7th Dec 2007, 04:42
You must have a crap HGT mate. I've been raced lots of times by wee boy racers in VTSs and the rest, and I leave them for dead. YES I do drive a HGT too, only got piper cross viper on it. Cold feed also.
7th Dec 2007, 16:31
The person who made the comment that the HGT ECU can't be remapped; yes it can bro. My HGT was dynoed 140bhp standard. Changed my induction kit to a Pipercross Viper system cold feed of course. Guess what, an extra 10bhp. So it's not that hard to upgrade this wee car's performance. It does cost 230.00 pounds, but worth it.
8th Dec 2007, 08:55
Where do you get the ECU remapped and how much does it cost? I've also got a Punto HGT mk2, with Pipercross viper and cold air feed. It's bloody quick! Cheers.
16th Dec 2007, 15:34
Just been in touch with angeltuning.com. They can do an upgrade on your ECU on your HGT. It's called a piggy back ECU. If I were you, I would drop them an email...
31st Dec 2007, 07:38
You lot LOL. I have a Punto HGT 2002. It has 56k.
I have put an induction kit on and it is a good car, but there are a few things with Puntos; this is my 2nd and on both I've had problems with the windscreen wipers in someway.
The 1st Punto I had was a Sporting 52 with the same miles. The handling of the car is OK, but it understeers if you power down when you take it to the edge; it lets go at the back end, then it kind of goes to the middle of the car, which is fun in the wet.
The car is a bit low on power like someone else said. If it had 20 or 30 bhp added it would be a very good car, similar to the Civic Type R or Fiesta Turbo etc.
0 to 60 I found to be about 7.5, because of what cars I've beaten and lost. Top speed I've had 140mph and let off because of traffic, but in the real world I would say top speed is about 120 before you have to brake for someone, which reminds me the brakes need to be sharper I think.
I am now considering getting a Fiat Coupe 2.0 20v turbo; now that's a good car. 0 to 60 in 6.1, top speed 155mph, oh yeah!!!
5th Mar 2008, 10:59
HGTs are not good cars; they can't handle, and they can't keep up with the others. A Fiesta Zetec S is better, or a Saxo VTS or even VTR is as fast. I take my HGT out all the time and it doesn't even compare if you had the chance go for the Puma 1.7 or Clio Williams.
1st Apr 2008, 10:19
Pumas do a bit more than "handle OK" mate. There aren't many front drive cars that can get close, and the Fiat Punto certainly isn't one of them.
14th Apr 2008, 03:50
Hi, I have a Punto HGT and it's right up with the best. I'v beaten a Fiesta ST, Renault 5 turbo, Escort turbo, so when people say my Zetec S is faster I think they don't even have a car; they're wrong!!
People think this car is slow because of the 1.2 16v Sporting, but this is a different breed! Even the Sporting is a very good car; I had one before my HGT and it was better than a Saxo VTR or Zetec S, plus it had a six speed.
Now if I see a Saxo VTS or 106 GTI etc, I hunt them down and show them up.
15th Apr 2008, 05:56
Not everyone uses the public road as a race track and not everyone you "beat" was actually racing you.
As for beating a Zetec-S, well done. It only has 103 bhp.
8th May 2008, 18:40
The 106 GTi can compete the the Pug 206 GTi 180 and the Clio 172/182's they are much faster than you think with them being extremely light.
I own a HGT and I like it to drive but it's not designed as a "hot" hatch. It is a nice cruiser and faster than people expect (especially since most assume it is the 1.2).
I didn't buy the car to race around the streets though. I needed something newer than my MK6 Escort GTi but with similar performance for the motorway, as I do a lot of miles at weekends.
The HGT is noticeably faster but the Escort GTi wasn't bought because it was fast, just because it's a good balance of power/weight for regular driving.
Even the new Abarth SS Punto with 180bhp and 201 lb/ft of torque isn't as fast on paper as you would expect, and theres no explanation why, the power:weight ratio is good on it. Just seems to be the trend with Fiats. That 500 595SS looks pretty mad though with 200bhp in a tiny car, bet its made of tin though haha.
I am happy with my HGT, but I don't race around, it has a nice amount of power for the driving I do. Plus it only cost me £2k used with low mileage and great condition, would never pay for a brand new one though @ 13k.
9th Jun 2008, 08:07
The Punto HGT is the best car for the money, and it's good looking. All you lot say is it's fast, but it can't handle the road. Well I've never had a problem with the handling; you push and push, and it doesn't let go because of the traction control; turn it off and it spins the front wheels like mad in 1st and 2nd.
I've had a race with a WRX, and it could not get away, and my HGT is standard, and I'm not telling porkies. I know the owner of it, and he asked I had NOS or something, and guess what, he thought it was a 1.2 16v haha no!
15th Aug 2008, 07:02
I had a Punto HGT and it was OK, but a bit boring, a bit wet if you like. I now have a Toyota Starlet turbo 1.3 and I think it is by far more fun car to drive. It's much faster than the HGT and handles better too.
21st Aug 2008, 12:47
Only one thing to say about the last comment well if you don't include this lot. BOLLOCKS...
24th Aug 2008, 11:28
Well said. Truly must be or have been an HGT owner. I had two, and do miss them.
23rd Sep 2008, 10:57
I have an HGT, and it's very good. It's easily faster than a VW Golf GTI, and looks much better too.
I have done 140mph, and have done 0-60mph in 7.0 seconds. My car is standard, and I'm not just saying it cos I won't it to be that fast, it just is that fast.
My friend has a BMW 325 and he struggles to keep up. This is a highly underrated car that people need to take more seriously!!!
27th Nov 2007, 04:55
Punto GT, great car when mods are done. Go to youtube type in HGT 130hp vs GT 170hp You will find the clip interesting. Insurance group is too high... ps this clip is case sensitive. You must type in the letters and numbers as shown, but I'm sure you know this already. ENJOY....