Conference terri::cars_uk

    I've just ordered a Tipo Turbo ds.X (1.9 litre turbo Diesel)
    
    It looks just like a 16v, except under the bonnet ! I test-drove
    it, it seemed very responsive, I'll let you know about the economy
    side when I get it ! There is a 3-month delay because I took the
    optional electric sun-roof, it seems they don't make that many.
    
    �hR.
    

    Hi,
    
    Anybody got any more recent info/opinions on the Fiat Tipo/Tempra,
    particularly the turbo diesal versions
    
    regards,
    
    Mike B.

    Hmm, all I can say is about two weeks ago there was a white Tipo
    turbo diesel in the car pak at SBP.
    
    Paint work looked good, all gleaming white.... except for the tailgate,
    which was covered ib horrible black soot; I presume from the exhaust!
    
    Peter.
    

    John McGinty @UBO has a Tempra. Perhaps he can offer an opinion.

    Well, I test-drove the Tipo Tds (borrowed one from Fiat UK) for a whole
    weekend a few weeks back....
    
    Summary:
                    
    o Excellent performance (on the roads I normally drive on, pretty well as
      usable as my Astra SRi!), on both back roads and M-way: its pickup in
      5th above 60 is particularly impressive.
    
    o Spongy brakes, but still stop you OK-ish
    
    o Great interior room
    
    o Excellently equipped for the price
    
    o Not particularly big boot, but well shaped
    
    o No sunroof as standard (doesn't bother me, though)
    
    o Good ride and handling compromise
    
    o Not particularly economical (compared with other diesels...)
    
    o Digital dash is an acquired taste for most, although I think it's
      great: large numbers for speedo can be distracting if you vary your
      speed on M-ways too much
    
    
    BUT....
    
    
    The exhaust is VERY smok(e?)y -- enough to easily be seen in the mirror
    in the headlights of following cars at night, and unfortunately enough
    to put me off buying the car.
    
    I wrote to Fiat about it and, surprise surprise, I didn't get a
    reply... I thought it might be a badly tuned engine and an isolated
    example, but no.
    
    Diesel Car magazine has tested the Tipo Tds both short and long term,
    and the Tempra Tds short term, and in all three instances they comment
    on the smokiness of the exhaust, and that Fiat, "is another
    manufacturer that has a long way to go to meeting the environmental
    demands of the 90s". They say that within a few hundred miles of
    cleaning the car, the back end is covered in a greasy black deposit.
    Apart from that, like me, they love the car.
    
    Call/mail me on Stephen Delany @BST (SAC::DELANY_S) or 768 5147 if you
    want to hear more....
    
    
    SD

    I have a Tempra 1.8 i.e. - now done 7K+ miles.  Opinions - not in any
    particular order:
    
    Pro:	- Generally comfortable cabin
    		- Good handling - but tendency to lean if you go into
    		corners on a trailing throttle - needs to be led by the
    		nose
    		- Firm suspension - sticks well
    		- huge boot volume
    		- lot of electric bells & whistles as standard
         	- Goes well - willing to rev all the way into the red
    		- Good fit & finish
    
    Con:	- Bit thirsty after the Peugeot 405 1.9 - Fiat Tempra 
    		32-33 mpg against 37.5 lifetime average for the Pug
    		- Undergeared therefore bit tiring on a long run ~20 mph
    		per 1000rpm in 5th compared to 25 mph/1K revs for the Pug
    		- The lumbar support in the driver's seat is too hard even in 
    		the "minimum" setting
    
    Give me a bell on 7843-6418 if you want to discuss in detail.
    
    
    

    re .7
    
    How come you got a test drive for the weekend? 

    Re .9: 
    
    How did I get an extended test drive?
    
    I went down to my local Fiat dealer, test drove a 1.9 Tipo Tds for
    about 20 minutes, and asked if I could get one for longer. The Fleet
    Sales manager was only too pleased to arrange it via Fiat's Press
    Fleet. I got the car Friday lunch, and returned it Monday a.m.
    
    I had to pay the insurance, though (which is a reasonable enough
    condition...)
    
    SD

    I've just been looking at a base model Tipo, F reg, 40,000 miles, at
    what seems like a good price. (Not too good, just not outrageusly
    overpriced).
    
    Does anyone have any ideas of things to check up on?   How to spot
    accident repairs, what are the weak spots of these cars etc.
    
    I'd really like a ZX but having just bought a house I can't afford a
    new car.   The Tipo seems like a viable alternative.
    
    Richard

    I own a 1.6DGT Tipo bought it in May 88 is has now done 45,000.  It was
    trouble free up to 40,000 since then have experienced lots of
    electrical problems.  Strange things like the electric windows opening
    and closing on there own and the horn and hazzard lights going off! 
    Problem was put down to water getting in to the relays.
    
    Another problem that has been encountered is a leak somewhere on the
    passenger door.  This was a problem I also had on my Uno 70SX and it
    took three lots of replacement door seals to fix that!
    
    I find the steering lock not particularly good and it can be quite
    heavy on the steering at low speeds.
    
    The front doors although being so wide gives excellent access they can
    be an absolute pain at times - when you park the car its very easy to
    knock the door again the car next to you.  You end up trying to hang
    onto the door whilst getting out.
    
    Other than that I think its a great car, plenty of room and
    comfortable.  I find enough room in the boot area to transport my dogs
    and the car was brought with that in mind being slightly square and
    flat at the back.
    
    Karen