I recently purchased a Fiat Punto 1.2 Dynamic (5 door) straight from the dealers (Rockingham Motors, Northants). The Fiat website was exceedingly useful and allowed me to email the dealers to arrange a test drive.
In short the car was excellent: at a cost of £3300 for a 52 plate with only 42,000 miles on the clock and 6 months warranty.
The car's benefits by far out weigh the negatives which I have seen and been told by friends (i.e. not reliable, cheap nasty car, not spacious). The drive itself is comfortable, but I have been informed by passengers that in the back it is not so good.
It is excellent for short journey's for both comfort and fuel efficiency (even though I had some issues opening the petrol cap). Longer journey's it guzzles petrol but I expected that with such a small engine. For me, I needed a reliable car that could have some 'oomph' overtaking on motorways and accelerating from slip roads. The boot size is good and I can fit 2 golf bags in it!
The downside for me is the handling around corners. The indicator is difficult to put on if the steering wheel is almost at full lock. The clutch and break seem to be in a normal position but the accelerator is further over to the left than I would expect. If I haven't driven it for a while I do miss the accelerator. I am also still getting used to the gear box, which you have to be quite forceful with. It is not a car that likes going up in gear changes.
I do love gadgets, and there is a city button in the car that makes the steering lighter so that you can park in tight spaces by moving the steering wheel a fraction.
So far I have taken the car to loosen the passenger electric window as it is still stiff from new, and had new break discs. All of which was free of charge and I was given a Grande Punto as a courtesy car (which is a whole different matter)!
If you are interesting in purchasing this type of car and want to use this as a price comparison please note that I don't have air conditioning or a sun roof, but do have power steering, electric windows and remote central locking.
In short, a great car for the price and age. It's never going to be neither the best but nor the worse.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
This is a nice first review well done, it could do with bulking out a little, maybe with some technical information. But it's nice and informative. Should you make any changes feel free to contact me and I will be happy to re-rate.
very helpful by (13%):
helpful by (88%):
