1998 Fiat Seicento Sporting from UK and Ireland - Comments

Ticking speedo cable, incurable.

Overheated twice within 3 weeks of owning it.

Independent garage who I bought it from were excellent however and have completely replaced the cooling system.

Recent NCAP safety tests a worry.

Driving: Very stiff clutch makes it tough on the left foot whilst in queues. Excellent position/visibility. Parking is a breeze. Sounds sort of "sporting". Rests happily at around 95mph. Gearbox close, you often have no choice but to brush your passengers' leg to get it into 1st!

Ride: Quite bumpy. Rattles are minimal.

Interior: Very modern, white dials that glow a cool orange in the dark. Rev counter in the middle is a nice touch. No room in the back.

95mph?

Mine (the 2000 version reviewed on this site) struggles to maintain 80 on the motorway. It is with the dealer this week for attention, but I was not happy to see that since buying mine FIAT have reduced the price by £700, facelifted the bodywork, fitted opening rear windows AND fitted a new engine with hydraulic tappets and multi-point injection. It merely rubs salt into the wound.

My Sporting regularly exceeds the clock speed (indicated 120mph+) with only a slight downhill. Holds 105mph easy on flat sections, 95mph on a slight uphill. Minimal modifications. (K+N Induction kit only). Would recommend tyres with 120+ rating though. You wouldn't want a tyre blowing out at that speed!!!

That's because the speedo only has to be accurate to the legal limit, ie. 70 mph, where it can read up to 5mph over. 120 mph, keep dreaming. Read road tests, even with proper timing equipment, a Punto GT will only just do 120 mph!

There is no way that a Seicento Sporting is faster than cars with 1.6 litre engines like VTR's and Zetec-S.

But not being able to maintain 80?? Theres something wrong with yer car mate.

The 'official' speed of the Seicento Sporting is 93mph, but that is because of an Italian law for new drivers, the real top speed is between 105-110mph. The gearing in top gear is roughly 20.5mph per 1000rpm and peak power is at about 5500rpm - you do the math!

My 2000 SX maintains 85mph on motor-ways easily. Agree with comments re new price and face-lift, very irritating. I want alloys but can't afford Fiat ones, is there any other older small car whose wheels would fit?

My Y-reg Sporting is wicked. K&N induction kit, 15" alloys, high lift cams and performance heads, and a superchip. Twin exit DTM exhaust. My Fiat is heard from a mile away. All this lot cost 5000 and it will do 117 max, but its speed off the block is amazing.

The Seicento Sporting is a great little car. Provided of course you don't get a dog. It can happen with any type of car.

I have owned both a Cinquecento and Seicento. Both have been OK. I would say that they are slightly underpowered in the standard form. The 1273cc engine from the Punto would be far better. If your Seicento does 80mph - Get it fixed.

You are all talking rubbish. With wind drag above 95 miles per hour in theory the seicento will make 104 on paper top speed. The ECU tester at our garage states that a true 101 BHP is needed at the flywheel to get any faster than that. I don't think your air filter quite makes it capable of that! My prepared punto HGT pushes out 151 BHP and begins to struggle at 125 mph! unless you have modified the body to be shaped like a bullet then you are all talking out of yours!!!

The guy with the 15" alloys on his Seicento ... I'm thinking about having them on mine too! Any modifications required? Please gimme more info if you can please. email chr155yboy@hotmail.com. My Seicento is normal I guess, it can do 100 no problem. 80mph??? you sure you bought the sporting?? The cornering on this car is amazing... try it out! Your email in regards to the 15" alloys would be much appreciated! Cheers!

I bought a black Seicento Sporting (98) for 3K and five days later, the clutch lunched itself, luckily she was still under warranty!! My general view of the car is that it is a sweet little motor and a good first car with good pulling away from the line, can anyone point me in the right direction for some modifications. (eg. Wheels, induction kits, Suspension, Audio, Body Kits etc.) Please contact me on: Eddgreen@hotmail.com any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I own a 2001 sporting, have added on the abarth body kit, along with lowered suspension and a set of 15" alloys. I am looking for some thing a bit more special however such as a twin bore exhaust, k & n, and even a one of a kind body kit to stand out from the crowd. I love my car top speed out of her so far is 105 on flat. any one who could have any suggestions with where I can find any kit and mods, please e-mail me : emmalouisehodgson@hotmail.com. cheers.

I bought my 99 V-reg starter red seicento sporting just over two years ago and I have loved it ever since. I did consider buying a puntoGT at one point, but after seeing some wicked modified seicentos I have seen the potential for what I can do to mine, plus the fact I'm also a student and punto having a group 14 insurance rating and only managing 33 or so mpg has also put me off for the time being. in the last month I have added a Janspeed exhaust system and a K&N 57i induction kit. As a result performance has very much improved in pick up and acceleration at all speeds and so I recommend these mods. top speed, I have managed 106/107 mph, but it is red lining at 6000 rpm. Check out Novitech for some really cool seicento mods.

HI there I have got a Nov 99 Sei Sporting. Have got a spolier, Janspeed exhaust system, K=N 57I induction kit, (these really make a difference) I can sit on the motorway with my speedo reading 110mph! Downhill once it went on the speedo. It has been lowered by 30mm and has a massive ICE install from a company called Liquid Ice. It shifts and can leave all the festas, nova 1.2 standing. Due to the lowering modification it handles like a go-kart. It is the most fun car I have ever driven. Like someone said I have put on bridgestone high endurance over-sized tyres on to keep it more stable on the motorway, great car! Anyone gopt any tips on how to make it go even faster without spedning loadsa cash! Let me know on ngarland131083@hotmail.com. Cheers people!

I have just spent £2000 on a P reg. Fiat Cinquecento Sporting, and I think its really good, but I would love to add a body kit to it. At the moment its in yellow, and would like to keep it that way, but on the internet there are not many kits available. Can anyone help?? Please e-mail jimll_mix_it@hotmail.com if you have any news. P.S- A huge spoiler would help!!