1998 Fiat Punto 85sx from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing to worry about.

58k - the clutch release bearing wore (could not select/deselected gear) causing the clutch pins to break, although I admit the car was driven hard. managed to get a reconditioned clutch from Arnold Clark fiat for £60 with a 1 year warranty and fitted it myself.

59k - front strut bushing worn caused knocking sound £15.

60k - replaced HT leads as engine was badly misfiring £20.

Obviously wear and tear items as well.

Aren't Haynes manuals a wonderful thing!

The 85sx IS basically a sporting minus certain added extras, such as black cloth interior, factory alloys, airbag etc. it uses the more efficient 1242cc 16v engine producing a crazy 86bhp! (a 1.2 16v Corsa produces 64bhp) the good thing is that it has the sportings power minus the badge!

Electric windows.

Engine immobilizer.

Central locking.

Manual sunroof.

Power steering.

Rev counter.

Front fog lights.

Metallic paint.

Rear headrests.

Smoked glass.

Insurance group 6.

86bhp!

The car as standard handles very well in both the wet and the dry. put a set of 15' wheels on it with good tires and it sticks like glue although rolls like a hippo when pushed! I've solved this on mine by uprating the suspension with a -60mm GMAX shocks and springs lowering kit and the car handles like a go-kart! I really have surprised a lot of people and myself on the odd twisty back road, the steering is predictable, safe and solid both in the wet and the dry.

I've also fitted a sportex mild steel 3' cat-back exhaust system (£109 fastfiat.com) with a stainless De-cat pipe and a piper cross air filter and it sounds amazing.

Recently I swapped 15' wheels for 17' wheels, the drive is definitly not as good, acceleration is slower, cornering is heavier, but the looks are amazing!

FIAT = Fix It Another Time - in my case not true, after 1 year of ownership I have found my fiat to be reliable, economical, predictable and reassuring never leaving me by the roadside (touch wood)

It came with a full fiat service history up to 40k and the rest will be done by me as I trust my work more than a dealers prices!

Theres plenty of space and leg room in the front and will seat 4 adults on a long journey comfortably.

Downside is the position of the foot pedals, the angle is wrong and does cause some pain to your leg muscles until you get used to it! but the clutch rest pedal is a simple, but handy extra. the seats are to hard, but its not meant to be a sports car.

Brakes have never been as good as my dads Corsa, but the discs are wearing thin so an uprated set will be ordered soon. this should hopefully solve the problem.

Recalled to check the brake lines and the rear were replaced free of charge. car left with FIAT arnold clark Dunfermline 9am, car collected by 3pm job done!

I've rated the dealer high because they (Dunfermline) were genuinely very courtious, polite, called to let me know how the car was going when in for recall, no problem with stocking parts or sourcing parts from other dealers in the area. reasonable prices for certain parts.

I've rated performance low because yeah its nippy around town and will cruise comfortably on the motorway, but at the end of the day it is only a 1.2.

Comforts low mainly due to the hard seats, you sit ON them rather than IN them and the pedal angle.

Lastly a full tank 40litres (around £30) will get you 300 miles sensible driving and around 270 miles if you like those red line moments!

Owning the same car, but unmodified and around half the mileage, I can say that if you move away from 14 to 15 inch tyres you will have a drop in performance. Also, I hope you changed the speedo with that as wheel diameter affects the readings.

Also, note that this is one of the quickest, if not the quickest unmodified, non-sports (SX) 1.2 litre engines in the UK.

I found the best combo on tyres was to have slick radials on the back (low tread) and ones with plenty of grip on the front (high tread). This way you will get maximum grip on while not losing speed. I've seen many new expensive cars with such combos BMW to name.

I'd like to confirm that the Punto's 1.2litre "85" engine is terrific. It leaves all others in the class for dead - Corsas, Renaults, etc.

I can't say I've ever felt the brakes lacking stopping power, but you're right that you need to watch the discs for wear.

I love the way that at the limit the understeer can be easily controlled with throttle

I have had my T-reg punto now for 3months. Its really good because it has only done 17000miles. Its like new! I feel that the cars comfort and performance are excellent! So far I have had no major problems apart from the hand brake needing regularly tightend. One of my freind has a "Sporting" however the 85sx outclasses it! The excellent clutch and low speed acceleration makes it a perfect car for driving around the busy city! AS.

I've had my fiat Punto 1.2 85 SX 16v about 9 months. A 5 door version 99' it has 163,000 miles on it and is still a great runner. I have had minor problems with the car; had to replace plug leads as it was miss-firing badly! also had to replace exhaust and rocker cover gasket. It is a very quick for a 1.2; it does 58 mph/93khm in second gear which is quick for its engine size. All around, a great runner!

Hi, I bought my 1998 85 SX in Nov 2004 with 33,0000 miles on the clock. She's 5 years older & still only got 57,000. What a great little car! Good looking, with plenty of oomph, zippy and safe at the same time.

I've had to replace the plug leads and the clutch plate, as well as have a spot of welding under the rear seat belt area from wear & tear.

Someone did try to steal her, but the immobiliser put a stop to that. I fought like mad to have her repaired & keep her & it was well worth it.

I love the pedal rest, like the power steering and find my seats comfy enough, but maybe it's because I'm female. I also love the sunroof, as so many don't have them now.

Great amount of room for larger items with the seats folded down in the back. I've carried all sorts of furniture & stuff about in my motor. A proper little work horse & all rounder for passenger comfort, legroom & the heater is great too for these winter morns.

I use about £20 or 20 litres in a fortnight & reckon I get my monies worth. Great on the motorway as well. Won't be getting rid of my trusty motor until she bites the dust. Nice Car... I certainly think so.

Hey, I also own an 85 SX, but it needs lowering. I can't seem to find a specific 85 SX kit, and I want to know would a kit for a Punto Sporting fit??

Thanks.