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Fiat Seicento

Small cars with big attitudes - a Fiat trademark since the first 500 appeared way back in 1955. Nearly 50 years later, and tiny motors are still the Italian firm's speciality, with diminutive dimensions and miniature engines doing little to spoil driver enjoyment.
The Seicento appeared in 1998 as a replacement for the Cinquecento and was built on the same platform, but with newer, more rounded styling.

November 2002

Small cars with big attitudes - a Fiat trademark since the first 500 appeared way back in 1955. Nearly 50 years later, and tiny motors are still the Italian firm's speciality, with diminutive dimensions and miniature engines doing little to spoil driver enjoyment.
The Seicento appeared in 1998 as a replacement for the Cinquecento and was built on the same platform, but with newer, more rounded styling.
Offered in only one three-door bodystyle, the Seicento is a popular city car and its size makes it great for squeezing down narrow streets and parking in tight spaces. However, the engine is noisy at speed and motorway journeys can be tiresome.
But if size isn't everything, the Fiat remains a popular car for motorists on a budget, especially younger drivers who like its low insurance rating and enthusiastic driving characteristics.
Checklist
* Seicentos gobble clutch cables - don't expect more than 20,000 miles before a replacement is needed. Repair is a five minute job.
* Flimsy body panels are prone to dents and parking dinks, especially on S models without side rubbing strips.
* Interiors aren't well built. Owners have complained of rear view mirrors falling off, switches breaking and seat trim wearing out prematurely.
* Engines are tough, but the 899cc units suffer from worn rocker shafts and noisy tappets. Look for blown head gaskets on larger-engined cars.
Glass's View
Although the Seicento holds its value well, it is not a hugely desirable car. The Sporting version is popular with younger drivers and always in reasonable demand, according to trade bible Glass's Consumer Values, but avoid thrashed examples. The more basic models are preferred by older motorists or families looking for a second car. There are plenty of low-mileage bargains around now.
My Seicento...
Jennie Bunker reckons her 1998 Seicento Sporting takes some beating as a city runabout. The 27-year-old nurse from Loughborough, Leicestershire, uses her Fiat for short trips only and says it is ideally suited to her needs. "The car is small, nippy and easy to park," she said.
"It's perfect for one or two people, but I don't really think it would be suitable family transport. That said, I've never really needed to squeeze much inside the car. It's thoroughly enjoyable to drive though, with lively performance." Jennie has owned the Fiat for just over six months after buying it privately through an ad in the local paper. "I liked the fact that the car had been well looked after and came with a full service history," she explained. Apart from a worn clutch cable, Jennie has had no problems with the Seicento and is pleased with her choice. However, she says she won't buy another one. "I think I will probably get a car that's slightly bigger next time," she said.

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We would have a Seicento Sporting every time. Even though it's the flagship of the range, it qualifies for group 3 insurance, while the additional anti-roll bar and stiffer suspension mean it's much more entertaining to drive than more basic models. Avoid entry-level S versions as these are poorly equipped and difficult to sell on. Early cars with 899cc engines are unrefined and not as reliable as later examples.

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VERDICT

    We would have a Seicento Sporting every time. Even though it's the flagship of the range, it qualifies for group 3 insurance, while the additional anti-roll bar and stiffer suspension mean it's much more entertaining to drive than more basic models. Avoid entry-level S versions as these are poorly equipped and difficult to sell on. Early cars with 899cc engines are unrefined and not as reliable as later examples.
 

OTHER EXPENSES

Depreciation:3
Running costs (ppm):26-29p
Insurance groups:1-4

HISTORY

    1998: Seicento introduced in three trim levels. Entry-level S comes with 899cc four-cylinder engine developing 39bhp. Basic spec includes a radio-cassette player, rear wash-wipe and not much else. SX gets body-coloured bumpers and mirrors, rubbing strips, electric windows, a manual sunroof and central locking. Flagship Sporting boasts 13-inch alloy wheels, foglights, sports seats and leather-trim steering wheel, plus 54bhp 1.1-litre engine.1999: Suite limited edition appears, based on SX but with 1.1-litre Sporting engine. Other tweaks include colour-coded door handles, power-steering and air-conditioning. The Mia limited edition also arrives, with the 1.1 engine, plus airbag, sunroof and metallic paint as standard. Citymatic semi-auto, based on S, joins the range, too. 2000: 899cc models discontinued. S and SX get the 54bhp Sporting unit, although this is detuned to offer less in the way of performance. 2001: Michael Schumacher Edition joins the range, with exclusive monogrammed trim, 14-inch alloys with low-profile tyres, ABS, sports pedals, leather-trim steering wheel and gearknob, and tailgate spoiler. Only available in Broom Yellow or Tiziano Red.
 
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