1996 Fiat Cinquecento Sporting 1.1 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

The best in the market for everything

General Comments:

The car is a legend. I have just bought one and I have to say that it exceeded all of my expectations. The Sporting does do well over 100mph, no matter what all of the others say. And the car takes a lot of gyp from people, and from all of the things I have heard about the slow, uncomfortable car - I love it.

It holds the corners well, it has a lovely interior, it has great performance and is so ahead of its rivals in that category.

Also have I mentioned the fact that it sounds like a mini Ferrari when it is given some welly (with the quiet whine when the throttle is floored).

I absoloutely love the car and would want nothing else instead as my first. A bargain at £800 in mint condition broom yellow.

Sam.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th April, 2004

1996 Fiat Cinquecento Sporting 1.1i from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Ultra Pocket rocket.

Faults:

The Thermostat gasket was leaking, causing steam to waft out form under the bonnet. The reason it was leaking, a garage that previously had carried out servicing repaired the original leaking gasket with a paper & silicone mastic mixture, it didn't work and was very poorly done.

General Comments:

Lovely compact car, accelerates surprisingly well for a 1100cc inj engine, I'm currently looking for a cylinder head to work on and later swap it, also replacing the cat with a bypass pipe.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 25th March, 2004

1996 Fiat Cinquecento Sporting 1.1 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Cheap, but always fun

Faults:

Clutch cable broke.

Replaced the radiator due to overheating.

Replaced the head gasket.

Replaced headlight switch and headlamps due to it not always working.

General Comments:

Buying this car you should except that it is a Fiat and you will not get the reliability of Volkswagon. It is also small and will not hold much in the boot.

It handles very well and the engine likes to rev making every journey exciting. I was following a friend who drives a Lupo GTi and I was just about keeping up, he was impressed.

The seats are comfortable and provide support around corners. However the pedal layout is awkward, it is easy to ride the clutch. but this is not surprising considering the width of the car.

It is cheap to insure (group 3), tax, and is also cheap on fuel.

I like the looks outside, and it has good features inside for the price, including electric windows and central locking.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 11th February, 2004

1996 Fiat Cinquecento Sporting 1.1i from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A fun quick car to drive great for anyone

Faults:

I have had no real problem's with the Fiat Cinquecento Sporting since I have owned it, the only thing I could comment on is:

My Lamber Sensor went a few week's after I got the car which cost £130 to have fixed.

Driver seat position adjustment bar snapped costing £40 to have repaired.

General Comments:

Since I got this car I have added a Novitec Cinquecento 1.1 74 kW (118 hp) Turbo kit and its hard to explain the difference in Performance.

I get about 0 - 60 in 7.1 seconds unlike the standard speed of 11 seconds this is a massive increase in power.

I've also added new Apex -40mm Suspension Kit and it now holds the road like "it's on rails" but I must point out the standard Sporting Suspension is also very good.

The Sporting model comes with Red Seat Belts and some very sporty seats that are still used in the Seicento Sporting.

The overall interior is maybe a little basic of features such as Air Reconditioning, but it does come with Electric Windows, but the switches are in a bad position.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 25th January, 2004

23rd Jan 2005, 16:40

Hi mate, can send me a picture of your car?

29th Nov 2005, 18:48

Can you tell me where you got the turbo kit and how much it cost? I'm thinking about getting one of these.

1996 Fiat Cinquecento Sporting 1.1i from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A fun little pocket rocket

Faults:

The head gasket gave up the ghost at 39,000 miles and had to be replaced, but luckily I had the car under warranty and it was repaired for free. Also the clutch was slipping, but it's just a nut under the bonnet that needed tightening up. None of the things have been bad, but just inconvenient. Like most of the other reviews it does seem to have a problem with mysterious dents appearing.

General Comments:

The car is a little rocket now I have fitted a K&N performance air filter.

I have also resprayed the dashboard the same color as the exterior "Broom Yellow" and it looks very affective.

Also fitting a ICE system in the car is easy because it's so small and easy to work on.

I have had an Alfa Romeo 145 1.7i which I loved, but I sold it because of the high running costs. Now I have this little pocket rocket I have never looked back, it's fun, fast and even my girlfriend likes it, which is always a good thing.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th June, 2003

19th Aug 2003, 10:34

Hey I was just wondering if your clutch is very low? maybe its just mine and need to get it checked! :S also wondering how you resprayed the dash is there an easy way of taking it off? thanks!

6th Dec 2010, 19:46

My clutch is low as well, it has a very low biting point when pulling away.