Biz said:
I know a strada will kill most hot hatches (Pug 205, Mk1 golf GTI, blah, blah, blah)
I dunno if any of you have noticed but Fiat have got their "paws" in most types of car over the years
You forgot some
Ford Capri/ Ford Granada Coupe/ Opel Manta/ Opel Monza/ Marina Coupe/ Renault Fuego
yuck
etc.
Fiat = Fiat 130 Coupe! Gorgeous looking car too with a sweet V6.
Very small Coupe. MG Midget/ Triumph Spitfire etc.
Fiat = 850 Coupe!
1970's Small two seater mid-engined coupe. Don't really think there were any rivals until the MR2...
Fiat = X1/9!
Small(ish) exotic car:
Fiat = Dino!
And really the rival for the mk1 Golf GTi was both of the following:
Fiat = 128 3P Coupe and 127 Sport/ 1300GT. Hell, even the boxy 4 door saloon 128 could be had with with a 1300 engine and twin choke Weber, with handling that would kill most rival saloons. Indeed, they were quite successfully rallied.
The Strada was really in the bigger class compared with the mk1 Golf GTi as it is larger. I suppose it was competing more in the Cavalier SRi and Sierra GLS market, though it would comprehensively trounce both of those in every area. I wouldn't put it up against the Sierre Cosworth though as that was more of a later design in the Lancia Delta/ Audi Quattro class 4 wheel drive turbo class.
What is a shame is that Fiat have produce some absolute gems in the past, both in terms of styling and performance, yet these days seem to be a lot more staid. Really the last outstanding car in terms of performance and looks has to be the 90's Coupe, and that was 10 years ago now. A shame they seem to stick more to the shopping trolley market these days
thepottleflump said:
I wish i'd been able to buy one for £60 cost a fair bit more than that! I think you're right about it being a more grown up Uno Turbo and in that respect it appeals to me. The Strada as a more mature feel to it but its still a rattly tin box. I've read conflicting views on the gearbox, one thing said it was more than man for the job, the other said they had a common habit of engaging both 1st and 2nd and munching the whole thing up. At the moment it seems fine and will be getting some fresh gearoil soon.
Worried by that last comment. I can see a huge hole burning through my wallet and I haven't even started yet! Fortunately I have a nice new Alfa to rely on and this is just a toy, albeit an expensive one at that and yes it's already infamous with the wife!
I'm not so sure that a Strada 130 TC can be considered a more mature Uno Turbo Pottleflump! Heck, get out and start driving it like it's meant to be and you'll find it is a rabid animal. :devil: Snorting twin Webers, rev happy twin cam engine and razor sharp handling. Everything I read about it says that the more you put into driving it the more you get out of it. However, it's not very forgiving and doesn't take lightly to ham fisted driving. This is a pure driving machine remember with absolutely NO electronic trickery (apart from the Digiplex ECU). The only thing seperating it from the road is you, and you have complete control and total feedback.
I'm kicking myself for not getting one when I came across one for sale 10 years ago. Asking price was £400, and it was in pretty good nick too. I had no idea how special they were, and there's no way you'd get one for that price now in roadworthy condition.
The biggest problem you'll find with it Pottleflump is getting a lot of the parts. Stradas weren't exactly big sellers and there are very, very few of any model left. Throw into the fact that they were discontinued in 1987 and Fiats
Eper only starts from 1988 means that the local dealer will be as much use as a chocolate teapot...
And Alex, the 105TC was a good car (shame to miss out on one so cheap), but boy was it UGLY! The restyle from 105 to 130 TC was a master stroke. The 130 just looks so much nicer from every angle, even though it was basically the same car. Plus the larger engine helped a lot
Maybe when I finish my University course I can start looking at getting an exotic Fiat for myself
