1994 Fiat Cinquecento Base 899cc from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Ideal first car

Faults:

Battery died, but that was my fault for leaving the radio on! Easily sorted, but apart from that nothing else has gone wrong.

General Comments:

I got my car on an M plate for £750. Bargain!

At the moment I'm learning in it and it is an ideal first car.

Being a student, money is scarce. But the group 1 insurance is a god send!

So far only the essential modifications have taken place. this includes stereo upgrade and filling the boot (if you can call it that!) with a sub and amp.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th February, 2003

1994 Fiat Cinquecento SX 899 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A good all round runabout

Faults:

Gearbox bearing, bushes worn leaking oil went - £500

Catalytic Converter £500

Radiators x 2

Usual exhaust.

General Comments:

Considering the mileage done and the hammering it has had over the years the performance hasn't been that bad.

It has very good handling.

Indifferent heater.

Don't expect creature comforts.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th January, 2003

1994 Fiat Cinquecento S 0.9 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Basic but comfortable, economical, surprisingly nippy and reliable

Faults:

Hydraulic tappets sometimes stick and are noisy (how I got it cheap, ha-ha!).

Petrol tank replaced 2001 (when someone eventually advised me it was free).

Injector light comes on at 65-70mph.

Front discs and exhaust replaced at 42,000 miles.

Boot lock mechanism broke at 38,000 miles (£18).

The usual annoying knocking sound from the rear suspension!

General Comments:

The Cinquecento is a box on wheels that gets me to where I am going quickly and cheaply. That's all I ask and it delivers accordingly.

I work in the motor industry and my colleagues all drive Mercedes and BMW so I am the butt of a lot of jokes. But I have to travel all over the country and carry a lot of equipment. For this I always have the rear seats down and use the car like a small estate. Once you've done this there is a surprising amount of storage space available. The weight is no problem either, it will pull along on the flat and moderate hills at 75-80 MPH quite easily. Steep hills though, can slow you down a bit.

I keep detailed mileage and fuel records and can easily say that I often get 50mpg, and never below 46mpg.

This car is basic but comfortable even for me and I'm 6'3"! It's nippy around town, easy to park, and very economical.

The only criticism I could make is that apart from 'intermittent' there is only one wiper speed.

I do about 2500 miles a month, not exactly what this car was designed for, but I'm more than happy with it and would buy another.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th December, 2001

12th Feb 2002, 09:57

Hello,

With concern to the fuel injection malfunction light coming on at higher speeds; this could be the lambda sensor. I had the same with my malfunction light, it seems to become more frequent with time. It was discovered at the MOT that the CO2 level was 9.9, when the max is supposed to 0.9 (I think). By simply fitting a new sensor (located on the exhaust down pipe) it cured the problem. The only problem left was the scar of £72 (Fiat main dealer only) leaving my bank account. GOOD-LUCK!

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1994 Fiat Cinquecento 0.9 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A superb little car that is great to drive, and has a great character

Faults:

The only major thing has been an overheating problem a few thousand miles ago. It needed the cylinder head repaired, but wasn't that expensive.

It needed a new handbrake cable at about the same time.

It has needed the tracking sorted a few times, and has gone through a few tyres because of this, but I live up a rough track in Wales, so it's probably that.

General Comments:

This car is absolutely fantastic. It is hilariously fun to drive, easy to park, comfortable, goes well considering the engine size, and is very reliable.

It can be a bit noisy, especially wind noise, but it's not too bad.

If more than two people are in it, it can be slow, and there are regular complaints from those sitting in the back, but I don't have people in it that often. It's roomy enough for my mountain bike with the seats down, which is a bonus.

Servicing and parts are reasonably cheap, and tax and insurance are low.

The only worry I have is the safety of the car should I have an accident in it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th July, 2001