Faults:

Variator is starting to get noisy on start up, noise disappears after a few seconds.

Apart from that very reliable.

General Comments:

Lots of stone chips at the front, paintwork seems a little fragile.

Car is fun to drive even at slow speeds. Handling rewards smooth and committed driving, can be upset by sudden lift-off in corners. Handling is best on smooth roads, mid-corner bumps are just about tolerated.

Engine performance is adequate rather than amazing. Is better than a standard MGF 1.8 and MX5 1.6 and 1.8 (v1.0). Sounds much, much better with a performance exhaust! More Italian.

The interior and exterior is eye-catching with many unique design features, including the aluminium pop-out door handles, smooth integrated tonneau cover and pert rear end!

The front and rear end also incorporates discrete underbody spoilers, which don't spoil the look.

The boot is big enough for double digit holidays to europe for two - if you pack economically. There is loads of space behind the seats and under the tonneau area (where we managed to store 12 bottles of french wine...)

You won't get so much styling and practicality for the price.

Faults:

Oil pump failed, engine failure, cam-belt came off, at 30000miles.

Hood leaked.

Radio did not work.

Windows did not lift.

Engine repaired by Leamington FIAT dealer at a cost of GBP 1500.

Engine failed 2 weeks later as the camshafts had not been replaced the first time.

FIAT dealer refused to repair this at their cost. Another bill for GBP 500.

General Comments:

This car is very poor quality.

The dealers are the worst kind of 70's lags you will ever have the 'pleasure' to deal with.

The handling was OK, but it is still FWD.

The cabin is filled with terrible low budget materials which are fitted badly. It is not a nice environment, though it looks nice inside (from a distance - i.e. outside).

You can never relax driving it as you are terrified it will break down again.

Faults:

Air conditioning pipe broken - twice.

Variator - most fail & are replaced free by Fiat.

Exhaust heat shield - twice.

Exhaust - now replaced with a stainless steel one from DTR.

Various seals have worn.

A couple of strange engine cut-outs that cured themselves, blamed on electronic sensors.

Driver's side window sticky in cold, clunks in heat.

General Comments:

Looks great and handles beautifully.

Reasonably economical for the type of car except for the overpriced insurance.

Surprising amount of boot space.

Most problems are niggles rather than disasters, most show up under warranty - the trouble is they show up again once they've been fixed.

Faults:

Variator needed replacement (common fault, haggle with Fiat who may replace it outside the warranty period).

General Comments:

Beautiful styling, nice drive, and some rarity value on UK roads.

Terrible radio.

Window motors weak and slow.

Door handles can be a problem to open in winter.

Do NOT take to a Fiat dealer, they have hardly any experience of them - I highly recommend DTR in Mortlake, London SW14 who specialise in Barchettas (sales and service).

If shopping for a two-seater in the MGF or MX5 price/performance range, definitely check out the Barchetta, and don't be put off by the left-hand drive: in practice, it is very rarely a disadvantage.

Faults:

I have had nothing go wrong with the car as of yet. This is a true 60's icon sportster uprated for the 90's.

General Comments:

Compared to the MGF & MX5, this is a leader. The styling is first class and with an engine that can be tweaked up to 290 bhp it's great.