Faults:

My radiator cracked spilling water all over the road and me stranded for two hours. Quickly fixed by Fiat, but did set me back £200.

Car was recalled for petrol tank replacement. This was done by Fiat dealer free of charge.

General Comments:

The Sporting is by far better looking than the normal models. In my opinion the extras fitted by Fiat on my Arbath also add a bit more style.

No-one can argue with the fuel economy of these cars. I once managed to make 315 miles!! from one complete tank of petrol, and I mean a complete tank. The car ran out of petrol and grined to a halt less than a mile from the petrol station.

Faults:

Nothing!!

General Comments:

Really impressed with it for a 1.1, love the car, I have moved from a 1.7turbo diesel nova with 120bhp and this is much more fun.

Can be made very fast as well by addition of the punto 1242cc engine and turbo.

I would definitely have another.

Faults:

Only one major problem was a fault in the electrics of the fueling system.

A weld on my custom made exhaust blew.

General Comments:

This car I brought thinking I would not need to modify it much. Soon after owning however I got a bit fed up with the lack of power.

Now I have fitted an ITG induction kit and custom made exhaust system. Thanks to the induction kit, four branch manifold and straight through exhaust it pulls better and sounds better.

The looks with the Abrath kit are superb and handling is amazing. It does however handle better now it has wider wheels.

A fantastic little car.

Faults:

The gear actuator. My car has had 4 new gear actuators. The space between seems to be anything from 6-9 months. First 4 months (Jan 2001) after buying the car and constant adjustments in between. Second replacement was June 2001. At the third replacement, the garage had someone else who had the same problem. I do not have any other faults with my little car - it runs perfectly, good fuel consumption, maintenance cost repairs, except when the the gear seize up and I am unable to move the car, which on a couple of occasions has been in a dangerous place. My garage has been very helpful, but being without my car has been a problem for me. Fiat have only been able to let me have a replacement.

General Comments:

I would be grateful if someone out there could let me know why the gear actuator keeps going - even my garage is at a loss.

Faults:

I have had endless problems with the power steering.

The car has had three new steering columns and the problem remains. The power steering only works intermittently.

All have been replaced under warranty, but clearly the problem has not been resolved. I am told that it is something to do with the torque sensor.

My local dealership has now closed and I will have to travel much further to get this sorted out.

The dealership also had incomplete records so that each visit meant a total re-telling of the problem.

General Comments:

It looks great.

You can fit a child's buggy AND some shopping in the boot.

It runs forever on a tank of petrol.

When the power steering works it is a joy to park in tight spaces.

It looks great parked next to the usual dull cars in the car park at work.

You can find it easily in the supermarket because it's bright yellow.