Faults:

OK there have been a few things like the timing belt tensioner.

The wipers went through that juddering thing.

The headlamps just started fogging up on me.

Rear doors squeak horribly when they are opened-but not always. Hmm.

Rear suspension is squeaky at times.

General Comments:

I like the car generally. I think the build quality is terrific for the price and class. The interior plastics are very acceptable and guages. switches are well positioned.

The cup holders suck though as not every kind of beverage container-cup/bottle fits.

I think the city performance is top notch, but the 1.2 8v lacks power on highways when passing at around 100 km/h. Third's given you all she's got, but 4th just doesn't have the torque it should to safely let you pass a truck, for example.

I am satisfied with handling as well.

As for the above faults- I'm a mechanic so I'd be really disappointed with a car I couldn't fiddle with. I've done all the above reapirs on my own. If you don't know cars, then going to the dealer for all those minor faults would really be a pain in the butt.

Love that power steering!

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with mine yet and I've already done more than 10000 kilometers in it (unlike my old Cinquecento Sporting, which had the central locks and the clutch break by then).

General Comments:

I love the engine. It has tons of power and torque, and doesn't need to be revved as much to go, unlike my old Civic which was dead until it got to 5000 rpm.

The brakes are great as well (much better than in anything else I've driven).

There are a couple of things that annoy me. One is the ABS/Traction Control system which is too sensitive. There is a button to turn off the traction control, but you can't turn off the ABS unless you take the fuse out. It doesn't help on bumpy Polish roads.

Another is the gearbox. It works perfectly well but I don't understand why Fiat has a 6 speed in the Sporting and a 5 speed in the HGT. Wouldn't it be more logical the other way around? Especially as the ratios are too short anyway and at high speeds on highways it could use a 6th gear to lower fuel consumption. The engine has enough torque for that.

Fuel? It is true it uses tons if you push it (12 litres per 100 kilometers), but I managed 5 litres per 100 kilometers at acceptable speeds on the highway.