Faults:

Gearbox and clutch were replaced shortly after purchase (87k) due to serious wear!

Leak somewhere caused water to collect in passenger foot-well.

Various oil leaks.

Annoying small items needed replacing frequently - hoses, clips, plastic bits that weren't moulded properly in the first place and fell off.

Needed to repair stitching on driver's seat at c. 100k miles.

Rear wiper needed to be removed when it seized and filled the interior of the car with black smoke.

Wheels never stayed tracked or aligned for long.

Alternator gave out at 110k.

And plenty of others minor things...

General Comments:

Didn't really let me down badly, but just didn't inspire much confidence.

Feels like it's made from fairly good materials (especially exterior) but bolted together by monkeys - take a panel off and see where bits and pieces have had to be sanded, re-threaded or otherwise jerry-rigged to make it fit something else.

Being one one of the first galvanised cars, it won't rust. (without dire provocation)

Supposed to have a really well designed chassis with good torsional rigidity.

Good visibility.

Chronically underpowered, with an annoying flat-spot under hard acceleration.

It likes to ROLLLLL! Get used to driving sedately.

Really enormous cabin (for those in front anyway). Could drive a bus between driver & passenger.

Still preferable to alternatives in price range - more expensive Astra may be faster, but is uncomfortable & is like an old tin can.

I was fond of it and liked many aspects of it... but was relieved to get rid of it.

Faults:

Well, my wife drove two 127 before. First for 7 years, second for 10 years, Both parked in a closed room under a roof /garage we call it). Problems: corrosion.

The Tipo is a much better car in this respect. After 12 years now, no (no) corrosion at all. The performance with the 112 HP engine is perfect. Fast and smooth. I like to drive that car. So far so good.

A catastrophe is the performance of the material.

After 3 years - new battery

After 4 years - new engine (70 000 km)

After 6 years - new gear box (120 000 km)

After 7 years - new 'torque' for front wheels

After 9 years - 3. engine (160 000 km)

After 9 years - new cooler system.

Not to talk about the normal wear of the brakes and brake disks (normal?).

In summary - there is nothing what is not replaced. Yes the car was cheap - 11 500 Euros at that time. But the investment afterwards - like a second car!!!

In the meantime I drove my AUDI A6 (bought later) without any bigger replacement 375 000 km, 7 years! (Gasoline, 6 cylinder machine 150 HP).

Now after almost 30 years with FIAT, finished.

Or would you buy another one after this experience?

Faults:

A few minor things you would expect from a car of this age and mileage;

Exhaust downpipe.

Rear silencer.

Heater matrix.

General Comments:

An excellent first car, not as cheap to insure as I would expect. Quite pokey for a 1.4, handles well albeit with a fair amount of body roll.

Cheap spares, excellent steering with bags of feel. If a Tipo is what you are after the 2.0 16v is a real storm, but very few around (only 600 imported to the UK).

Have to say this car has got me hooked on the Italian marque, my next car being the Alfa 145 2.0 Cloverleaf (another rarity).

Faults:

New alternator at 90,000.

New coil at 100,000.

Heating doesn't work - still investigating.

New shocks all round at 90,000.

Problems with the exhaust manifold gasket. It keeps cracking every 10,000 miles.

Nearside electric window motor fittings became unattached, so window at the moment is unusable.

New clutch at 95,000 miles.

General Comments:

The room inside still amazes me for the size of the car. The rear doors open very wide. Overall the comfort factor is great.

The handling is very responsive and it hugs bends very well.

Faults:

Many Electrical Failures.

General Comments:

Engine Motor is very good.

230,000 Kms and still O.K. !!!