Faults:

Electrical system problems. It is prone to starting problems on gasoline (flooding), often caused by an out-of-range throttle position sensor (TPS).

Problems starting or the car not starting are usually related to fuel injection and fuel pump relays, power relays, or poor grounding. This was common in cars of that era.

Water entering through the front windshield seals, especially on days of very heavy rain.

Occasionally, I had trouble shifting gears and the clutch springs failed. I should clarify that I never replaced the clutch while I owned the car.

General Comments:

The car was more than acceptable for the 90s and early 2000s. I remember when I bought it, it had very good equipment and comfort, particularly the i.e. SX version, which was very advanced for its time and also had excellent ride comfort in the city.

Compared to my previous car, the Ford Orion (also with a 1.8 injection engine), it was a huge leap in quality: better interior quality, more accessories and equipment, much faster and easier to drive, it consumed less fuel and, believe it or not, it was mechanically more reliable, in addition to being more technologically advanced.

While it's a matter of taste, I think it was superior to several of its competitors like the Escort, the Renault 19, or the Cavalier, both in innovative design and performance.

The interior was acceptable and a breath of fresh air compared to the previous models from the 80s. What I liked most was the digital meter. At the time, it looked like a car from the future.

It looks like a robust car, which could be criticized for being somewhat bulky. From the inside, because it's a vehicle with a high waistline, and combined with the elevated driving position, it gives the feeling of driving a larger car than it actually is.

The steering was good, it handled well both in the city and on the highway, and the engine's responsiveness made it a very pleasant car to drive. The 1.8‑liter engine had the necessary power for a mid‑size car like this, and the fuel injection made it even more agile.

Finally, although there may be details I don't fully remember (I sold it almost 10 years ago), one important thing to say in favor of the vehicle is that although it suffered from water leaks, it was galvanized, so rust was never a problem, a great improvement compared to other Fiats, known for rust and corrosion.

Faults:

So far nothing has gone wrong with this car. It has been well looked after, only 1 former keeper. It looks like it came straight from the showroom.

General Comments:

The car handles very well, and is quick. In the night, you think you are in a spaceship with all the lights.

I think the SLX has everything a new car has today, and more. It has plenty of room for 5 people and a big boot to match. It has a galvanised body, so it looks like new. Very comfortable seats, and you stand out in the crowd. Not many of these cars around now. It's good to be different.

Faults:

Various fiat-typical problems with brakes and suspension, rusted bolts and bleed nipples, seized brakes.

Rear springs are dying due to heavy towing.

Also both rear window motors have died and central locking.

And the stereo is lame, even if it is a blaupunkt.

General Comments:

Not bad for it's mileage and generally quite reliable.

Fairly quick for a diesel, beats my friend's new vectra.

Excellent grip off road for a 2wd car, although ground clearance lets it down.

Very poor towing due to 1st gear not being low enough. Towing limit about 2ton.

Funky digital speedometer.

Goes through almost 2ft of water if you raise the air intake a bit. V good.

Boot on saloon is big, but useless as the boot lid is really really tiny.