Still away from Ciao, logged in for the first time in ages ! Hope to be back soon though.
Still away from Ciao, logged in for the first time in ages ! Hope to be back soon though.
Member since:28.05.2003
Reviews:50
Members who trust:81
As you fellow Ciaoers may know by now I do like to write the occasional car op.
After having driven the face-lifted model Fiat Punto I could not resist putting "pen to paper."
The Fiat Punto has been "re-invented" since it first appeared on our roads, the very latest version has modified light clusters and a few other adjustments, but is very similar to the range made up to 2003.
What does it look like ? *************************
The Punto is one of the smaller Fiats (Fiat have just launched the NEW Panda), the Punto is available in both 3 and 5 door. Compared to most cars if it's class it is not that distinctive, it blends in with most cars on the road. The main head turner with these cars is usually the colours they are manufactered in, I really do not understand who would buy a car in some of the shocking paintwork they produce them in !
What is it like to drive ? *************************
The model I have driven is a 1.2, 16 valve model with 80 BHP. You would think a 1.2 engine on this car would
be enough, however, I found the car to be rather gutless. However, in fairness to the car, most vehicles I drive have engine sizes in excess of 2 litres. Despite this, you would be amazed how fast I can get a car to go on the motorway between Valencia and Alicante, especially as a lot of it is downhill !!!
Acceleration was poor and you had to work the engine hard to gain speed quickly. This was particularly noticeable if the car was fully loaded - not ideal for a family !
The Punto feels quite light and "tinny" and I did not feel particularly safe in it, again though I do not drive small cars that often and do like to have a lot of metal around me.
The controls and dials were in easy reach and easy to see. The power steering on the car was very good, and the car also had a "city" button which made the steering exceptionally light, which meant that parking was very easy especially as the car had very good all round visibility.
The car did not feel particularly capable at speed, I can recall my heart being in my mouth on a few occasions especially when cornering at speed. This car is just too light and flimsy on the open road.
The Punto was adequately comfortable, the seats were firm enough and I could get a pretty good driving position
Car safety ************ Despite me not having much confidence in the cars safety, it did score 4 out of 5 in the Euro NCAP crash tests, which is very good indeed for a small car, a big improvement on the first model Punto introduced in the UK.
The Punto has a drivers airbag, a passenger airbag is available on more expensive models, and the GT model has side airbags.
Being a basic, small engined model, the Punto gives in excess of 40 miles per gallon which is great when you consider UK petrol prices. FIAT parts are notoriously expensive though so be warned !!! Main dealer prices for parts can be 2 or 3 times higher than non-approved parts which can be just as good.
The insurance group for this car is group 6, which I think is pretty high when you compare it against similar cars in its class. Again, this could be influenced by the cost of parts and how much it would cost to repair in the event of an accident.
Security *********
Being the basic model, this car did not have a stereo, so no need to worry about it being taken ! The locks on the car could be improved, but the car does have an immobiliser as standard but no alarm on the basic model.
Servicing **********
Servicing is recommended evey 12,000 miles. It is always worth having a comprehensive service history for peace of mind and good re-sale value. However, be warned that main dealer servicing is expensive. If your Punto is a good few years old is it really worth shelling out for ?
Luggage space / occupancy room *************************************
For a small car, space inside was pretty good - room enough for 4 adults (5 at a sqeeze but not recommended for long journeys), boot space was better than average which was a pleasant surprise.
Reliability ***********
The Punto proved reliable for the short time I drove it, which you would expect with a new car. However, a friend of mine has a UK 2003 plate model and she has experienced minor problems with it, however, FIAT have remedied these under warranty. Again, I would stress that any repairs are likely to make a bit of a dent in your wallet if they are not covered by the warranty as parts are not cheap.
Dealer backup ****************
I have dealt with FIAT on occasions, both myself and my mother have had FIAT cars (my mother still does), she experienced a problem with a warning light on the dashboard linked to the transmission. FIAT advised her that this was a common fault (!), to date she still experiences this problem with the car and has been unable to get it remedied. This problem is apparently common on the FIAT Marea (driven by my mother) and also some Puntos !!! The main dealer have been unable to resolve the matter and her car no longer has a warranty, so she is persevering with it.
However, I have dealt with the main dealer on a few other occasions and they have always been polite and helpful and will endeavour to do their best.
Fiat website *************
The address for Fiat (UK) website is:-
Fiat.co.uk
I have used the UK website in the past and it is very user friendly and comprehensive, providing a full range of models etc and also advising you what vehicles are for sale at Fiat main dealers, stocks vary from dealer to dealer but Fiat will endeavour to find the right car for you especially of you are buying used and want to be specific about what you want.
General opinion of the Punto *******************************
Not a bad car, practical and roomy enough but not the sort of car I would stick with. The car performs reasonably well, but it will not overwhelm you. It can be costly if you compare it to cars of a similar spec and standard so be careful when buying.
I have attached a pic of the Punto, it is a bit dark as the sun was just coming up when the photo was taken. Yes, that is me getting into the drivers side (the car is left hand drive).
Ciao for now ;-) x x x
***UPDATE*** Due to the comments on this op I felt I had to update by saying no sexual activity occured on this car during the time I had it, the bonnet is very small in any case and too much "banging" may cause the airbag to deploy. To reset an airbag is very expensive, so not recommended ;-) x x x
Pictures of Fiat Punto 1.2
Spirito Di Punto
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
fantastic review!! well written v informative in a funny way!!! the car doesn't need a alarm - who is going to steal it?????? i use to have a fiat uno till a cop car crashed into me and trashed it!! doh!!! LOVE THE UPDATE will remember that! mair
MAFARRIMOND 09.05.2004 19:13
Another good review. Maureen
purplelynne 03.05.2004 20:36
great review, I nearly bought a fiat stilo once, but was talked out of it by family and friends who thought fiat were rubbish! Wish I'd done it though, it was a lovely car, bit bigger than the punto. Lynne x
Advantages: A lot of kit for the money, and very large inside. Disadvantages: 3am breakdowns, clutch, electrics, body panels extremely weak, can be dented with a slight pressure.
Coops46 08.01.2009 (08.01.2009)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Fiat Punto 1.2
Apr 21st, 2004
exceptional by (11%):
very helpful by (89%):
