1978 Fiat 128 3p review from Australia and New Zealand
"I would not give a car like this to my worst enemy"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Everything that could go wrong with this car probably did.
The wheel studs wore out and needed to be machined. The mag wheel were exotic and could not be sourced locally.
One headlight had to be imported from Italy. That cost me 200 dollars aud.
Shock absorbers also costed me a fortune to replace. I think they were McPherson struts.
The engine fell out due to stress fractures in the firewall.
The thermatic fan would cut out, frying the motor.
This all happened within six months of owning it.
General comments?
The greatest mistake I ever made in my life was to buy one of these things. It looked like a nice hatch. It sounded awesome with a real sporty note. But after a short while things began to break and fall off.
But the car was so gutless. Once, with three passengers, it could not scale a hill and had to be driven down in reverse because it didn't have the power to get to the top.
Parts for this car cost me a fortune.
Even though I sold it for scrap fifteen years ago, I still awaken sometimes at night, in a lather of sweat, thinking that I still own it. The horror of what it cost me has never gone away. Every now and then I think it's still out in my driveway and I shudder.
Recommended Reviews:
  | A fun, no-frills car, a bit like a go-kart with luggage space. |
  | 1974 - 128 Sport L Coupe 1.5 Strada engine Good, but overshadowed by Fiat's performance models |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Engine and transmission | 1.3 Manual |
| Performance marks | 2/10 |
| Reliability marks | 0/10 |
| Comfort marks | 6/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 0/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 90000 miles |
| Date of Entry | 19th March, 2005 |