Faults:

The bolts that hold the drive shafts to the wheels would regularly vibrate loose and then snap. Leading to me to always carry a spare set, tool kit and an axle stand which took up most of the very limited luggage space. I tried using Locktight on them, but it didn't help.

The gearbox main bearing collapsed, which also destroyed the alloy gearbox casing due to the fact that Fiat used the casing as part of the bearing. Had they used a proper ball race bearing instead, I wouldn't have needed to pay £500 (back in 1990) for a used (not reconditioned) gearbox.

Hydraulic clutch cylinder seals went and had to be replaced.

The electric motor which raised the headlamp failed. Had to be replaced.

General Comments:

I loved driving this car!! It was fast, handled superbly, and in the good summer of 1989 the targa roof off for most of the summer.

For a small 2 seater, I found it comfortable enough, though at 6ft tall the seat was at it's limit.

It always started first time, but I still considered mine to be unreliable for the reasons already mentioned.

Wind noise was always a problem, due to the removable fiberglass roof. Though it was easy to take off. Two clips inside the car, and it was off. There was space under the bonnet to store it (mid engine, so storage was in the front).

Faults:

Brakes, electrical, RUST... all are problems. Engine is super reliable.

General Comments:

Best car I've ever owned. It's so much fun - it really is hard to put into words how much I have loved and hated this car. I bought a rough one and even with all my efforts it just never got too much better, you really need the facilities to fix this car. It's not a mechanically complex car, it's just that they rust and need to be fixed right! Having said that, it only ever broke down electrically and any faults were ones I inherited.

If you have a garage to store it and are handy with tools, they can be beauties! And the drive - better than anything on the road at 10 times the cost. Really terrific and infuriating.

Faults:

One head light pops up

Rust

Smell of petrol.

General Comments:

Help. after making the purchase of a car I always wanted the Fiat x1/9 or Bertone as it says on the manual I need some help. The car smells of petrol even through there is no leaks and only one head lamp pops up. The headlamp which is down only gives a very dim light and when I put main beam on the other than dips.

Help.

Faults:

When I first bought it, things seemed to go wrong often.

Problems with the electrics, such as the windows and indicators.

Speedometer died.

Exhaust needed replacing.

General Comments:

The X1/9 is an amazing car for all its minor faults. I think the Italians weren't really concerned with the idea of interior build quality as things are always falling off.

BUT, it's a great car to drive and the handling is amazing, but could do with an extra 20 HP or so.

Its hardtop id great for the summer and it looks so slick, especially the Grand Finale, with its metallic paint and spokes wheels.