1977 Fiat 127 CL 1.05 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A pile of junk

Faults:

Everything...

Blew up its engine twice:

2 head gaskets

1 timing belt broke (40,000)

Gearbox linkage failed.

Severe rust everywhere - door fell off, sills disintegrated.

Electrical problems constantly.

General Comments:

Nippy little car with a huge boot and nice handling.

Manufactured by school children from tissue-paper standard materials and recycled coke tins.

No wonder you can't find one today... they have all gone where they deserved to end up -- the crusher!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 9th July, 2001

3rd Aug 2001, 02:58

Hey! Lay off the Fiat! There are quite a few happy Fiat 127 owners around the world (including me) :) Rust can be a problem but it really depends on how well the car's been kept. You mentioned the nippy handling - the 127 is used for racing for this very reason. It's a great first car and fun to mess about with. The only thing I'm not 100% sold on is the interior - but by the looks of things it's easy to change the material on the fittings.

In good condition it's a more than viable alternative to an expensive small car, especially since it's so much fun to drive.

17th Aug 2005, 15:22

The Fiat 127 was built by SEAT in Spain.

Let's face it: In Spain there is about 20 days of rain a year and they do not need to put salt on the roads. Rust? what's rust?,...never heard about it.

There are plenty of 127 around in Spain. They are extremely reliable, and the gas consumption is ridiculously low.

My only complaint is the spartan interior. Being the owner of a 1979 127 900/L I still think that the marketing guys were having tons of fun when they added the "L" after the 900. This "L" means "LUXE"!!!

NOT EVEN A CIGARETTE LIGHTER!!!

In reply to 17th Aug 2005, 15:22

19th Feb 2015, 23:29

Have driven SEAT Furas (their 127 clone) on holiday in Spain - tremendous cars!!

25th Feb 2023, 14:08

What did you do with the poor little thing? Rock mining?

1987 Fiat 127 Formula 0.9 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Fantastic!

Faults:

Starter motor failed.

Fuel pump failed.

General Comments:

Absolutely indestructible little car.

Does everything, from commuting, school-run, taking rubbish to the tip and a bit of weekend hooliganism.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st June, 2001

1979 Fiat 127 0.9 from Israel

Summary:

No money, much honey

Faults:

The motor sweats.

A leaking problem from the motor - gearbox oil -pakung place.

Rust, especially at the bottom of the front glass.

General Comments:

My expectations were not so high (what can you expect from a 22 year old 900cc car?). And mine is a 'replication' from Seat...

But, and that's a big BUT:

Performance not so bad - amazing for an old 900cc motor, even with four persons, and 15km per liter. Don't like highways, the motor is OK but only four gears.

Interior is brilliant: big enough for 4 average people (I mean with comfort), big baggage, and the plastics are still as new even in the hot Israeli sun. Yes, it's Fiat I'm talking about.

Reliability surprised me, but could be better, very cheap and easy to fix. That's the place to mention the car is driven VERY brutal and hard for the last too years, in that aspect - the car is very reliable.

It's also the place to mention that the car is very fun to drive, a good handling, steering wheel talks to you, they don't do them like that anymore.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd May, 2001