2002 Fiat Punto Eleganza from UK and Ireland - Comments

The Blaupunkt cd player shows a 'cd error' message, however it is soon to be entirely replaced with a new one under the 3 year warranty, which I find very pleasing.

Nothing else has gone wrong!

I feel that this car has the best handling out of all hatch-backs. This is due to its Italian origins, with its hard suspension settings. I have cornered far quicker and vigorously than I would have in a 'normal' car and had NO body-roll at all. ie 60mph around a 45-60 degree corner in the wet!

Most would expect the 1.9 td-intercooler to be slow and cumbersome, and how wrong would you be! The unofficial 0-60mph test I had fun doing showed it as sub 9 seconds, and the torque curve is utterly fantastic, pulling with punch from as low as 1,250rpm. The driver needn't rev any higher than 3,250rpm in the diesel, as the turbo punches power from 1,500rpm.

The ride quality is excellent, and I find that it isn't loud at all! The gearchange at first I found to be too snatchy, as if the springs were far too tight. However after becoming accustomed to this, I now find it to add greatly to the sportiness of the vehicle.

I can cruise at 75 mph at a jaw-dropping low 2,100 rpm! Practicality and running costs are very low indeed, and the insurance companies obviously didn't drive the car, as they have plonked it in group 6 only!

I am very happy with the car, and will keep it for a long time! I have no real criticisms, only little niggles like the front windscreen posts being too bulky, therefore restricting vision whilst cornering around a long, drawn out bend.

A good review, but the 0-60 time would never be under 9 seconds that is rubbish.

This car is a dirty diesel, not a hot hatch. I'm sure it's cheap, reliable and nice to drive, but it isn't going to do 0 to 60 in "sub 9 sec". The Punto is a fine car, but if you want performanece and excitment rather than reliability and efficiency buy a petrol car.

I'm the owner and I've timed 0-60 under 9.0 on a flat road with little wind. The turbo really does give more kick than any person would expect... Do remember that although it it may not have as much power as the audi tdCi 115hp 1.9, it still is a 1.9 - therefore having way more torque whilst changing gear, and getting back of the revs. Also, the manufacturers 'official' 0-60 ad top speed tests are never accurate - take my dads z.3 3.0 - we've had it to 60 in 5.0 - yet bmw quote 6.0!!!

Hard suspention on a fiat diesel sorry, but diesels are not hot hatches and are not equipped with stiff suspention, you should try a hot hatch out and you will realise that what you though was hard is normal and also the turbo on diesels is a low pressure one and should not be compared to a petrol engine with a turbo it is only there because a diesel without a turbo is a snail.

I own a JTD ELX on a W plate. The suspension is quite soft and the car does suffer from body roll. It is no hot hatch, but a superb relaxed economical motorway cruiser.

I think a true figure would be between this owners own 9 sec. and Fiat's standard 0-60 time.

I would be interested to hear how your Punto performed on a rolling road. It only costs about £45 + VAT.

I had a 205 TD with intercooler which threw out 100bhp at the wheels and 154lbs of torque. In such a lite body it was rapid.

Petrol heads simply don't appreciate that technology is moving formly toward diesel. If you want to ride in a dinosuar by a petrol car.

My friend has a JTD Punto the 85bhp version so we thought it would be fun to do a 0-60 time - 9.3 seconds. Flat road, little wind... nuff said.

You comment on the gearchange you found snatchy and suggested springs were too tight. What springs would these be then?