Fiat - it's a Stilo (a steal! - geddit?)

Advantages: Economical to buy and drive, many added extras and gadgets
Disadvantages: Plenty to go wrong, a bit square to look at

...I bought my Fiat Stilo 16v 1.6 Dynamic in May 2006 for £5800 from a private dealer, using the Autotrader website (www.autotrader.co.uk) It was just two years old and billed as 'under 3 year warranty' It is a nice looking car, although quite sensible looking with nice paintwork and alloys. The interior is impressive, with a cloth interior, comfortable seating and the most interesting thing is that the back seats are adjustable to allow either very generous legroom in the back or a very large boot. Even if you go for the middle ground you still have a decent boot size for a hatchback and enough legroom for your average to tall adult. It has nice little touches like cupholders in the rear centre console/armrest and a pull down picnic tray on the back of the passenger seat. It will seat five adults. The front seats are very...

Mericat 14.11.2006 · Read review
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Review of Fiat Stilo 1.6 16v

Fiat Stilo Problems

Advantages: Nice drive, lots of space, tons of features, fuel on motorways
Disadvantages: Too many computer problems, fuel in town driving

...My experience with my Stilo, which I bought 4 months ago, is somewhat depressing. I have had it in the garage 3 times now. Shortly after I bought the car it started to report airbag failure and also told me, mainly at high speed, that my engine had failed (scary!). I took it into the fiat garage, who cleared some errors off the computer and replaced the sensor on the passenger seat - £180 Next visit to the garage was a couple of months later when the computer light came on and told me I had engine failure, ABS failure and traction control failure. Took it to a non-fiat dealership this time who said it may need a service (and as the MOT had a week or so to run got both done). They told me the spark plugs were mashed even though it had been serviced only 1k miles and 6 months earlier - £150 Two months go by and it runs fine...

gavinburke 23.05.2008 · Read review
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Review of Fiat Stilo

STILO Part 2

Advantages: Well Priced Lots of room
Disadvantages: none

...Stilo Part 2 Some months ago I submitted an opinion on the Fiat Stilo car, The op was based on what I had read about the car and the 2 test-drives I had in it . Some members quite correctly pointed out that an opinion should be based on personal experience over a length of time so hopefully this op should now correct this. I bought The Fiat Stilo 1.6, 16 valve Dynamic in metallic blue, in July and have been putting it through its paces ever since. I must admit I didn't buy a brand new one as this would have cost me £12000.00, what I got was a one year old model with 11000 miles on the clock for £8400.00, which in my opinion was a bargain. Now to the important bit, How the car drives . The first thing you notice when getting into a Stilo is how high up you feel ( this is with the seats at there lowest setting) , this in...

NIGSY 21.05.2003 (05.11.2003) · Read review
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Review of Fiat Stilo 1.6 16v

Fiat Marea 1.6 weekend automatic

Advantages: Roomy, good loading space, nice to drive
Disadvantages: VERY expensive on parts and insurance :-(

...Earlier this year I bought a 1997 R reg Fiat Marea 1.6 elx auto estate, with 70,000 on the clock. Prior to this I owned a Jaguar XJ6 and was shocked when the insurance company wanted MORE to insure this !!!! The Fiat, however, is very nice to drive with lots of creature comforts, although Fiat did not put a cd player in the car which I think is a bit of a shame. Although the car is only 6 years old there is already some signs of rust - on the roof and wheel arches which is a bit of a let down. The car recently failed to start and being automatic I was unable to bump start it. The starter motor was knackered and Fiat wanted around £170 for a new one (at first I thought the price must have been in Lira !!!!), but I managed to get a reconditioned one for about £100. Be warned Fiat parts are notoriously pricey :-( If you are...

Buenosdias 19.11.2003 · Read review
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Review of Fiat Marea Weekend 1.6

Stilo- looks good but looks can be deceiving

Advantages: looks sporty
Disadvantages: where should I begin ?

...I bought my fiat 1.6 active sport in January and its been a nightmare, so far its been back to the garage about 6 times , first it was the electrics, then it had to have a new instrument cluster fitted, then the engine management light kept coming on, which stoped after a while. Then I took it for a service and during the service, they noticed that the all the breaks needed replacing and they also noticed that the gearbox was leaking. I took the car back to the garage where I got it from and they said they would fix the problem with the leak but I would have to pay half for the breaks to be replaced. I have had the car back about two months or so now and I've noticed something strange happening when its going up hills, so my partner drove it for me the other night and he said that the clutch is slipping. I have spoken to a mechanic who...

fmac1973 21.08.2009 · Read review
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Review of Fiat Stilo

Fiat Tipo 1.6 DGT

Advantages: Cheap to run and insure, practical.
Disadvantages: Uses tyres quickly, not much street cred.

...In response to my first review of this car (and my first Ciao review, which was admittedly a little rushed) I have submitted this updated review in reaction to some of the comments received. I hope this review is of more use. Fiat Tipo 1.6 DGT I bought this 1991 model year car after looking for something that would be cheap to run and wouldn't be too much of a headache on long motorway journeys. It had two previous lady owners and 97,000 miles on the clock when I bought it. I have now completed 119,000 relatively trouble free miles in the car. Exterior The Tipo was designed to be a spacious, practical family car and as such it succeeds in meeting these criteria. The five door hatchback design was also intended to resist rust well in response to criticism of the earlier Strada and Uno models. As a result all body panels were...

Badge 24.06.2002 (25.06.2002) · Read review
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Review of Fiat Tipo 1.6

The new Fiat Bravo 1.6 Eco

Advantages: Excellent styling, fuel economy and emissions.
Disadvantages: Narrow rear end means a small back window and reduced boot space.

...I have recently purchased the new Fiat Bravo 1.6 Eco diesel. The eco referrs to the fuel effiency and emmissions that some new Fiats have. Firstly the fuel effiency is quoted by Fiat as 65 mpg on the combined urban/extraurban cycle. Although the Eco is good, I have only managed low 50's, however that is still extremely efficient. A tank of diesel so far has averaged at about 550 miles, pretty good. The real bonus of the Eco however is the low emissions. With C02 emissions of 119ppm the Eco is in only the second category which means none of the recently introduced forecourt tax and at current rates only £35 a year after that. The styling of the new Bravo is excellent, it looks good and you feel good driving it. The interior is well made and looks much better than the older style Bravo, in fact almost every aspect of the new model...

msterry 20.07.2008 · Read review
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Review of Fiat Bravo 1.6

Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec

Advantages: A great car from all angles
Disadvantages: Not as many extras included as I would have liked

...I am now the proud owner of a ford focus 1.6 zetec and for the first time in many years I have actually found a car that pretty muc suits all my needs. I have spent many a time in cars that are too big, too small, not suitable, not comfortable etc but this is everything I could ask for. I own the three door version but the doors open widely and when the front seat is moved forward there is plenty of room to get anyone in the back, even my mother in law who is disabled. The back of this car is extremely spacious, comfortably fitting 3 large adults in. The boot size is deceiving in that it looks pretty small but is very spacious indeed. Perfect for all those shopping bags as well as a childs pushchair. The actual drive of this car is superb. Mine runs on unleaded and is very economical. I can get over 200 miles to £35...

bexx0907 27.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 1.6

Fiat Stilo 1.2 Active

Advantages: looks, economy, free revving engine, space, Good size boot, 0% interest
Disadvantages: Value after turning the key for the 1st time, plastic

...The 1.2 is a small engine and can when fully laden struggle up hills. However, keep it in the rev band and its fun to drive and better than rivals. My wife has the three-door version which is stiffer and more sporty than the hidious 5 door. It has a more agile feel and more responsive feel. Roadholding is good, the ride is comfortable and at times it can feel quite entertaining when trown around. A very practical and capable car for the money. I'd recommend the full length sunroof fitted by Fiat over air con (which only gets used for the 2 days of summer we get) looks good and the kids love it. Space is good for a Fiat and a 3 door car. We drove to Spain last year in it. Five of us with all the junk you take with you when you have kids. It will cruse down the motorway doing 90 and still did 40+ m/gal. Issues: Dealers...

dogard 04.01.2005 · Read review
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Review of Fiat Stilo

Stilo-ish it aint

Advantages: Spacious, Cheap
Disadvantages: and nasty

...Fiat's new Stilo is another new entrant in the small- medium car market. It's competition is the Golf, Arosa, Mini, Focus, Astra type of car and to be honest, I can't see it competing very well with them. We were given it as a hire car for 4 days whilst in Ireland a few weeks back and to be honest, weren't impressed one bit. Looks - Superficially, not great, especially from the rear, it reminded me of a French car from the 80's. You'll notice on all adverts that it is shown from the front or side which make it look better. The 3 door is slightly more refined than the 5 door. 8 colours are available, none of them anything special. Cost & Models - (from fiat.co.uk) from £11,300 - 16135. A lot of money, especially as you can get an imported Golf for nearly the same or a lower range Mini. There are a number...

sjl02 30.09.2002 · Read review
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Review of Fiat Stilo