Fiat Barchetta Review (1995 to 2006)

Quick Summary

The Barchetta is a car that deserves to sell more than it has. If Fiat had backed it properly and sanctioned a proper right-hand drive model, it would undoubtedly be as popular as the Mazda MX-5, BMW Z3 or Rover MGF. As it is, it's something of an oddity, bought by those who are willing to put up with left-hand drive in order to benefit from its exclusivity. To write the Barchetta off as a trendy curio would be a shame. It is practical (for a roadster), reliable, quick, pretty and cheap. It also possesses more of that infectious joie de vivre than any of its rivals, and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face as wide as the first time your passenger tries to get into the driver's seat. Get a good one you'll realise why the Barchetta has long been the trade's favourite little secret. First you'll have to find one though.

Overall:

Models Covered:2dr roadster 1.8 petrol, [base LE]

BARCH WORSE THAN ITS BITE

The Fiat Barchetta has never been a popular sight on British roads, largely due to the fact that it is only available in left-hand drive form. Look beyond this and you'll see a capable, attractively styled and well-engineered little roadster that's more practical than many of its competitors. Based on proven Fiat Punto mechanicals, the Barchetta is also quite reasonable to run.With the explosion in popularity of affordable roadsters, the Barchetta was somewhat steamrollered in the sales charts by the Mazda MX5, Rover MGF and BMW Z3, and has possibly suffered due to the fact that it shuns the 'purist' rear-wheel drive layout; its power going to the front wheels instead. The market that the Fiat has aimed for is more bar society than pure sports and it fills this niche quite well. A used Barchetta makes an interesting buy, and may cost less than you think.
Used Fiat Barchetta for sale

History of the Barchetta

Looking at the Barchetta's stylish lines it's hard to believe that it has been on sale since 1995. Perhaps because it looks like a more modern interpretation of the Alfa Romeo Spider, the lines look familiar and rest easily on the eye. Some companies made a fair amount of money importing Barchettas to these shores at prices that undercut the UK list by quite a margin, whilst others offered right-hand drive conversions for the standard car.The Barchetta has remained largely unchanged since launch. In 1998 a special edition 'LE' model was made available. One of the upsides of the Barchetta's unspectacular new sales is its exclusivity. It's unlikely anyone else in your street will have a Barchetta, a statement that would be difficult to make about the MX5 or Z3. In summer 2003 Fiat announced a revised Barchetta with more equipment, a restyled nose and, most importantly of all, £2,800 wiped off the asking price. Residuals for 'old' Barchetta took a consequent duffing. The Barchetta faded from the scene in 2006.
Used Fiat Barchetta for sale

Fiat Barchetta Road Test

Those 'enthusiasts' with string-backed driving gloves and flies in their teeth may deride the Fiat as a pretty irrelevance but a well-driven Barchetta can more than hold its own against similarly priced rivals. The chassis is impressively rigid, without many of the tremors and wobbles many open-topped cars suffer. Rest to 60 in less than nine seconds and a top speed of 124 mph are respectable figures from the 1747cc four-cylinder engine. It's a willing and tuneful companion as well, with a particular affinity for the upper reaches of the rev band. The left-hand drive layout makes exploiting the engine a bit trickier on country lanes when you need to overtake a nuisance tractor, but in town it's great to be able to enter and exit from the kerb. The driving position seems quite high due to the low window line of the car. The figure hugging seats, trio of white-faced dials and the elegantly retro-styled dials make the Barchetta a welcoming place to be. You won't feel uncomfortable at the pumps either with an average consumption figure of over 33mpg.
Used Fiat Barchetta for sale

Buying a Fiat Barchetta

The classified sections are rarely bulging with used Barchettas, so if you're very choosy you may have a long wait to secure the car in the desired colour/condition. There is little to worry about mechanically. The Barchetta is based on Punto mechanicals and has no documented reliability issues. Check the hood for signs of damage, as this can be costly to repair. Also inspect the body carefully, as many Barchettas have been used as urban runabouts they may have suffered parking bumps and scrapes. Front tyres should also be inspected as enthusiastic driving can promote a fair amount of wheelspin, drastically reducing the life of a pair of tyres. Ask to see accompanying documentation to check that whether the car is a UK or European sourced model. If the car has a right-hand drive conversion check to see if it has been properly carried out. Does the dashboard and pedal box look and feel right? Do all the electrics work and have the windscreen wipers been adjusted? Otherwise, the usual reminder to obtain a service history applies.
Used Fiat Barchetta for sale

Fiat Barchetta Typical Pricing

With one main model available, pricing should be relatively straightforward. It does become slightly more complicated when taking into account the source of the car, UK or Europe. You will also need to factor a consideration for right hand drive conversions. For the standard left hand drive UK cars, prices are as follows. Examples of 1995 N-plate cars start at £1,800. A more typical 1996 P-registered model will retail for £2,000 while a 1997 R-plater will fetch £2,200. T-registered 1999 cars are only now becoming available for just under £3,100.A 1998 R-registered car retailed for £15,549 in the UK, but many importers were offering them for about £11,000 from the continent. Euro cars therefore command a lower secondhand valuation, often in the region of 10-20% less. Right-hand drive models will be advertised at prices up to 20% higher than standard left-hand drive cars. Assuming that the job has been done well, a right-hand drive conversion makes a lot of sense. If the car was a European import to begin with, the car should be priced in line with a left-hand drive UK car. Make sure the buyer has taken both valuation adjustments into consideration. Values for the limited edition SE model are approximately 5% higher than standard. Insurance rating on all Barchettas is Group 16, based in part on the statistically higher probability of accidents incurred by left-hand drive vehicles.
Used Fiat Barchetta for sale

Fiat Barchetta Parts

(Estimated prices, based on a 1998 model) One of the advantages of basing a roadster on a top-selling hatchback are spares prices that are distinctly affordable. The Barchetta is one of those rare cars that are not only exclusive, but also cheap to run. A clutch assembly is around £127, while a new rear exhaust section is in the region of £195. Front brake pads are about £40, with rears going for around £50. A new alternator will set you back just over £80, with a new starter motor costing about the same. Despite the regular pannings Fiat dealers receive in the Top Gear/JD Power reports, it's good to know you won't have to pay too much to enjoy this service.
Used Fiat Barchetta for sale