Faults:
After 80,000km there is noise when shifting gear down from 3rd to 2nd.
After 100,000km, started a noticeable oil consumption about 0.5lt or more per change (about every 15,000 km) without any effect on gas emissions limits.
General Comments:
I bought it new in 2000 after my previous car was damaged in an accident, because I found it cheap, about 10,000 euro. As time passes, I love it more every day. I wasn't a fan of FIAT, but I admire how good this car is for the money.
Excellent safe and quiet ride, independent suspension works (I think there is no other car using this configuration today in this segment). It loves the mountain roads. Same on the highway except that after 150km/h, the wheel feels a little "light" compared to other cars. And I have made "nature tourism" trips in this car on roads where there were only 4x4 cars and motorcycles except my Bravo.
The engine is a "diamond", a lot of power (everyone who drove my car commented about this 1,25 lt engine moving the car like a 1,6lt).
Low fuel consumption. It's remarkable. In my last trip, 2 adults and full baggage on board, 720 km on one refuelling of 42 lt... this means 5.83lt/100km! Two years ago I made the same trip driving a 1.4lt Opel Astra (model 2002) and the consumption was more than 8,5lt/100km.
Cabin is quiet, also remarked by a lot of passengers and the interior space is great for the dimensions of the car. Automatic airconditioning is a plus. Design depends on personal taste, but nobody can refuse it's NOT a box on wheels. Designer surely was getting high grades as a student!
I have now 120,000 km with this car. I'm interested in getting a new one soon, but it's so expensive to get a new car to be at least equal to my Bravo, that I might continue with it. I had 2 japanese cars before it, and the other family car is a Ford Focus station wagon. I have driven a lot of friend's cars too. I prefer the Bravo to all of them. Too bad that after a test-drive, the Fiat Stilo isn't as tasty!
