Hi :D

[Blonde126]

Hi everyone!
Edit: Well, originaly I saw a creamy/yellow Fiat 126 BIS for sale in Newcastle not far from me, here's the link in fact http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/beige-fiat-126-1989/78718677 although when I first spotted it, it was £995. Me dad enquired about the car on the phone, and the bloke said the place was open 7 days a week until 5pm. So we turned up to find the place locked up    Anyway, we headed off back home and I then remembered about another Fiat 126 BIS almost exactly the same (except for the glass sun roof) on eBay that I'd been watching for some time. It looked in excellent condition, fantastic wheels the lot so me dad put a bid on my behalf and I couldn't believe we'd won it for £620! After a date and time was set to pick me car up, we covered the journey back with insurance, and along the way people waved, smiled, and one tried to take a picture on the motorway!  

Here are some pictures, I apologise for the poor quality they were took on my phone:





I've washed and polished it which took 11 hours in total - only stopped to have lunch! It was well worth it though, the relatives who had seen it before and after said it looked brand new Mechanically it's great, no problems on the motorway and we made it back fine.

Unfortunately I don't have the privelage of driving it yet - I'm still getting lessons but it's not far to go, and unlike other cars people my age buy, it's different and it's an investment; I've seen the prices of other ones already  

 

p.s. I've named it Bert  

[GTMaster]

Hello,

I think there was a list made somewhere for the "problems to look out for", a few from the top of my head:

Rusted/rotted  king pins (due to lack of greasing), electricals (usually bad connections/corrosion of earth points), leaking oil from gearbox around the half axle rubber boots, leaking oil from engine at oil sump,valve cover. BISs also need to have the cooling system serviced regularly as they can overheat and have cylinder head damage (need to check when the coolant was replaced, make sure it's topped up, make sure the thermostat works porperly and that the cooling fan turns on when needed.)
There's also the usual things: tyres, suspension (bushes, ball joints, shocks), brakes, steering.
Rust can be found at the bottom of the car all around (outer an inner wheel arches, outer and inner sills  bottom of boot, edge of floor pan,bottom of doors, worse if it's rusty around where the suspension bolts onto the chassis.)
The way i check for structural or surface rust is with a screwdriver (if it goes through it's structural  )

That's all i can think of, good luck with your licence.

[dajwid]

http://club126uk.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5569.0

Get a quote for insurance, there have been a few suprised young drivers on here recently

[Rusty's Uncle]

Hi & welcome to the forum & ditto GTMaster re good luck with the test. Great to see young new drivers showing an interest in the little Fiats. Technical stuff apart a good indicator when buying is any service history , MOT certificates , etc. Whatever model you go for you will in effect be buying an old car so unless you are very lucky you can expect some "issues". However all problems can be fixed & even with a good example you should be prepared for on going TLC. On a brighter note , if you get one up & running well then the fun & smile factor is all worth it plus you will be driving a car that will hold or go up in value if looked after. Good luck, plenty of help & advice here but be prepared for a love and/or hate relationship  

[Pete126]

  To the forum blonde126