| COMFORT AND EQUIPMENT RATING: |
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The Barchetta has a firm but not uncomfortable ride. Its hood is easy to erect and fold away and stows neatly under a rigid, bodycolour lid. The Barchetta is mechanically relaxed at motorway speeds, but there's a fair bit of tiring wind roar at 80 mph. Power steering, and a light gearchange and clutch, make the car easy to drive at low speeds. The Barchetta is a strict two seater with a small boot: you can get two squashy hold-alls or a small suitcase and a briefcase in at a pinch. However you can also slide a lot of small items behind the seats when the hood is up. The glove box is generous, there is another locking box between the seats and there are elasticated door pockets. The stereo cassette player is a built-in Fiat item with the RDS traffic news facility, mounted high in the angled centre console, with base and treble speakers. The latter, mounted in the doors, tend to get soaked by water draining off the hood when the doors are opened in the rain. At commuting speeds it's adequate, but the speakers struggle at an 80 mph cruise.
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