Hi guys, long time lurker less of a poster...

After owning 5 Saxo VTR's, two 306 GTi's and currently a Seat Leon Cupra, I'm going to be 'downgrading' (engine wise) to a Seicento.

Basically I'm after a Abarth version, I've always liked the look of them and they seem to be dirt cheap! Basically my 250 mile a week commute is forcing me into a smaller engines car.

A few questions though;

What are they like to live with on a daily basis? Any common faults like rust etc? What should I be looking for when viewing and specifically, what should I walk away from? How much does it cost to fill these to the top of the tank? Easy car to work on?

I know they're not fast but I'm hoping for it to be a little nippy as it will be used on a motorway!

Would like to see some of your Seicentos to get a rough idea of what I could achieve as I like the quirky look of them!

Sorry for the 21 questions but just need some expert advice! Cheers.

Freedman said:

Hi guys, long time lurker less of a poster...

After owning 5 Saxo VTR's, two 306 GTi's and currently a Seat Leon Cupra, I'm going to be 'downgrading' (engine wise) to a Seicento.

Basically I'm after a Abarth version, I've always liked the look of them and they seem to be dirt cheap! Basically my 250 mile a week commute is forcing me into a smaller engines car.

A few questions though;

What are they like to live with on a daily basis? Any common faults like rust etc? What should I be looking for when viewing and specifically, what should I walk away from? How much does it cost to fill these to the top of the tank? Easy car to work on?

I know they're not fast but I'm hoping for it to be a little nippy as it will be used on a motorway!

Would like to see some of your Seicentos to get a rough idea of what I could achieve as I like the quirky look of them!

Sorry for the 21 questions but just need some expert advice! Cheers.

Click to expand...

Just like buyng any car look for something thats?been looked after after test drive observe for leaks check wipers etc little things can costs you just asmuch as big problames and they are genraly easy to work on sometimes things are tight due to the size of the car but petrol is realy good i went from z20let paying 1pound per mile to 50mpg lol quite a diffrence full tank is 33l i think but tenner gives you just over quater tank!

Hi & welcome!
I hope you enjoy your time on the forum.

TimatPrestige said:

Hi & welcome!
I hope you enjoy your time on the forum.

Click to expand...

Thanks Tim! May be coming to you for a quote on a multi car policy as if it's cheap enough I'll keep my cupra as a weekend car!

Welcome, they are great fun little cars, the 1108cc motor is plenty pokey to sit at 70mph with out trying too hard, but you must remember, it wont be as comfy as your Leon, remember, its not much more than a roller skate with a bean tin glued to it.


but having said that, I have personally owed loads of different cars and my top 5 are


1, Jag XJ6
2, Fiat Stilo JTD Multiwagon.
3, Fiat Cinquecento 1242 8v P75.
4, BMW 320i E36
5, Ford Mondeo Si 24v.


as you can see, I personally rate it very high indeed.


Things to look out for,
Boot floor where it meets the rear inner arches, seen a few gone there.
Gear boxes too, make sure they change smoothly.
On the Sei's check the steering doesn't have lots of play, I am sure I read somewhere about an issue with the coloums but never personally come across it.


Good service history and low miles always help too.


PS, while Prestige are good, I found Chris Knott easily beat them on cover and price. I was with Prestige for 1 year and I am about to enter my 2nd year with Knott

Welcome to Fiat Forums !

Like the others said, see if you can find one with a low mileage, been serviced regularly, test drive it, all that.
As for fuel economy, I have one (a 1.1 seicento s) and I took it for a 1.5 hour drive spanning around 25-30 miles and it used hardly any fuel

Thanks for all the replies, I've been a member on the Saxo forums for years and I don't think I've ever had this much in the way of nice and helpful replies!

Always wanted a little Abarth Sei and they seem so cheap it would be silly to not get one.

I've heard the older ones come without PAS? Are they heavy? Also, I'm assuming that even if I got a sporting, the whole Abarth kit wheels and spoiler etc are easy to source and fit?

i have a non-pas sei and it steers smoother than my peugeot 406... just keep in mind to have the right wheel pressure. the tyres on these things are just tiny... hardly any "drag"... good luck with your search

Hey Freedman, Panda owner here but I agree about Saxperience.
Much nicer here, obviously less in the way of modification but... overall a tidier forum (generally)

Hey mate had a few sais over the year and just got a broom yellow one they go well enough for what they are and are mega fun mine new one was standard but I've already fitted an
Induction kit
Ready to race chip
Janspeed system
Lowering springs
Wind deflectors
And a Punto 75 cam
Needles to say my mates vtr was left for deaf up to about 60 lol there epic little cars with great owners and a very good community you always get a wave of a fellow driver which puts a smile on your face. There very easy to work on and are mega cheap to maintain. Mine had the rot where the boot meets the arches which ile sort soon if you can try to fine a well maintained one as some part of not looked after regular can become a pain the handbreak for example. Just look for the general stuff when buying and keep a spare clutch cable in the boot as there a weak point other wise as said there epic and I'm yet to meet a person who hasn't fallen in love with one yet.