Fiat Cinquecento SX 899cc

I liked the small shape,2 door and hatchback and the fact that there's less of everything, car bodywork to wash, repair and drag around, saving fuel, 40mpg around town, needs a new air filter - to do list, possibility of 60 mpg claims may be true. This 97 P reg, 93k cost me £400 of eb*y

The final incentive was the lower insurance cost, I checked out costs (before) buying the car, used price comparison websites, - £226 with 5 years no claims (over 50).

There is plenty of leg and head room in the front, the back is only useful for very short journeys for adults, ok but no spare space for knees. The front seats are just ok, small width.

The 899 cc engine is just enough to keep up with traffic, can handle motorways ok at 70 with limited overtaking 80 tops? (take it easy) bit noisy (could be the alternator or waterpump bearings?), the gearchange is good but 5th and reverse are awkward. Bodyworks very good but offside inner rear wheel arch has been badly fixed with filler and needs a proper repair in the future.

To sum up, Its what I can afford, due to unregulated insurance rip off industry and short sentences for claim fraud and "joy ridding(theft)", so it'll do for now. Plenty of faults and character, if buying watch out for blue smoke and oil in the water(bottle) as usual etc.

PS not suited for new drivers- you dont want to be in this in an accident. No airbag, get somthing bigger for your loved ones.