1996 Fiat Barchetta Convertible 1.8

Summary:

Buy with caution

Faults:

Common variator problem, part had been replaced once, failed again just out of warranty!

Cost £200 ex vat.

Electric windows slowing up.

Poor radio reception, newer models have new parts.

Steering wheel horn broke costing £220 ex vat.

Standard exhaust system expensive to replace £280 ex vat.

Door handles freeze up in cold weather and you can't enter the car.

Handbrake freezes in cold weather and you can't move car if you managed to enter it first.

Fiat Code key system needed fixing 3 times.

Insurance IS EXTREMELY expensive, compares with a new BMW 3 series 2.8 at group 17!

General Comments:

Handling great.

Performance great.

Styling first class.

Build awful.

Electrics awful.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 31st May, 2000

15th Jul 2004, 17:14

I live in Scotland so I can relate to the problems that the car faces in winter. However, it's a car designed for Summer not Arctic conditions. My winter driving problems were solved by buying an old Volvo with long mot for £150 at auction.

It's not fair to judge a Summer car from Winter driving experiences.

1st Aug 2007, 04:58

Standard Fiat issues. Even the new Croma doors/brakes freeze on.

Fix is silicon spray on the door rubbers.. stops freezing. Handbrake work around is to leave the car in gear and handbrake off.

Best of all (it's a lightweight summer car) is a heated garage to store it in and a Skoda diesel for winter weather.

15th Oct 2007, 07:49

I use mine all year round and have solved the various problems. BTW these are all standard Fiat/Alfa/Lancia issues. If you pay 50k for a Brera the handbrake STILL freezes on.. modern design..yeah right!

The brakes freeze on when the water gets into the rubber boots on the end of the cables and freezes. The fix is to buy aftermarket cables, the cable is sealed in plastic. Better quality and not expensive if you get the garage to fix them during a service.

Don't fold the hood down in really cold weather.. it splits along the window line.. yes indeed.

1998 Fiat Barchetta LE 1.8 16v petrol

Faults:

Nothing to report, although electric windows are slow in winter. Bonnet pops up on to safety latch (never opened fully), just disconcerting.

Reports of variator failure from other owners - Fiat are replacing them free of charge.

General Comments:

Great looks, good organic design, torquey engine, 33mpg, quiet, comfortable, reliable, good fun to drive. Easily drivable in cold/wet weather! Water goes over your head - not too good when you stop though!

Could be quicker, handling could be tricky on the limit (high limits). Insurance is expensive in relation to performance.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th January, 2000

1998 Fiat Barchetta 1.8i petrol

Faults:

Wiper mechanism faulty, engine prone to cut out at idle (dirty valve), general build a bit iffy (FIAT lives up to reputation...)

General Comments:

A great fun car which manages to be better than the sum of its parts. Let down by a few annoying design faults which really shouldn't have escaped the development process. Handling could be better - Punto roots show through sometimes, though hangs on well. Probably works better as a weekend 2nd car than day to day use.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th October, 1999

1998 Fiat Barchetta 1.8 16v petrol

Faults:

Windscreen cleaner liquid tank: leaking, was replaced.

Faulty indicator switch to be replaced.

General Comments:

It's Italian.... beautiful with a temper.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th November, 1998