Faults:

Gearbox started leaking oil within a week of taking delivery. Dealer diagnosed a driveshaft seal which was changed twice, but didn't fix the problem. Eventually they found rough edges on the casting itself. Gearbox had to be replaced, after a 9 week wait for the part.

Various electrical gremlins. Central locking only works 25% of the time, brake lights flicker on and off.

Plastics creak and groan inside the car.

Passenger seat tilt handle snapped off.

Indicator stalk ceased to function.

General Comments:

Zippy 1200 cc engine and novel 6 speed gearbox in a neat handling, funky looking little package.

Unfortunately the painful ownership experience caused by Fiat's antediluvian quality control standards and incompetent dealers, eliminates Fiat from any consideration whatsoever when I am next in the market for a car. Seems nothing has changed since the bad old days.

Faults:

In the showroom, both rear allow wheels were scratched at the circumference. Replaced prior to delivery.

After a few months, "metallic" noise was coming from the exhaust system when engine is cold. Noise was coming from flexible mesh just after the manifold.

Local dealer tries to rectify, but to no avail. Most of the exhaust system replaced under warranty- "metallic" noise starts again after a few days.

Rear bumper gets a burn, that is melts a bit due too bad workmanship from local dealer. Upon replacement of exhaust system, all the pipe work to the rear end of the car was misaligned. Exhaust fumes were directed at the lower part of the bumper, thus melting it. Shall be having the bumper replaced under warranty after arguments with local dealer.

General Comments:

The Sporting model is a leap ahead from the regular models, such as EL, in terms of refinement, performance, handling and looks.

For paying that little bit extra, one gets: 15" alloy wheels, side skirts, lip spoiler, front fog lights plus two extra colors to choose from that is yellow and sprint blue. The interior is highly up rated and one gets: leather sports steering wheel and gear knob, aluminum- colored central console, semi- bucket sports seats, sporty dials and a multitude of sporting extras.

I have got no stereo system as standard. No speakers not ever the roof antenna!

On the performance side, the 1.2 liter engine coupled with the six-speed transmission, gives the Sporting an acceleration of 0-100 km better than most petrol or diesel powered rivals. Top speed is just above 170 km/h. One driver alone in the car gets zesty performance, but with 2 passengers on board a lot of the agility is lost.

Handling is very good- sporty ride is very firm, but obviously ride is very stiff on our bumpy roads.

Fuel economy is moderately good: Driving the car mostly in the evenings for leisure purposes, I get 38 to 40 mpg. I don't use it to go to work though, which implies that if I did fuel economy would suffer.

I would highly recommend the Sporting to Italian- car lovers or young people, but I don't see it so practical for elder people or as a family- mover.