Fiat Grande Punto

[SaintKenny]

Was looking at one of these for a first car,

 

Anyone driven them?

[superstevesaints]

Buy a Daewoo Matiz they are much better!

[sotonjoe]

Buy a Daewoo Matiz they are much better!

Nippy as well for a small car apparently.

[Colinjb]

Well, I want one.... Would rather have one instead of the tin box I have at the moment.

[Al de Man]

Nippy as well for a small car apparently.

 

Only they're not.

 

Now the 205 1.9 GTi or Daihatsu Charade GTti Turbo, they were nippy small cars.

[SaintKenny]

I am not that keen on the Daewoo

[CabbageFace]

They are ok. Fiats are expensive on parts thou.

[SaintKenny]

I paid the deposit on mine today, got the Stripe edition, comes in 2 weeks, am excited.

[lee_saint]

********, wanted to flog a 2004 Punto Active Sport to someone...

[SaintKenny]

Haha, how much were you selling for?

[lee_saint]

Haha, how much were you selling for?

 

£3500ono.

[SaintKenny]

I am not so keen on the old styling, prefer the Maserati design the newer models have.

[lee_saint]

I am not so keen on the old styling, prefer the Maserati design the newer models have.

 

To be fair mate, they are okay cars, it's lasted me for two years. Just be warned they are prone to the odd breakdown, I had the gear sync go which cost me a fair bit.

[SaintKenny]

I got 3 years warranty on it, and set aside some spare cash for any unexpected additional costs.

[SaintKenny]

Took it out for a drive today

Edited 9 March, 2009 by SaintKenny

[Scudamore]

Vinyl graphics on a car that is not competing in a race are fuhhhhucking ghey.

 

My Punto has raped me in repairs over the years. I've blown a head gasket, had to replace the clutch and the gearbox aside from other odds and sods. At present my speedo isn't working or the power steering.

 

I have grown a hasty disdain for Fiat over the years and unless i win the lottery will never be owning an Italian car ever again.

 

Mercifully i will be taking ownership of a VW Golf next week...thank f::ck...

[SaintKenny]

Well nothing wrong so far, got a warranty, and will sell it when that runs out. So hopefully won't be spending to much on repairs.

[Scudamore]

Well nothing wrong so far, got a warranty, and will sell it when that runs out. So hopefully won't be spending to much on repairs.

 

Aside from the graphics of course

 

Good luck to you...i happen to think they are a lovely looking car also...

[SaintKenny]

The graphics arn't that bad! Makes it look a bit different from other Grande Puntos cause its the limited edition one.

 

The guy who designs Ferraris and Maseratis also designed this, and I agree that its a nice looking car, the front headlamps are the same as the older model Maserati coupe.

[Ponty]

I like it. I'm particularly impressed by its ability to bounce on a trampoline.

 

As for the graphics, forget what Scudamore says, the right ones look fine. It's the Japanese street-style ones that look all wrong.

[Scudamore]

I like it. I'm particularly impressed by its ability to bounce on a trampoline.

 

As for the graphics, forget what Scudamore says, the right ones look fine. It's the Japanese street-style ones that look all wrong.

 

I will not be silenced by your censorship Ponty...i don't like it...

[Um Bongo]

You wouldn't look out of place down Mcdonalds in Hedge End....

[Ajv2809]

My Punto has raped me in repairs over the years. I've blown a head gasket, had to replace the clutch and the gearbox aside from other odds and sods. At present my speedo isn't working or the power steering.

 

Mercifully i will be taking ownership of a VW Golf next week...thank f::ck...

 

I had exactly the same problems and a fair few more.

 

I sold it and got a Golf too, and it has never ever let me down.

[TopGun]

I like it. I'm particularly impressed by its ability to bounce on a trampoline.

 

As for the graphics, forget what Scudamore says, the right ones look fine. It's the Japanese street-style ones that look all wrong.

 

Can graphics be removed without damaging the paintwork? I think they're laughable especially on 1.4l engine cars but I am sure that they would affect second hand sale price as potential buyers will think that the engine has been ragged by a deluded kid!

[Ponty]

Can graphics be removed without damaging the paintwork? I think they're laughable especially on 1.4l engine cars but I am sure that they would affect second hand sale price as potential buyers will think that the engine has been ragged by a deluded kid!

Yes, with a hairdryer. If they've been on awhile they can show the dulled paint that's been exposed to the elements as opposed to the bright paint behind the graphics though.

[St Landrew]

They are ok. Fiats are expensive on parts thou.

 

Yep, this is true. I still have a Fiat Tipo which I'm getting back on the road next month. And while I know it will be a fun car to drive, exhibiting very good steering, handling and practibility, it will, once in a blue moon, let me down. In the time I have driven my Audi it has not missed a beat. But that's another story.

 

The Punto, like so many other recent Fiats, and one or two other cars, is based on the Tipo platform. So it starts from a very good base. Do make sure you obtain one that has been looked after as spares are indeed quite expensive. Fingers crossed though, you won't need them too often.

 

What we need is German, Swedish and French, to add Italian to their spares line up. Then we could all buy Fiats and not be too phased when the need for spares became apparent.

[TopGun]

Interesting to see that Fiat is using the Grande Punto to reintroduce the Abarth brand, distinct from Fiat.

[Ponty]

Interesting to see that Fiat is using the Grande Punto to reintroduce the Abarth brand, distinct from Fiat.

 

Isn't there a Fiat 500 Abarth though? Or is that an upcoming model? Also, there was a Stilo Abarth not so long ago. It's not like we've been waiting since the last Ford Cosworth.

[SaintKenny]

Can graphics be removed without damaging the paintwork? I think they're laughable especially on 1.4l engine cars but I am sure that they would affect second hand sale price as potential buyers will think that the engine has been ragged by a deluded kid!

 

I am a deluded kid though

[TopGun]

I am a deluded kid though

 

Lol! I hope I didn't sound rude!

 

Ponty, Fiat have reintroduced Abarth as a make, not a model.

 

Badge re-engineering the new 500 and Grand Punto as sport variants, but not Fiats.

[thesaint sfc]

You're a lucky sod Kenny!

 

Lucky you didn't buy my Skoda though. The gearbox went 2 days after the guy bought it

[Ash]

Vinyl graphics on a car that is not competing in a race are fuhhhhucking ghey.

 

My Punto has raped me in repairs over the years. I've blown a head gasket, had to replace the clutch and the gearbox aside from other odds and sods. At present my speedo isn't working or the power steering.

 

I have grown a hasty disdain for Fiat over the years and unless i win the lottery will never be owning an Italian car ever again.

 

Mercifully i will be taking ownership of a VW Golf next week...thank f::ck...

Italian and French cars are for nobbers, not that you were seeking my validation but you have made the correct decision.

[Al de Man]

I am a deluded kid though

 

A 17 year old with two driving lessons to his name thinking he could get insurance on an Audi A4 3.0 Quattro? You can say that again.

[Ponty]

Italian and French cars are for nobbers, not that you were seeking my validation but you have made the correct decision.

Blimey, I own a French car with graphics. I must be a total c***.

[SaintKenny]

A 17 year old with two driving lessons to his name thinking he could get insurance on an Audi A4 3.0 Quattro? You can say that again.

 

5 lessons.

[Al de Man]

5 lessons.

 

Apologies. I take that back.