Looking for a car in the 5 to 7 k range and came across a couple of these. One is a 6 speed diesel and the other auto Tiptronic. Both under 70km.
limited knowledge of Fiat as a brand - are they any good?
db.price,
Nov 23, 3:00am
Sorry that should of course be Grand Punto - Stupid auto correct !
franc123,
Nov 23, 3:10am
<<<<< Search Punto on the left in threads over the last year, including in those threads that might involve the OP looking at a (insert name of popular/reliable Jap car here) and you will be given 10,000 reasons why Fiat have built the best vehicle on the planet that should have completely bankrupted all of the Asian manufacturers. Then go read some actual customer satisfaction surveys and up your own mind.
poppy62,
Nov 23, 3:30am
My opinion is, yes, they are good. Nice to drive, good handling, good safety rating, lots of equipment, parts are cheap and they are economical. Diesel and 6 speed manual is the best option and they're well priced as opposed to the opposition. They've won numerous awards in the motoring world, well worth checking out.
whqqsh,
Nov 23, 4:15am
we had a late 90s one, went really well & trouble free for the few years we had it. Just bought a brand new one with the runout specials on TV, the wife is stoked & loves it to the stage where I have to drive her old Golf once a week (battery charging etc) until it sells, & that 'was' her baby
tamarillo,
Nov 23, 12:18pm
As you can sense views are wide ranging! People who have them often get great runs from them, parts are cheap, cars are simple. But inevitably things break down, and they haven't got Toyota record for longitivity, but then some find modern toyotas don't either,mid that makes sense. The auto is a robotised manual with gear changes done for you, takes a but of getting used too but once adapted alls good. They need the control system serviced properly so check you have a mechanic who knows them in your town. General thinking is diesel is good for longer journeys only, though Europeans use them for anything without problem. Lot of car for you're money with these.
kazbanz,
Nov 23, 12:59pm
The good--they are cheap,They are roomy.they are on par in ACTUAL fuel economy with modern jap and competing euro stuff. get a decent mechanic that KNOWS punto's and you are fine. DON'T assume that day to day servicing is dearer "because its a euro" because it really isn't.-not day to day servicing. The indifferent.-regardless of make/model our kiwi diesel is orrible stuff compared to the stuff you get in Europe and japan.This IS causing issues with modern diesels. -(a personal theory is that the modern diesel needs to be regularly run hot for sustained periods of time to run well) The bad-plastic components tend to be built to a very low standard. Build quality was never top notch. Component failure can be really expensive to rectify. The bad.
msigg,
Nov 23, 6:10pm
Kaxbanz add depreciation to the bad mix, If things do go bad they are often not worth fixing because they are not as popular as other makes. But each to there own.
kazbanz,
Nov 23, 6:21pm
msigg--I figure 06 cars under 7k with 70k on the clock had already dropped off a cliff value wise.
Do you DIY or not?. FIAT diagnostic software is cheap and comprehensive. multiecuscan.net Workshop manuals can be downloaded or cheap to buy DVD Look at fiatforum for advice
cagivachick1,
Nov 23, 10:57pm
lets face it people want to get in and drive, most people arnt intirested in fettling latish model cars
gram,
Sep 17, 5:15am
Yet in another thread you dish out a heap of info about 'fettling' late model Hiluxes with forum advice etc.
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