1993 Fiat Tipo S review from France

No major problems. Bought second-hand with 38000kms on the clock (now 84000km); I changed the shock-absorbers but the handling is as boring as always. The back silencer was changed too. Drinks oil (0.7 lt/1000km - official figure 0.5/1000) but according to some motoring magazines that's normal (for the 1993 model only) and anyway the oil consumption is not becoming worse. Refused to start once due to a faulty connection (humidity) on the starter; I used some WD40 and 5 minutes later I was on the road again. No electrical faults (strange but true).

Torquey (but not powerful) engine - just 75 PS from 1.6 lt (engine with Mono-Motronic injection). Really dependable for an italian car, but needs to be looked after and rewards mechanical sympathy; i.e don't rev a cold engine (and shift gently too!) during the first Kms from cold, change the oil every 10000kms etc. I've driven all around Europe - I've always got back home. Nice car as a means of transport, but you just don't get excited driving it (and it's an Italian car - times change!)