RE: Podie's Fiat Cinquecento Sporting '96N

[planetdave]

I went thru clutch cables 4 fun in my old one.I kept one in the boot and could change one roadside in 20mins.It was a sign that the clutch was packing in (big dollars).Also had head gasket problems.Would advise offloading before 80k

[Podie]

I wouldn't agree with that. The clutch cable mechanism in a RHD car was to go round the back of the engine, and the pivots used by Fiat were cheap platic jobbies, which after a while are prone to falling apart, and in some cases fraying the cable.

I had replacements machined from metal, and subsequently the problem was irradicated (although new clutch cables probably helped!).

[Control]

Had a 96 Cinquecento myself, in Yellow (of course). I only had one mechanical failure on it in three and a half years ownership - a snapped clutch cable!!!!

It marooned me in the middle of three lanes of traffic, just because a cheap little metal hook broke. Kind of makes you think it that the clutch cable was designed to break doesn't it, given that all three of us have had the same problem? - That damned Italian build-quality (or lack of!)

[Podie]

Still miss the little fella... poor little Cheeky-cento is in the scrapyard in the sky...

[shadowninja]

I had an utterly reliable R reg Cinq Sporting! Apparently the build was much better after 1997...

[roop]

My Cinq did 101k (count 'em). In this time the car had the following problems... :

- 1 busted clutch cable
- fuel tank split in half ( 'kinell)
- master cylinder replaced
- brake servo failed at 80mph into a 40mph bend ( 'kinell again)
- battery and alternator died (1kW sound system :bass: )

Interestingly, the car didn't feature a spot of rust despite paint chips all over the front (fully galvanised)

Roop

[Podie]

roop said:
- fuel tank split in half ( 'kinell)

er... that item should have been replaced - there was a recall!

[planetdave]

My clutch cable always went at that metal hook and was ALWAYS synominous with a badly worn clutch. Also had the plastic tangent that it attached to break in half but that was probably from all the changing of cables.

[Mr E]

Podie said:

roop said:
- fuel tank split in half ( 'kinell)

er... that item should have been replaced - there was a recall!

My 1996 red one had it replaced under recall.....

Great little car. Miss it. My Ex now has it and it's gone pink. (She never polishes it....)

[roop]

Mine split BEFORE the recall...! I got the money back through FIAT afterwards...

Podie said:

roop said:
- fuel tank split in half ( 'kinell)

er... that item should have been replaced - there was a recall!