Cinquecento About to buy Cinquecento, but have some questions.

[tiopedro]

Hello guys,

New here, and new to fiats. Me and my girlfriend are going to look at a 1997 fiat cinquecento on tuesday, and have some questions.

The car has 34,000 kms and it looks like it is in good condition; however, all cars have specific things that always break on them. I know this from owning a VW GTI for a while.

What are the most common issues on this cars? also, timing belt or chain on this cars??

I would post a link for the car but I can't until I have 5 posts..


Thanks in advance!

Pedro.

 

[Eklipze3k]

Hi Pedro, welcome to the forum

Do you know if the car has an 899cc or an 1108cc engine?

 

[tiopedro]

Im trying to figure that out as we speak, the website doesnt show it.


EDIT: I think it is a 900S????

 

[tiopedro]

Hi Pedro, welcome to the forum

Do you know if the car has an 899cc or an 1108cc engine?

Just checked and it is indeed a 899cc 4 cylinder.

 

[Huwbishop]

Rust Rust Rust.

Around the rear of the car, open the boot and check the corners either side, behind the sill at the rear. Dont forget to check the fuel tank.

Engine wise they are good, listen for any knocks etc, check oil and water are clean.

899 engine is chain, with pushrods and hydraulic cam followers.

 

[tiopedro]

Good hints on the rust!

what about the gas tank? what am I supposed to be looking for?

 

[AppleSei]

Ignore the fuel/ gas tank comment theres no way you can check that when going to "view a car" and problems, if any with that area wont become apparent certainly not on a basic first time viewing so dont worry about that

With only 34k kms done id want a good service history showing all major belts and components have been changed or replaced at least once

Low mileage doesnt necessarily mean good

 

[turbo_pib]

Sounds very low mileage for age...
Clock swap maybe or clock stopped working for some time
Ask seller to send you reg number and mot certificate number and do an mot check on vosa website...is always a good start and you be able to view past mileage and what it failed on past mots
But why not spend a little bit more and buy a newer seicento sporting?
Plenty about with various mileages and less chance of rust and better engines??

 

[Danieljs]

try and get the seller to send you copies if not the latest APK!

so you cna confirm the millage

 

[tiopedro]

Thanks for all the responses guys!

I wont be able to look at the car as I am out of the country for a little while, but my girlfriend and her dad will. We looked online at the license plate number and everything matched.

They will be asking the seller for records of all maintenance, but the seller said that the reason why the car has so little kms is because its her second car (grocery car) so she only drove it around town and stuff.

 

[tiopedro]

Finally have 5 posts.

Here is the link

http://auto.marktplaats.nl/fiat/564...eFTJ6MPX+h3emCDk+X69f5pxmMw==&fta_ind=10&fs=1

 

[Danieljs]

apk mid januari 2013
and a confirmed millage

looks really clean in the pictures aswell.. as said have a look over it for rust, expecially on the rear

make sure you get to test drive it aswell, can hear for knocks and backs from the suspension, an indication to future problems..

another thing look for signes of headgasket faliure

 

[tiopedro]

Thanks for the positive responses guys. I have given my girlfriend a long checklist to look over when they go look at the car.

 

[Sam574]

How'd it go?

 

[tiopedro]

She is going in about an hour.

 

[tiopedro]

UPDATE:

Great news guys, my girl and her dad went over to look at it, and test drive it and they are very happy with how it looks and performs. No rust at all, engine ran smooth with no strange sounds or ticks.

They haven't had any issues with the gas tank, and the car didnt smell like gas either. suspension seemed good too, other than the non-power steering.

We should be getting the car in about 1 month as my girlfriend will come to the us, for a couple weeks also.

Here are some pics for clicks!

 

[Eklipze3k]

It looks like it just rolled out of the factory!