I often think of good excuses to buy my next car but I have only been successful in fulfilling these whims when a life changing event occurs.
My last car purchase prior to the 126 had been the result of a deal I made with my girlfriend (now wife) to move out of my house and buy �our� house.
I waited 2 further years for my next life changing event that was significant enough to justify another car. The birth of my first child justified the purchase of a small, cheap car to get me to the railway station in the morning whilst my wife was busy with babies.
My wife spotted G110, a 1989 126 BIS in the local paper and called me to let me know that she would buy it for my birthday (Hooray!)
It was a warm Friday night in August 2003 when I took G110 for a test drive and decided I had to purchase it regardless of scary rattles. I parted with �110 of my wife�s money just as an AA man turned up also looking to purchase the car.
How was ownership?
Within a week of purchasing my first 126 a neighbour offered me a second 126 BIS (E461) which he had in his field for free. My wife was beginning to worry at this point as small red cars took over the front garden and I started surfing the Polish and Cheq websites looking for convertibles.
After several months I had stripped the spares 126 and sent it off the shell to the breakers and I had serviced G110 but it still rattled.
The rattle was solved in October 2003 with a new genuine FIAT exhaust which cost almost as much as the car and has already cracked (less than 500 miles later).
G110 served me very well through the winter months of 2003 and started every time (eventually). It was great fun to drive and it often surprised friends as to how quick it felt.
The lake of fuel
The first big incident was at the end of January 2003 in a Wickes car park when I came back to G110 and she was surrounded by a lake of petrol. Luckily this was a fuel line had split near the fuel pump so I cut off the split part and reconnected it with a good seal which was enough to get me home (after informing Wickes).
Two weeks after the experience in Wickes it was clear that fuel was also leaking from the fuel tank. Fiat now charged me more than the car was worth for a new fuel tank and I also replaced the fuel lines, filter and clips.
Then the Accident
The week after the new fuel tank was fitted I was driving to the station in G110 I noticed an Escort behind driving �enthusiastically�. I met the driver moments later after he drove into the back of G110 and technically wrote it off which did not make a good start for the day.
Luckily for me I had a spare rear panel and bumper in my shed from E461 and the only mechanical damage was a slightly bent gear selector and engine mount.
Within a month G110 was running again and sailed through an MOT.
Why is G110 of the road then?
Unfortunately on the 1st anniversary of my Fiat 126 experience the traditional FIAT 126 BIS head gasket fault occurred. At this time I had two other vehicles which required my attention and I was beginning to think that G110 wanted to rust in peace so it is currently in my garage waiting to be fixed.
Costs of 1 year of Ownership The Car �110
Service �30 �The lesson here is to
Exhaust �100 buy a good one�
Fuel Tank �171
Engine Mount & No Plate �40
Coil & Ignition Leads �28
Total cost �479
In spite of this miserable story of ownership I really have enjoyed driving G110 and this is not an easy achievement when it is competing against my V8 MG and V12 Daimler. The Fiat 126 driving experience is engaging and like no other vehicle I have driven including the original Mini which feels completely different.
