Faults:

Alternator stopped working - repaired.

Clutch started slipping, replaced clutch kit, master and re-kitted slave.

Turbo started making excessive noise. Engine starts smoking at idle. Engine using excesive coolant.

Engine block cracked, exhaust manifold cracked, turbo seals gone. Replaced complete engine, new turbo, just about new everything else.

Found rust in the floor, repaired.

General Comments:

Car is very fast and fun to drive.

It is actually very reliable, it needed a new engine when I bought it though.

Driving position is not very good, it's a little cramped. Comfortable and quite.

Faults:

A few problems with the fuel injectors, they tend to get clogged quite easily.

The gears are alot more notchy than they used to be.

The single biggest problem with these cars (in general) has to be rust. Fiats are renowned for it and this is no exception.

General Comments:

Overall there is one very good reason and one very bad reason to buy this car.

The good reason is that the engine (developed by Abarth, the racing devision of Fiat) is as tough as nails. Its still boosts extremely well for a car that is 15 years old and really does fly if you let it. The fact that the car is likely to have passed through several boy racers hands and yet the engine is still extremely reliable is a testament to its build quality. For it's insurance band (11) you can't get faster.

The bad reason however is that they have placed the engine in a standard Fiat Uno shell, meaning that there are few around that haven't had welding done at some point. If you decide to buy one check everywhere, including the usual places, because they love to rust. On a minor note, the seats are stupidly uncomfortable and the interior is tacky, but no doubt few will be buying it for its comfort options.

Other than that they are great little cars and as long as you maintain them they shouldn't disappoint performance wise. Roughly 8 seconds 0-60 and 125 mph as standard.

Faults:

Water pump seal failed.

Rear wiper didn't work when car was bought (fixed)

Some welding needed on sill for MOT.

General Comments:

Great car, good performance for 999cc FIRE engine. I have replaced the four speed gearbox with a five speed one so 80-90mph is now an easy speed to reach. Car has done 161000 miles, still runs sweet and very little engine wear, has still got a lot of years left in it.

Handling pretty good, leans a bit, but grips well, fun to drive, reasonably comfortable.

Buy one with no rust if you can (sills and doors are a weak point), then spend a day rustproofing it and regular servicing should see it last for ever!

Faults:

Virtually nothing. I purchased the car from someone who personally imported it into Australia. (There are approximately 2 or 3 Fiat Uno's in this country.

The brakes needed attention. Also it was in need of some TLC. Mainly the interior and a light buff on the exterior.

General Comments:

A cheap to run reliable car that's easy to drive in and around town. Not really suited on the motorways as it's only a 4 speeder. (Needs a 5th gear) but it will cruise comfortably at around 110km/h.

The 999cc FIRE engine is a little underpowered when going up steep hills with 4 passengers, but it returns around 4.5 litres per 100km when driven normally.