Fiat X1/9: Good or Bad first car?

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gibson

gibson

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Ok, back story first. I was at a car show, and this little red targa coupe caught my eye. I got to talking with the owner, and one thing led to another, and we both agreed that he would sell it to me for $4400 whenever I can gather the cash up. So last night I was doing some research on them and couldn't find any reviews on them to help me decide if I should go for it or not. And since this is the biggest source of automotive knowledge I know of, I came here for your opinions. I forget what year the car is, but it has the 5 speed and not the 4 speed that the 1978's and older with the 1500cc engines had, so its a 1978 or up 1.5 liter 5 speed with about 45000 miles on it. I know its not the fastest car there is, but I have the tools and resources around me to make it sportier.
 
Bad. Bad. Bad. Stay as far away as possible and get an early MR2. Hell, an early Fiero with a 2.5 would be a better investment, and would likely have just as many things wrong with it that you could fix. Either of which would cost less than half what he wants for his moving pile of rust.
 
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Rust is the only problem at the moment. If I recall, the 5-speed units, though, are more reliable than the 4-speed gear-boxes. Eiteher way, a good car in California, but an established rust bucket. Certainly unique nonetheless.
 
Run far away. Many other options exist that would make a much better first car than that Fiat. X1/9s are great cars - if you like tinkering and are using it as a weekend autocross toy. For a first car and your DD, look fondly, then forget it.
 
Considering that the $4400 would get you a pretty nice used Miata, needless to say, there are better options out there.

Pros:

- Its Italian
- It is full of "soul" and "passion"
- No one knows what it is

Cons:

- Its Italian
- Its full of "soul" and "passion"
- No one knows what it is

Clarkson once called it one of his favorite cars, engineered to be something driven hard. But the fact that it likes to burst into flames, or like most FIATs, not run at all, it leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

As far as vintage MR cars go, you're going to find more success with a Porsche 914.
 
Duke
Run far away. Many other options exist that would make a much better first car than that Fiat. X1/9s are great cars - if you like tinkering and are using it as a weekend autocross toy. For a first car and your DD, look fondly, then forget it.
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My DD would be my dads Jeep or Chevy truck, and what you are saying is almost exactly what i was going to do, except, it would be rallys or drifting (haven't decided yet). I know about the carb problems, and I might have a solution. get an adjustable 2 BBL E.F.I. system and make my own intake manifold. The points ignition is another story, I was thinking how to make either an HEI or coil on plug system. Maybe if I find a 4 Cyc with the same firing order with coil on plug, I could adapt what ever makes the coils go off to work with the 85 HP (not 75 thank you very much!) 1.5L and make maybe a semi reliable rust bucket? To ditch the rust, I got a buddy who knows fiberglass very well, so the fenders and such would be replaced withe light weight 'glass. Of course I could always pay $2500 for a Hochi Go (AE85) and be happy.

EDIT: 914 in Pittsburgh for cheap? LMAO!!!! 11k is cheap for a 914 around here.
 
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Well the '83 had 75hp according to my 1983 Consumer Guide...:p

Edit: according to wiki, the 1.2L had 75hp and when they brought it to the US market they upped it to 1.5L and 85hp, due to increased emissions standards.
 
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gibson
EDIT: 914 in Pittsburgh for cheap? LMAO!!!! 11k is cheap for a 914 around here.
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Hey, Beetle-powered Porsches don't come cheap...

But, to be serious, there are better "affordable" sports cars out there for far less money. Ones that will likely run better, and of course, be a helluva lot faster.

Reminder: Backyard engineering never works on an old FIAT.
 
gibson
Fiat X1/9...for $4400
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gibson
pay $2500 for a Hochi Go (AE85)...

...11k is cheap for a 914 around here.
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If that's seriously an honest appraisal of your car market, you have my sympathy. One question, though -- why do you want to buy a little 4-cylinder car to use as a weekend toy while you drive a truck daily? Regardless of whether you think current gas prices are a big deal, gas costs money.
 
I've had two friends who've had X1/9's. One had his as his first car and daily driver and the other has his now and again it's his only car. They do rust and they do have their problems, but they are a hell of a lot of fun and that little engine may seem like it's underpowered but it's a light car and it sits just behind you and it really feels like it too - the sound is great. When you drive it, it feels quick, even if the figures say otherwise, you feel like you are in a 308 GTS. It will seem like you are doing 90 but when you look down at the dials it will be about 40 :lol:

A 1st gen MR2 will be more reliable but is a lot more clinical and mainstream. I've often thought that if my friend who has an X1/9 now ever comes to sell it, i'd bite his arm off for it. But actually when i think about it logically, i'd probably spend the money on a MX-5.

- Don't by a X1/9 because it makes sense, buy it because its an Italian sports car and you want a Italian sports car experience. ;)
 
TheCracker
I've had two friends who've had X1/9's. One had his as his first car and daily driver and the other has his now and again it's his only car. They do rust and they do have their problems, but they are a hell of a lot of fun and that little engine may seem like it's underpowered but it's a light car and it sits just behind you and it really feels like it too - the sound is great. When you drive it, it feels quick, even if the figures say otherwise, you feel like you are in a 308 GTS. It will seem like you are doing 90 but when you look down at the dials it will be about 40 :lol:

A 1st gen MR2 will be more reliable but is a lot more clinical and mainstream. I've often thought that if my friend who has an X1/9 now ever comes to sell it, i'd bite his arm off for it. But actually when i think about it logically, i'd probably spend the money on a MX-5.

- Don't by a X1/9 because it makes sense, buy it because its an Italian sports car and you want a Italian sports car experience. ;)
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oh for the love of...

that's not a "daily driver" kid, that's a literal antique. clean it up, get some resto into it, and slap your state's antique plates on it. THAT is a collectable! I used to see ONE fiat around here when I had a McJob. a Spyder would occasionally glide through the drive-through.

an MR2, especially first gen, deserves classic plates, now.

a lot of people seem to be reccomending "sporty" cars because of this X 1/9. I wouldn't start with one, for three reasons
1. insurance rates
2. high maintenence
3. panic attack over the slightest scratch.

I know I'm starting to sound like a grandpa, but if you buy/bought that, it should only be for it's collector's value (or it WILL disintegrate on you, because what we got in the way of fiats were total POSes)
 
gibson
My DD would be my dads Jeep or Chevy truck, and what you are saying is almost exactly what i was going to do, except, it would be rallys or drifting (haven't decided yet). I know about the carb problems, and I might have a solution. get an adjustable 2 BBL E.F.I. system and make my own intake manifold. The points ignition is another story, I was thinking how to make either an HEI or coil on plug system. Maybe if I find a 4 Cyc with the same firing order with coil on plug, I could adapt what ever makes the coils go off to work with the 85 HP (not 75 thank you very much!) 1.5L and make maybe a semi reliable rust bucket? To ditch the rust, I got a buddy who knows fiberglass very well, so the fenders and such would be replaced withe light weight 'glass. Of course I could always pay $2500 for a Hochi Go (AE85) and be happy.

EDIT: 914 in Pittsburgh for cheap? LMAO!!!! 11k is cheap for a 914 around here.
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I would actually give my left nut for X1/9,since they are very rare in my area.

Drifting with an MR? Not impossible,but it's kinda stupid,better go to auto x with it,or buy some FR for drifting.

No need to make nothing,find a Yugo GVX,they have multipoint EFI and also very small and simple electronic ignition. All parts all bolt on fit,since all Lampredi engines are same with few small differences.

If you can work with fiberglass,make a dallara replica ;)

I would use 1.3 engine,since it's 86x55.5,1.5 has much more stroke,and put Dell'orto or Weber 40 carbs.

Carbs are not much of a problem,when you adjust them properly,only problem is that they do drink a lot.

buickgnx88
Well the '83 had 75hp according to my 1983 Consumer Guide...:p

Edit: according to wiki, the 1.2L had 75hp and when they brought it to the US market they upped it to 1.5L and 85hp, due to increased emissions standards.
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That's not 1.2,that's 1.3 engine,with 269 cam and higher comp pistons,86x55.5 engine,much revvier than 1.5
 
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TheCracker
- Don't by a X1/9 because it makes sense, buy it because its an Italian sports car and you want a Italian sports car experience. ;)
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Too true. It makes me sad about the utter lack of Italian cars we've had since the early '90s. Which reminds me:

800px-Alfa-Romeo-164-front.jpg


BUY ME
 
Since you have a daily, I assume that this'll be a "Fun" car. So, I'm gonna make the following suggestions, to prepare you for it.

1. Are you prepared to spend a lot of time on this car?
2. Are you prepared to spend a lot of money on this car?
3. Are you prepared to fix whatever's wrong with it as it is? It's not gonna come to you without issues.
4. Are you prepared for the melancholy that is an Italian sports car? The joy of the drive, the agony of when it won't go?

If the answer is "No" to anything, AVOID. An AW11 MR2, Feiro, or, if you're willing to give up looking cool for a great drive, NA8C Miata, will do just fine. But, If you're prepared for a high-maintenance relationship, spring for the sexy Italian. Just don't say I didn't warn you. It could make for an unhappy marriage.
 
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Jim Prower
Since you have a daily, I assume that this'll be a "Fun" car. So, I'm gonna make the following suggestions, to prepare you for it.

1. Are you prepared to spend a lot of time on this car?
2. Are you prepared to spend a lot of money on this car?
3. Are you prepared to fix whatever's wrong with it as it is? It's not gonna come to you without issues.
4. Are you prepared for the melancholy that is an Italian sports car? The joy of the drive, the agony of when it won't go?

If the answer is "No" to anything, AVOID. An AW11 MR2, Feiro, or, if you're willing to give up looking cool for a great drive, NA8C Miata, will do just fine. But, If you're prepared for a high-maintenance relationship, spring for the sexy Italian. Just don't say I didn't warn you. It could make for an unhappy marriage.
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It's like your first girlfriend, which would you prefer: Someone average and mummsie who'll teach you little but doesn't always expect you to pay when you go out. Or the cute, wild latin chick who spends all your money but teaches you stuff you couldn't imagine in your wildest dreams?
 
gibson
To ditch the rust, I got a buddy who knows fiberglass very well, so the fenders and such would be replaced withe light weight 'glass.
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Fiberglas can't fix structural problems.
 
TheCracker
It's like your first girlfriend, which would you prefer: Someone average and mummsie who'll teach you little but doesn't always expect you to pay when you go out. Or the cute, wild latin chick who spends all your money but teaches you stuff you couldn't imagine in your wildest dreams?
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I'll take the German middle road. The mild mannered girl out in public, the one who prefers to dominate your life anywhere else.
 
If I had the chance to buy a X1/9, and had the money needed for that ... I would buy it. I absolutely LOVE that car, and they are very rare.

I also have to say that I disagree with what's been said about old Fiats. Their engines are very simple and easy to maintain (and cheap also, at least in Europe) and if you take care of your car I don't assume you'll have many problems.

However, I agree with "Sniffs". That car is a collectable, I'm not sure if it's a good idea to have it as a first car. IIRC, I didn't take very good care of my first car (a small FIAT Uno, btw).

OT - However, 20 years and 120.000 miles after (200.000 kms), it's still mine, I never sold it and it's now the car I use to teach my kids how to drive :sly:


About the X1/9, check this, if you haven't already: http://www.irata.com/x19/
 
I'll tell you right now that it's NOT easy to get FIAT parts in the U.S. It's probably even harder, now, with the weak American Dollar.
 
Hun200kmh
If I had the chance to buy a X1/9, and had the money needed for that ... I would buy it. I absolutely LOVE that car, and they are very rare.

I also have to say that I disagree with what's been said about old Fiats. Their engines are very simple and easy to maintain (and cheap also, at least in Europe) and if you take care of your car I don't assume you'll have many problems.

However, I agree with "Sniffs". That car is a collectable, I'm not sure if it's a good idea to have it as a first car. IIRC, I didn't take very good care of my first car (a small FIAT Uno, btw).

OT - However, 20 years and 120.000 miles after (200.000 kms), it's still mine, I never sold it and it's now the car I use to teach my kids how to drive :sly:


About the X1/9, check this, if you haven't already: http://www.irata.com/x19/
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True,my country is right next to Italy,and the car is indeed extreme rare here,since most of them ended in USA.

The Lampredi engine is very simple,and easy to fix and modify.
We have 5 Fiat Unos also,very cheap to maintain.
 
Sniffs
a lot of people seem to be reccomending "sporty" cars because of this X 1/9. I wouldn't start with one, for three reasons
1. insurance rates
2. high maintenence
3. panic attack over the slightest scratch.
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1. Not a problem for nearly any 4-cylinder, or any modest sportscar from the '80s or older.
2. Not a problem if you pick the right model and find a decent example.
3. Not a problem if it isn't picture-perfect to begin with (a very likely circumstance).
 
Just get the AW11 MR2... more reliable, way more aftermarket, cheaper for a good example, and a bit larger with a bit more power and a bit more engineering in it.

And probably less rust.
 

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