So I found one of the last remaining of these rare beasts a 2005 Eleganza 1.6 16V!!! Just try and find one! I bought this car - I should say for £150 so I got what was coming to me.


After much TLC (upside down headgasket replaced) it's running and driving nicely which is a change as in the past its recieved some abuse from a past owner (K-SEAL anyone ).


One thing the previous keeper kindly did was to have the clamp which holds the Catalytic converter rigid removed and thrown away!? So after I repaired the exhaust (because someone used the wrong size exhaust clamps!) it snapped at the top where it bolts onto the manifold.


Compared to some French cars however it was quite easy to change so thats one reason I prefer FIAT... when they brake at least they're cheap and easy to fix.


So replaced the CAT with a very reasonably priced new one £42! - at this point I did not realise a clamp should have been present, although the missing heat shield should have been a clue!

After approx 250 miles it has cracked AGAIN - so I have now sourced a bracket from Germany €€€! and will FIX IT AGAIN TOMORROW... sorry couldn't resist.

Hopefully it will be more of a long term repair this time! I'm tempted get a custom sporty stainless system fitted so I never have to mess with the exhaust and can turn this experience to something more positive!

I can't understand why some people can be so mindless, if a part is on a motor, it's there for a reason - the makers won't be wasting money on bits that are superfluous.
Hope it all works out for you, can't give my thoughts re: ss exhausts, coz I've never had one.
George

Finally resolved the issue. Major problem was once I got the clamp (three weeks from Italy via fiat) the new cat was a slightly smaller diameter so some engineering was required!