Faults:

Roof has cracked over the hinge. Tends to leak a bit at the junction with the windscreen when parked, but not when driving.

Variator replaced free of charge with no quibbles by FIAT of Southend.

Bootlid tends to dent easily.

General Comments:

I bought it because I loved the styling, thought it sounded like a proper roadster (with DTR exhaust) and was not as common as the MX-5 or MGF.

Cabin works well with great steering. Gearbox can be tight if changing in a hurry.

Nippy round town, but best on the country roads. The only time left hand drive is a problem is when you are trying to overtake on a dead straight road with no passenger. Cruises at 160Km/h if required, where allowed.

Handling as good as can be for a light, but poky front-wheel drive car. A bit skittish over uneven roads in the corners. The bonus of FWD is that the boot is therefore big enough to take a half set of golf clubs or enough luggage for a holiday for two.

Other problems? The build quality is definitely more Italian than Japanese, but then the Barchetta actually looks good.

Last time the girlfriend borrowed it for 5 days she got asked out 3 times!

Faults:

Oil pump failed, engine failure, cam-belt came off, at 30000miles.

Hood leaked.

Radio did not work.

Windows did not lift.

Engine repaired by Leamington FIAT dealer at a cost of GBP 1500.

Engine failed 2 weeks later as the camshafts had not been replaced the first time.

FIAT dealer refused to repair this at their cost. Another bill for GBP 500.

General Comments:

This car is very poor quality.

The dealers are the worst kind of 70's lags you will ever have the 'pleasure' to deal with.

The handling was OK, but it is still FWD.

The cabin is filled with terrible low budget materials which are fitted badly. It is not a nice environment, though it looks nice inside (from a distance - i.e. outside).

You can never relax driving it as you are terrified it will break down again.

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.