Faults:

No serious issues with the car, some condensation in the tail lights and a globe in the dash, all rectified by the dealer, no issues.

Comfortable, well designed interior... I'm nearly 6ft and there's plenty of room for me. Comfortably fit 4 adults with reasonable leg room, but it's a super mini not a people mover, so be realistic. Great driving position though; armrests in perfect positions and easy to use cruise control.

The 1.4L SOHC EFI motor has a sporty feel to it, coupled to the quirky but fun dual logic 5 speed gearbox. Though engine power is around 59kW, it's a lightweight car and nips around fairly well. Excellent handling even when pushed hard into corners and zipping through traffic... very predictable and forgiving. The 1.4L revs hard but never feels harsh, just sporty even past 5000 RPM with a 6000 RPM red line.

Once you familiarize yourself with the semi-auto robotised gearbox, its throttle response and feel is very similar to a manual gearbox (just no clutch pedal) with an intuitive smooth action. Up shifts and downshifts in manual or auto mode are relatively smooth (but notch if pushed hard in auto mode), but are also how you'd expect a manual to feel with a good driver behind the wheel. I think the gearbox is actually quite good and gives the car a unique spirited character that makes it fun to drive. In manual mode you can really put it through its paces and have some fun.

The design of the exterior I think is really quite good, and not dated but stylish and sophisticated. It's not a Ferrari or a Porsche, but it looks good with a bit of an Austin Martin nose on it. I paid AU$16000 for this car brand new and I think it's great value for money. It's just a shame that FIAT in Australia are now concentrating on its 500 and 500X branding, so the Punto will no longer be available in Australia. I would have happily bought the next Punto, especially if it had a 1.4L turbo or the 1.9L turbo diesel.

General Comments:

I just think it's a great little car that has a lot of character. Excellent value for money and SUPER economical for around town.

Faults:

Nothing so far. Some warning lights which I have yet to attend to. Non starter on pick up, which I assume was due to no use for a few weeks. Jumpered and now is fine with a good run.

General Comments:

Well where to begin? I made an impulse buy on this car. But silly really as I usually never buy unseen. However it was very cheap and I had that itch I sometimes get with Italian machinery. The deal was done before I had time to think it through. Perhaps I'll never be a millionaire, but then perhaps I will.

So I traveled 650km to collect it and had a quick run to ascertain whether it would be a good'un or not. Turns out it was. I've never owned a petrol car which seems to be so frugal on the fuel. Admittedly I took a big chance on this as it had both the engine and gearbox lights lit, but both never gave me grief from Auckers to Wellie. Phew I said as I drew to within 100km of my destination. The trip was somewhat sublime. I've read other articles praising the stereo on this model, which I 100% agree with.

The motor/trans takes a little getting used to, but it really is the eager performer. Admittedly it's a little slow off the mark, but then at highway speeds you can also find yourself caught out as you may glance down to find you are sitting on 130kph or more, such is the subdued wind noise and general lack of drama.

That CVT set up seems to work well in this, which really is a little city car, getting round nicely, but thrash it and it says 'OK'. This is Italian motoring as it should be. Screaming to the redline - not that there appears to be one, and most important of all laughing at corners as you pensively - not a great deal of feel in the steering - but will easily surprise you with only light understeer. Not disappointing at all when you dare to glance down and view your speed. Brakes are none too shabby either, mind you - mine has new pads and discs.

These are early days and we are still getting to know each other, so it is like that 'fun' part of any relationship. Before you come to realise the shortfalls. I wouldn't say build quality is up there with ze Germans - some downright nasty plastics, but I think these things can handle a bit of a wallop. Also everything seems to work and no trim is broken or left in the glovebox. A working lighter even. Wooh!

So revvy as hell, fun to drive, good on the 'suds, stylish. Spacious too - forgot to mention. Seems not a bad gamble. So far so good.

Early days mind.