Faults:

The board computer died. :( I had it fixed for a lot of money. Later on another part of the computer died. That is the only big thing that went wrong with the car.

It is a great car! I am going to miss it now; a man crashed into it, so now I have to say goodbye to my lovely car.

Faults:

Faulty spark plug wires had to be replaced at 80000km.

Rear drum brakes gone bad at 100000km, had to replace both.

Faulty passenger airbag connector now and then, seems it's a common fault in this model.

General Comments:

Low weight, willing engine for it's little displacement, good handling... It's pretty nice to drive. Good to very good mileage if driven carefully. Nice exhaust note.

Interior ages OK, for being cheap plastic. Good ergonomics in general lines.

Good to very good mileage if driven carefully. A much better buy than its 8 valve brothers.

Faults:

Nothing serious.

The comfort of the suspension sometimes if the road is bad.

Some noises from the interior plastics, but here in Greece we have very bad roads, so OK.

General Comments:

I think that is an underestimated sport hatch. The engine is very very good with plenty of power from the down to high revs... I have seen about three dyno tests from three normal HGTs with down to 1000km and the power was from 138 to 139 hp IN the engine (not at the wheels. The auto companies does not give the official power at wheels but in the engine) so it has more power than 130 that FIAT says. Maybe after 50000 km the power will be better at around 140 hp. So from the engine and generally from the car's acceleration, I am very satisfied.

The handling is good. Maybe the understeer is coming a little earlier than other sport hatches, but it is very friendly, the oversteer is rare and generally you know what car will do. I think an 106 GTi will turn a little faster but is not so friendly, it wants you to be a very good driver to do it. HGT can be turned fast by a typical driver.

The brakes in 2002 were very good, but now are just good because all the new cars have very good brakes. But from the sport hatches generation of 2002, it had the best brakes.

I have to say that it is very good for trips on the highway. It is stable in high-speed and with the engine power you can be traveling with 150 km/h easily on the highway. So it is a good car if you know why you buy it.

Faults:

So far nothing.

As soon as I purchased the car, I replaced the engine oil and filter, air filter, cam belt and tensioner, spark plugs and HT cables.

When you buy a used car, you have to make some preventive maintenance. Engine management, ECU and catalytic converter might get damaged if you neglect some obvious parts such as spark plugs and high tension leads.

When I bought the car, it was jerking when trying to pickup from low revs. I myself changed the spark plugs - Champion, and HT leads - Bosch, and now the car runs like a dream. I intentionally point out these items as I noticed that some other Punto owners experience jerking from low revs. It`s all in spark plugs and HT leads; buy a nice fresh set and your engine will run as smoothly as brand new.

General Comments:

Good overall quality, pleasantly surprised. Car runs like new and there is no noise from engine/transmission/suspension.

Lovely 6 speed gearbox - the car does 160 km/h at 4500 rpms in 6th. Not bad for a 1.2.

Car is fitted with a nice factory installed blaupunkt radio/navigation system. Many of my friends were surprised when they saw a GPS in a Punto :)

Excellent city servo, very useful when parking.

Good handling as the suspension is lowered by 1.5cm compared to a standard Punto.