36 replies to this topic

[89mini-boy]

Ello again! *waves*

I like your Cinqi! Going to continue the pink theme a bit more?!

GC motors are still advertising your old mingie. Nice old brrm it is too.

on mine it looks a sort of lovely purple but im mad on purple orange or red and black themes so probly just me

[oli8925]

I never used to like cinqs but I've been looking at them more recently. There have been a few nice/interesting ones coming up on retro rides too that have interested me. Yours is an interesting colour, I like!

[Mini_Magic]

A lot of people just immediately dismiss them because of The Inbetweeners and Fiats reputation for unreliability. Actually I've found mine to be very reliable, the Sporting is great to drive (it has a close ratio gearbox unlike the normal one) and I personally like the boxy styling.

Okay so it's never going to be a classic like a Mini, but for around 700 pounds you can get a really tidy Sporting and it will always put a smile on your face.

[charie t]

I've been looking at them more recently.

Why?
And shifty, as for squinting and it looks like a mini? have your glasses got covered in welding spatter?
I thought they were terrible cars wollowy and feel wider than they are long, scary amounts of understeer. Really revvy and great turning circle on them though, resembling LTI taxi each to their own though

Edited by charie t, 13 April 2011 - 08:28 PM.

[megamini_jb]

i miss my cinquecento but mine wasn't a sporting model. it was a well nice green tho hehe

[Mini_Magic]

scary amounts of understeer

I'm guessing you've never driven a Astra Mk3 before? Now that had proper understeer.

[Daveuk]

ah good old small fiats, had a seicento, one of the last ones 53 plate, lowered it by 30mm and it's was just like a go kart going round corners, loads of fun! just lacked in power

[Mini_Magic]

Plans for the weekend:

- Strip the rear seats for the Riviea Run, for extra boot space and weight saving.
- Jack up rear and figure out which wheel is making a annoying rotating noise
- General checks over the car before Rivi Run
- Fit Mini accelerator pedal if it arrives before the weekend

I'm also thinking about perhaps painting the wheels in gloss black, what do you think?

Edited by Mini_Magic, 14 April 2011 - 04:30 PM.

[Mini_Magic]

Mini accelerator pedal arrived yesterday and suprisingly fits perfectly. Much easier and more confortable now, perfect for the long drive down to Cornwall in May.

[puresmartie]

james, do you have a thing for stripping interiors out of your normal cars for coming down to newquay? *cough*civic*cough*

[Mini_Magic]

At least this time I'm doing it for extra boot space as well as weight saving!

I just think if you don't need it then why carry it?

[charie t]

I'm guessing you've never driven a Astra Mk3 before? Now that had proper understeer.

Where is the astra? Astra's are worse all round than a cinqy, but being better than one of those isnt difficult

[Mini_Magic]

I was just using it as an example of a car which handles badly, as I've owned one and it's now my brothers.

[Mini_Magic]

Clutch cable went again today, after just 2,000 miles of replacing it last time. A common fault on Cinqs apparently.

Removed the rear seats yesterday and cleaned the boot, plenty of space for our luggage now.

Edited by Mini_Magic, 17 April 2011 - 07:22 PM.

[Mini_Magic]

Got quite a bit done on Friday and some of Saturday:

- Found out the clutch cable popped off because the split pin was missing, refitted pin and all working now.
- Adjusted clutch cable.
- Adjusted handbrake cable.
- Adjusted auxiliary belt.
- Decided to refit the rear seats as the bottom cushion can be lifted foward so the back seat can be laid flat. Should be enough space for luggage still.
- Checked the washer bottle for leaks, turned out the pipe had just come off and the motors aren't working. Currently looking for new washer motors.
- Fitted new exhaust clamp and exhaust sealant, no longer blowing in the middle pipe.
- Bought spare clutch cable incase this one fails.

Think that was everything.

Edited by Mini_Magic, 24 April 2011 - 11:24 PM.