Faults:

First thing that broke was the clutch cable.

Then the rear side window latch's came unglued.

The stitching on the front seats rotted out at 50,000.

General Comments:

The engine ran great, and the front wheel drive made it corner great through wet roads or sandy beaches.

Faults:

Lots of little things. Had far fewer problems when I learned to work on the car myself. Most frustrating problem was the electric fuel pump and the relays to it. Most mechanics of the day were used to seeing mechanical fuel pumps and that electric pump threw them for a loop. At 90 k I took the car in to have the timing belt changed/ The mechanic said it was fine - even though it was scheduled to be changed at 60k. But I was young and poor and thought the automotive gods were doing me a favor. A month later the belt slipped and destroyed the engine. I had it repaired, but it never ran the same.

General Comments:

This car was the most fun car I have ever owned. It has been the standard that all my subsequent cars have not been able to equal. Handling was great and I never got tired of driving that car. Took it all over the US and Canada and had the same great feeling every time I got behind the wheel. The engine was remarkably quiet for a small car. It loved to run in the snow. The car was also remarkably roomy for a small car. There aren't many 128 still around, but I sure would love to get behind the wheel one more time.

Faults:

Not much. Some early rust on the wheelhouses.

General Comments:

My first (and last) new car. Bought it new for US$1800 and sold it 4 years later for US$1800. Despite a bad rep in the US, my FIAT was the most reliable car I ever owned, economical and practical beyond measure. It could go on a single tank of gas for weeks.

I owned it throughout my college/grad years and it took me all over the east coast US and Canada. I often couldn't afford maintenance (spent one winter push starting it down the hill I lived on cause I couldn't afford a tune-up) but it was always delightful. Noisy on highways (wind noise from flat side windows) and less than powerful (top speed was 89mph downhill with a backwind), it was amazingly fun to drive and best on windy roads. Handled better in snow than my Volvo wagon did. Excellent sight lines all around and back seat in my 4-door often carried tall (over 6 ft) people comfortably.

Too bad FIAT left the USA market!