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HISTORY
The
Tipo arrived here in June 1988 as a base 1.4 or DGT, 1.6-litre DGT and SX
and 1.9-litre TDs. The 1.7TD arrived a few months later and became the SX
in January 1992. The base models disappeared in April 1990 and were
replaced by the Formula and S. The hot hatch GT was introduced in February
1993, only five months before the range was facelifted. At this time, a
three-door body was introduced as well as a modified version of the
existing five-door. The range was replaced by the Bravo and Brava models
in 1995.
WHAT YOU
GET 
A three or five-door
Euro-hatch that's competent in every way and a darned sight more inspiring
to drive than a contemporary Escort or Astra. The cars are generally well
equipped and offer very good value for money, along with those stylish
looks.
WHAT YOU
PAY
No Fiat Tipo is going
to cost the earth. As little as £300 (or less) will secure you an '88
example but even the last 1995 2.0-litre cars only just break the £1,000
barrier. A 95M 1.4-litre S will be £700 and the 1.7-litre DS diesels of
the same age cost roughly the same. Best to judge each car on an
individual basis looking at condition and mileage.
WHAT TO LOOK
FOR
If you've never
trusted Italian cars since the engine fell out of your Lancia Beta on the
drive out of the dealer's showroom, the Tipo will change your mind. Rust
is hardly ever an issue with these cars; such was the latent bad publicity
for Italian cars, Fiat went almost over the top with corrosion protection.
The Tipo is not a badly built car but be wary of electrics
in older cars - just check that everything works as it should and watch
for oil leaks and leaky radiators. Trim materials can be a bit cheap and
prone to wear on base-model cars. It could be worth haggling over, if you
feel strongly enough.
Don't be overly concerned by noisy power-steering pumps;
they may sound strange occasionally, but they're mostly reliable. Some
cars can suffer poor paint quality. Again, a cosmetic thing but maybe on
the list of items that add up for negotiation with the seller.
REPLACEMENT
PARTS
(approx) A rear
exhaust section is about £57. A clutch kit will be around £90. An
alternator (exchange) should be close to £113 and a starter motor about
£100.
Brake pads for the front are £30 and rear ones are about
£45. A replacement headlamp is close to £71. Major and minor services are
£200 and £100 respectively.
ON THE
ROAD
The slow 1.4s are
probably best avoided if you're looking for something to carry the kids
and luggage. The hot hatch GT is an excellent handler and rides well, to
boot. Standard cars tend to wallow a little round the bends but they hold
the road well, nevertheless. Aerodynamically, the shape is excellent, so
the Tipo is a fine motorway cruiser, whatever model you choose.
OVERALL
A thoroughly sensible
car. It’s one that deserves to win over the many doubters who wouldn't
have considered it when new, as a second-hand bargain.
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