Novice looking to get into ownership

[TheHasslingingSlasher]

Hey Everyone, I'm entirely new to Fiats.

As an American, I've only known them for the modern 500 and 124. and for most of my life I had written them off as a stupid car, but recently, I visited my family in Ischia. And I saw the sheer amount of MKI and MKII Pandas and Seicentos on the road still, granted all beat to crap, but still running, and running surprisingly well for their age. And honestly I still think it's a cheap crap car, but I love that. I love the simplicity of it, how you get almost nothing, how thin the doors are, and how there's like no crap plastic trim covering up the metal on the interior, I love it all. And once I saw how cheap they are on the island and in Napoli, I decided that I wanted to import one back to the US. Lot cheaper than buying one that was previously imported by someone else, and a lot cheaper than a MKI or MKII Golf, since those things got so beaten by kids that there aren't any clean examples left in the US, and the ones that are there demand a premium.

But I have a few problems, one, it's a car that was never sold state-side, which means I imagine I would be importing all of my parts. Not such a big deal. But for american cars or german cars, I know exactly what websites I'd buy my parts from, but where would I buy parts for an old Panda? I'm working on the import process and my aunt is working on helping me find a decent panda ( a quest that she's on herself already, but for a much newer model).

Is there anything that these cars are known for that I should be aware of? any common faults or common catastrophic failures? Am I going to bring this car back and never see it drive down the road, or will it be a nicer ownership experience? I'm just trying to get an idea of what I'm in for.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi and welcome

Basically :
the 999cc ..or later 1100cc F.I.R.E. motors are TOUGH

but.. need the cooling system in good order

Corrosion is an issue in a cold- damp climate
Southern states are fine ..UK not so much

Gearboxes are less robust.. but ok

Are you ok driving a Manual : Stick?

The AUTO options are far less reliable.. dont go there..


Others with a wealth of expertise will add to this

 

[TheHasslingingSlasher]

I'm fine with a manual, in fact that's part of the reason I want it. Was driving an old Panda MKII that was given as a cheap 45 euro/day rental, and I absolutely love it. I think it's an absolute blast to drive. And in my home state, it might make for the perfect commuter car, especially since my drive to work isn't very far and is along these twisty roads like you see in italy.

I understand a lot of these older engines were carburetor fueled, and that's kinda sad for my home environment, is there any efi manifold that could fit those older heads, maybe run off a megasquirt?

I've been doing a little bit of research, but I really need to get my hands on a service manual and see what the story is. but even something like an owners experience can help tremendously. Part of the reason I joined here.

 

[varesecrazy]

We in the UK stopped getting these cars @1996.. crash protection limitations..

From @1992 we had primitive EFI

Italy..Eurooe had them right until the NEW 169 model started Polish production in 2003

Still 20 years old..!!

 

[TheHasslingingSlasher]

in the states, we never got this car, there was just a brief period of time when we didn't get any normal italian cars, only exotics.

but in order to import a car into the US, it has to be 25 years or older. for whatever reason that's the rule. otherwise i have to send it through ridiculous american tests and spend millions to import, or apply as a museum. easiest to wait 25 years.