1994 Fiat Cinquecento from UK and Ireland - Comments

The only major thing has been an overheating problem a few thousand miles ago. It needed the cylinder head repaired, but wasn't that expensive.

It needed a new handbrake cable at about the same time.

It has needed the tracking sorted a few times, and has gone through a few tyres because of this, but I live up a rough track in Wales, so it's probably that.

This car is absolutely fantastic. It is hilariously fun to drive, easy to park, comfortable, goes well considering the engine size, and is very reliable.

It can be a bit noisy, especially wind noise, but it's not too bad.

If more than two people are in it, it can be slow, and there are regular complaints from those sitting in the back, but I don't have people in it that often. It's roomy enough for my mountain bike with the seats down, which is a bonus.

Servicing and parts are reasonably cheap, and tax and insurance are low.

The only worry I have is the safety of the car should I have an accident in it.

Don't worry about the safety aspect. I managed to bin my Sporting in the biggest possible way at about 85-90mph (speedo was reading just over 95mph) after I nodded off at the wheel in the very early hours once and woke up just going into a bend. The car hit the offside kerb which knocked it across the road into a bank which pitched the car up and over the top of a 2m hedge, rolled twice in the air and came to rest stuck about 4m up in a tree.

The car was destroyed, but I was perfectly OK save for minor cuts. The door bars are immensely strong, the bodyshell was very second hand, but retained it's integrity (albeit a little mis-shapen) and I walked away counting my blessings. I was so impressed I bought another identical one.

These little bombs are great fun to drive, OK they're a bit noisy, but bearing in mind what you pay for one, they are fabulous value for money, make you smile every time you take it out, and they may not be the quickest car in the class, but they give you something more, Driving pleasure for not much cost. Entertainment value is much higher than many other similarly sized cars, and that equates to something the little car has in abundance - Brio!