I bought a Fiat X1/9....I think

jvandyke · Mar 19, 2010

Verbal deal on this today. $800. He hasn't produced title yet though.
Non running with rust spots, not as good as it looks, yet not as bad as could be. Hopefully I'm not a fool.
https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/cto/1646344548.html

DrEntropy · Mar 19, 2010

ahhh... I can smell it from here, J. :devilgrin:

Sarastro · Mar 19, 2010

For 800 bucks, you can't go wrong. In some perverse way, I find Fiats attractive. Maybe because they have such a reputation for unreliablity--if you can get one working and running reasonably well, you are effectively showing you know more than the conventional wisdom.

But then there was that rental Fiat that died on me halfway between Paris and Versailles. Got it more or less running, and sputtered into the Hertz agency in the shadow of the palace. Gave it back to 'em, got a Ford Fiesta, and never had a problem after that.

AngliaGT · Mar 20, 2010

I hope you made the right choice.
Ford Fiesta rental car - Sign me up!

- Doug

jvandyke · Mar 20, 2010

It's a done deal. In my driveway.....covered in snow. What a dupe. On the charger. Wow, this is a "modern" car, it has wires everywhere, and windows and locks and all sorts of weird things.

abarth69 · Mar 20, 2010

Congratulations

Nothing like a Fiat. Lots of info out there search for FAZA X19

Cheers

Mark

Deleted member 8987 · Mar 20, 2010

abarth69 said:
Congratulations

Nothing like a Fiat. Cheers

Mark

As a former FIATsco owner, you nailed it.
However, once a person is used to the vagaries of LBC's, Fiats are no real problem.

TRMark · Mar 20, 2010

I hate X1/9's :jester:

Do a little suspension work, get some sticky tires, and fine tune the engine, take it to the nearest small parking lot autocross and humiliate most everyone running old British iron and people with 5 times the hp and decades newer cars.

philman · Mar 21, 2010

my fiat the heater worked only in the summer. not so bad in san francisco.

jvandyke · Mar 21, 2010

Well I wrenched on it all day yesterday and have precious little to show for it, besides determining the starter was bad. I just couldn't resist. I love the look of these things. Fuel Injection, oh my I'm lost.

JPSmit · Mar 21, 2010

great find! I have a review of Midget/Spitfire/X19 somewhere - I think they chose the Fiat

TRMark · Mar 21, 2010

JPSmit said:
great find! I have a review of Midget/Spitfire/X19 somewhere - I think they chose the Fiat

Road & Track, June 1976, road test of 6 affordable sports cars.

"Anyone who would buy a Midget when the X1/9 was available for only $1000 more would have to be a complete masochist."

jvandyke · Mar 21, 2010

yeah, whatever. The Fiat is a bi#*@ to work on. (I knew that going in). I don't think I would pay $1,000 to go Fiat. I bought this thing for $800 in the hope I could resurrect it myself without spending a fortune. All outcomes hinge on if I can do it or not. So far the going is very slow. Like learning Italian.
At least it is in good shape.

abarth69 · Mar 21, 2010

You have to eat, drink, sleep and think pasta and red wine also talking to yourself helps. I just finished up my little Fiat with a custom body by Zagato.

Trust me it works

Cheers

Mark

TRDejaVu · Mar 21, 2010

Have fun with it. Is your middle name Tony?

JPSmit · Mar 21, 2010

abarth69 said:
talking to yourself helps.

Is that why?

DrEntropy · Mar 21, 2010

They really are a quick li'l package. Once ya get it sorted you'll think ya have a street-legal go-kart. :wink:

jvandyke · Mar 21, 2010

That's how I describe my Midget "street legal go-kart". It is a bitter sweet deal though because if the Fiat pans out alright I'll probably have to sell the Midget, I can't have three toys right now (a '72 Honda CB500 is in the mix too). As the Fiat I can commute in and drive for a longer season and actually use as a second car....maybe. I can't drive the Midget to my primary job, too far too crowded too crazy, streets are terrible and the neighborhood is nasty. It is strictly a pleasure cruiser. I wish I could moth ball it for a few years but I can't afford to leave 5K or so moth balled.....we'll see. One step at a time.

MadRiver · Mar 23, 2010

Wow, that's gutsy. Best of luck! If I hear cursing from a north-westerly direction, I'll know it's you.

jvandyke · Mar 23, 2010

The Fiat is expendable. Think of it that way. Dang it's a cool car though. I love the design, just freak'n love it.

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I bought a Fiat X1/9....I think

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