Ok, can somebody tell me about barchettas, I am considering getting one this summer, and would like to know what to look out for, what engin sizes etc... I may be importing it from germany/france (since their all LHD) does anybody know what the difference between european models and UK models are?
General might be getting one.
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General might be getting one.
dont pay too much see them going for around 3k on ebay quite a lot. i think they are cheeper in uk because of the LHD no one wants them here,
All barchetta's are 1.8 16v, and you should look for a really looked after one obviously with FSH, preferably a Limited Edition, and as many extra's as possible, later one's were better equipted.
Variators can be noisy especially from cold startup, make sure the roof works properly and easily as well as the condition of the roof and the rear plastic screen, make sure the window's seal against the roof as well.
The barchetta shares some parts with the mark 1 punto, like rear subframe, and brake pipes are very similar- look for signs of corrosion if you can, if they are ok i would recommend that they be coated with some protection paint.
Also make sure that All keys are present, including Red where applicable.
I don't think that there were any major differences between uk and euro versions cos' they are all left hand drive, only reverse and rear foglight were on opposite sides, so if you go for importing one, you will have to get uk spec reverse and foglights fitted plus wiring them up, same for headlights- i don't know if you will have to replace these of if there is the facility on them to change beam pattern direction.
Hope that helps.
Variators can be noisy especially from cold startup, make sure the roof works properly and easily as well as the condition of the roof and the rear plastic screen, make sure the window's seal against the roof as well.
The barchetta shares some parts with the mark 1 punto, like rear subframe, and brake pipes are very similar- look for signs of corrosion if you can, if they are ok i would recommend that they be coated with some protection paint.
Also make sure that All keys are present, including Red where applicable.
I don't think that there were any major differences between uk and euro versions cos' they are all left hand drive, only reverse and rear foglight were on opposite sides, so if you go for importing one, you will have to get uk spec reverse and foglights fitted plus wiring them up, same for headlights- i don't know if you will have to replace these of if there is the facility on them to change beam pattern direction.
Hope that helps.
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The 1.8 is shared with the punto mk2 on HGT's.
Also, if interested you can still buy new barchetta's on the road from £12000, so why not have a look.
www.broadspeed.com lots of 1/2 decent deals here.
Also, if interested you can still buy new barchetta's on the road from £12000, so why not have a look.
www.broadspeed.com lots of 1/2 decent deals here.
yes, you put the roof down 1st, and then put the hardtop on.
Sounds much simpler than it is to fit- 2 or 3 man job.
Sounds much simpler than it is to fit- 2 or 3 man job.
I bought a Fiat B last year and love it. The left hand drive is nothing to worry about, insurance is high but hay, the Barchetta is a rare car with nice looks. Like the others say, get FSH and make sure the body is in good nick.
You can pick up a good one for 3K, look on Autotrader or Barchetta Club Uk.
Hardtops go for £1100 from DTR Sports.
Good luck.
You can pick up a good one for 3K, look on Autotrader or Barchetta Club Uk.
Hardtops go for £1100 from DTR Sports.
Good luck.
lhd doesn't scare me, driven plenty recently, the insurance might be enough to put me off though, which is a real shame, I'll have to see what mr. bank manager says, but hey, the summer is a long way off, and a lot could happen
I have had one for a couple of years now and still love it. Insurance is cheaper than you think, mine is £375 via Tesco, fully comp as a third car with them.
The hardtops are OK, but you need to have somewhere to store it when you are not using it and they dont fit that well, also it means on cracking winter days you can put a warm hat on and go roofless easily. Drive one in a blizzard and you will know how much fun there is to be had in winter withut a roof!
Mechanically they are fine, a few bits rust here and there on the older ones though in the engine bay. Just keep on top of it and tidy it up.
The roof, if you get the standard PVC one looks a bit naff, but I put a new mohair one on mine last year for £280 and it really does look 100% better.
The engine is orignally out of the Coupe then into the b and then into the Punto HGT so its a fairly good old thing. Needs to be revved to get it to go though and the only downside of that is that it can be a bit dull to drive sedately, its either nuts off or nothing.
Grip is superb though, if you get some good tyres on it, bit handling can be a bit wayward over bumps for the unwary.
Running costs are fine if you can do most of it yourself but you will have to wait for parts to arrive at the dealers if its a b special part. General stuff like brakes etc are Punto MK1.
I personally don't like DTR as they were unhelpful when I tried to use them, but most people say they are OK but a bit pricey. If you want special bits for it then try ebay Germany (www.ebay.de) as there are loads of things on there for them (which is where I got my hood).
Lastly, its a bit tricky at junctions to turn left with the hood up unless you position yourself straight, but you soon learn!
The hardtops are OK, but you need to have somewhere to store it when you are not using it and they dont fit that well, also it means on cracking winter days you can put a warm hat on and go roofless easily. Drive one in a blizzard and you will know how much fun there is to be had in winter withut a roof!
Mechanically they are fine, a few bits rust here and there on the older ones though in the engine bay. Just keep on top of it and tidy it up.
The roof, if you get the standard PVC one looks a bit naff, but I put a new mohair one on mine last year for £280 and it really does look 100% better.
The engine is orignally out of the Coupe then into the b and then into the Punto HGT so its a fairly good old thing. Needs to be revved to get it to go though and the only downside of that is that it can be a bit dull to drive sedately, its either nuts off or nothing.
Grip is superb though, if you get some good tyres on it, bit handling can be a bit wayward over bumps for the unwary.
Running costs are fine if you can do most of it yourself but you will have to wait for parts to arrive at the dealers if its a b special part. General stuff like brakes etc are Punto MK1.
I personally don't like DTR as they were unhelpful when I tried to use them, but most people say they are OK but a bit pricey. If you want special bits for it then try ebay Germany (www.ebay.de) as there are loads of things on there for them (which is where I got my hood).
Lastly, its a bit tricky at junctions to turn left with the hood up unless you position yourself straight, but you soon learn!
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cheers, I definatly want one, the insurance is really going to kill me, it being a LHD, and having had an accident this year, but I'm prepared to haggle.
I am also tempted by the coupé, but they're a little more common (sammi owns one, need i say more! jk). I'm going to have to start test driving some soonish before I get distracted with more important things!
Is the engine 16v or 8v? Im assuming its an 8v engine if its out of a punto, but being an HGT there is always the possibility... are there any websites I should be looking at for this info?
I don't mind doing work on it my self, but it looks a bit tight under the bonnet which is always fun, especially when actually wanting to keep my digits!
I am also tempted by the coupé, but they're a little more common (sammi owns one, need i say more! jk). I'm going to have to start test driving some soonish before I get distracted with more important things!
Is the engine 16v or 8v? Im assuming its an 8v engine if its out of a punto, but being an HGT there is always the possibility... are there any websites I should be looking at for this info?
I don't mind doing work on it my self, but it looks a bit tight under the bonnet which is always fun, especially when actually wanting to keep my digits!
Engine is 16V 1749 cc Group 16 insurance.
I am 29 with full noclaims and it costs me 489 via Direct Line, no other cars on this policy.
I agree with the DTR comment above. Call them never mail them!.
They are rare cars and look good even next to a 50k car, I took mine to a Ferrari show and it did not look cheap and naff compaired.
Fiat dealers are not the most welcoming when it comes to the B as they don;t know much about them, look on the barchetta uk members club, they advertise cars on there.
GO ON GET A B. So much fun to drive, better than the MX5 / Z3.
I am 29 with full noclaims and it costs me 489 via Direct Line, no other cars on this policy.
I agree with the DTR comment above. Call them never mail them!.
They are rare cars and look good even next to a 50k car, I took mine to a Ferrari show and it did not look cheap and naff compaired.
Fiat dealers are not the most welcoming when it comes to the B as they don;t know much about them, look on the barchetta uk members club, they advertise cars on there.
GO ON GET A B. So much fun to drive, better than the MX5 / Z3.
There is a silver W reg for for about £4xxx for sale about a mile from me in a garage, its been there for a coupe of months now (wrong time of year to sell - right time of year to buy!). I am itching for an excuse for a test drive......
Its near J12 of the M40
Its near J12 of the M40
4K is not a bad price, they are 11k brand new.
Extras are:- + Costs
Alloys £350 - Leather seats & leather stering wheel £1200 - fog lights £150- wind stop £100- air con Unknown (whos needs this in an open top).
So a specked up one will be worth 4k with average miles, they can be hard to sell as they are rare and left hand drive. But where else can you get such value and pleasure for such a price. My 02 reg was bought 2yrs ago for 11k completly specked up. currently worth 8k at a push. But you don;t buy a car knowing it's gonna loose you money, my friend lost 30K when he drove his Ferrari out of the show room in VAT and depreation.
Extras are:- + Costs
Alloys £350 - Leather seats & leather stering wheel £1200 - fog lights £150- wind stop £100- air con Unknown (whos needs this in an open top).
So a specked up one will be worth 4k with average miles, they can be hard to sell as they are rare and left hand drive. But where else can you get such value and pleasure for such a price. My 02 reg was bought 2yrs ago for 11k completly specked up. currently worth 8k at a push. But you don;t buy a car knowing it's gonna loose you money, my friend lost 30K when he drove his Ferrari out of the show room in VAT and depreation.
You can get a cheap M reg for 2k +. Save on the inital out lay and afford insurance!
already have a little money put by. I've been wanting to change my car for something sporty for years, I'm fed up of having a family car, with no family! I'm going to try and go for P/R reg if I can.
Hopefully the save the barchetta appeal (below) may prompt some donations
(I wish)
Hopefully the save the barchetta appeal (below) may prompt some donations
(I wish)
It's not that bad. Insurance for me on a 2000 one, with 4 years n/c, and one bike theft told about comes up at £873 with direct line...
.. thats fully comp, third party f+f is only £630
