Faults:

Check engine light from servicing spark plugs late.

Dash rattle, that despite being looked at several times, still remains.

Tire pressure sensors are very sensitive.

General Comments:

I love this little car. This is the first car that I purchased new and I am overall satisfied. I wanted to wait till I hit the 50,000 mile mark to write a review that would give a fair assessment of the car and what it is like to live with.

I commute around 80 miles a day, and also have a 100 mile commute once a week. This car had been incredibly cheap to run, which is to be expected from a 1.4. Obviously this is not a super powerful car and you will notice this on hills, but when you want to get around town this car really shines. Easy to maneuver in and out of traffic, and park. This is the perfect little commuter and despite the reputation that the FIAT brand holds here in America, this car has been reliable. The only issue I have had is an annoying vibration sound from the dash at around 3k revs. I have learned to live with it and don't notice it much anymore. The dealer could not resolve the issue and I got sick of trying.

One other thing to consider is dealer distance. FIAT dealerships are few and far between, and if you do not live close by, you will have a hard time servicing the car anywhere. I have been unable to find a line shop that will do the oil in my area, and have had to do all the maintenance myself, which can be time consuming.

For the price, you are getting a unique car that will work very well for commuting. I was even able to get a car seat in the back.

Faults:

Engine management fault.

General Comments:

I lived with this car as a hire car whilst on holiday in Sardinia. It was without doubt, the worst car I have EVER driven (I have driven many different vehicles).

On the car I hired, the engine faltered just after clutch release, causing a dangerous lack of progress as I was trying to enter traffic. The engine was so weak that even on the most gentle of inclines, it was necessary to change to 4th; on a noticeable incline it was 3rd gear straight away, and on any moderate incline it was a 2nd gear job. On minor roads without the momentum of movement, I had to tackle steep slopes in 1st gear.

The steering wheel is very slightly offset in comparison to the seating position, so this caused back ache after a long time driving. The driving position is awful. The A pillar becomes so wide at the base that vision is difficult when at an angled junction. When reversing, the B and C pillars seriously interfere with your rear vision.

The boot is so small it could not even hold two Ryanair sized suitcases without the back seats being put down.

The car barely had effective air con.

Despite the clearly small engine, I didn't think it was particularly economic to drive either.

The whole car was truly awful, in my opinion. I hardly ever review, but I was so dissatisfied with this car I felt I had to write this. Never again will I drive a FIAT.