RE: Fiat Seicento Sporting | Shed of the Week
Discussion
biggbn said:
Never loved the sei like I did my Cinquecento, but I can see the appeal. Cinquecento sporting one of my favourite cars owned, so sei had a lot to live up to!
Yes I feel the same about my Cinquecento Sporting. One of the few cars I regret selling too soon. Part ex'd it after 16 months for a Punto Sporting which was a better all round car but not as much fun. Would be in my top 3 favourite cars owned for fun alongside the wife's 205 GTI and my NB MX-5. The Seicento just wasnt the same. Same amount of power, but not the 735KG quoted by the author, more like 800KG as I recall, so it was like carrying a light adult around with you all the time compared with the Cinq. Makes quite a difference in a light car with only 54BHP!
I do recall one Autocar grip test however, where I think the Seicento Sporting pulled a very impressive lateral g reading. Those little Fiats resisted understeer very well for something so skinny tyred.
Bought, ragged and loved my new Cinq Sporting in 1998, but never liked the Seicento and wouldn't thank you for this one, regardless of who has defaced the bonnet.
As other have said, a lesson in how not to do a facelift. The purity of the boxy Cinquecento was totally lost here, and the car was, as far as I can see, not different in any tangible way other than looking worse.
Both cars were crying out for a tighter front end and about 15-20 hp more, but still a lot of cheap, slow fun.
As other have said, a lesson in how not to do a facelift. The purity of the boxy Cinquecento was totally lost here, and the car was, as far as I can see, not different in any tangible way other than looking worse.
Both cars were crying out for a tighter front end and about 15-20 hp more, but still a lot of cheap, slow fun.
loudlashadjuster said:
Bought, ragged and loved my new Cinq Sporting in 1998, but never liked the Seicento and wouldn't thank you for this one, regardless of who has defaced the bonnet.
As other have said, a lesson in how not to do a facelift. The purity of the boxy Cinquecento was totally lost here, and the car was, as far as I can see, not different in any tangible way other than looking worse.
Both cars were crying out for a tighter front end and about 15-20 hp more, but still a lot of cheap, slow fun.
Yes, the Cinquecento was far better looking. While my car was in repair I rented one for a week (£99). It was only the 903cc engine but good fun and pretty responsive upto about 50mph after which it ran out of puff. 70mph was working hard but otherwise a chuckable and likeable little car.As other have said, a lesson in how not to do a facelift. The purity of the boxy Cinquecento was totally lost here, and the car was, as far as I can see, not different in any tangible way other than looking worse.
Both cars were crying out for a tighter front end and about 15-20 hp more, but still a lot of cheap, slow fun.
Had a couple of these and tracked them and that is where they give you the biggest giggles - yes I had polybushed suspension but that was the only modification. On a suitable track (like Brands Indy) it was substantially quicker than your average family saloon that could otherwise easily out-run it in a straight line. Granted the likes of a clio sport would be quicker but would you be smiling as much?
I liked mine so much I had the engine swapped and tuned - 110bhp was plenty (it had more but was terrible to drive) and a sweet spot. Took a bit of reinforcement to the crisp packet as it liked to rip the anti-rollbar off its body mountings
BTW top speed of about 110mph - plenty over 90, just might take a while to get there!
I liked mine so much I had the engine swapped and tuned - 110bhp was plenty (it had more but was terrible to drive) and a sweet spot. Took a bit of reinforcement to the crisp packet as it liked to rip the anti-rollbar off its body mountings
BTW top speed of about 110mph - plenty over 90, just might take a while to get there!
I had a Cing Sporting for five years. Bought for £520 and never let me down (well only once and only cost £20 to fix). Lightweight and flimsy but everything worked and nothing rattled, drove anywhere long or short distance and it never complained. My expectations had been set low and it really impressed me. I miss it!
JamesMK said:
I had a Cing Sporting for five years. Bought for £520 and never let me down (well only once and only cost £20 to fix). Lightweight and flimsy but everything worked and nothing rattled, drove anywhere long or short distance and it never complained. My expectations had been set low and it really impressed me. I miss it!
That looks like a toy 
20 years ago someone drove one of these head on into my father, who was driving a Citroen Xantia.. Both cars were write offs; my father (in his 70s at the time and contrary to some assumptions, the completely innoicent victim of the other driver's error) got out and walked away unhurt. The occupants of the Fiat were not walking anywhere. Ever again.
So I wouldn't touch a Seicento. I know it's irrational- I have driven Minis which are no doubt no safer, but there it is.
So I wouldn't touch a Seicento. I know it's irrational- I have driven Minis which are no doubt no safer, but there it is.
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