General 2 years in

[Paddynabs]

I've had the uglybug for 2 years now so I thought I'd muse a little on what it's been like so far. I bought it because I needed the space on a very tight budget. The only options were Multi', a French MPV or an old Korean brand. I thought that the Fiat would be the best option. If you're going to buy something "unreliable" you may as well go for style first...
Good Points:
SPACE! I like the looks. The first time another bug flashed me. The kids like it. No body roll in corners. Quite a nice ride especially on the m#way. Not let me down yet...More economical that I hoped it would be at about 48MPG. FIAT FORUM!!!

Bad Points: Niggly things like the boot release - doesn't. The rear washwipe is leaking. The wipers have just started with a mind of theri own. Had to have 2 new shocks, ARB bushes and droplinks. Driver seat height doesn't work and the sunroof started leaking this week.

All in all positive definitely outweigh the negatives. Getting the cambelt done this week and hopefully another two years of happy bugging!

 

[widemouthfrog]

All sounds good. As you say, mainly niggles. How many miles have you done?

Also, you may need to do something about the seat height adjustment. That's an MOT failure now .

 

[Paddynabs]

Just clicked over to 80K. I do 20K a year so I tend to kill cars quickly. Parents and in-laws live at opposite ends of the country! Is that seat thing really an MOT item? I need to get the wipers fixed before then anyway, so it looks like I'll be busy with italian electrics....

 

[widemouthfrog]

Only 80k?! That's barely run in. Just double checked the MOT blurb. It looks as though electric seat adjustment is only checked for fore/aft movement, in which case you'd be ok. Might be worth checking with the garage first. See for yourself here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/changes-to-annual-vehicle-testing

and perhaps here:

http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/changes-to-the-mot-test

 

[disgusted]

Uppy-downy seat is not an MOT prob. Get under & adjust to family median height & all should be reasonable.

My 2001 JTDELX (owned from new) 186k miles has/has had all of these issues.

Generally a simple car that can be fixed with a hammer...

 

[hastingsmum]

Generally a simple car that can be fixed with a hammer...

 

[Paddynabs]

Drivers seat has fixed itself

Got the camblet done yesterday for £290. Not bad price especially when he had to helicoil a bolt which had been badly helicolied last time....by a Fiat main dealer...:bang: