7 Months of FIAT.... Can you beat it?

Undercoverguy

Okay so i've had my FIAT 7 Months now and had problems after problem one after another until finally on Friday, on the M50, the engine went up in smoke.... ya know like, on fire!! So until tomorrow when the garage will begin to strip the engine and i'll find out what the dammage is i decided i'd make a list to share with some people the problems i've encountered in the run up to this moment. The list is 100% true and as i remember more items i'll add them. So here we go:

Trips to Garage: 23
Time in Garage to date: 39 Days

Problem: Fuel Injection Light
Resolve: ECU Fault, Remaped

Problem: Windescreen Wipers Stuck on Slow
Resolve: Motor Fault, Replaced

Problem: Rear Break-Lights Blown
Resolve: Wiring Replaced

Problem: Missing 6th Gear
Resolve: New Gearbox Fitted

Problem: Drivers Seat Jammed
Resolve: Lever Replaced

Problem: Noise from NEW Gearbox
Resolve: Gearbox Fitted Incorrectly, ANOTHER NEW Gearbox Fitted

Problem: Airbag Warning Light
Resolve: Fuse Replaced

Problem: Slipping Clutch
Resolve: New Clutch

Problem: Fuel Injection Light
Resolve: Injector Heads Replaced

Problem: Air Conditioning Not Working
Resolve: GAS Refilled

Problem: Passenger Headlight Blown
Resolve: Water Dammage, Headlight Replaced

Problem: CD Changer Jammed
Resolve: Reapired by Blaupunkt

Problem: Head Gasket Blown
Resolve: Skimmed

Problem: Break Fluid Warning Light
Resolve: New Container Fitted and Filled

Problem: Radiator Can Always On
Resolve: Temp Sensor Fault, Replaced

Problem: Keycode Light
Resolve: New Key Issued

Problem: Rev. Counter and Speed Clocks Blown
Resolve: Replaced Dash Clocks

Problem: Power Steering Disabled
Resolve: Torque Sensor Fault, Replaced

Problem: Exhaust Fell Off
Resolve: New Exhaust Fitted

Problem: Fuel Injection Light
Resolve: Sensor Fault

Problem: Central Locking Not Working
Resolve: New Laserline Alarm Fitted

Problem: Fuel Injection
Resolve: Sensor Fault

Problem: Heating and Air Condition Not Working
Resolve: Yet to be Sorted

Problem: Engine Fire..... Yes like smoke and everything!!
Resolve: Yet to be Sorted

optiplexgx270

WTF were you doing to the poor thing

But seriously why do you still have THIS car if it was bought from new after the first 3/4 major faults you should have DEMANDED a replacement car not a repair.

I suggest contacting FIAT Ireland regarding its history and how they plan on resolving the issue and that you may never but a FIAT again etc....

In other words its long overdue. It being Kicking Up A Fuss.

vengeance52

my mates stilo broke down so much, he had to sue Fiat Ireland to get his money back on the car. it took along time to get his money back.

Max_Damage

Well, what did you expect? It's a Fiat.

Is it a Stilo by a mater of interest? I've heard they are one of the worst Fiat models in the current line-up.

vengeance52

Max_Damage wrote:

Well, what did you expect? It's a Fiat.

Is it a Stilo by a mater of interest? I've heard they are one of the worst Fiat models in the current line-up.

Stilos are terrible, thats what my mate had. It broke down 12 times in 5 months, and they refused to repalce it or give his money back so he got his solicitor on to them.

Undercoverguy

Nope its a 02 Punto Sporting, Funny enought about a month ago i had a courtesy car which was a fiat stilo. Had it one day and the starting motor in the courtesy car decided to stop working lol Typical!!!

Off the record, my brothers mate works for FIAT Ireland in Fleet Sales and told me to stay away from stilos at all costs until the new model is released.

Two other things, the garage i got this car from is not some down the lane job its a proper massive dealership that ALOT of Fiats are bought from.

As for my driving, I drive one lap of the M50 a day just to pick up my compnay car and then get me home again. Then on weekends i drive the 45min journey to Dundalk and back. Thats it, NO hard driving, NO rallying, NO speeding, NO wheelspinning, NO speed ramps..... noting!

In contrast my company car is a VW Bora, its 2004 and been serviced twice and STILL havnt had as much as one problem with it.

Dilbert75

Were you not told repeatedly on here to get rid of that car when the gearbox issue came to light?:rolleyes:

Undercoverguy

Hey Dilbert.... how do ya even remember that? Did i leave such a mark lol
Eh i know but that got sorted and they trew in loadsa free tax and stuff for me so i kinda kept it.

Until this little matter crept up on me lol

markirish22

any chance of showing some pics of the engine too see how bad it is?

Seth Brundle

Undercoverguy wrote:

NO hard driving, NO rallying, NO speeding, NO wheelspinning, NO speed ramps..... noting!

Thats awful. Not only did the car keep letting you down but you never had a bit of fun in it?

unkel

Yeah I think I remember your previous post. You bought the second hand Punto sporting but it came with a 5-speed instead of the standard 6-speed, didn't it? And then you crashed it, making it difficult for you to demand your money back?

Sorry you've had such an awful experience. What's your strategy going forward in dealing with the garage? Did you ever seriously consider legal action?

MadsL

Not just FIATs - friend of mine handed back the keys to an 2005 Aston Martin Vanquish after similar 'issues'.

colincarnate

i have a 98 punto bought second hand, i drive to across the city alot and down to waterford and cork frequently enough and have never had a bother with it...
My brother and neighbour have had similar things like the above to their golfs.

Biro

Ya, I know someone who's having similar problems with a Yaris. to be honest, when a dog of a car enters your ownership, said dog should be sold before you have to fork out lots of money!

Interceptor

I have a Multipla, a Punto and four Cinq Sportings and none of them have ever given any trouble, certainly nothing I couldn't fix with a second hand part or cheap alternative from these guys (www.shop4parts.co.uk ). Sorry to hear you have had such grief, maybe it was getting you back for scraping it off the gatepost as soon as you got it?

I agree with what several people have said - as soon as a car starts to give problems like this, get rid of it and start again.

'cptr

Out of curiousity, were you keeping an eye on coolant levels before the engine went up in smoke?

r3nu4l

I've had my Stilo ('02 used) for four months now and not had a single problem with it! In fact, it's been a pleasure to drive although the 1.2 engine is puny for a car that size.

That said, it does the job I want it to and easily travels along at 80-90 mph on the A14 without any complaint.

ALL makes of car get at least a few duds off the produciton line, if you get one, try to get it replaced ASAP. A friend of mine had a VW polo a few years ago and had massive problems with it, gearbox, engine on fire, electrics failing mid-drive...

On another note, I think it's strange that FIAT are replacing the Stilo with the Bravo name, seeing as how the Stilo was supposed to replace the Bravo/Brava name in the first place.

Henry Ford III

My sympathies.

In fairness though you were advised to get rid of it. Many times.

MAYPOP

Most of those problems should buff out. It's just character, those gosh diddly darn Italians are famous for it!

miju

lol . first time i've ever heard of an engine fire being described as character . LMFAO

CrowdedHouse

Mate had a new Fiat Doblo van with all of 12 Km on it when it went on fire *

Of 7 brand new delivered to his workplace 3 have had breakdowns already.

(* Starter seemingly stayed on and burnt out it and associated wiring)

dubtom

In your case, I would have got at least an opinion from a good mechanic as to what they figure the fire could be caused by before you gave it back. Me, I'm cynical and untrusting when it comes to large corporations, especially in the motor trade. A mate bought a truck a few years back and it too had the stuck starting motor which burnt it out, it was only a couple of months old. It took about 4 years for a settlement. With your luck you should be on first name terms with an auto engineer and a solicitor by now.

endplate

Why do you not use the company car for all your driving? Why do you have a seperate car? Just wondering.

Sadly it seems you bought a lemon and they are a nightmare. Are you paying for all this work yourself or have you still a warranty?

Undercoverguy

Okay guys,

Head Gasket is the cause, apparently it blew. Somehow sparking an existing oil leak and hence causing the smoke and small fire.

So the garage took appart the engine yesterday and apparently it survived unhurt. The plan of action now from the gaage is to skim the gasket and replace any dammaged parts.

In the mean time back to a courtesy car it is!
Also, When the time does come that the car is ready for collection an AA guy is coming with my to give the car a good going over. I'm started legal mombo-jombo to get an extended warrenty and AA membership.

Roll on March Trade in!!!!!!!

PS. Yea all the work is under warrenty.

Demmo

People seem to think that Fiat have the worst cars on the road, they don't. How come they're one of the best sellers across Europe since the Punto came out in 1994. And the Uno has sold millions before it. You can't argue with volume sold, and top ten sales over a number of years. I'd guarantee you that there are other manufacturers out there that are a whole lot worse.

Fair enough some people get a car that gives a bit of trouble, these things happen.
Alot of time its down to the people that are repairing them. Reckon you should change that first.

Owen

Demmo wrote:

How come they're one of the best sellers across Europe since the Punto came out in 1994.

Because the general motoring public can't tell the difference between sh*te and shineola. FIAT buying motives aren't quality, or reliability, it's down to price and monthly payments.

r3nu4l

ned78 wrote:

Because the general motoring public can't tell the difference between sh*te and shineola. FIAT buying motives aren't quality, or reliability, it's down to price and monthly payments.

I don't agree...and not just because I own a Fiat If all Fiat cars were truly as terrible as some people on boards.ie like to make out then nobody would buy them.

Think about it, if a car is cheap but you know that you are going to be spending thousands on repairs every year then you're not going to buy that car now are you?

If all Fiat cars were that bad then everyone would know about it and Fiat sales would be far lower than they are now.

3ps

I don't see many new FIATs on the road......

ned78

ned78 wrote:

Because the general motoring public can't tell the difference between sh*te and shineola. FIAT buying motives aren't quality, or reliability, it's down to price and monthly payments.

I don't agree. They have alot of things going for them.

They are one of the most economical small cars around.

Puntos are pretty much the cheapest car on the road to insure.

They one of the cheapest cars to repair when they do breakdown (bulk discount on repairs lol)

They are cheap as chips buy second hand too.

That is a pretty good package if you are in the market for a budget small car.

Owen

ronoc wrote:

I don't agree. They have alot of things going for them.
They are one of the most economical small cars around.
Puntos are pretty much the cheapest car on the road to insure.
They one of the cheapest cars to repair when they do breakdown (bulk discount on repairs lol)
They are cheap as chips buy second hand too.
That is a pretty good package if you are in the market for a budget small car.

You don't agree ... I state that FIAT's buying motives are price and monthly payments, and by not agreeing, you argue that they're cheap, cheap to insure, bulk discount on repairs, and cheap as chips to buy second hand?

ned78

ned78 wrote:

You don't agree ... I state that FIAT's buying motives are price and monthly payments, and by not agreeing, you argue that they're cheap, cheap to insure, bulk discount on repairs, and cheap as chips to buy second hand?

You missed out cheap to run.
I think for the money in most cases they are getting a very good quality package.
Expensive is not the same as quality. Nor does cheapness Imply lack of quality.

r3nu4l

3ps wrote:

I don't see many new FIATs on the road......

By November 06 in year-to-date analysis Fiat had seen a 20.6% increase in sales and was 7th in terms of cars sold throughout Europe.

See Table 1 here

I agree that pricing is a factor for lots of buyers...but again if Fiat were so terrible nobody would buy one cheap if they knew they were going to be spending a couple of hundred every few months.

BTW, I don't work for Fiat but do own one...it's a Stilo that hasn't given me any problems since I bought it and in the last four months I've added 6,000 miles to the clock.

John R

Demmo wrote:

People seem to think that Fiat have the worst cars on the road, they don't. How come they're one of the best sellers across Europe since the Punto came out in 1994. And the Uno has sold millions before it. You can't argue with volume sold, and top ten sales over a number of years. I'd guarantee you that there are other manufacturers out there that are a whole lot worse.

Such as?

r3nu4l wrote:

I don't agree...and not just because I own a Fiat If all Fiat cars were truly as terrible as some people on boards.ie like to make out then nobody would buy them.

Think about it, if a car is cheap but you know that you are going to be spending thousands on repairs every year then you're not going to buy that car now are you?

If all Fiat cars were that bad then everyone would know about it and Fiat sales would be far lower than they are now.

Lots of people will ALWAYS go for the cheap option, no matter what evidence suggests it is a bad bet, in the hope that they will be lucky. Besides the ignorance of the general public reigns supreme.

People buy cars with lousy reputations and are then surprised when they fall apart in their driveways.

JD Power 2005 survey results: Fiat 31st out of 32 manufacturers and the last place... Alfa Romeo, what a shock. http://www.whatcar.com/news-special-report.aspx?NA=214562&EL=3121184#



http://www.whatcar.com/news-special-report.aspx?NA=214562

Owen

ronoc wrote:

You missed out cheap to run.
I think for the money in most cases they are getting a very good quality package.
Expensive is not the same as quality. Nor does cheapness Imply lack of quality.

I think you missed the sarcasm, you're supposed to be disagreeing, yet you're validating my points. IMHO expensive prices, for the majority of things, food, cars, clothing, jewellery, technology does for the most part delivers quality. Cheapness for the most part does also imply lack of quality.

Compare a Casio to a TAG Heuer and the difference is blatantly obvious, this translates to the Motor Trade also. Compare a Panda to a VW. The Panda has horribly poor quality in finish, the switchgear is cheap and nasty, and IMO will fail in time. The Stilo is untouchable in the Motor Trade and holds little no residual value due to woeful reliability problems.

Biro

Every survey returns a different result, I've seen one where Fiat were ahead of Audi.
Fiat are nowhere near as bad as the reputation. Besides budget, you also get some design flair, and very good engines. A 1.2 80bhp as opposed to a VW offering of 1.4 and 75bhp.

Sleipnir

My Dad's Fiat Ritmo burst into flames as he was driving along. No warning or anything just flame and smoke coming out through the air vents etc.

Funny thing was it happened right outside the spanish embassy and my dads flaming car hit the kerb and jumped on to the path right out front.
Out comes the spanish security guards screaming etc. They thought it was E.T.A
My dad said he had to sit one the poor fellas down as he looked like he was having a heart attack.

Biro

ned78 wrote:

I think you missed the sarcasm, you're supposed to be disagreeing, yet you're validating my points. IMHO expensive prices, for the majority of things, food, cars, clothing, jewellery, technology does for the most part delivers quality. Cheapness for the most part does also imply lack of quality.

Compare a Casio to a TAG Heuer and the difference is blatantly obvious, this translates to the Motor Trade also. Compare a Panda to a VW. The Panda has horribly poor quality in finish, the switchgear is cheap and nasty, and IMO will fail in time. The Stilo is untouchable in the Motor Trade and holds little no residual value due to woeful reliability problems.

The Panda isn't that horribly poor. It's cheap and cheerful alright, but I wouldn't say crap. The Polo interior is dull and cheap looking too, if a little better put together.
In my opinion the worst quality interior based on the cost of a car that I've been in in the last few years was a 04 mini. That silvery kind of paint was flaking off, and in general it was very poor considering it's price. Very nice to drive alright. Surprisingly cramped inside given the outer footprint of the car.

r3nu4l

John R wrote:

JD Power 2005 survey results: Fiat 31st out of 32 manufacturers and the last place... Alfa Romeo, what a shock. http://www.whatcar.com/news-special-report.aspx?NA=214562&EL=3121184#



http://www.whatcar.com/news-special-report.aspx?NA=214562

Lies, damn lies and statistics...In this result (click link at bottom of page for table) Fiat is still not up there with the best but is coming out on top of the likes of Saab, Seat and Audi whereas Audi and Saab are 9th and 10th in your table :rolleyes: I'm sure we can all find stats that vary, my experience so far tells me that at least my car is reliable despite what the goons in the motor trade think

ned78

ned78 wrote:

I think you missed the sarcasm, you're supposed to be disagreeing, yet you're validating my points. IMHO expensive prices, for the majority of things, food, cars, clothing, jewellery, technology does for the most part delivers quality. Cheapness for the most part does also imply lack of quality.

Compare a Casio to a TAG Heuer and the difference is blatantly obvious, this translates to the Motor Trade also. Compare a Panda to a VW. The Panda has horribly poor quality in finish, the switchgear is cheap and nasty, and IMO will fail in time. The Stilo is untouchable in the Motor Trade and holds little no residual value due to woeful reliability problems.

Eh, No I'm not perhaps you should Read -> Comprehend before you Reply.

For the low price you get a high level of standard equipment, stuff that most other marques have on their extras lists.

You may pay less but you get value for your money and a car that is one of the cheapest to run around.

Deprecation is high but that also works in your favour if you are buying second hand to hold on to it.

What I am saying in case you still think I am validating your points is you get alot for that low price. Value is the key word!

Owen

ronoc wrote:

Eh, No I'm not perhaps you should Read -> Comprehend before you Reply.

For the low price you get a high level of standard equipment, stuff that most other marques have on their extras lists.

You may pay less but you get value for your money and a car that is one of the cheapest to run around.

Deprecation is high but that also works in your favour if you are buying second hand to hold on to it.

What I am saying in case you still think I am validating your points is you get alot for that low price. Value is the key word!

I went to dinner with herself last night. She's Polish, so we went to a Gospoda, a Polish Restaurant. I bought a main course for €8 (The most expensive was 12 Euro). I had an oversize dinnerplate arrived with enough food for 2 people, and 3 side dishes, and the food was average. If I go to a better restaurant, and pay more, I usually get smaller portions, and less quantity, but the quality is far superior.

And the same applies to cars. Yes you can buy a full loaded FIAT for buttons, but when all's said and done, it's still a FIAT. I'd rather the more expensive car, with optional equipment that costs more, but with optional equipment that's still going to work in 30 years. That's the difference between quality and quantity.

Biro

ned78 wrote:

I went to dinner with herself last night. She's Polish, so we went to a Gospoda, a Polish Restaurant. I bought a main course for €8 (The most expensive was 12 Euro). I had an oversize dinnerplate arrived with enough food for 2 people, and 3 side dishes, and the food was average. If I go to a better restaurant, and pay more, I usually get smaller portions, and less quantity, but the quality is far superior.

And the same applies to cars. Yes you can buy a full loaded FIAT for buttons, but when all's said and done, it's still a FIAT. I'd rather the more expensive car, with optional equipment that costs more, but with optional equipment that's still going to work in 30 years. That's the difference between quality and quantity.

But you're tarring Fiat as being just crap. Thats just incorrect. One of my mates had a clio and another had a Bravo. The Bravo was better built, better engine, nicer looking inside and out, and much more comfortable to drive. The new grande punto I had rented on holidays was a sound car. Not cheap and tacky at all, compared to the competition. Cars like the daewoo matiz and the like are the cheap crap that you talk about.
The 1-series is a classic point to negate your statement that the more you pay the better you get. Are you saying that for 30 grand you really are getting what you're paying for?

Owen

Biro wrote:

But you're tarring Fiat as being just crap. Thats just incorrect.

From my experience of my two FIAT company purchases, it's indeed correct. A good friend worked as a salesman for FIAT, and he used to dread breakdowns as something would always go wrong.

Biro wrote:

The 1-series is a classic point to negate your statement that the more you pay the better you get. Are you saying that for 30 grand you really are getting what you're paying for?

The 1 Series is overengineered. It has rear wheel drive, quality plastics, fabrics and upholstery. It also has quite a lot of safety equipment, and the standard equipment list includes 16" Alloys, ABS, Tire Pressure Sensors, Aircon, 6 Airbags, Traction Control, Front Foglamps, CD, iPod interface, Electric Windows, Electric Mirrors, Power Steering, Alarm, Immobiliser, Follow me home Headlamps. By no means a basic car. Is it worth 30k? Perhaps it's a little overpriced, but it's not a million miles away from an A3, and to be fair to the 1 Series, it does hold it's value slightly better in the long term.

You will see a lot more 20 year old 1 Series on the road than 20 year old Puntos come 2027. There are quite a lot of E30 3 Series on the road today driving as well as they ever did. That's build quality. And before anyone even thinks of saying the 1 Series doesn't have the build quality of the E30, visit the factory, and view the comparissons they have on the wall there yourself, it's every bit as good, if not better.

Biro

OK, for one thing those standard features are on loads of cars in that price bracket, and you can also get them on a punto. And I'd actually love to see a 1-series get the same treatment that most punto's get. Most people who buy puntos don't spend another cent on the car, whereas the 1-series buyers service them on the button and mind them.
I've heard of more BMW engine trouble than Fiat. I'd agree that the BMW built quality is better, so therefore you'll have buttons breaking and electrics failing more often maybe than on the beemer, but Fiat engines, handling and style are very good compared to the opposition.
And I don't care how well put together BMW say it is, I just can't see the point in a 116. For the price, it really is a rip off.

Owen

Biro wrote:

I've heard of more BMW engine trouble than Fiat.

Of course you have. It's accepted as the norm on a FIAT, whereas with BMW, people feel the need to tell others when it happens.

Biro

ned78 wrote:

Of course you have. It's accepted as the norm on a FIAT, whereas with BMW, people feel the need to tell others when it happens.

Now that is a load of sh!te. It's the other way around. People love to sing about how unreliable Fiat and Alfa are, but never ever mention about problems with anything German. Maybe they're ashamed that they spend that much money on a heap of muck.
VW/Audi are particularly bad for this. Typically they all brag about how great their VW or Audi is, and you happen to hear on the offchance that the engine failed, or the electrics are causing relentless bother. Where as someone locks their keys into a punto and they'll sing to the neighbour about how crappy fiat are. Or they own it for 4 years, clock up 50,000 miles without any maintenance, and wonder at how something has broken.
BMW's by and large are OK for reliability, but I know people who have blown 316 engines, a 528 that overheated within a year, and the owner subsequently found out that there was cases against BMW in England for people getting scalded by steam, and apart from those extreme examples were known to overheat anyway.

John R

r3nu4l wrote:

Lies, damn lies and statistics...In this result (click link at bottom of page for table) Fiat is still not up there with the best but is coming out on top of the likes of Saab, Seat and Audi whereas Audi and Saab are 9th and 10th in your table :rolleyes: I'm sure we can all find stats that vary, my experience so far tells me that at least my car is reliable despite what the goons in the motor trade think

If you actually read the link to that survey you would have found out that it is formed of the opinions of neither ME nor goons in the motor trade but people that have bought the cars.

Rudolph Claus

Why cant ye folk just buy Hondas, theres plenty to go around for all sorts of budgets. For the conservative spender just buy a 1990 civic because it will still be more reliable than a fookin Fiat.

Just thought i`d share a snippet of information with ye townees that Fiat made absolutely brillant tractors. Fiat Agri tractors are even sought after to a certain extent by some farmers. I know of 2 lads looking for the 110/90 Fiat and i know of many others with big horsepower ones with 10,000hours. My uncles mate has an F140 that has more than paid for itself 10 fold and still going strong. He also has a 110/90. My uncle himself worked for a farming contractor with an entire FiatAgri line-up and they were often regarded as the best tractor of the time. This is about 10-20 years ago, my uncle has since since set-up on his own with diggers and tractors in time for the property boom and has made an absolute fortune using Fiat tractors,,, but more recently Case IH tractors are his thing.
There are a lot of Fiat tractors in Holland that were used in light harvesting and are absolutely in mint condition, these tractors are dating from 1990 - 1998. My uncle`s friend is a plant dealer and is importing some of these particular tractors from Holland and people people are literally queing up for them. The particular 110/90 model i mentioned earlier is an ideal size of tractor for small Irish farms, its 110hp and 4wheel drive and will take a loader no bother.

Sorry for the culchie lesson but its funny to think how SEVERE the difference is between Fiat tractors and Fiat/Alfa cars. You`d wonder if they`re the same company,, think ill go and look that up.

johncm

r3nu4l wrote:

I've had my Stilo ('02 used) for four months now and not had a single problem with it! In fact, it's been a pleasure to drive although the 1.2 engine is puny for a car that size.

That said, it does the job I want it to and easily travels along at 80-90 mph on the A14 without any complaint.

On another note, I think it's strange that FIAT are replacing the Stilo with the Bravo name, seeing as how the Stilo was supposed to replace the Bravo/Brava name in the first place.

the newer stilo has a 1.4 enginein it so its a very nice car to drive. ive seen pics of the new bravo and it looks very nice

r3nu4l

John R wrote:

If you actually read the link to that survey you would have found out that it is formed of the opinions of neither ME nor goons in the motor trade but people that have bought the cars.

I think you misunderstood me, I had moved on from the survey at that point when I referred to the goons in the motor trade, I was referring to all the goons you meet up with in the garages, that purport to know everything about every car manufacturer. :rolleyes:

Also the survey I posted showing Audi and Saab below Fiat was also put together from a survey of ordinary car owners just like the one you posted and it was taken 2006, not 2005 like yours. I doubt Audi and Saab suddenly became crap in one year so I don't put any faith in those surveys. A cleverly designed survey can show anything you want it to show, that's the beauty of it.

Biro

Nuttzy wrote:

Why cant ye folk just buy Hondas, theres plenty to go around for all sorts of budgets. For the conservative spender just buy a 1990 civic because it will still be more reliable than a fookin Fiat.

Just thought i`d share a snippet of information with ye townees that Fiat made absolutely brillant tractors. Fiat Agri tractors are even sought after to a certain extent by some farmers. I know of 2 lads looking for the 110/90 Fiat and i know of many others with big horsepower ones with 10,000hours. My uncles mate has an F140 that has more than paid for itself 10 fold and still going strong. He also has a 110/90. My uncle himself worked for a farming contractor with an entire FiatAgri line-up and they were often regarded as the best tractor of the time. This is about 10-20 years ago, my uncle has since since set-up on his own with diggers and tractors in time for the property boom and has made an absolute fortune using Fiat tractors,,, but more recently Case IH tractors are his thing.
There are a lot of Fiat tractors in Holland that were used in light harvesting and are absolutely in mint condition, these tractors are dating from 1990 - 1998. My uncle`s friend is a plant dealer and is importing some of these particular tractors from Holland and people people are literally queing up for them. The particular 110/90 model i mentioned earlier is an ideal size of tractor for small Irish farms, its 110hp and 4wheel drive and will take a loader no bother.

Sorry for the culchie lesson but its funny to think how SEVERE the difference is between Fiat tractors and Fiat/Alfa cars. You`d wonder if they`re the same company,, think ill go and look that up.

Very true, the Fiat tractors are savage, and pure reliable. Is the 100/90 a 5 cylinder? The only problem (which I'd get over) is the position of the pedals in relation to the seat, they're kind of too upright, but other than that I reckon I should get one!

Seth Brundle

Are Fiat & Ford New Holland tractors not the same?