Dropping VW and switching to Fiat

[wfiat]

Hello!

I am looking to buy a Fiat and have heard that certain models and certain build years were galvanised / zinc coated to inhibit rust.

Does anyone in the forum know the specific years and models that Fiats were galvanised?

Also, is there a particular model (and year) that is galvanised and is particularly reliable and mechanically trouble free?

As rust is a major issue where I live, I am thinking of migrating to Fiats after several years of rusty VWs.

 

[Bushboy]

All fiats from the mid 90s onwards had galvanised bodies.

The 70s/80s reputation of Fiats rusting through within a few years is not applicable with anything of the last 15 years atleast.

Some do still see spots of rust in. No brand of car is immune to rust. Just one of those things unfortunately. In my opinion, alot of rust on cars is down to owner neglect. Stone chips left untouched, quick and cheap dent & accident repair not done properly, cars left uncleaned for months or just not cleaned at all letting dirt build up in the arches and in hard to reach places etc.

 

[s130]

Basically any Fiat with an 8 year corrosion warranty will most probably have some if not all galvanised external panels. I say some because often Fiat and other makes save money by only galvanising on both sides most or all external panels and then drop down to singled side or plain steel depending on panel / metal usage.

As mentioned even galvanised panels can rust if paint is chipped down to bare metal and the bare metal area is larger than the natural ability of galvanised steel to flow/repair itself.