Faults:

Only one known fault. A temperature sensor on the engine management system failed, causing uneven low speed running. Fixed by dealer as part of service. Component cost £14.

General Comments:

I'm not (no longer?) a boy racer so absolute performance and serious handling capabilities don't matter too much to me. However, reliability and comfort are getting increasingly important as I have gone right off lying about under cars on my drive in the winter, and can't afford dealer repair bills.

Given my needs, expressed above, I cannot fault this car. It is comfortable, supremely reliable, economical to run and works first time everytime. It is plenty fast enough for sane driving and even fast enough for my occasional lapses into 'boy racer' mode.

Handling doesn't inspire great confidence when pushed and the ride can be a bit lumpy on Britain's currently appalling minor roads and side roads, but otherwise a comfortable, roomy reliable, good looking, durable fun car.

Incidentally my wife has a 75 ELX one year older than mine which is currently being repaired (by me) It has a rusted sump pan, broken cam belt, leaking camshaft cover gasket, leaking camshaft oil seal, and a sticking clutch! I hope mine doesn't go the same way!

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

What a superb car, nice looks, cheap insurance, very nippy, and a firm but comfortable ride.

I would recommend the 1.6 as opposed to the 1.2 as it seems less raucious going through the gears and not so hard pressed to accelerate with plenty of low down torque.

I was also impressed with the handling of this car (thanks to the hardened GT suspension on Sporting versions).

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Good reliable willing engines, not to mention all the extras - power steering, electric windows, airbag, remote central locking, alloys, tinted windows, etc.

Also looks very stylish.

There is a surprising amount of room inside with a good driving position.

Faults:

Seat belt has got stuck a few time.

Handling - car handles like Bambi on ice.

General Comments:

Very safe and tough vehicle.

Over 120000 miles and still going strong up and down the A1.

Two timing belts... will this boy reach 175000?

Faults:

My heater matrix cracked at 82,000 miles.

Needed a new oil sump.

General Comments:

The car is like a firecracker with a full Janspeed exhaust and induction kit ideal for the younger driver.

Faults:

Front suspension arms. Fairly expensive to replace and very annoying because the whole arm needs replacing for the sake of a rubber bush that would cost a few quid. After replacing their initial nice, tight and new feeling deteriorates within a couple of months.

Rear suspension bushes. Sounds simple again but they are pressed into the chassis of the car & unremovable. Fiat realise this design mistake and sell a rubber cup that fits over the original bush to try and patch up the problem.

Clutch replaced 4 times (3 times by a Fiat dealer - never again). Turned out to be dowels missing in the gearbox causing the problem.

Exhaust mount has fallen off (welded onto to the chassis). Resulted in a split in the braided hose on the downpipe, again very expensive caused by a part that costs pennies.

Fiat's infamous Keycode system. Occasionally the car decides that the key you've been using for the last couple of years is not the right code thus disabling the ignition system.

General Comments:

I've driven many small cars over the last few years including Puntos, Saxos, Ford Kas, Metros, Corsas and Polos, in my opinion the best feeling one by far was the Ford Ka - nippy, comfortable, well built and cheap to run. Shame it's so ugly.