Faults:

Exhaust snapped after 20,000 miles.

General Comments:

This car is not going to win any awards for speed, it is a capable town/city car that will happily cruise at 70mph.

The interior has faired really well for a four year old car the only mark is a scratch that I did whilst transporting a full length mirror.

This is a cheap car and as such you miss out on a lot of equipment, the standard radio I found was quite poor, but it was easily upgraded (with the aid of a faceplate). The "City" button is a nice addition as it makes the power steering even lighter to aid parking and narrow street driving.

I still think that it is a good looking car, the lights on it are fantastic, and not a single thing so far (other than tyres and exhaust) have need replacing, not even a bulb.

I have recently started traveling up to 650 miles per week and the Fiat has never once complained, it's as smooth as it ever was. One thing I did notice was that if you go over 70mph the fuel economy suffers rather badly, as the car only has a 1.2 8v engine this has to be expected.

Overall the fuel economy is quite good with 400 miles usually returned from a full tank. As a student this car served my very well, and I think it is an ideal first car.

Also another strong point in its favor is the fact that it achieved 4 stars in the Euro NCAP crash test, for such a small car this was quite impressive.

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.

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).

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.