1972 Fiat 127 Base 903cc

Summary:

Zippy and exuberant

Faults:

Oil pump relief valve jammed open. Luckily I checked the new one before fitting and found it jammed solid with swarf, very poor quality.

Body rust was pretty bad, one day I tried to wind up the window and the wire and pulley mechanism just ripped out of the bottom of the door.

Starting became difficult, cumulative wear in fuel pump cured by building up pushrod with weld (!)

General Comments:

I bought this car for commuting, it turned out to be a lot of fun. It would blow away mini 1275GT any time, top speed 93mph.

Also just keeping a light right foot would get over 50 mpg.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st July, 2003

1977 Fiat 127 CL 1.05

Summary:

A pile of junk

Faults:

Everything...

Blew up its engine twice:

2 head gaskets

1 timing belt broke (40,000)

Gearbox linkage failed.

Severe rust everywhere - door fell off, sills disintegrated.

Electrical problems constantly.

General Comments:

Nippy little car with a huge boot and nice handling.

Manufactured by school children from tissue-paper standard materials and recycled coke tins.

No wonder you can't find one today... they have all gone where they deserved to end up -- the crusher!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 9th July, 2001

3rd Aug 2001, 02:58

Hey! Lay off the Fiat! There are quite a few happy Fiat 127 owners around the world (including me) :) Rust can be a problem but it really depends on how well the car's been kept. You mentioned the nippy handling - the 127 is used for racing for this very reason. It's a great first car and fun to mess about with. The only thing I'm not 100% sold on is the interior - but by the looks of things it's easy to change the material on the fittings.

In good condition it's a more than viable alternative to an expensive small car, especially since it's so much fun to drive.

17th Aug 2005, 15:22

The Fiat 127 was built by SEAT in Spain.

Let's face it: In Spain there is about 20 days of rain a year and they do not need to put salt on the roads. Rust? what's rust?,...never heard about it.

There are plenty of 127 around in Spain. They are extremely reliable, and the gas consumption is ridiculously low.

My only complaint is the spartan interior. Being the owner of a 1979 127 900/L I still think that the marketing guys were having tons of fun when they added the "L" after the 900. This "L" means "LUXE"!!!

NOT EVEN A CIGARETTE LIGHTER!!!

In reply to 17th Aug 2005, 15:22

19th Feb 2015, 23:29

Have driven SEAT Furas (their 127 clone) on holiday in Spain - tremendous cars!!

25th Feb 2023, 14:08

What did you do with the poor little thing? Rock mining?

1987 Fiat 127 Formula 0.9

Summary:

Fantastic!

Faults:

Starter motor failed.

Fuel pump failed.

General Comments:

Absolutely indestructible little car.

Does everything, from commuting, school-run, taking rubbish to the tip and a bit of weekend hooliganism.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st June, 2001