Wanted a small, reliable sports car. Bought a FIAT instead.
Discussion
When someone says to you "I remember when..." it tends to be that either a story or memory they are about to recount that your either involved in directly or one that you really don't give a flying rats rectum about.
Memories, strange things arn't they. Tend to go this rose tinted colour after a few years. They say you get wiser with age and in most parts that seems to be true, but I still burn the top of my mouth on soup thats too hot and forget to bring the sodding packing bags to ADLI's so that I'm left with a cashier with arms that move as fast as a super-sayan throwing punches, manically but yet methodically moving items over the scanner in my direction as I panickly try to shove said itemms into plastic bags that always, ALWAYS rip on the carry from the car boot and into the house. It's always the cylindrical tins that do the job, why dont they make them more rectangular I wonder? Spreads the load a bit.
Anyway, I digress.
I used to own a mid 1980's Mini Mayfair. Lovely little thing. Bought it when I was 18, and think that in 5 years of ownership more things broke on it than I had facial hairs. But the driving experiance, the feeling through the steering wheel, the smell of it firing up rich, the fact it oozed with character, loved it I did. And hated it too. Or perhaps I just hated it back then. Rose is a funny colour, isnt it?
Fast forward a few years and I'm living in an area with rather small, albeit it beautiful, windy roads in the south of the UK. And I own a crossfire. Lovely car, but lacking charm and feeling. It's also a tad big for the local roads.
The pining begins for a new car.
Having previously owned an MR2 MK3 and MG TF, I did think that the size of those cars is something I want. Not too much power so that I can have fun, small enough to be nimble, uncomplicated enough that I can do as much DIY as possible, fairly reliable and ultimately fairly cheap. On the hunt I was.
Nearly bought a Smart Roadster. Quirky, cheap to buy, looks great fun but after driving a standard and brabus version was so unimpressed that I didnt go with it.
Then came across a Fiat Barchetta at a local garage. Took a peak, gave it a drive. Tempting! Seems like what I want, small, seems fairly easy to do DIY, sort of cheap to buy, buckets of character.
Then I found one on the UK Barchetta owners club for sale. Went to view it last Saturday, saw it and fell for it. Had a gook poke around with a torch and test drive, then drove it home after purchasing it!
And here she be:
Pretty awful pictures, I know. My phone has the image quality of a potato. Need to take interior photo's tonight.
It's a 1998 LE, number 2025. So front frogs, one-touch windows, tan roof/tan leather seats and steering wheel. Condition wise it seems very good, minimal surface rust underneath, arches look good and quite a few components inc. suspension and brakes fairly recently replaced. Paintwork has very light swirl marks but is beautiful indeed.
Driving it is an absolute hoot. Pokey, revvy engine, good driving position and in general great fun. The interior smell reminds me of a friends old Ferrari 348.
It's going to DTR next saturday so they can give it a full check over for me. At the moment I think the clutch release bearing is on the out, and I'll need to dismantle/re-grease the starter motor soon. Of course it will also need a full service when its back! For now, I will just drive and enjoy.
Memories, strange things arn't they. Tend to go this rose tinted colour after a few years. They say you get wiser with age and in most parts that seems to be true, but I still burn the top of my mouth on soup thats too hot and forget to bring the sodding packing bags to ADLI's so that I'm left with a cashier with arms that move as fast as a super-sayan throwing punches, manically but yet methodically moving items over the scanner in my direction as I panickly try to shove said itemms into plastic bags that always, ALWAYS rip on the carry from the car boot and into the house. It's always the cylindrical tins that do the job, why dont they make them more rectangular I wonder? Spreads the load a bit.
Anyway, I digress.
I used to own a mid 1980's Mini Mayfair. Lovely little thing. Bought it when I was 18, and think that in 5 years of ownership more things broke on it than I had facial hairs. But the driving experiance, the feeling through the steering wheel, the smell of it firing up rich, the fact it oozed with character, loved it I did. And hated it too. Or perhaps I just hated it back then. Rose is a funny colour, isnt it?
Fast forward a few years and I'm living in an area with rather small, albeit it beautiful, windy roads in the south of the UK. And I own a crossfire. Lovely car, but lacking charm and feeling. It's also a tad big for the local roads.
The pining begins for a new car.
Having previously owned an MR2 MK3 and MG TF, I did think that the size of those cars is something I want. Not too much power so that I can have fun, small enough to be nimble, uncomplicated enough that I can do as much DIY as possible, fairly reliable and ultimately fairly cheap. On the hunt I was.
Nearly bought a Smart Roadster. Quirky, cheap to buy, looks great fun but after driving a standard and brabus version was so unimpressed that I didnt go with it.
Then came across a Fiat Barchetta at a local garage. Took a peak, gave it a drive. Tempting! Seems like what I want, small, seems fairly easy to do DIY, sort of cheap to buy, buckets of character.
Then I found one on the UK Barchetta owners club for sale. Went to view it last Saturday, saw it and fell for it. Had a gook poke around with a torch and test drive, then drove it home after purchasing it!
And here she be:
Pretty awful pictures, I know. My phone has the image quality of a potato. Need to take interior photo's tonight.
It's a 1998 LE, number 2025. So front frogs, one-touch windows, tan roof/tan leather seats and steering wheel. Condition wise it seems very good, minimal surface rust underneath, arches look good and quite a few components inc. suspension and brakes fairly recently replaced. Paintwork has very light swirl marks but is beautiful indeed.
Driving it is an absolute hoot. Pokey, revvy engine, good driving position and in general great fun. The interior smell reminds me of a friends old Ferrari 348.
It's going to DTR next saturday so they can give it a full check over for me. At the moment I think the clutch release bearing is on the out, and I'll need to dismantle/re-grease the starter motor soon. Of course it will also need a full service when its back! For now, I will just drive and enjoy.
Edited by SloppyClock on Friday 20th April 08:34
Great post, loving your writing style!
I don’t know why, but as soon as I saw the first picture I actually LOL’d. I promise it’s in a good way but the ‘boaty’ looking Fiat in what appears to be ‘child’s-paint-set-green’ just made me laugh out loud.
I think it’s great! Weird, but great. Good luck with it, I’m looking forward to reading what happens next.
I don’t know why, but as soon as I saw the first picture I actually LOL’d. I promise it’s in a good way but the ‘boaty’ looking Fiat in what appears to be ‘child’s-paint-set-green’ just made me laugh out loud.
I think it’s great! Weird, but great. Good luck with it, I’m looking forward to reading what happens next.
My wife has had her Barchetta Riviera for seven years now and she loves it to bits. Really comfy, very practical and pretty reliable although it did refuse to start at the pumps once. The local Fiat garage couldn't find anything wrong, chucked a can of injector cleaner in the tank and it's been fine ever since! Underrated little car, enjoy!
Im rather attracted to barchettas at the moment, there is (an odd coloured) one on sale less then ten miles from me for shed money, but the grown-up thing would be to wait for my tax return to come in before buying toys with it, rather then raiding the savings account.
The more i read about them, the more im convinced i kind of need one, low weight, good power, reliable engine, small, good handling etc...
The more i read about them, the more im convinced i kind of need one, low weight, good power, reliable engine, small, good handling etc...
Just leaving this here.
I wholeheartedly approve of your purchase.......
Agree with Barchettaman ,15s and the 195/55 tyres is perfect for these ,no low profiles required.
Oh and don't ever say these are unreliable or I will have to repeat post all the facts about my fab ownership experience.
Had two of the things, naysayers grumble they aren’t rwd but they are hilarious fun - no end of fun to be had by chucking them into roundabouts way to fast with armfuls of lock and then sorting it all out with more throttle.
Do keep an eye on the undersides as they don’t like salt a great deal.
For the love of god (I know not how she did this) trap your finger in the boot as a friend I loaned mine to once did - The boot release is in the car and she was fortunate a friend was there to press the button and free her or she’d have been sat in agony for some time
A litter picker is useful to have in the car if you regularly use multi storey car parks unless you like getting out of the car to retrieve your tickets or only park with passengers.
You will also be forever looking over the wrong shoulder when reversing and should you return to the loving bosom of your Barchetta after an extended RHD stint, you will break your knuckles on the door the first time you attempt to change gear.
As I said, they are delightful.
I now want another, gratuitous, I had one photos coming up...beardy types will note on this plate it should have had a ‘cat’s arse’ bootlid brake light but I had DTR swap it for an old one when I bought it.
Do keep an eye on the undersides as they don’t like salt a great deal.
For the love of god (I know not how she did this) trap your finger in the boot as a friend I loaned mine to once did - The boot release is in the car and she was fortunate a friend was there to press the button and free her or she’d have been sat in agony for some time
A litter picker is useful to have in the car if you regularly use multi storey car parks unless you like getting out of the car to retrieve your tickets or only park with passengers.
You will also be forever looking over the wrong shoulder when reversing and should you return to the loving bosom of your Barchetta after an extended RHD stint, you will break your knuckles on the door the first time you attempt to change gear.
As I said, they are delightful.
I now want another, gratuitous, I had one photos coming up...beardy types will note on this plate it should have had a ‘cat’s arse’ bootlid brake light but I had DTR swap it for an old one when I bought it.
Edited by stewjohnst on Thursday 19th April 23:52
Vitorio said:
Im rather attracted to barchettas at the moment, there is (an odd coloured) one on sale less then ten miles from me for shed money, but the grown-up thing would be to wait for my tax return to come in before buying toys with it, rather then raiding the savings account.
The more i read about them, the more im convinced i kind of need one, low weight, good power, reliable engine, small, good handling etc...
Do it! It's such a fun car to drive. The feel good factor is utterly immense.The more i read about them, the more im convinced i kind of need one, low weight, good power, reliable engine, small, good handling etc...
Barchettaman said:
Cracking work, OP. They're fun little cars. I hope yours proves reliable (mine was).
Two things - don't lower it, and keep it on 15" wheels. Slammed springs and 17" Gangsta rims destroy the ride, I might know this from experience.
Funny you say that; lowering it was on my list - as well as getting strut braces. I'm going to fettle with the sound system first though!Two things - don't lower it, and keep it on 15" wheels. Slammed springs and 17" Gangsta rims destroy the ride, I might know this from experience.
Driving into town on Saturday I was thinking about the virtues of being a human. Yes there are things like opposable thumbs, the enjoyment of sipping your favorite alcoholic beverage on a hot Sunday afternoon, eating so much cheese that you start to sweat it out of every pore on your body and of course the act of copulation.
But that is for another PistonHeads forum
, for I was not thinking of these things!On this Saturday morning I was thinking about how being a human imbues us with the capability to make decisions. Normally we dont associate decisions to inanimate objects, I mean, why would we? How would an object that has no central nervous system or brain have the capability to make decisions?
And yet on this Saturday my Barchetta decided that the speedometer should no longer work. Once she got up to temperate (yes, it is a she - for she is the mistress of the household) the gauge started to work again. Hurrah I thought! Hurrah indeed.
Come Sunday morning, I took her out for another drive but alas, this time the Barchetta decided that the speedometer shouldn't work at all. Oh well, speed is a relative thing I understand, relative to the object being observed or person doing the observing. That's what I'll tell the police officer anyway, that whilst I may have been caught over the speed limit, this is only from his perspective - for from mine I was doing precisely 10 mph. Oddly enough the Barchetta's speedometer needle stop is on 10 mph.
Anyway, back to decisions. Saturday morning the new licence plates arrived so I could put it back on its original reg. On Friday night I decided to drink far too much wine. On Saturday morning I decided to fit the licence plates. Unfortunately, this decision did not pay off, because I accidentally drilled a hole in the new front-plate on the wrong spot. Oh well.
Cleaned the car as well on Sunday. The paintwork is a bit of a mixed bag, has a few swirl marks and so will need a session with Terry the rotary buffer at the end of the summer.
The eagle eyed of you may spot the text 'Piccola Rana' in the licence plate. Means little frog in Italian. Yes, I name my cars.
Car is off to DTR this Saturday, if everything comes back OK then the fettling begins!
Edited by SloppyClock on Tuesday 24th April 12:37
Faulty instruments are quite common I believe.
When I test drove mine the rev counter wasn't working ,so they replaced the entire pod.
After a couple of weeks owning the car my "new" speedo wasn't working properly so they tried repairing it and then it
got replaced again ,which is how I ended up with a lowish mileage miles clock instead of a KM clock ,which has worked
perfectly for 5 years now and 50,000 miles.
When I test drove mine the rev counter wasn't working ,so they replaced the entire pod.
After a couple of weeks owning the car my "new" speedo wasn't working properly so they tried repairing it and then it
got replaced again ,which is how I ended up with a lowish mileage miles clock instead of a KM clock ,which has worked
perfectly for 5 years now and 50,000 miles.
Great looking car, but those wheels are terrible. They look small and skinny (which may be best to retain for handling), but being black makes the car look like a speedboat!
In your position I'd be inclined to gently drop it on some progressive springs (like Eibachs), and shift to 7x15 wheels with 195/50/15 tyres. I can't see that ruining the sweet stock handling.
In your position I'd be inclined to gently drop it on some progressive springs (like Eibachs), and shift to 7x15 wheels with 195/50/15 tyres. I can't see that ruining the sweet stock handling.
Cheers chaps. I'm in two minds about the wheels. Do I like them or not? Struggling to decide. It very much needs to be lowered though, thankfully lowering springs are only £130 for all 4 sides. Wider tyres are a great shout actually and would be something worth doing when I lower it as well!
She's off to Dr. DTR on Saturday so hopefully Monday PM I'll get a call saying nothing needs doing and shes in great condition, then I can start parting with my money on fettling rather than fixing!
She's off to Dr. DTR on Saturday so hopefully Monday PM I'll get a call saying nothing needs doing and shes in great condition, then I can start parting with my money on fettling rather than fixing!
stewjohnst said:
I now want another, gratuitous, I had one photos coming up...beardy types will note on this plate it should have had a ‘cat’s arse’ bootlid brake light but I had DTR swap it for an old one when I bought it.
Edited by stewjohnst on Thursday 19th April 23:52
Pericoloso said:
The body colour interior bits are standard,mine are mat Hong dull silver grey.
The yellow seats and handles are obviously not but look great anyway.
Yellow seats/handles are part of the 1998 LE package. They are tan leather with green piping thats colour coded to the bodywork. 2nd comfiest car seats I've ever had the pleasure to use, only thing that beats them are the merc 190 fabric seats!The yellow seats and handles are obviously not but look great anyway.
Very nice buy, I really like the look of this, can't remember the last time I actually saw one on the road.
I'm with you on the lowering, I think it will really improve the stance and and hopefully the handling too, plus the ride should still be acceptable as long as the spring rates aren't significantly higher. I don't mind the wheels you have on the car they aren't bad at all. Just a personal opinion but think I a set of OEM rims with a reasonable amount of tyre sidewall to compensate for a firmer suspension setup and fill the arches could look cool, plus spacers for a more flush appearance as the offset looks a little on the high side...
I'm with you on the lowering, I think it will really improve the stance and and hopefully the handling too, plus the ride should still be acceptable as long as the spring rates aren't significantly higher. I don't mind the wheels you have on the car they aren't bad at all. Just a personal opinion but think I a set of OEM rims with a reasonable amount of tyre sidewall to compensate for a firmer suspension setup and fill the arches could look cool, plus spacers for a more flush appearance as the offset looks a little on the high side...
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