Faults:

After picking it up at a garage, the problems started.

Didn't idle right when at working temperature.

Recently the timing belt tensioner gave in and I think it bent a valve.

From now on I'm working on my cars myself. I really think very few people in S.A. really know what's going on in a Fiat. Especially the diesel.

I tried to look up the designer of this particular engine to learn just a little more, but I must say, Fiat really kept their stuff secret, and that is a very good thing. If anyone has just a manual for this engine, please help.

Fiat all the way.

Faults:

Starter motor failed at 110000 miles.

Radiator fan switch failed at 120000 miles.

General Comments:

Remarkably reliable; apart from servicing the car and replacing worn out brakes and tyres, I spent £42.74 on repairs.

Surprisingly brisk for its engine size, and good fuel consumption (35mpg) as well.

Adequately comfortable; no better or worse than similar cars, although noisy at speed.

Ride and handling was acceptable, but not outstanding.

Faults:

I have a problem sometimes when starting the car.

It just won't start! The gas pump works, everything seems fine, but it just won't start.

After no less than a 30 minutes wait, it starts again just like that.

The window's controls blink during and after this problem happens, and won't go up properly.

Suddenly and for no reason they go back to normal after another 30 minutes approx.

Any ideas what can be wrong?

Thanks!

General Comments:

Besides that... it is a nice little pickup.

Comfortable, nice mileage everything is great.

Faults:

Replaced brake discs with every other set of pads.

Clutch wore out at 110,000 miles.

Clutch cable snapped at 120,000 miles.

Heater control cable bracket broke every year.

The Headliner dissolved after 5 years.

The Metallic paint was dull by age 5.

We bent a rim in a pothole.

General Comments:

With factory-recommended service (oil change every 7,500 miles) it was as reliable as an electric motor. It never burned oil or failed to start (all due to Fuel injection?). Even with kids, the comfortable cloth seats did not wear out (annual cleaning helped). It leaned like a sailboat, but stuck to the road. The mileage was okay (28 mpg). 75hp and very tall gearing called for lower gears for long distances. Noisy and small, it was also inexpensive, reliable, and fun to drive! I miss it!

Faults:

The car is rusting very badly.

Also, it has trouble starting in the extreme cold.

General Comments:

I own a 1979 4 door Custom Strada in orange. I used to own a fiat dealership in Toronto, and bought this demo as soon as the Strada came out. Today I am probably the only person who owns a Strada in all of Canada. This car didn't succeed in North America, because it is designed for Europe and not for the North American climate. In fact, in Italy this car was produced until 1988, and is still in circulation.

In my opinion, the body should have been treated to withstand our North American winters, as well as make an engine with a little more kick than the one they came out with. I still start my Strada every now and then, but it is in no shape to drive, I'm actually embarrassed to, ha, ha.

Please email me at f_modena_1982@hotmail.com, if you still own a Fiat Strada in North America, I would love to see some pics.

Faults:

The water in the window washer froze last night! that's about it.

General Comments:

Fun! fun! fun!

Faults:

Earth lead snapped due to vibration.

Fusebox failed due to overheating.

Several light switches failed.

Speedometer sender unit failed several times.

Window regulators rusted away.

Windscreen washer bottle fractured due to vibration, and was renewed three times.

Synchromesh on third gear was poor from new.

No vacuum advance capsule so 28mpg, considered very poor.

Extreme bore:stroke ratio meant engine lacked bottom-end torque.

Seats too flat for comfort.

Rust started to appear at 2 years old, 55000 miles.

General Comments:

Poorly assembled and very poorly painted.

Good use of space under the bonnet.

Wheels have no centre hole, which makes balancing difficult (not many tyre depots can fit with the wheels onto their machinery).

Faults:

Other than the usual maintenance, and wearing out of moving parts, nothing major has gone wrong.

Replaced the clutch at 81,000 miles.

General Comments:

This Strada has served me so well, I intend to keep it until it turns to dust.