1998 Fiat Punto 85ELX from UK and Ireland - Comments

On delivery, there was insufficient fuel to reach the filling station - 1 miles away. Odometer reading as recorded in disbelief by the RAC - 7 miles. They was no apology or offer of payment towards losing my RAC no callout bonus.

A loose windscreen wiper.

Of all the new cars I have owned, this was by far the best delivered vehicle.

Boringly reliable, nothing has failed, not even a light bulb nor fallen off. It goes like the clappers all the way to 6,500 rpm.

Nearside door rubbing strip came loose, and few rattles in the roof lining.

Oil consumption about 1 litre/1,200 miles which is too much in my opinion.

Rear tyres are still OK at 37,000 miles and the second set on the front are due. Very good.

I suspect you haven't had the car serviced at a garage, hence the excessive oil consumption!!!

The first few services are extremely important on a new car. I currently own a j reg mk5 1.4 escort and it has done 118,000 miles and has used maybe a cup of oil in 6000 miles!!!

I own a mk1 Punto S60 1.2l, just clocked the 36k mile. I'm burning about 1 liter /1500 miles, so it doesn't seem that unreasonable to me. The owner handbook states 1 liter / 1000 kilometers.

Your oil consumption is probably due to you not allowing the car to be run in. Running in does not include regularly going "like the clappers up to 6500rpm". I hope my next Punto isn't your cast-off.

(Original poster - update.)

The car is approaching 100,000 miles.

The car was carefully driven for the first 1,000 miles or so and has been dealer serviced every 9,000 miles as per the schedule. (Full record available)

Oil consumption has eased slightly to about litre every 1500 miles, and the engine still spins easily and readily all the way to 6K+ revs easily. Far more lively than the Mrs's Ford Focus.

Full cam belt replacement at 72,000 miles as per schedule, with brake disks replaced at the same time.

At 81,000 miles as dealer advised sump was rusty and it was replaced. At the same time, rear suspension bearings were deemed to be worn and replaced. Rear brake pipes replaced under recall/warranty.

At 90,000 miles, rear windscreen wiper motor failure.

Central locking failure - traced to damage caused by offspring messing about with near-side rear locking button.

Radiator fan failure traced to corroded power cable.

At about 93,000 miles clutch slave cylinder found to be leaking and whole clutch replaced. (£200)

Radiator fan failure traced to corroded power cable.

Traces of rust appearing around top of windscreen, mostly from stone chips.

Electric sun roof and windows work as new.

Most of the light bulbs are the originals.

Verdict.

Superb twin cam engine with terrific performance and excellent fuel consumption (about 6.5litre/100km). Good service from local Fiat dealer. Hard wearing seat fabric - car cleans up a treat.

Car will be put up for sale soon. I don't like the style of the new Punto, and am looking at a VW Tdi.

This was one of Fiat's best…

(original Poster)

At 125,000 and on it's 8th birthday, it failed its MOT on worn steering column bearing, front struts, driver's seatbelt and corroded brake pipes.

I decided it was better value to get an0ther car. The Fiat dealer who had serviced it as per the schedule gave me £400.

This car and its engine were superb. It would still pull all the way to the rev limiter and return just under 10miles/litre.

I am temporarily driving around in a MkII 8v Punto, which by comparison is underpowered, runs out of steam at low revs and is generally a more basic vehicle.

If you have a choice, get the twin cam 16v engine. It's one of Fiat's best.

The Grande Punto gets good writeups, but after three Puntos, I find myself looking in the showrooms at a Citroën C4 diesel.

Why do Fiat Punto sumps go so rotten. My daughter has not long bought a lovely MK1 85 ELX 5 door - 82000 miles for a good price. I am really impressed with the car, never having had a Fiat before. We took it to have the camshaft drive belt replaced (as the seller could not verify it had been done - knocked over £100 off the price) and the garage announced it will very soon need a new oil sump! I noticed it was rusty when we looked at the car before buying it, but never could imagine a sump could get that bad!