Basic and sound
In early days the lambda sensor had to be replaced under the warranty. Other than that, wear and tear items only.
A very good car, but found it underestimated when the time came to sell it (suffered from Fiat's past reputation).
Have replaced with the same model!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 31st October, 2000
There were absolutely no faults on delivery, but after a minor crash in 1995 a few replaced items were not quite as well fitted/finished as well as new.
Exhaust tailpipe fell off 2 years after fitting; cambelt broke a week after major service; handbrake occasionally requires tightening; engine flushed after excessive pinking when fully loaded.
It's been a fantastic little car and nothing has gone wrong really in 50,000 miles and five and a half years, with three people and their luggage, in all weathers. Nothing to support the old image of rusty, brittle Fiats.
It has excellent fuel economy and comfort/specification and is zippy if you don't mind keeping it revving. It provided excellent protection in a drivers side-on crash by a 12-ton HGV - it was still driveable and I suffered no injury. I am undecided as to whether to keep it for a lot longer or upgrade to a new model Punto, it is so good. Anyhting that has gone wrong with it is simply consumables , like the exhaust, or the dealers fault.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 23rd October, 1999
There is a whining noise coming from the engine at about 1500-3000 revs. I have taken it to 4 garages to find out what it is but to no avail.
I think it might be something to do with the coil or the thing connected to it??
The petrol tank "meeows" also after a run when the engine is turned off.
I have owned a VW Golf GTi but the punto is definitely quicker.
Get one while you can they aren't making them any more soon.
Not many left either!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 18th July, 1999
Electric Sunroof packed up after 2 years. Indicator column replaced. Rusty rear wiper bolt replaced. Engine cut out problems when braking (went back to dealers 4 times! - still not quite right).
Dealer service has been awful! Overcharged me at three year service. Advice - don't use the dealers for servicing. Usual Italian electrical faults.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 26th September, 1998
Annoying little things, the boot wouldn't open, the lights stopped working, the heater control broke. All this wouldn't have been so bad if the dealer (big name dealer in Lincoln) hadn't been so rude and unpleasant when we pointed the faults out.
I would only buy another Fiat again if Fiat does something about their dealers - every Fiat owner I know says every Fiat dealer is awful.
The Punto is a fantastically economical, spritely, roomy (for what it is) little car. Buy a second hand one and have it serviced somewhere else!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 4th March, 1998
30th Jun 2003, 03:20
Interesting review - perhaps I have the runt of the litter...
This is my first ever car, bought in 1997 with 20,000 miles on the clock. It's now 6 years later, and the list of works is seemingly endless: lambda sensor, exhaust box, 3 new road wheels (corrosion), clutch, handbrake, fuel pump, and now the head gasket has gone. And the car has done less than 48,000 miles!
Having said this, I love the car.