RE: Fiat Seicento Sporting | Shed of the Week
Discussion
AC43 said:
To think, that is a brand new car.In about 1995 a friend of mine had a mid 80's Panda that was really rusty - it had holes through the bulkhead between the engine bay and passenger compartment rusty. There were various other holes around the vehicle visible from above and I'd expect the underside to be just as bad.
To make matters worse it had been spun on the ice into a ditch and the chassis bent.
They thought nothing of the idea of getting it in the cowshed and chaining two opposite corners to the steel uprights of the shed to pull the chassis straight then packing the suspension out to make it travel in a straight line!
Needless to say I didn't fancy a ride in it and this was before all the attention to airbags and safety. I couldn't believe they would patch something like that up. I can't imagine how bad it would be in another accident.
Stupid and I said so.
swisstoni said:
AC43 said:
mac96 said:
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.
OMG.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.
Disgraceful from a mainstream maker IMHO.
CDP said:
AC43 said:
To think, that is a brand new car.In about 1995 a friend of mine had a mid 80's Panda that was really rusty - it had holes through the bulkhead between the engine bay and passenger compartment rusty. There were various other holes around the vehicle visible from above and I'd expect the underside to be just as bad.
To make matters worse it had been spun on the ice into a ditch and the chassis bent.
They thought nothing of the idea of getting it in the cowshed and chaining two opposite corners to the steel uprights of the shed to pull the chassis straight then packing the suspension out to make it travel in a straight line!
Needless to say I didn't fancy a ride in it and this was before all the attention to airbags and safety. I couldn't believe they would patch something like that up. I can't imagine how bad it would be in another accident.
Stupid and I said so.
biggbn said:
CDP said:
AC43 said:
To think, that is a brand new car.In about 1995 a friend of mine had a mid 80's Panda that was really rusty - it had holes through the bulkhead between the engine bay and passenger compartment rusty. There were various other holes around the vehicle visible from above and I'd expect the underside to be just as bad.
To make matters worse it had been spun on the ice into a ditch and the chassis bent.
They thought nothing of the idea of getting it in the cowshed and chaining two opposite corners to the steel uprights of the shed to pull the chassis straight then packing the suspension out to make it travel in a straight line!
Needless to say I didn't fancy a ride in it and this was before all the attention to airbags and safety. I couldn't believe they would patch something like that up. I can't imagine how bad it would be in another accident.
Stupid and I said so.
Landcrab_Six said:
swisstoni said:
I had a very similar experience to your Dad with similar results.
Disgraceful from a mainstream maker IMHO.
The basic design dates from the early 90s.Disgraceful from a mainstream maker IMHO.
I'm sure most other similar cars were the same back then.
The Fiat driver had to wait to be cut out. Had life altering injuries.
CDP said:
biggbn said:
CDP said:
AC43 said:
To think, that is a brand new car.In about 1995 a friend of mine had a mid 80's Panda that was really rusty - it had holes through the bulkhead between the engine bay and passenger compartment rusty. There were various other holes around the vehicle visible from above and I'd expect the underside to be just as bad.
To make matters worse it had been spun on the ice into a ditch and the chassis bent.
They thought nothing of the idea of getting it in the cowshed and chaining two opposite corners to the steel uprights of the shed to pull the chassis straight then packing the suspension out to make it travel in a straight line!
Needless to say I didn't fancy a ride in it and this was before all the attention to airbags and safety. I couldn't believe they would patch something like that up. I can't imagine how bad it would be in another accident.
Stupid and I said so.
biggbn said:
For me the 750 was the pick, the basic seating, the hammock type rear seat, the open dash you could just fill with all your $hite and drive away, rubber mats, unburstable engine...loved it!
Yes, a masterpiece in design, even down to the washable seat covers.I'd drive a Panda but my friend's example should have been scrapped before it even got to the accident. To repair it was utterly foolish.
I owned two of these between 2000-2008. They seemed like decent cars at the time, but I was oblivious to the safety standards, or lack of. The Abarth, model I owned had great seats but I don’t remember them being particularly drivers cars.
When I got rid of the Seicento Abarth, I brought a Suzuki Ignis Sport. That car was leagues ahead as a drivers car with superb reliability and durability. I would never go back to Fiat, am not nostalgic about the Seicento and have no idea why anyone in their right mind would want to buy one in this day and age. Spend a bit more and get a Swift Sport.
When I got rid of the Seicento Abarth, I brought a Suzuki Ignis Sport. That car was leagues ahead as a drivers car with superb reliability and durability. I would never go back to Fiat, am not nostalgic about the Seicento and have no idea why anyone in their right mind would want to buy one in this day and age. Spend a bit more and get a Swift Sport.
djbobbins said:
I had a 127 RallyeSport as my first car. I was young and poor and through very rose-tinted lenses it was fun. But mainly it was quite st compared to the Fiestas, Escorts, Novas and other stuff my mates were bowling around in.
25 years on I just don’t get why someone would choose to lay out £1300 on this when there are bigger, faster, safer alternatives out there. Probably a sign of my age and preferences but there is a retirement-spec S-Type at Shed money In the classifieds which I thought would make a much better choice!
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10936606?c...
A 127 sport? I dont recall a rally sport model? Mate had a bright orange 127 sport, an early one, then a later facelift 1300 sport version. I really liked my 127, it was only a 1050cl, but was a great wee car to thrash everywhere all the time!!25 years on I just don’t get why someone would choose to lay out £1300 on this when there are bigger, faster, safer alternatives out there. Probably a sign of my age and preferences but there is a retirement-spec S-Type at Shed money In the classifieds which I thought would make a much better choice!
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10936606?c...
Edited by djbobbins on Friday 23 October 19:43
biggbn said:
djbobbins said:
I had a 127 RallyeSport as my first car. I was young and poor and through very rose-tinted lenses it was fun. But mainly it was quite st compared to the Fiestas, Escorts, Novas and other stuff my mates were bowling around in.
25 years on I just don’t get why someone would choose to lay out £1300 on this when there are bigger, faster, safer alternatives out there. Probably a sign of my age and preferences but there is a retirement-spec S-Type at Shed money In the classifieds which I thought would make a much better choice!
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10936606?c...
A 127 sport? I dont recall a rally sport model? Mate had a bright orange 127 sport, an early one, then a later facelift 1300 sport version. I really liked my 127, it was only a 1050cl, but was a great wee car to thrash everywhere all the time!!25 years on I just don’t get why someone would choose to lay out £1300 on this when there are bigger, faster, safer alternatives out there. Probably a sign of my age and preferences but there is a retirement-spec S-Type at Shed money In the classifieds which I thought would make a much better choice!
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10936606?c...
Edited by djbobbins on Friday 23 October 19:43
So mine was probably the same engine as yours, as it was definitely 1050cc. Would do 50mph in second gear with four teenage lads on board though, and had quick-recline front seats (single catch to lift under the front of the seat base and the seat back laid flat...)
biggbn said:
djbobbins said:
I had a 127 RallyeSport as my first car. I was young and poor and through very rose-tinted lenses it was fun. But mainly it was quite st compared to the Fiestas, Escorts, Novas and other stuff my mates were bowling around in.
25 years on I just don’t get why someone would choose to lay out £1300 on this when there are bigger, faster, safer alternatives out there. Probably a sign of my age and preferences but there is a retirement-spec S-Type at Shed money In the classifieds which I thought would make a much better choice!
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10936606?c...
A 127 sport? I dont recall a rally sport model? Mate had a bright orange 127 sport, an early one, then a later facelift 1300 sport version. I really liked my 127, it was only a 1050cl, but was a great wee car to thrash everywhere all the time!!25 years on I just don’t get why someone would choose to lay out £1300 on this when there are bigger, faster, safer alternatives out there. Probably a sign of my age and preferences but there is a retirement-spec S-Type at Shed money In the classifieds which I thought would make a much better choice!
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10936606?c...
Edited by djbobbins on Friday 23 October 19:43
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