1993 Fiat Tipo S from France - Comments

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!)

Well, having written the original review 3 yrs ago and still owning the car, I figured you'd be interested in an update. I won't challenge your IQ by saying it's been faultless over 3 yrs nor "it's the best car in class", but the fact remains- it has served me well and looks amazingly "fresh" for a 9-year-old car with 138000 kms. I'm still on my original clutch and the oil-consumption is as described in the first review. Apart from normal wear and tear (brake pads at 124K, medium+rear silencer 128K kms, oil, gearbox-oil, various filters and spark plugs- TIP: use BOSCH WR6DC sparkplugs for better pickup from low revs)

- timing belt (first time) at 88K kms- I know I shouldn't have waited that long

- shockers (second time) at 122K kms - this time I've had decent Bilstein units fitted

- CV boots on both gearbox sides (113K kms) - they were about to go. On that occasion I also had the right ball joint changed (150 euros) as it was beginning to show some play (or so I was told by the guy at the MOT).

- alternator was twice repaired (at 65K and 115K kms- diodes and alternator cap respectively), didn't cost me much (~35 euros)

The only serious let-down was when the idle-control step motor went at 92K kms (thank you BOSCH), which caused the engine to rev all by itself. The car being undrivable, I was lucky enough to be 50m away from the main dealer's premises, so I rang them and they pushed the car to the garage. This was also fairly expensive at 250 euros (parts + labour). In fact, alternator and idle-control motor apart, everything else is normal given the 138K number on the clock (and the kind of roads it has been driven on). It is not a TOYOTA - but, hey, it was not priced like one in the first place. DIY maintenance is also truly easy with these cars, which should help keep costs down. Bottom line: It's like (some) humans, really: Treat it right- it'll (usually) look after you.

Finally, this car was sold with 150000 kms. It was still in a nice condition, I had only to get rear brakes (drums) redone. Mind you, it was time as the last time was 80000 kms ago (or so). Nice car.