Techy advice needed on Seat Ibiza 1.4

[Big Black Stilo]

i had a 96 ibiza 1043i and it was a sack of sh!t

the head gasket blew on the motorway, seizing the engine, engine mount failed, gear linkage wore badly, alternator failed, temp sensor for automatic choke failed, went through oil like no tomorrow, brakes kept braking unevenly, went through tyres like no tomorrow, wipers continually came loose, all parts that broke were VW stamped and cost a fortune, various electrical faults, rusted, rattled, creaked, dashboard cracked, exhaust problems, fueling problems, complete failure of ignition system on engine to name but a few problems

oh and the locks froze when it was cold.

i only loved it as it was my first car. but in reality, it was an awful car.

it got me to london..... but not back (thank you AA)

the other arguement is, someone is still sunning it somewhere

i would never have another SEAT. lads at work have leons that either leak or have electrical faults or ignition /firing problems, and these are 53 and 55 plate cars.

they make fiat look good imho and people who buy them under the impression its a vw underneath and wont go wrong are deluded- that waas my opinion and a £2500 car (in 2000) cost me that again if not more in repairs

 

[Ffoxy]

i had a 96 ibiza 1043i and it was a sack of sh!t

the head gasket blew on the motorway, seizing the engine, engine mount failed, gear linkage wore badly, alternator failed, temp sensor for automatic choke failed, went through oil like no tomorrow, brakes kept braking unevenly, went through tyres like no tomorrow, wipers continually came loose, all parts that broke were VW stamped and cost a fortune, various electrical faults, rusted, rattled, creaked, dashboard cracked, exhaust problems, fueling problems, complete failure of ignition system on engine to name but a few problems

oh and the locks froze when it was cold.

i only loved it as it was my first car. but in reality, it was an awful car.

it got me to london..... but not back (thank you AA)

the other arguement is, someone is still sunning it somewhere

i would never have another SEAT. lads at work have leons that either leak or have electrical faults or ignition /firing problems, and these are 53 and 55 plate cars.

they make fiat look good imho and people who buy them under the impression its a vw underneath and wont go wrong are deluded- that waas my opinion and a £2500 car (in 2000) cost me that again if not more in repairs

Cheers BBS (I think) Committed now, know more in a few months...

 

[Big Black Stilo]

you mentioned clutch cable- well they snap to. and to fit a new one is a mare. i gave up and took it to a garage and it took them a day. they had to dismantle all wiper assembly and motors to get to it.

my ibiza also leaked. and it leaked lots. poor windscreen fittings and seals at the bottom.

this meant wiring got **** wet through and often fused

i didnt read the thread properly- you didnt buy one did you?

 

[Hellcat]

I had a 1998 S reg 1.4 Ibiza. How cool did I think I was?!

Was a great little run around until the nun destroyed it. I didn't even own it long enough to get any photos of it

 

[Ffoxy]

you mentioned clutch cable- well they snap to. and to fit a new one is a mare. i gave up and took it to a garage and it took them a day. they had to dismantle all wiper assembly and motors to get to it.

my ibiza also leaked. and it leaked lots. poor windscreen fittings and seals at the bottom.

this meant wiring got **** wet through and often fused

i didnt read the thread properly- you didnt buy one did you?

Yup...its dry inside, drives real nice and everything works except the aircon.

All looks original, the clutch is okay, not as easy and smooth as the GP's but gear selection isnt affected. I can see why the clutch cable could be a bug*er, better on a LHD car I bet..... Oh well I wait and see with trepidation now, these cars are so hard to get hold of they sell used like hot-cakes!

 

[jug]

i know a few people who have owned those ibizas including a 1.0 (and the same engine on an arosa which i still currently maintain) and between all of them combined they they have had fewer problems that BBS's ibiza, far fewer problems. suggesting an average fiat is more reliable or better built than an average seat is laughable tbh.

 

[Ffoxy]

i know a few people who have owned those ibizas including a 1.0 (and the same engine on an arosa which i still currently maintain) and between all of them combined they they have had fewer problems that BBS's ibiza, far fewer problems. suggesting an average fiat is more reliable or better built than an average seat is laughable tbh.

Cool cheers Jug. Fact is I am in it now up to the neck, no doubt I will get some feedback from the driver if she feels all is not well with something and it will all be my fault...

Any used car can be a moneypit TBH, I just hope we bought a good 'un....

 

[Big Black Stilo]

just my personal experience and that of people i work with.

i would however reccomend a saxo before an ibiza

 

[Ffoxy]

just my personal experience and that of people i work with.

i would however reccomend a saxo before an ibiza

Been there and done that.... Saxo Furio 1.4 went quite well when it ran OK, but rattled and shook like a mutha and never felt safe as it was made of French coke tins....

My 1st priority here for my youngest was safety, the 'beeza is put together well. Next was economy, it used £10 petrol to do the 100 or so miles home so OK its not as frugal as some modern mini-hatches but its manageable, around mid 40's mpg.

Then for her it was looks.... she LOVES the look of it so, in her words, she will wash it and care for it.

Anything goes wrong.... well thats another story BBS.... fingers X'd...