Fiat Barchetta - to buy or not to buy?
Discussion
Does anyone have real world experience of owning a Barchetta?
I am considering buying a Barchetta for the summer and have a budget of circa 2.5k (according to Parkers that should get a good-ish 1997/98)……
Motoring press seems to adore them but I am struggling to find someone who has actually owned one so has a credible opinion!
What should I be looking for (aside from usual s/h etc)? What are the known weak points? Are they reliable and useable on a daily basis? Do they cost a fortune to keep on the road? Do they go wrong lots?
I would really welcome all experiences good, bad and ugly!
I am considering buying a Barchetta for the summer and have a budget of circa 2.5k (according to Parkers that should get a good-ish 1997/98)……
Motoring press seems to adore them but I am struggling to find someone who has actually owned one so has a credible opinion!
What should I be looking for (aside from usual s/h etc)? What are the known weak points? Are they reliable and useable on a daily basis? Do they cost a fortune to keep on the road? Do they go wrong lots?
I would really welcome all experiences good, bad and ugly!
A very good car!
Buy as late and low mileage as you can.
Check everything electrical works.
Service history is important and ensure the cambelt has been replaced if it's done more than 40k. The variator is also a weak point on these cars but that is about the only common problem.
IIRC they are fully galvanised so rust is not a problem, the interior is hard wearing but try and get one with leather since it makes sense to have wipe clean seats on a soft top (think birds
). The interior is very nice on these cars and the hood is easy to open and close.
They were only available in LHD although DTR (Barchetta specialist) did convert 6 cars to RHD.
They are such a good car that Fiat started to produce them again after production had ceased, according to my local dealer (who also owns one himself) Fiat were nagged by prospective buyers so much that they decided to market the car again.
There's a good review on parkers:-
www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/Review.aspx?model=226
I very nearly bought a 2003 orange limited edition one with 14k miles but just missed it and I couldn't find a decent late car after that and gave up the search and bought the Alfa Spider instead but I still think the Barchetta is more unique.
Choose carefully and you'll bag yourself a bargain future classic.
Buy as late and low mileage as you can.
Check everything electrical works.
Service history is important and ensure the cambelt has been replaced if it's done more than 40k. The variator is also a weak point on these cars but that is about the only common problem.
IIRC they are fully galvanised so rust is not a problem, the interior is hard wearing but try and get one with leather since it makes sense to have wipe clean seats on a soft top (think birds
). The interior is very nice on these cars and the hood is easy to open and close. They were only available in LHD although DTR (Barchetta specialist) did convert 6 cars to RHD.
They are such a good car that Fiat started to produce them again after production had ceased, according to my local dealer (who also owns one himself) Fiat were nagged by prospective buyers so much that they decided to market the car again.
There's a good review on parkers:-
www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/Review.aspx?model=226
I very nearly bought a 2003 orange limited edition one with 14k miles but just missed it and I couldn't find a decent late car after that and gave up the search and bought the Alfa Spider instead but I still think the Barchetta is more unique.
Choose carefully and you'll bag yourself a bargain future classic.
Edited by Kentish on Friday 4th May 10:09
I had one for a couple of years and loved it, the variator is the main weak point, other than that mine was totally reliable. They are usable every day, the boot is surprisingly big and I found it comfortable if a little un-refined(partly due to the DTR exhaust), the handling is fun and chuckable and it is quick enough to be fun.
Mine had an after market mohair roof which was a lot better than the original so have a good look at the roof, leather, fogs and abs are worth having and not on all cars. Go for the newest car you can as they were continuously improved. (Mine was a 99V)
[url]www.fiatbarchetta.com/[/url] has lots of info including when and how Fiat improved it over the years.
Mine had an after market mohair roof which was a lot better than the original so have a good look at the roof, leather, fogs and abs are worth having and not on all cars. Go for the newest car you can as they were continuously improved. (Mine was a 99V)
[url]www.fiatbarchetta.com/[/url] has lots of info including when and how Fiat improved it over the years.
I owned one for 5 years and had no trouble at all with it. The mechanicals are all from the original punto so are pretty reliable. I don't think rust is an issue unless caused by a poor accident repair. My car had the factory vinyl roof and I never had any issues with it. The engine is quite lively and the controls (clutch & gearchange) are pretty well weighted and make for a good drive. I never found the LHD to be a problem so I'd say go ahead and enjoy. You can't go wrong for only £2.5k for such a modern roadster.
I had mine for 4 1/2 years, and loved it. Mine was an early one, but went great. There is(was?) a specialist, DTM in Barnes, West London, who I took mine to, and they also did a great replacement exhaust (cheaper and lighter than Fiat, and about 2/3s the price).
I had great fun in mine, and tbh the LHD never really bothered me, except trying to press the buzzer in car parks. Nice straightforward roof too.
Feel free to mail me if you want more info.
I had great fun in mine, and tbh the LHD never really bothered me, except trying to press the buzzer in car parks. Nice straightforward roof too.
Feel free to mail me if you want more info.
I seemed to have owned mine for what feels like forever, and it still raises a grin every time I drive it.
I bought it second hand in 1997, with 16K miles on the clock and apart from my ex-wife smashing the bell house casing(?) I have had no problems mechanically. I have had problems with the roof though, they appear to be very susceptible to sharp knife like objects attacking them!! Also, some of the plastic parts tend to perish after a while, but bits are easily sourced.
Mine was 113th off the production line, now has covered 56K trouble free miles, and I wouldn't dream of selling it.
Go for it, you know you wanna!!
I bought it second hand in 1997, with 16K miles on the clock and apart from my ex-wife smashing the bell house casing(?) I have had no problems mechanically. I have had problems with the roof though, they appear to be very susceptible to sharp knife like objects attacking them!! Also, some of the plastic parts tend to perish after a while, but bits are easily sourced.
Mine was 113th off the production line, now has covered 56K trouble free miles, and I wouldn't dream of selling it.
Go for it, you know you wanna!!
Thank you all very much for your views/experiences/advice……..
I have decided to go for it and am currently on a search for a Barch!
Looking at the PH classifieds/autotrader I think I have missed a couple of decent cars recently – also as we have had some sunny weather recently, sellers are asking quite a lot more than the car guides state (not sure if the sellers are optimistic or the car guides wrong).
If anyone comes across a good one for around the 2.5 - 3k mark in the South please drop me a line.
I look forward to spending the summer with a grin
on my face and plan to try and get onto the track at Goodwood before the year comes to an end!
Thanks again
I have decided to go for it and am currently on a search for a Barch!
Looking at the PH classifieds/autotrader I think I have missed a couple of decent cars recently – also as we have had some sunny weather recently, sellers are asking quite a lot more than the car guides state (not sure if the sellers are optimistic or the car guides wrong).
If anyone comes across a good one for around the 2.5 - 3k mark in the South please drop me a line.
I look forward to spending the summer with a grin
on my face and plan to try and get onto the track at Goodwood before the year comes to an end! Thanks again
I have done it!!!! - I am now the proud owner of a 1999 T reg bright red Barchetta with 58k on the clock - spent a little more than I had planned but I think it will be worth it. Couple of minor things need attention, small rust patch on the floorpan (someone has curbed it resulting in the underseal being scraped off), small oil weep from the front of the engine under the manifold, front fog lights not working otherwise everything seems to be in order.
Can anyone recommend a good, reasonably priced garage near Bracknell where I could get it serviced and have the weld fixed?
maddad said:
Can anyone recommend a good, reasonably priced garage near Bracknell where I could get it serviced and have the weld fixed?
It's about time... what kept you!
) I would still recommend DTM in Mortlake/Barnes as the experts. They know their stuff, and are pretty cool on advice and parts.
Thanks for the info, DTR it is!
Just had my first drive, still picking the flies out of my hair but there is not much that will wipe the grin off my face this evening!!
Look out for a Red barch around Binfield/Windsor, if you see it be kind - I am having an early mid life crisis!!
Just had my first drive, still picking the flies out of my hair but there is not much that will wipe the grin off my face this evening!!
Look out for a Red barch around Binfield/Windsor, if you see it be kind - I am having an early mid life crisis!!
Edited by maddad on Friday 18th May 16:40
Bugger!!!
I spoke too soon!
After looking after this car like I'd given birth to it, I managed to smash it up on the M1 a week ago. No injuries apart from my pride.
Just waiting to hear from the insurance company as to wether they are going to calss it as a write off.
Preparing myself for the bad news.
I spoke too soon!
After looking after this car like I'd given birth to it, I managed to smash it up on the M1 a week ago. No injuries apart from my pride.
Just waiting to hear from the insurance company as to wether they are going to calss it as a write off.
Preparing myself for the bad news.
Sorry to hear your bad news - oddly enough I bought my B 'cos I smashed my Jeep Cherokee up in Feb this year - again car was a mess, pride took a punding but we (me, wife and 2 kids) - were OK.
Not that there is an upside to writing your car off but there are a number of quite good 'B's' out there - it took me 8 weeks to find a good one in my budget (3k) but I did see some corkers for about 4.5k........
Hope the insurance company gets yours back on the road................
Not that there is an upside to writing your car off but there are a number of quite good 'B's' out there - it took me 8 weeks to find a good one in my budget (3k) but I did see some corkers for about 4.5k........
Hope the insurance company gets yours back on the road................
Re Fiat Barchetta,
I own a 1998 edition and it is beautiful. I plan to keep it for many years. My only reason for writing here is to direct you to the UK Owners Club at http://fiatbarchetta.uk/ . It is a busy and active club - highly recommended. I think it has about 200 members. This years' key person is Martin Garrad.
I own a 1998 edition and it is beautiful. I plan to keep it for many years. My only reason for writing here is to direct you to the UK Owners Club at http://fiatbarchetta.uk/ . It is a busy and active club - highly recommended. I think it has about 200 members. This years' key person is Martin Garrad.
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