Faults:

After 3 years the car started to let rain water in. It's been to three different garages, 1 fiat dealership, 2 non fiat garages, its been stripped down, water poured over it and drains unblocked, but still the problem remains.

Also at the beginning of this year (2003) the sunroof packed up and refuses to open.

General Comments:

It's a pretty car and very roomy even with four people in it which is good for me as I'm 5ft 10 without heels.

I found the ability to adjust my seat height and the steering wheel height has eliminated the pain I used to suffer in my knees.

Faults:

Mechanically.

Electrics.

General Comments:

Nothing at all has faulted with this car! After doing 20,000 in just under a year I took it in for a service (Cam Belt etc) but apart from this normality the car has been great!

Could be a little better, the windows are a little slow and the locking gives me the odd twinge, but apart from that it's a gem!

Faults:

New Turbo (just before I bought it)

Running problems which the dealer diagnosed as a faulty injection pump at a cost of £1500 to replace, however a local diesel specialist disagreed and replaced the solenoid -£120!

The wheel trims keep flying off.

The windscreen washers squirt anywhere except the windscreen.

Last, but not least...

Today the clutch went!

General Comments:

When the car has run well, which has been rarely, it is surprisingly quick and a pleasure to drive.

I do a round journey of 140 miles a day, maybe it's just too much for the poor car!

Faults:

The rear exhaust box fell off the car. This was a common problem with the HGTs apparently.

The heater let in water from the seal at the bottom of the windscreen although this was fixed under the warranty.

Very little considering Iv had the car almost two years.

General Comments:

Lovely engine, it sounds fantastic. Fuels a bit heavy though, but I don't care... it gets you from A to B in style, and drives a lot better than a mk111 golf gti 16v.

The car looks v good, has lasted well and dismissed all my fears of buying a fiat.

Faults:

Bonnet release sticky. But probably just needs a greasing.

Rear wiper gets stuck half way round.

Rear window washer pipe blows off if you use it after a cold night.

Driver's airbag warning light comes on a few weeks after being reset.

Thermal cut-out in stereo kills rear speakers if you turn the stereo up too loud with all the windows open (OK if switched off for a while).

Electric windows have gone slow and screech when wound down. (Very embarrassing at traffic lights!)

Seems to get through power steering fluid quickly, probably a leak somewhere.

General Comments:

Sounds great, especially when thrashed.

Performance variable but always good.

Very comfortable to drive and makes for a perfect M25 cruiser, the air con making those long waits more bearable.

Have had no bills other than routine servicing in the 2 years I have owned it, a total cost of 350 pounds.

Faults:

1. Leather seats were very slippery.

2. Drivers seat movement stopped working. Replaced under warranty.

3. Paintwork on the side skirts peeled approximately 3 times - resprayed under warranty 3 times.

General Comments:

Lovely sounding engine.

Not as many of them about as there Golf GTI's and Escorts etc.

Plenty of character.

Great entry into the world of Hot Hatches.

Looks great.

Quite sad to sell it.