Newbie seriously considering taking the plunge.

Hello,

Thought I'd best introduce myself, as I recently joined the forum and Rob Warren was kind enough to add me to your Facebook group. I've been lurking for a little while trying to gen up on the feasibility of running an X1/9 as a daily drive!

I've some experience of living with an Italian having run a Fiat (Punto) and Alfa (145 Cloverleaf) and am currently on my second Maserati, a Gransport MCV, but I'm using it too much just for local jaunts and so want to take the pressure off the Maser' with something cheaper, but equally fun. Have to stay Italian, and so I know I'm in for more of those Italian idiosyncrasies.

So what do you reckon? I'm thinking a late model rather than earlier just to have half a chance of finding a relatively rust free example. I know rust is a major concern, as are the electrics, but anything else I should be aware of? Brake upgrades seem to be advised? The car would live outside, so I'm assuming full underbody treatment, but are there other rust traps I should be aware of? I've read on the forum that beneath the headlights can be a trap, and also the boot?

Parts don't seem to be too hard to track down with Eurosport having a good range, but are there any major exceptions?

I'll look forward to reading your comments and advice. I have to say that the thought of having an Exxie to play with is getting me more excited than it should. I loved them when they came out and think they've gotten better with time, but I mustn't let the heart rule the head, no I mustn't.........no I..........Hmmmm?......

Regards, Miles.

Hi Miles

I have owned my X1/9 for a few months now, and drove it for a few weeks until the MOT ran out and parked it up. Its now a very minor, but month by month, job by job restoration project. Soon I will give it an MOT, and I can't wait. I loved driving it for those two weeks.

With regards to rust, my experience so far would make me look at:

Rear suspension turrets, both top and engine facing cylindrical edge.
Where the headlamp motors bolt on to inner front wing.
All around the engine bay and the panels behind it and by the exhaust.

I would then check the 30cm surrounding area of all suspension arm mounting points.

Apart from that, make sure the sills and floors are solid.

Miles,

I wouldn't rule out the early cars not sure on exact year but pre-80's cars possibly just the 1300's used a better quality steel if I recall correctly.. saying that I have a '79 1500 with all original panels no welding or filler, and a '80 1500 which has some rust but is a lot better than a '89 which I parted out.

Rgds, Ian

Thanks for the quick reply and pointers Adam. I think the headlamp motor area was what I had read of previously, along with the sills and floor, but wasn't aware of the others, so thanks for that.

In your opinion (and I won't be offended if you call me a complete nutter) am I asking too much of it to use it as a daily, including through the winter? Come to think of it, what's the heating like? I know it'll try to get me backwards in the snow, but hell, so does the Maser! :woohoo:

Hi Ian,

Thanks for your comments. I can't profess to be any sort of expert on the facelifts, but I have to say I prefer the look of the earlier 1300 cars - not sure the heavier bumpers did them any favours, but I'd largely discounted them on the grounds of availability, particularly of carefully owned examples - there's only about half a dozen in total that I've come across so far?

Interested to read your comment on the sheet thickness.

If you don't mind me asking, how do you rate the engines against each other?

Regards, Miles.

I've never driven a 1300 so I can compare, personally I think the 1500 is a little underpowered, but there's plenty you can do to a 1300 to provide similar power the 1500 if you don't mind tweaking the engine.

Maybe somebody else can provide citation on the quality of the early chassis compared to the later rust buckets.


Rob Warren but be able to give you a comparison between a 1300 and 1500 he's also selling a 1300 currently.

Thanks Ian. ..."the later rust buckets". Interesting comment given I was thinking these would be the safer route.

Tweaking (DIY wherever possible) is very much part of the reason for considering an X1/9. I already have a list forming and I don't even have one yet!

Hi again Miles!

Ah, where to start. Well spend as much as you can to get the best condition body available. If you are looking at a particular car try and take an experienced club member with you if poss - we are dotted all around the country and always like to help out. Bare in mind these cars are seriously old now and most (with the exception of a few that have been tucked up in garages) will have had some restoration at some point. A good idea would be to try and attend a show where someone can point out just what a good one should look like. Bodged restorations will show incorrect lines around the car, eg. doors having ripples at the bottom, rear sills being the wrong shape and sticking out too much and the bottom rear corners under the bumper usually split open - fresh paint and indicators like these will show the job has been rushed and the rust will soon burst out.

If it has been done properly, the car will look straight. Structurally, check the inner turrets of the front and rear by opening the boot/engine lid. Inspect the sills, floor pans (they tend to rust at in the footwells), roll over bar, Windscreen surround etc.

I ran my exxy for four years rain or shine and it lived outside. The key to saving it was a serious waxoil and lots of sump oil. I could talk all night on how to do it, but get the car first and I'll go into further detail.

These cars are cheap as chips to run - parts are simply pocket money. 13" tyres are next to nothing, servicing is easy and we can give you any advice you may need. Access around the vehicle is superb with the exception of replacing the brake/clutch master cylinders - although I've done one in under an hour so can advise. Eurosport are fantastic for bits and there are specialists out there.
The heater is superb - I used to have my roof off all year round.

The 1300s are pure and lovely. They feel lighter to drive and in my experience a little more tail happy due to the lower back end than the 1500 - which is why fiat raised the rear shocks on the 1500. They rev beautifully (shorter stroke than the 1500) but they are only 4 speed so do struggle with modern traffic on motorways. The interior gives much more room and I would say that a 1300 is nicer to drive than a 1500 on a B road.

Having said that, in your position I would get a 1500. They do feel more modern to drive and are more relaxed with the 5th gear. There are more about in good condition and some parts are easier to obtain. If you want the smaller bumpers you can do a 1300 bumper conversion, although this takes a bit of skill and bumpers are rare. Classic and Sports cars do fiberglass replicas though.

If it was me I'd stick with the 1500 bumpers on an everyday car. You can park them anywhere and if anyone goes into you, they come out of it bashed and you won't have a scratch. I don't have any on my modified car but paid the price after last years national when a Passat reversed into me at a petrol station - and it was 3 days out of the paint-shop!

So to conclude, a 1500 will be a good buy. Look for one that has plenty of bills. I'd say the early fiat cars are better built. Based on the ones I've broken over that last 12 years with Nick at P1X-2000, the early bertone VS cars (A-C reg) tend to rust the most. The engines are strong - they like oil changes and fresh coolant so check that this has been done. A lack of antifreeze will cause the steel pipes underneath to rot and they are a pain to replace - Inserting copper pipes is the quickest method to rectify. Brakes always seize due to lack of use and maintenance, but done correctly (again very simple to do) and they will work perfectly. If you are handy with a spanner, the car can be run on a shoestring but if you are using a garage, try and avoid those that don't know what an x19 is - they usually wear overalls that are far to clean - always a bad sign! Traditional garages seem to be the best, but again the club can advise.

Every repair you can think of has been done before. We have a dedicated page for faults and fixes for members so joining the club will save you a lot of grief and money - you also get a magazine on a quarterly basis.

Good luck and let us know how you get on. Where are you located Miles?

Best regards,

Rob

Hi Rob,

Thanks so much for such a detailed response. I've been watching the market for a while now, but examples seem to come up only occasionally and I'd like to get something sorted in good time for winter so I can get it 'cold weather fettled', so I guess there is a bit of a ticking clock.

I'm in Loughborough, but happy to go to view anything on the UK mainland if it looks a good prospect.

Thanks particularly for your guidance on the panel lines. Always good to know where to look in particular.

Regards, Miles.

Yup, an absolutely cracking everyday car. It's my only car and I've done 25,000 miles in 2 years. You'll probably have a couple of teething problems whatever you get but like the above posts say, parts are next to nowt and they're dead easy to work on. I get about 35mpg when taking it easy and insurance is peanuts too.

With a wooly hat and some gloves you can indeed drive with the top off all year..

I've recently fitted a really nice sound system too, which has livened those unavoidable motorway journeys..

Oh, and consider sensible upgrades like electronic ignition, electric fuel pump for ultimate usability: fit & forget.

P.S, I flew from Glasgow to Sussex for mine..

Hi Miles - I've had 9 X1/9's now in all formats. I would say spend as much as possible on a good well-cared for example if you want to use it daily especially if its not going to be under cover. They all have the 'ability' to rust everywhere so check everywhere! I'd go for a Gran Finale thats been cossetted. It will deteriorate with daily use though - I once had a Yellow F plate 1500 that went from looking fantastic to riddled with corrosion in 12 months - never owned a car that went downhil so quickly (not literally!) The 1500's are better for regualar use and motorways but remember even the last cars are now some 23 years old and of the pre-galvanised era so it won't be ultra reliable...........
Thats said you sound like you'll be used to those Italian idiosyncrasies - I've been watching Gransports recently as a replacement for my Esprit! Whats that like ..

I keep having a Devil on my shoulder saying ditch the company car and drive an X all year round! I'm using a new Z4 at the moment and in comparison, great car that it is, it doesn't excite me anything like an X1/9!

Chaps as much as I love Exxys - and I did for many years use an X as a daily runner - Theres something to be said - if you can afford to - in having the X as a second car to keep the feeling special. No BM fan Rob but thats not a bad pairing!

Thanks for your comments Neil. Agree on getting the best available, but at the end of the day, it's going to be a short run daily and something to properly tinker with, so re-panelling, swapping out the engine, changing the interior - it's all on the cards. I went to town on my 4200CC, and I'm getting an itch with my MCV, which I need to resist, so the Exxy is going to be the focus instead. If it breaks, I'll fix it. If the engine's out I'll use the Maser or Mrs Tee's car, so it's all do-able, and at Exxy prices compared to Maser prices - comparatively it's money found down the back of the sofa.

As for the GS, we have a few Maser / Lotus owners. If you get Italian, then you won't be dis-appointed in the GS. Not too many good ones around, as they're pretty sought after, but certainly a few more than Exxy's!

Happy to give you any pointers, so just ask.

Check into Sports Maserati forum if you want more details. Great bunch and similar to you guys from what I can tell; no airs and graces, just like to chat about cars and stuff.

Regards, Miles.