I used to sell these things back in 2001-2003, they were hugely popular and we just couldn't get enough of them at the Vauxhall dealership. We'd have 15 of them on the pitch on a Monday, by the weekend they'd be shifted easily. The public had a big soft spot for Corsa B. The 1.6 Sport was the one to go for, if you liked wheelspinning understeer with a passion. Funny thing with Corsa B's, they all had this odd smell which was the same in every car I drove .. lead on to believe it was the chemical used to underseal / or within the soundproof materials.. I'm guessing though. The infamous crayon smell.

 

Well - it's time to call an end to the FIAT. Going to punt it on and replace it with a year old Aygo. Test drove one today and it's a hoot to drive, 3 cylinder petrol and should do well into the 50s for mpg - fixed costs and the bulk of the warranty remaining

 

Sounds like a good choice based on what you've said about your needs

Tinkering will be a thing of the past though!

 

I'm sure everyone reaches a point where the time available for tinkering / enthusiasm for it becomes proportional to interest / weather. If i average out what the FIAT has really cost over a year ( and what it would cost if i kept it ), buying the Aygo just makes far better financial sense. What I need from 'little car' is reliable and economical transport, no matter what the weather and preferably with a semi decent NCAP rating - the FIAT does not make for happy reading in that department

 

I'm getting mid-high 70's mpg out my VRS... Best recorder 87.5mpg on a 26 mile commute, driving like a vicar.

Then it drops to mid 20's when it's camshaft is given something to think about. But that's rare.

2 months into ownership... so far, costs are £150 for brakes £80 for full service, and could sell for £3.5-£3.8k (it's got full leather, Aircon & Cruise)

Quite enjoy this beater, its a hoot.

 

Funny old thing - run around in something small, cheap and relatively nasty for a half a year and all of a sudden you're free from 'big car' mentality.

Half leather / velour comfy seats, aircon, bluetooth ( inc streaming audio ) radio with handsfree, 4 decent speakers, 6 airbags, gokart handling, decent ride quality, ZERO road tax, insurance group nothing and 55+ mpg. Why anyone would need anything more than this for a back roads commute is beyond me.

The only thing it lacks ( Apart from a decent boot ) is powerrrrrrrr but then with good planning and a bit of gear swapping you can make really decent progress.

 

We have had an aygo in precisely that spec and colour in the family for 4 years now. It is currently in Edinburgh with my son at uni (Sussex - Edi on less than a tank of fuel) and it hasn't missed a beat.

I bought a rev counter which is a very easy retro fit - instrument cluster cowl off, cut small slot in cowl with Drexel, plug rev counter into already in place wiring) reassemble!

 

Heh - already seen the guides for fitting that - looks like about 10 minutes work. Will scour fleabay for one and get it fitted i think

 

Yep, whilst it is a very un-beater thing to do, it is a quick, easy and useful upgrade

As I am sure you realise, its the same part for the 107 and C1.

 

Yep - already checked that Also checked i have the wiring ( i do ) so part ordered and will be here Wednesday I'll be keeping this one for at least a couple of years so doing the stuff i want at the beginning of ownership makes more sense.

It's such a flexible engine and the gears are so loooonnngggg that a rev counter makes sense so you can see just how much neck you are wringing