1990 Fiat Tempra SX 1.6 Carburettor from UK and Ireland
Summary:
A cheap well thought out cruiser
Faults:
Before I purchased the car, it had needed a new engine (at about 80,000 miles)
Whole new breaking system (again before I purchased it)
Heater Matrix doesn't work.
Central Locking has a mind of its own sometimes.
General Comments:
With the SX model, it comes with a very comfortable front center arm rest, fantastic seats (drivers side is height adjustable),with comfy head-restraints too.
Steering is crisp and decisive and power steering is not too light (however, its quite noisy)
The engine pulls like a steam train on the motorway, very impressed indeed!
The digital Display at night is absolutely brilliant, i love it!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 26th September, 2003
29th Mar 2026, 16:58
Reading this review reminds me of an old Top Gear episode from 1990 where they tested the Tempra. It was truly a car ahead of its time, with a very attractive design for its era. The ones I remember driving back then were light blue and gray, although I also saw many beautiful maroon wagons.
I don't recall it having any serious problems, and they even came galvanized from the factory (unlike the old rusty Fiats of the '70s and '80s). I also appreciate the digital dashboard; it looked fantastic.