1985 Fiat X1/9 Bertone from North America - Comments

9th Jul 2007, 16:10

"The true joy of driving for the non-show-off"

What things have gone wrong with the car?

Leather seats have split due to dryness.

Paint clear coat is de-laminating from age.

Normal wear for a twenty year old car.

Mostly just good service and fun driving.

Interior plastics appear cheap, but have held up perfectly. Similar to German plastics of the day.

German Bosch electronics and fuel injection on the later cars were a true gift from above for reliability. Many parts in common with a VW Rabbit/Golf.

General comments?

This is a car that's way ahead of it's time.

Efficiency is top priority. Aerodynamic, light, quick while maintaining fantastic fuel economy, nimble, simple and bulletproof with minimal service.

Plenty of room for two, but you have to be limber to fit.

A true driver's car, it is designed for real life on a real person's salary. Not a Ferrari, but better because you can really drive it everyday and laugh all the way to the bank.

Parts are plentiful and cheap, and service is simple.

This is a car that is a permanent addition to my collection, right next to my 65 Mustang Fastback, and Porsche Boxster. It's a true sportscar that emulates the great mid-engine Italian super cars, EXCEPT that it's reliable, easy to maintain, cheap to insure, and general fun to own for daily driving.

My only regret is that FIAT no longer imports to USA. If this car were available new, I would own one.

Those that complain about power output deficiency should take solice in the nearly 40 mpg fuel economy on a well maintained car.


24th Sep 2007, 21:05

I-agree, except-that-it-is-a-Ferrari, a-baby-Ferrari!


25th Sep 2007, 10:01

It is not a Ferrari, not even a "baby Ferrari".

Nor is it, by any definition of the word, "reliable".

Yes, I have owned one.

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