General Just Typical!

[SteveNZ]

I sold my Uno turbo to buy a newer car (Fiat), something nice to drive everyday. Nothing interesting has come along yet, that is nothing untill today. Would you believe the most interesting car I have found for sale since I sold my Uno turbo is another Uno turbo! haha.

I told myself I would never buy another if I sold my last one, I had decided to move on. Im really not interested in another Uno turbo. Its not really suitable. With that in mind I decided to have a look anyway. Well, I cant believe what I found, this is something almost unbelieveable. A 1989 Mk1 in red, totally original, immaculate condition. Its only done 89km (55 miles) with 2 owners. I checked all over it, no problems at all, nothing. The drivers seat even looks new and the sunroof is not rusty! The owner claims its never had any rust removed or been in any accidents. I took it for a drive. Not the fastest car in the world but it still put a big grin o my face.

In Uno money, the seller of course wants a mint for it. It's probably worth it though. I would have sold my grandmother for this car a few years back, now when I can easily afford it, I just cant find a reason to buy it. Typical Maybe I'll think about it for another day or so.

 

[Dunc Uno Turbo]

steve, u know u want it

Dunc

 

[antsuno2]

Come on back to the fold pal!!! how longs it been for sale? go right over it there must be haggle there somewhere, and anyway there that rare in nz you'l always get your money back, anti defector he he!!! Ant! show us a pic what colour!

 

[Efini]

ahhh buy it buy it buy it buy it!!

how much is it?

 

[SteveNZ]

Its red. All the late Mk1's seem to be red. Its not actually advertised, I found out through a mate. He said he was in no hurry to sell and happy to keep it. Asking $3K

Ant, I sold my GT BTW

 

[fiatdownunder]

Oh Steve, you know ever since selling the MK2 to me you have secretly yearned for that "thrill" factor again. I think the Tipo is spoiling you with too much power and to much comfort...
Would quite look forward to putting the Mk1 against the MK2 round taupo.....

hey, that Turbo housing you mentioned last night, is it an easy job to change or not?! i'm liking the idea of boost from 25-3k instead of where it is at the mo! :devil:

 

[SteveNZ]

Haha, I wouldn't have a chance. It was actually a bit quicker than I expected though. Easily as fast or faster than a stock GT, or the ones I have driven latley anyway.

Whats the problem with the turbo? Full power on the rev limiter is all good

Turbo mod is easy in principal. Would take a few hours to fit, but at least its an ok job and not a total **^#$ fcuk** like the Punto was. The best solution would actually be a slightly larger turbine housing as the Uno one is very small. The chance of finding one is almost zero though. Need to get turbine housing machined first. The IC should give slightly less lag, maybe 100-200 rpm.

 

[fiatdownunder]

Haha, I wouldn't have a chance. It was actually a bit quicker than I expected though. Easily as fast or faster than a stock GT, or the ones I have driven latley anyway.

Whats the problem with the turbo? Full power on the rev limiter is all good

Turbo mod is easy in principal. Would take a few hours to fit, but at least its an ok job and not a total **^#$ fcuk** like the Punto was. The best solution would actually be a slightly larger turbine housing as the Uno one is very small. The chance of finding one is almost zero though. Need to get turbine housing machined first. The IC should give slightly less lag, maybe 100-200 rpm.

As much as i like to drive full throttle it gives me ear ache in my left ear like i said. plus not to keen on wearing a neck brace to drive!

I think that Uno yesterday is worth almost what he's asking, was thinking about it last night, and going by what i paid and the condition etc compared to that one, i think they both balance out to be very similar cars!

Well i'll get this IC on and see what the difference is, then i'll look into this turbo mod.... i guess the guy you know would do the machining of it yeah?

Nice to hear the Uno still put a big grin on your face though, you want it dont ya.... :yum:

 

[SteveNZ]

How rare is an original Uno turbo these days anyway? Is there anyone out there that has a original immaculate Uno turbo?

This is the only mk1 I know of. There were a few others 5 years ago or so. I know of 1 original mk2, done 40km.

 

[electricmice]

Hello SteveNZ, nice find, buy it even to leave dry stored.

I bought an identical car to yours about a year and a half ago. A red '89 MkI in totally original condition with about 70000 miles. All the late bits like red seatbelts, new cloth, restyled side graphics, colour coded grille and mirrors, blacked out c-pillars and graphite grey centred alloys. I had been looking all over Europe for the cleanest possible and almost bought one in Italy for €2000 (£1200). The prices had already started to rise sharply there. Eventually I found this one in the UK and paid £1000.

Since then Rob sold his for about £1500, I saw a mint graphite grey '85 in Italy go for €4500 and just recently a mint white '87 went for £3200 on ebay UK.

Conclusion is that the prices are rising as the Uno Turbo is just starting to enter classic car status. My advice is that at $3000 (is it still $2 to the £1?) you'll have the car under value and even better if there's some negotiation. Clean it up, replace some parts and then garage it. In a few years it will be worth a lot of money.

M.

 

[fiatdownunder]

Hello SteveNZ, nice find, buy it even to leave dry stored.

I bought an identical car to yours about a year and a half ago. A red '89 MkI in totally original condition with about 70000 miles. All the late bits like red seatbelts, new cloth, restyled side graphics, colour coded grille and mirrors, blacked out c-pillars and graphite grey centred alloys. I had been looking all over Europe for the cleanest possible and almost bought one in Italy for €2000 (£1200). The prices had already started to rise sharply there. Eventually I found this one in the UK and paid £1000.

Since then Rob sold his for about £1500, I saw a mint graphite grey '85 in Italy go for €4500 and just recently a mint white '87 went for £3200 on ebay UK.

Conclusion is that the prices are rising as the Uno Turbo is just starting to enter classic car status. My advice is that at $3000 (is it still $2 to the £1?) you'll have the car under value and even better if there's some negotiation. Clean it up, replace some parts and then garage it. In a few years it will be worth a lot of money.

M.

Fiat's are made to be driven, to me it's a waste of $3000 to put it in storage.
may aswell go and put the 3k on a roulette wheel and see if you win! haha
The uno is fun and has that Grin factor, something Fiat intended, if you want another fun car this would def be it, want something more grown up then.... Coupe or alfa's are the way to go really

 

[electricmice]

I've had 3 Uno Turbos and have only ever owned Fiats. I've always driven them cos that's what they're for. The only thing is I love the MkI Uno Turbo to the point that I feel happy when I see good original examples going to good homes. Too many were obliterated including one by me. They definitely need to be driven but some have to remain standard too.

But when we're talking about really fun cars what about 993/997's? Or is that another forum?

 

[fiatdownunder]

german = no passion

I think this car would stay standard anyway from what i've heard.
It is such a clean example that it would be worth keeping that way. Best i've ever seen that's for sure!

 

[electricmice]

At the very least they're the most passionate Germans. They had a lot in common with Fiat with rear engine technology but Fiat being a peoples car had to compromise on cost. Imagine what the natural evolution of the original 500 would look like today. Not the Panda based cliche that's coming out next year that's for sure.

Looking forward to seeing pictures of this Uno, they're fantastic looking in clean standard form. Reduced ride height a given...........M.

 

[SteveNZ]

$2NZ = 1 euro

$3K is expensive for a mk1 Uno anyway you look at it. They still dont have "classic" status yet. There are only a very small number of Fiat enthusiasts around, not enough to make the prices appriciate. Not yet anyway.

This one is the original trim, non face lift mk1. NZ only got this spec even in '88-'89 cars. It does have a colour coded grill though

 

[alexGS]

Sudden activity here

Steve, thanks for letting me know straight away about this one! (by phone call as you were driving away from it!) I now feel that I'll be fighting you for it Unlike you, of course, I'm 'unemployed', ('retired', 'own business', call it what you like, 'no income') so it would be more of a problem, particularly after spending $1800 on my new PC.

Now of course, you only need to remind yourself of the shakes and rattles inherent in a Mk1 Uno, and also the lack of air-conditioning in this sunroof-equipped monster. I bet there's next to no stereo either. And probably no central locking unless somebody was really keen. It won't be very nice as a 'daily driver'. Really!

I wonder if it drives like mine...

Anyway, FIAT 128 Coupes are worth more now than a few years back. I had no trouble selling mine for $3500 and it wasn't especially original.

-Alex

 

[SteveNZ]

Actually the older 70's Fiats have gone up a bit over the years. 124 Coupes are quite common really but you dont see anything under $5K thats very good. I think most are actually in better condition though, they have all been restored.

I bought a new PC too. But I only spent $400 and got to spend a week putting it together and getting it running.

 

[alexGS]

I think that the Uno Turbo WILL go up in value, it's just a matter of time. After all they were probably more rare than the 128 Coupe ever was. And definitely more 'special' given the small number of turbocharged cars that predated it. And 'unrestored' condition is hard to find now, so even harder in another five years. I feel that even mine has at least held its value, if not increased?

I spent a week putting my PC together too, y'know. Did you think I'd have left all the interesting bits to someone else?! I managed to get five useful years out of my $2500 PC (sold for $390 - only $422 spent per year!) so I'm hopeful for my $1800 PC being good for at least three. If you reckon you'll get a year out of $400, then I guess that is better value, you win

-Alex

 

[electricmice]

So if $2NZ = 1 Euro then $3NZ = £1 which means the car is equivalent to £1000. If it's as clean and original as you say then this car is a good deal. Across Europe now you pay over £1000-1500 for anything half decent as there are hardly any left, especially in that condition. And you pay a hell of a lot more for anything really good. If haggling gets the price a bit lower still then you're laughing. I can't imagine there are many Unos left in NZ meaning it's probably difficult to gauge changes in market value, but all you have to do is look at Italy where the Uno Turbo has already had classic status for a couple of years. There prices are starting to go through the roof.

M.