Same here. I had a 1981 Fiat X1/9.I have had a good number of nice vehicles over the years, but there are three that I wish I still had. When I was about to graduate from college in 1969 I purchased a brand new Camero SS, then a couple of years later children came into the picture and we needed a bigger car. Then later I had a VW Camper van (or whatever they called them). We loved it, but I jumped at a trade with a friend for a 72 Opel GT. Great car, but a couple of years later I traded it for a Fiat 850 Sport Coupe. Worst vehicle I ever had. I am not allowed to say the word "Fiat" in front of my bride.......
Wifey drove it and had the gear shift remove itself from the car while on a two lane bridge. No, not th shift knob the whole shifter stick.
Man was she ever torqued! She was headed to the shop to get it safety inspected.
We bought it from a dealer who had already passed it as safe. We found another garage who flunked it badly with both rear struts, all four tires, windshield wipersand about four other things were bad or needed replaced. We contacted the state highway patrol and I was visited by the captain of the division. He looked at the dealer's inspection and the garage's and said, "Im going to get your car fixed for you." He did.
When it ran, it was a go kart with a V8! This damn piece of European engineering was painted the correct color, LEMON YELLOW. I had it about 9 months and drove it about 3 months. Traded it in on an 89 Ford pickup. I hope that Fiat met the crusher.