1992 Fiat Uno 1.4 turbo i.e. from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Read this if you need persuading to buy a Turbo!

Faults:

Front left shock absorber has gone.

Battery keeps draining.

General Comments:

This car is seriously underestimated when it comes to performance. This is one of the fastest cars I've ever driven. I've blown away Golf GTi's, Vectra SRi's, Mondeo ST24's - it's easily as quick as a Renault 5 GT Turbo.

This is one of the few performance cars that insurance companies have seemed to forget. At group 11 (some companies class it higher, at 14) premiums are reasonable for the performance.

Handling could do with setting up properly. A good set of lowering springs or even coil-overs sorts it out.

Interiors are decent, not sure about the black and white checkered trim on the seats, but it does have a Momo steering wheel and boost gauge!

Things to check when buying are firstly the body work, check the wings, tailgate, and around the fuel cap and arches. Turbo's and clutches (and especially gear boxes on the Mk1) also need checking as they can be expensive to repair.

Reccomended modifications include: Dump valve, induction kit, exhaust, super-chip (extra 30 BHP!), de-cat pipe (if catalyst) and a good set of alloys.

Contact me at turbowilly69@hotmail.com for any advice, tips or recommendations!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd April, 2001

1992 Fiat Uno 60s 1.1 from Portugal

Summary:

The best first car

Faults:

Exhaust went and the rear wind shield wiper doesn't work.

General Comments:

This is a great car to learn to drive and it's the best when it comes to running costs. Also very good for urban traffic.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th April, 2001

1992 Fiat Uno S 1.1 from Israel

Summary:

I love the car! Even after it has died... :-(

Faults:

The rear brakes wore out completely after 90,000km (!!!).

The front wiper motor went after 95,000.

The lights mechanism went after 92,000 (the stick that turns the lights on and off).

No major breakdowns.

General Comments:

A very nice car. Especially for the city, although it made 140 km/h with 5 persons and load pretty well.

A very safe one also. After crashing in 70 km/h into a Mitsubishi Magnum (L200), it died, but I stayed alive and unharmed.

Nice handling. You don't need a power steering.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th February, 2001

1992 Fiat Uno i.e. Turbo 1.4 turbo petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Extremely quick, good fun all round!

Faults:

Small leak from the slave cylinder on the hydraulic clutch - easily repairable.

Apart from that, sound as can be.

General Comments:

After several heavy mods (ie: gas flowed head, hybrid turbo, etc) I now have 170+bhp coming from this excellent little car.

Fuel economy is good, unless at full throttle, when the turbo seems to drink like a fish, and ride is comfy, albeit a bit stiff.

Overall, performance that puts other bigger cars to shame. Superb!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd January, 2001

1992 Fiat Uno TD car/van 1.7 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Everthing...

General Comments:

I own a Fiat Uno 1.7D car/van 1992 which needs a gear box. I have very little money and managed to purchase a secondhand gearbox for £40 but I cannot afford to have it fitted. I could fit it myself... if I had a guide. If I had a few pages out of a mechanics book showing me how. I really need help, my car is off the road and I'm using public transport. I just paid a lump sum for my insurance and am pennyless. Could you please try and help me?

John Moore

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

Review Date: 4th January, 2001

16th May 2002, 14:58

Buy a Haynes Uno manual (or find one in a library and make use of the photocopier). It doesn't cover the diesel versions, but it's close enough for a gearbox swap. Other than being a diesel, it'll be almost identical to petrol models.

If you can do it without undoing the bottom ball joints of the suspension, do so, they are very hard to separate without wrecking them, and they aren't easy to replace cheaply, usually needing a whole bottom arm. I can't remember exactly what the Uno suspension looks like, but I did a Panda gearbox change without undoing those joints, which isn't supposed to be possible according to Mr Haynes. You can probably get away with just undoing the nearside ball joint if undoing none isn't an option, then juggling out the offside drive shaft while moving the box sideways. This blurb will make much more sense after reading Haynes guide to gearbox removal!

If you can't get the recommended gearbox oil, use engine oil.

28th Dec 2003, 12:06

John Moore, firstly, it may be worthwhile getting a Fiat Uno repair manual and service guide, because it helps to understand the layout of the car much better than just guessing. I own a Fiat Uno, and I am maintaining it as I go along.

The best advice I can give is as follows: firstly, find out where a good spare parts yard is, and have a look round. Find an old scrapped Uno and take the good bits off ie, fittings, bulbs.

Usually with any older car, it's one thing after another when it comes to things going wrong. The Uno is economical, but can cost in engine parts that need fitting, i.e. head gasket, thermostat, brakes and clutch. If all these are sound, it could be worth salvaging. If not, find the nearest canal and drive it in.

Hope this has been of some help.

Regards.

Bob Ratchet.