Fiat Barchetta

If you fancy something like a Mazda MX-5 or an MGF, but want to stand out from the crowd, then Fiat's Barchetta could be for you. Fast, fruity and fun to drive, the little Italian two-seater has bags of character and is guaranteed to bring a big smile to your face.

Auto Express Car Reviews

July 2003

If you fancy something like a Mazda MX-5 or an MGF, but want to stand out from the crowd, then Fiat's Barchetta could be for you. Fast, fruity and fun to drive, the little Italian two-seater has bags of character and is guaranteed to bring a big smile to your face.
Available in left-hand drive only, the Barchetta never sold in great numbers in the UK because the configuration put many buyers off. But that's no reason to shy away from the pretty roadster. With a zesty 1.7-litre engine and a lively chassis based on the Punto platform, the Fiat is great to drive and is also stunning to look at.
Its LHD set-up doesn't make a huge difference, as the car is so small and agile that it hardly matters which side of the cabin you're sitting on.
The Barchetta is also a masterpiece of interior styling. The cabin is cramped and the layout poor, but you'll forgive it everything because the dash looks so lovely and tactile.
But by far the best thing about this machine is its pricing. Because it's not right-hand drive and quite rare, prices are much cheaper than the equivalent Mazda MX-5. Buy the right one and you won't be disappointed.
Checklist
* Panels are expensive to replace if they pick up a ding, so inspect for any uneven surfaces or signs of filler.
* As a soft-top it is vulnerable to theft, especially if a poor quality alarm is fitted. Check ID plates against the V5.
* Some cars suffer electrical faults with central locking and electric windows. Look for damp in the fuse box.
* Interior is durable, but cloth seats can wear if the roof is left down. Look for bleaching fabric, or loose stitching.
* A balky gearchange and clutch judder are signs that a car has had a hard life and so is best avoided.
Glass's View
The Barchetta's rarity makes it difficult to value, especially as many have been imported privately or by specialists, says trade bible Glass's Guide. Pay slightly more for official UK cars with a decent service history or those converted to RHD by a specialist such as DTR European Sports Cars. Older models are even tougher to price, so only buy well maintained ones. Cars with kmh speedos will be imports.
Life With A Barchetta...
If practicality is at the very top of the list when you are buying a new car, two-seat roadsters like the Fiat Barchetta are unlikely to be of much interest. However, when Rose Mole was looking for something small, sporty and less than ΂£7,000, the soft-top was the ideal solution.
"Some people are put off by the left-hand-drive layout, but after a couple of weeks you feel perfectly at ease," said Rose, 42, from Sidmouth, Devon. "I love the car's style and aesthetic balance, especially at the rear - but the best thing about the Barchetta is the driving experience. The raw feel is addictive - it's so exciting, like being a child at a fairground for the first time. I never tire of it."
Rose bought her yellow Barchetta second-hand a year ago, with less than 20,000 miles on the clock. Her rag-top has so far covered 23,000 miles with no major problems, although a faulty immobiliser has caused some frustration. Rose eventually got the part through a Fiat main dealer, and her motor is once again proving reliable. "I'm a Fiat fan," added Rose. "I like the quirky and sometimes idiosyncratic design of the range, but the Barchetta is by far the nicest Fiat I've ever owned."