2002 Fiat Stilo Sport 16V 1.2 from Portugal

Summary:

Excellent, nothing else to say!

Faults:

At 3000 kilometers the brakes began to do plenty of noise, the problem was never solved by Fiat.

General Comments:

The motor 1.2 16V makes miracles.

Has plenty of room in the front and in the back.

Very silent even in bad roads, except brakes.

This car drives and handles superbly, great stability in curve.

The electric direction is excellent.

Low fuel consumption in highway.

A lot of equipment, safety equipment is great.

Excellent price/quality relation.

Better in everything when compared with my Golf IV 1.6, mainly in the reliability and build materials, I really don't know why people criticize fiat so much.

There is not doubt that nobody makes cars as the Italians.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd April, 2004

16th Jul 2005, 08:48

He said AS the Italians noy BETTER than the Italians - and he is right about that!!

2002 Fiat Stilo active 1.6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Is this a lada in disguise?

Faults:

Electronic power steering failed while car in motion.

Sky window let water into car through side seals.

Radio aerial on car not connected so couldn't pick up radio stations.

The cars main computer kept crashing cutting all power to car, (took 5 visits to garage to diagnose and replace)

General Comments:

The car handles very well and gives good power distribution through the gears.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 21st March, 2004

11th Apr 2004, 12:10

I know someone who has experienced almost identical problems on their Active.

Word of advice: Carry a tarpaulin round with you for when the sky-roof refuses to budge when wide open in the rain! it's very common.

My friend has a 53-plate car and the service manager intimated to him that the later cars are actually worse, fit and finish are almost at VW standards, but the mechanical reliability is absolutely shocking.

26th May 2004, 10:25

The stilo would be an excellent car if mechanical reliability was better. I have covered 9000 miles so far and the car has been back to the dealers no less than 7 times. 3 times was for the trip computer giving false messages which has still not been resolved. I love the way the car looks and have got used to the soft driving style the car prefers.

22nd Jun 2004, 17:54

If you really want to compare the fiat reliability check all the surveys about the VW golf 4 and the beetles.

You will see all by your self that Fiat is faraway better than the VW!!!

1st Jul 2004, 06:42

Very well said. I sat in one of these at the recent motor show as I have always had an eye for something different. The quality is very impressive and definately as good as VW. I will be putting one of these on my short list when I next buy.

28th Nov 2006, 09:39

The car has some good points, but is totally let down by the poor quality electrical parts that are fitted, which are very expensive to replace. It is almost as if there are built in faults. Miss a service on time and the car develops an engine fault. We will never buy another.

2002 Fiat Stilo Active 1.2 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Am I happy with this car, YOU BET!!!

Faults:

Nothing to report to date.

General Comments:

I must admit before now, I had not paid much attention to the merits of the Stilo, but I am a now a converted man!!!

INTERIOR:

What struck both of us was the equipment level, it was incredible, I did not believe the salesman when he told me the 'active' was the base model

The effort that has been put into the interior design is fantastic, there are more cubby holes than I can think of things to put into them. The safety side of things are great, with 6 airbags fitted as standard. The fully adjustable rear seats are great, the kids can crash out if they ask, the rear ventilation system is excellent, due to the centre rear vents. All round visibility is excellent, the drivers seat is fully adjustable, as is the steering wheel in both reach and rake.

EXTERIOR:

Nice clean lines, not the most of dynamic of designs, but still pleasing to the eye, very easy for my 82yo mother to get in & out of.

DRIVING:

What can I say? 1.2 litres, never!! drives great, the six speed box is a delight, (not the old rubbery feeling that fiats used to have).

Road handling is great, even considering its overall height, the two speed power steering is very useful, trying it out in a tight supermarket carpark, it was a relevation.

Very poised out on the open road, so much so that the speed warning function is almost a must to set to 75mph!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th January, 2004

25th Apr 2006, 21:13

Hi there has anyone got any advice on the stilo 1.2 16 v I am thinking of buying one its done 19.000 miles and is an 02 reg I'm not after anything bigger than a 1.2 litre engine a friend of mine has just bought one and said its the best car shes ever bought is this true?

The asking price is £3995 should I buy I have seen the car and was quite impressed with the size (it's a 3 door model by the way)

Thanks.