apart from the usual general stuff to look out for, is there anything tipo specific that I should look out for when viewing a car?

Im more specificaly talking about the 1.4IE versions.

cheers!

you dont buy 1.4 tipos, people pay you to take them away

seems like it at the prices ive seen

The floors rot, the rest was galvanised. Why a Teapot?

i like em.

plus its better than anything else in the price range i can afford at the moment

They're good cars if you get a decent one. Acres of space, a bit of go and if you look after them reliable. I had a brief encounter with a 1.4 ie a few years back and I loved it.

Are they the same engine basically as the Uno 1.4's and the MK2 Tub's? (obviously minus the turbo)

i believe its the same eng9ine as the uno 1.4s (uno 70) although its pushing 6hp more. i believe the uno tub is a different engine altogether, or atleast the head is, it looks completly different.

yes,and the turbo engine goes in nicely.regards floor rot,ive not come across any tepots with rotten floors.engines are bomb proof as long as its looked after.in all honesty,i would go for a 1600.the tepots are not light,and the 1600 as much more torque and cruises better and proberly has slightly better fuel comsumption.horses for courses.there are lots and lots of 1.4 tepots around.if you buy,change the cam belt and tensioner straight away.and watch for head gasket problems due to coolant not having regular changes.

am gonna see what insurance say about 1.6 otherwise its defo 1.4

well ive had my 1.6 for about 2 mths..and tbh i was surprised at how quick they are...just electrically fooked.hhahha

I've got a one six, had it for over 2 years and I haven't got one complaint apart from it has no Air Con

It does boot (go fast) though, but with standard suspension and wheels it don't like to stop and don't like to go round corners.

change the suspension and wheels and you got yourself a hot hatch

My 2 cents worth..

Buy a diesel... get it running on Vegie Diesel. The engine and fuel pump system are ideally suited to the thicker oil.

Well I've had my 1995 1.4 ie for 8 or so years and 72,000 miles (now on 88). I think it's a great car, and it goes very well - very nippy round town, ok on motorways, excellent for towing heavy trailers. Had to replace various bits along the way, fuse boxes give problems if the winscreen leaks, front suspension arms need changing a bit too regularly, brake lines rust etc. I've had a new master cylinder and servo, brake caliper (sheared nipple), rear brake cylinders / shoes, clutch slave cylinder, lambda probes, injection idle actuator. Sometimes had problems with replacement exhausts - some makes are not v. good and take time to get right. Basically you'll find straightforward problems for a 10-12 year non-VW car that's probably not been fussed over for the later few years of it's life as it's value diminishes. Find a good one and you'll enjoy it - I'm doing up an ebay 1.4 bought for £50 and it's amazing.

The 1.6 may go better - more torque, slightly more power - but if you find a diesel will have huge miles and be tired. Brakes seem ok but mine will lock up the front really easily, and the standard 165 width tyres are too narrow. The Tipo has huge space, great interior, distinctive looks and a nice character.

Regarding rust - after 10 or so years the underseal under the sills decays and rust will start around there and also on / in the front subframe. Car needs putting on axle stands and a good scraping / sanding / hammeriting / waxoyling just like in the old days.

Having said all that, they're all getting a bit old now and will only have a few years left assuming they get TLC. So get one now!

Happy hunting.