1989 Fiat Tipo DGT 1.4 petrol

Summary:

Depressing!!!!!

Faults:

Front subframe rotted & had to be replaced.

Rocker cover cracked.

Oil leaks.

Electric window failed & various other electrical faults.

Alternator & starter motor failed.

Ball joints had to be replaced.

Central locking on hatchback failed.

General Comments:

Doesn't seem to rust. I would never buy another Fiat - they are useless in wet or maritime climates.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 12th August, 2000

19th Feb 2001, 11:18

You know your stuff!

1989 Fiat Tipo DGT 1.4

General Comments:

Good value for money compared with Escorts. However is quite unreliable, although all problems are small, never big and expensive. Dealers however deserve to be shot.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th October, 1999

10th Jan 2015, 20:06

You never had an Escort then? I had an '88 Orion (booted Escort) that I bought nearly new for £9k back in the day - that had dodgy electrics, sprang a leak or two, broke down and rusted spectacularly - all cars of this era had these faults, that's how they were and that's what we put up with. Nowadays we are just spoiled!!

1989 Fiat Tipo DGT 1.9 turbo diesel

Faults:

Two cylinder head gaskets replaced.

Offside front brake pads replaced, approx every 4,000 miles. Callipers and brake discs replaced three times. Brakes noisy from new. Gearbox replaced twice. Sunroof motor replaced. Clutch cable snapped at 15,000 miles. Very high and uneven rate of tyre wear from new. Many electrical failures, bad connections etc. Water pump replaced. Oil leaks from engine and gear box. Rattles and water leaks. Drive shaft replaced. Poor and fragile plastic trim.

General Comments:

Bought new, overheated on first day, and was unreliable thereafter. When it was going well the performance was good. A comfortable and roomy car, spoilt by poor build quality. The service provided by the dealer was awful, they never cured the brakes and some of the other defects.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 11th September, 1997

26th Nov 2007, 10:58

I think these are good comments for Fiat to take on board to help with improvements, but I would like to add that I have had many Fiats over the years and have never had one as bad as this one.

If this is all true then you have been one very unlucky person indeed, bet you if you were to have a new Fiat (post new Panda) you would be saying different. much improved these days.