What do you guys think of this MK1 sporting?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201404093197780/usedcars?logcode=visc

Would it be much better to drive than a MK2 8v or just not worth the hassle in terms of upkeep, rust etc? I know it's been for sale for a while.

Rog

if its as good in real life as it is in photos it should be fine, go have a goon look take ramps or jack n axle stands, and offer less

it says private seller but then says "previously owned by a doctor last 8 years" that is some thing a curb side dealer would say.

use it will need a new cam belt and sound system is old as haggling tools, also look for air bag expiry sticker and use that too haggle

Given it'sd in good nick, I'd take a Mk1 over a Mk2 anyday. But I'd take a Cinq Sporting or even a Sei Sporting over either.

is it too clean though? what is that bit of red paint on top left of engine

dave said:

it says private seller but then says "previously owned by a doctor last 8 years" that is some thing a curb side dealer would say.

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I did think that sounded a little odd, nothing a phone call can't sort out.

Didn't notice the red paint though, well spotted. :chin:

If it's been looked after anything like my other half looks after things (she's a doctor) it will be knackered!

Its a nice looking car and very clear though I can spot a few things that would need sorting. Essentially though the mk2 was a much better car and having owned both I would pick a mk2 any day plus for the money there are now mk2b 2004/5 cars dipping below £1000 which are 6 years newer so that's 6 less years exposed to the British weather and winter roads

AndyRKett said:

Essentially though the mk2 was a much better car and having owned both I would pick a mk2 any day

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Probably best to just stick with my Mk2 then. Spend my money on getting rid of these Mohawk tyres and possibly new shocks and springs on the rear, might bring some of the original handling back!

Rog

Hmmm...

The MkI is stronger, better built, rarer, arguably better looking and doesn't have the stupid electric power steering.

The MkII does have a passenger air bag.l lighter, plastic headlights that need new lenses/covers/replacing every six years and more room in the arches for aftermarket wheels.

Make this a poll thread. ;-)

Liquid Knight said:

The MkII does have a passenger air bag

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Not in all trim levels

My headight lenses are 14 years old on my mk2....never have been replaced and look perfectly fine, same goes for the undercarriage, hardly any rust

To choose between a MK1/MK2 for me it would be down to trim level/engine. For that particular one that looks to be in great condition and at that price I would take it over a MK2/2b without a second thought. The engine will have double valve springs and slightly hotter inlet/exhaust cam (don't remember which) resulting in a little extra go, that and the fact it's lighter than the equivalent MK2 means it will be faster. IIRC it will get to 60 not far behind a 1.4 16v MK2b :devil:

To answer your question it will be worlds faster than the 8v 1.2 which are painfully slow especially in the marginally heavier MK2/2b form.

As mentioned above it doesn't have the electric steering which is a bonus. Plus the bodywork looks mint, including the engine bay. Although the red paint on the engine may raise some questions?

ETA: Also (I think) it has a cable throttle which imo is so so much better than the lazy fly-by-wire on the later cars.

It sounds a little pricy to me I got my mk2 74k 1.2 8v for £360 so £850 personally is very expensive for a old girl like that even if it is in excellent nick

looks a £395 er to me and hope to get a buyer
not many would want such an old car with its associated big engine and fiats propensity to rust still in the minds of the great unwashed
plus as dave says its a traders advert masquerading as private
why would they do that ?

Nice car, but at 895 theyre havin a giraffe.

seen a clean old one on Gum tree the otherweek for 375.
same colour/spec.

id shop round before buying this its most probs one theyve got in as P/X
at 295.

Having owned a few punto's, 2x Mk1 55s's, A Mk1 16v Sporting and a Mk2 Mia (current and hating it) I would say when it comes down to ownership/fun I would put the Mk1 16v sporting at the top of the list then the 55s's, I have also owned a very powerful Mk2 Unot and a Cinq Sporting that ended up a with a 75 conversion and 2x Sei's 1108's and I would put every single one of them ahead of having another Mk2. everything is better about the older Fiats.

When I had my UnoT I had a 55s as a daily and actually found it more fun that the Uno because it was like a go-kart lol.

My personal experience based advice would be Mk1 over a Mk2 any day.

ive had 4 mk1s.
they is not bad. apart from the slanty back wheel syndrome,

my mk2 is a good en but ive had to build my own to get a good en.


you gets whats you pay's for.

I agree^^^^

If you have the time and money I guess a Mk2 could be made good and better than a Mk1 but personally all Mk1's are great fun compared to the Mk2, I actually think the Mk1 looks nicer too lol.

mariocinq said:

I agree^^^^

If you have the time and money I guess a Mk2 could be made good and better than a Mk1 but personally all Mk1's are great fun compared to the Mk2, I actually think the Mk1 looks nicer too lol.

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id sooner have a sei/ or sink cento than mk1 ithinks.
more fun to be had in these little go karts.
ive only ever driven the shoemaker edition mind so not sure if all same.

oldhammer said:

id sooner have a sei/ or sink cento than mk1 ithinks.
more fun to be had in these little go karts.
ive only ever driven the shoemaker edition mind so not sure if all same.

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Yeah my old Cinq was 1 of the best cars I have ever owned but now I have two little annoying rugrats I need the decent back seats and boot so couldn't go back to Cinq ownership unless it was a second/weekend car, as a great alround car the Mk1 Sporting I had was the best out of all my Fiats and would have another 1 tomorrow, plus with silly basic mods 100bhp is **** simple out of the 1.2 16v. I had 97.1bhp out of mine and it was running silly rich due to bad airfilter location causing restricted air intake lol.

oldhammer said:

Nice car, but at 895 theyre havin a giraffe.

id shop round before buying this its most probs one theyve got in as P/X
at 295.

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It's been for sale for a while, at least a few month - was at the low low price of £995!!!

Probably getting desperate for a buyer... just have to wait and offer £500 as it's being put on the truck to the scrappy