1979 Fiat 131 CL Estate 1.6 OHV

Summary:

What you might expect from a Fiat of that time

Faults:

Replaced the complete O/S rear door because the glass kept shattering.

Rear wiper motor kept working loose.

Exhaust needed replacing annually.

Needed frequent tuning to keep it running smoothly.

Starter motor failed at 101000 miles.

Rusted very quickly; I scrapped it when I jacked it up and the windscreen popped out.

General Comments:

Not particularly fast, but fun to drive quickly; the engine loved to be revved, and the handling was quite nimble.

If I curbed my enthusiasm, fuel consumption was around 30 mpg. I paid for having fun in it though.

It had comfortable front seats, very cramped in the rear.

For an estate car, it didn't have much load space.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 28th July, 2011