Faults:

Replaced brake discs with every other set of pads.

Clutch wore out at 110,000 miles.

Clutch cable snapped at 120,000 miles.

Heater control cable bracket broke every year.

The Headliner dissolved after 5 years.

The Metallic paint was dull by age 5.

We bent a rim in a pothole.

General Comments:

With factory-recommended service (oil change every 7,500 miles) it was as reliable as an electric motor. It never burned oil or failed to start (all due to Fuel injection?). Even with kids, the comfortable cloth seats did not wear out (annual cleaning helped). It leaned like a sailboat, but stuck to the road. The mileage was okay (28 mpg). 75hp and very tall gearing called for lower gears for long distances. Noisy and small, it was also inexpensive, reliable, and fun to drive! I miss it!

Faults:

The car is rusting very badly.

Also, it has trouble starting in the extreme cold.

General Comments:

I own a 1979 4 door Custom Strada in orange. I used to own a fiat dealership in Toronto, and bought this demo as soon as the Strada came out. Today I am probably the only person who owns a Strada in all of Canada. This car didn't succeed in North America, because it is designed for Europe and not for the North American climate. In fact, in Italy this car was produced until 1988, and is still in circulation.

In my opinion, the body should have been treated to withstand our North American winters, as well as make an engine with a little more kick than the one they came out with. I still start my Strada every now and then, but it is in no shape to drive, I'm actually embarrassed to, ha, ha.

Please email me at f_modena_1982@hotmail.com, if you still own a Fiat Strada in North America, I would love to see some pics.

Faults:

Other than the usual maintenance, and wearing out of moving parts, nothing major has gone wrong.

Replaced the clutch at 81,000 miles.

General Comments:

This Strada has served me so well, I intend to keep it until it turns to dust.