2000 Fiat Punto HGT 1.8

Summary:

Unreliable rubbish

Faults:

Cam belt snapped @ 52,000.

Wheel nuts rusted @ 40,000.

Headlight misted @ 45,000.

Numerous niggles under warranty including persistent alarm faults, steering problems, warped discs, etc, etc, etc.

General Comments:

Fiat Punto HGT. Never, never, again. Awful reliability, overrated car, overrated dealership, overrated performace. Need I say more?

Car is decidedly average with poor handling, tatty trim and lack lustre performance.

A final word of warning. Fiat service schedule states cam belt does not require change until 72K. If you are an owner who has done anything over 40,000 get your belt checked ASAP. After a little local research have discovered this is a common fault on the HGT's. Worse case scenario, new engine, best, at least valve damage and new head gasket set.

If you are considering purchasing... don't! Have owned a Peugeot GTI 6 and Golf GTI previously and they are far superior in every respect.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th September, 2004

2000 Fiat Punto HGT 1.8 16v

Summary:

Nice sporty car, but expensive to run and insure

Faults:

The windscreen wiper motor had to be replaced... wipers really labored and shuddered on the intermittent setting.

Cigar lighter was blowing the fuse and had to be replaced.

General Comments:

This is an ex-demo car, therefore has everything, ABS, Traction Control (turn offable), alloys, 5 CD changer, air con and sat-nav etc etc So can't complain on the features.

Sports suspension takes its toll on long journeys on the motorways.

Really does gulp the unleaded and so is expensive to run and insure (group 14).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 14th September, 2004

27th Oct 2004, 13:14

You ONLY rated it 7 in performance stakes??? You must be mad!! These cars really shift!!! Easily takes apart vts and the like. They do drink the fuel though and at group insurance 14/15 they cost to run.

6th Aug 2008, 10:43

Just bought an Abarth. Very quick and smooth, loves drinking petrol tho (worth every penny). My mate who's got a VTS use to leave me in my old 1.6... try it now!!

2000 Fiat Punto ELX 1.2 petrol

Summary:

A waste of money

Faults:

It's been back to the garage 6 times.

Could not select 5th gear. Gear push/pull cables not setup.

2nd and 4th gear grinding. Battery warning light started to flash. New 2nd and 4th gear. New alternator.

Rev counter died. "New" set of clocks.

Clocks had 4000 extra miles. New clocks fitted.

3rd gear grinding. New 3rd gear. Also new throttle body fitted?? Never found out why.

All warning flashing and 3rd gear grinding. New head gasket, new gearbox and a number of other jobs.

Now the CITY PS is kicking in by itself and causing over steering. Car has spun out once because of this.

General Comments:

Nice looking car.

Cheap to run.

Easy to push.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 8th August, 2004

2000 Fiat Punto hgt 1.8 16v

Summary:

Pocket rocket!!!

Faults:

No faults so far as I haven't had the car that long.

General Comments:

This car is seriously quick!!! Blows away lots of cars from the lights. Pulls strongly all the way past 100mph!!

Kept on the tail of a bmw 330i the other day (from a standing start all the way to 80mph. The bloke didn't know what was going on!!

Also it handles like it is on rails

Excellent build quality and interior, loaded with toys. air conditioning, ABS, 5 cd auto changer, traction control etc...

Insurance is high though (group 15) and is heavy on petrol. But its FAST!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd July, 2004

28th Oct 2004, 06:05

They are fast cars!!!

I've been beaten by them on a number of occasions, and I drive Focus ST170.

11th Aug 2005, 07:44

To get real power add a viper + a well placed cold air feed, it makes a huge difference!

You say you have got a k&n "that's fine" but don't forget that cold air feed, otherwise your filter will only draw in hot air.

2000 Fiat Punto HGT 1.8

Summary:

Never buy a FIAT

Faults:

Brakes, needed replacing at 30,000 miles.

General Comments:

This car is quick, but it is very uncomfortable, for long distance driving.

The Fiat CD player is crap.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th April, 2004