Reliable and hardy runabout
Nothing.
Very reliable and hardy runabout.
Engine quite willing but it needs to be revved to get the best out of it.
Suspension is a bit choppy but otherwise a great car.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 18th August, 2000
Superb vehicle
Electric window, driver's side, malfunction after 3 years of use. Deal, Sweeney & Forte fixed under warranty.
Excellent car. Deceivingly BIG for the small car.
Very spacious, loads of head and leg room in both front and back seats.
Seat is height adjustable which is brilliant for us small legged people.
Steering wheel is also adjustable so all hazards etc are seen on the dashboard.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 13th July, 2000
Excellence
No problems at all.
Car runs and sounds perfectly as from day one.
Surprisingly big for the "small city car".
Steering wheel is moveable so you can see all lights on the dashboard. Seat is height adjustable.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 13th July, 2000
Stylish but badly constructed supermini
Constant niggling faults. More creaks than a haunted house!
Exhaust baffle blew at just 10k miles, replacement back box £140 at main dealer car was still under warranty but as exhaust is a consumable item price was reduced to £40, I should bloody think so too!
Idler gear wear identified by a rattling sound when clutch is released disappears when depressed. This is a common fault on Puntos which can necessitate a new gearbox costing £700!
Steering and brakes always pulled to the left, dealer failed to rectify problem.
Awful smell from heater when blowing hot.
Dreadful wet weather grip from standard Michelins.
A great shame because the Punto is a stylish and spacious car with a wonderful engine and crisp exhaust note which fails to live up to expectations on the road.
The dealer charges are extremely fierce, I was quoted £240 for a 20k service. If you buy one of these new take it to Halfords for servicing after the measly 12 months warranty runs out, Fiat dealers are unhelpful and dishonest in my experience and in most other cases if you read the customer satisfaction surveys.
I would never buy another Fiat it is a substandard product with awful build integrity. The reason they are so popular is the style and showroom appeal, sadly the ownership experience is about as pleasurable as having your testicles pierced!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 5th July, 2000
You've obviously not got into the Italian spirit of things. We Fiat owners overlook any minor challenges and if you ain't got it in you then better get a Ford!
With respect to the last comment, if you call living with a bag of rattles getting into the spirit of things then a problematic lifestlye is obviously one of your life's highlights. I bought mine second hand so I was able to bail out of this helpless quagmire of ownership. Buy one of these new and the depreciation would be an absolute killer with FIAT residuals running at less than 30% after 3 years.
Junior GTI!!!!!
Poor running caused by an electrical fault - lambda sensor plug-end was corroded. Replaced and has been perfect ever since.
Great car to own and drive. Gearing not so great for cruising at 80 mph+, can be a bit noisy. Otherwise good town/moderate distance car.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 9th June, 2000
A pocket rocket on the cheap!!!
Black paintwork faded on front bumper (repaired by dealer under warranty).
Exhaust back box expired (without warning!)
Excellent performance in a straight line!, be careful around corners though!
Very well equipped, a bit unrefined, but all round great fun.
Buy one while you can as they don't make the "turbo" model any more.
Pound for pound excellent value for money.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 2nd May, 2000
Electric headlamp levelling (not that I use it!!) - turned out to be the switch not being connected!!
Hard on front tyres. Needed new ones at 13K miles.
Gearbox can be stubborn. Close-ratio box mean high revs at motorway speeds
Other than that, an excellent, reliable, practical and nippy runabout.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 25th November, 1999
After one year, the rear right handbrake cable broke, even though just over one month over its warranty, DC Cook (Manchester) replaced it free, which would have cost >£100! Apart from that, no probs.
Pretty good, looks much better with 15in alloys.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 21st May, 1999
Temperature sensor at around 8,000 miles.
Rear shock absorbers at 12,000 miles (local roads are in a very bad condition and contain a lot of pot holes).
Good looking car with a lot of attention paid to the design.
Has good road holding which is improved by fitting sportier (harder) shocks on the rear.
Brake shoes need to be changed every 10,000 miles.
Easily dented, roor protection rubber is useless.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 25th April, 1999
30th Nov 2000, 02:42
Hear hear!! I couldn't agree more, I have had similar problems with mine.