I am ashamed to admit that I want a Fiat X1/9. Am I mad?
Discussion
For some inexplicable reason I quite fancy one of Bertone's diminutive wedges of seventies cheese.
Rear wheel drive, mid engined, wind in the hair motoring, loads of character, no depreciation....
Suitable for cheap fun motoring with the occasional track day?
I have tripped up over one that isn't rotten, and whilst the same money would buy a decent MR2 or MX5, I am drawn by the little Fiat.
Has anyone out there owned one?
Are they a dreadful, rotten, nasty, camp and unpleasant device, or are they an overlooked classic?
Rear wheel drive, mid engined, wind in the hair motoring, loads of character, no depreciation....
Suitable for cheap fun motoring with the occasional track day?
I have tripped up over one that isn't rotten, and whilst the same money would buy a decent MR2 or MX5, I am drawn by the little Fiat.
Has anyone out there owned one?
Are they a dreadful, rotten, nasty, camp and unpleasant device, or are they an overlooked classic?
i've had 2 (though years ago). You need to really want one as the MR2 is so much better.
They do rot, generally run badly (not entirely due to the timing being virtually impossible to adjust with the engine fitted (though there is a access panel (of sorts) behind the drivers seat))
Lots of electrical problems, (bet the headlights dont pop up anymore) and not that quick.
Also bet there is a rather damp/stale smell from the seats!
Good luck!
They do rot, generally run badly (not entirely due to the timing being virtually impossible to adjust with the engine fitted (though there is a access panel (of sorts) behind the drivers seat))
Lots of electrical problems, (bet the headlights dont pop up anymore) and not that quick.
Also bet there is a rather damp/stale smell from the seats!
Good luck!
The first car I bought myself was an X1/9.
They are underpowered by modern standards (only 85bhp for a standard 1500; 0-60 takes around 10 seconds and they are flat out at 112mph). Gearchange is fairly imprecise, due to the mid-engined configuration, but provided you don't suddenly lift off the accelerator mid-bend, the handling is excellent and the steering light and precise.
They are a superbly packaged design - the cockpit and driving position feel sporty, the targa roof works superbly and there is even decent lugage space in the front and rear boots. Mechanical access to the engine is poor, though, and I think you'd find the brakes pretty feeble for track use.
Worst problem was always rust, so if you have found one without tinworm, it would make an interesting and characterful little sportscar.
They are underpowered by modern standards (only 85bhp for a standard 1500; 0-60 takes around 10 seconds and they are flat out at 112mph). Gearchange is fairly imprecise, due to the mid-engined configuration, but provided you don't suddenly lift off the accelerator mid-bend, the handling is excellent and the steering light and precise.
They are a superbly packaged design - the cockpit and driving position feel sporty, the targa roof works superbly and there is even decent lugage space in the front and rear boots. Mechanical access to the engine is poor, though, and I think you'd find the brakes pretty feeble for track use.
Worst problem was always rust, so if you have found one without tinworm, it would make an interesting and characterful little sportscar.
blaineuk said:
get it a stick a uno turbo engine or twin cam, one is a straight swap
I think you'll find it's a wee bit more complicated than that! Both conversions are well documented and the X1/9 owners club will be able to advise if you want to go down this route, but neither is straightforward.
Sam_68 said:
Worst problem was always rust.....
You aren't kidding.
They are even worse than an old Mini.
I can't remember the last time I saw an X1/9 that wasn't completely shot, which is why this solid one is tempting me.
One previous owner, 20,000 miles, near concours condition, £3500.
It's a lot of cash for an X1/9. Should I walk away, or give it a whirl for a year or two?
Decisions, decisions....
Tis a lot of money for the car, but my decision would be made based on whether it had the ugly american bumper or not. The original bumper I had was very svelt. I would also check someone had seen the light and removed the mechanical voltage control unit and replaced it with electric.
I remember being stopped by a jag BIB traf car in leeds which pulled up to my house a good 30 secs after I arrived and duly sat me in the back of his car telling me he'd been unable to catch up with me over the last ten minutes of driving.
I learnt everything I know about cars from that as my first car and a lancia montecarlo as my second. Heeltoe/clutch all makes sense in those two cars in a way that it just doesn't with todays batch of cars.
I wouldn't believe the bodywork was in good condition until my magnet said so
I remember being stopped by a jag BIB traf car in leeds which pulled up to my house a good 30 secs after I arrived and duly sat me in the back of his car telling me he'd been unable to catch up with me over the last ten minutes of driving.
I learnt everything I know about cars from that as my first car and a lancia montecarlo as my second. Heeltoe/clutch all makes sense in those two cars in a way that it just doesn't with todays batch of cars.
I wouldn't believe the bodywork was in good condition until my magnet said so
That is a whole heap of cash waiting to rust itself onto your driveway. It's a nice car but the steel quality is appalling so they dissolve, the gearshifter is a bit too phallic not to get embarrassed about and however great the handling is, they are massively underpowered so any warm hatch will be all over it like a rash. I can see Fiat reinventing that one soon.
As a piece of design they are excellent.Mid engined 2 seater with plenty of luggage space front,& rear.Try that on yer MR2.I owned a 1987 1500 for six years,& it was great.I only sold it due to wifey getting pregnant.Mine had no rust at all but I looked after it,& it was always garaged.They are not fast it's true,mine had a Stainless Quicksilver exhaust.(Recommended) if they are still made.It also had a four branch manifold,K&N & modified carb.It went well,& sounded like a raspy Italian sports car should 
.
Things that weren't so great.The brakes are unservoed,& feel wooden.The calipers seize up if you so much as breath on them too.Mine had the later external adjusting dizzy,with cassette type points.A doddle to set up with a dwell meter.They can be tricky to handle in the wet.The front end locks up very easily,prolly down to lack of weight.They are'nt that hard to work on,prolly exept for.Kunifer brake pipe replacement,& the big coolant pipes under the car.But you don't change those every day eh! If you like them go for it.
They are great little cars.
. Things that weren't so great.The brakes are unservoed,& feel wooden.The calipers seize up if you so much as breath on them too.Mine had the later external adjusting dizzy,with cassette type points.A doddle to set up with a dwell meter.They can be tricky to handle in the wet.The front end locks up very easily,prolly down to lack of weight.They are'nt that hard to work on,prolly exept for.Kunifer brake pipe replacement,& the big coolant pipes under the car.But you don't change those every day eh! If you like them go for it.
They are great little cars. Edited by Guzzi Steve on Tuesday 13th June 11:35
or are you selling that for something cheaper to run?
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