable vehicles. Quote
citroenfreak Posted March 9, 2006 Posted March 9, 2006 NiceDeals.co.uk these guys have quite a lot for the Citroen models...they do bonnets, bumpers, wings, lights, bodykits, spoilers etc. Cheap delivery too. Quote
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