Faults:

A/C stopped working, electric windows a bit stiff, car also had all the usual consumables replaced as the miles rose, I serviced the car by the book. Went through brake pads a bit quick, but my driving style was not the best (I was a new driver at the time). Suspension and interior plastics a little rattly in my last year of ownership.

General Comments:

Registered late in 2003, this was the first of the updated shape Punto's. I bought it at 4 years old as a first car and didn't expect much, and it was good basic transport.

Interior was not great, good enough for local journeys, anything longer you really start to notice the firm ride and less than comfortable seats.

OK to drive, the 1.2 felt fast enough about town, a bit noisy and strained on motorways however. Did a solid 45 mpg and was cheap enough to tax and insure.

Fiat dealer was OK with me for servicing and repairs.

I don't know if I would buy another Fiat however, the car felt very cheaply made, no quality at all. It had about 65K on it when I sold it and did not feel like it would last very long. Mine was not as unreliable as some people's seem to have been, but I wouldn't like to keep it long term.

Sold in 2011. The car didn't hold its value well, but they were very cheap to buy to begin with. Don't see many of them about anymore. But for me as my first car I have good memories of these Punto's when they were fairly new and good to own.

Faults:

In 1 year and a half I've owned the car:

1) Drivers window has popped out a few times, coming off the railings, but I managed to pop it back in. Happened only a few times.

2) Power steering has failed about 3 times, but switching it off and back on has solved the problem. The problem has lasted no more than half a day each time it's happened. So far so good.

General Comments:

Love it. Very comfortable, stylish, broom yellow so it stands out and gets compliments.

The 8v is nippy if it's just me and a passenger in the car. However carrying 3 or 4 people the car starts to struggle.

Very cheap to run and economical round town.

Besides the two niggly bits of the power steering and window coming out which have been rectified... the car has been excellent. Passed its MOT with flying colors, serviced the once I've had it and major expenses needed. Only expenses it's needed was for the service.. new oil and air filter.

I strongly recomend the Punto. If you look around for a good one I'm sure it won't let you down. If you go for the 1st one you see it might drive you mad.

Very good solid car, which always makes me smile. Looks great, cheap to run, very good sports kit for the money. spoiler, 15" alloys, sports bumpers front and back, fog lights, sports seats, silver dash, CD player, electric windows, trip computer.

Only thing I would considering changing is the 16v for the extra grunt. Quite hard to find a 16v, but the advantage of the 8v is it's much cheaper to insure and run, and also more reliable :).

Faults:

My back box exhaust went at 21,000 miles, and I took it to the local garage and got it replaced with a new back box.

The gearbox went at 40,000 miles, and I took the car back to the dealership. The customer services are not that good, and won't replace it under the 2 years warranty due some problems with where I took my car for services.

Just recently my whole clutch system went when I drove back home from work, so I has to call out the AA to tow my car home.

General Comments:

The advantages: It's pretty quick for 1.2L and handles the roads pretty well. It also grabs people's attentions.

However the seats are uncomfortable when drive a long distance.

It keep up well with the motorway traffic.

But I'm considering of getting a new car (ideal: Suzuki Swift).