2007 Fiat Grande Punto Sporting 1.4 16v petrol 6 speed from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Stunning looking, head turner that is style AND substance!

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

I've had the car 5500 miles now, and have not had a problem.

Even on rough roads around here, the car drives superbly. The ride is very firm on Sporting springs, but keep the tyres at 34psi front and 37psi rear, and the car rides and handles very well indeed.

Interior trim shows no wear at all and there are no rattles at all.

The stereo with optional subwoofer is incredible, and the built in Blue&Me phone system is very good and works perfectly. My car has the SkyDome glass roof which is well worth it unless you are tall...

The 1.4 16v engine sounds lovely and revvy, very smooth with a very slick 6 speed box. Also, the economy is excellent; I'm averaging 40mpg driving fairly hard. It has loosened up a lot over these few Ks, but it's having a remap to make it even more responsive. This car is perfect around town and cuts it on the motorway too, cruising at just over 3k at 70 ish...

Possibly the best thing about driving it is the brakes; incredibly effective with lovely feel. This car also has the ESP system, which actually works, allowing smooth pull offs on mud etc too.

People will say the electric steering lacks feel, but the Sport version has different steering to the normal cars, and is very feelsome and smooth.

I would highly recommend this car to anyone, it's probably the best looking car in this class, and maybe even one of the best looking cars on the road today!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th July, 2007

12th Jan 2009, 13:00

Another update, the car has now done 33k miles, including a couple of long trips, ie France and back etc etc.

I'm struggling to love the car these days, it's hard to explain but the car feels quite loose and vague to drive, the steering just feels odd. It's been a a gradual degradation of the feeling of the car, and I don't know what it is, but it's just a bit wobbly these days. It doesn't knock or bang over bumps, but I think the suspension bushes must be getting worn out already. The rear suspension is creaking badly yet again, the glovebox latch is broken, the drivers seat is creaking, the doors are rattling, the screen washers are still rubbish and there are loads of other little issues I need to have sorted under warranty when it has it's 2nd service in Jan 09.

I think it's got to go, it's just really frustrating, why can't VW or BMW etc build a car with the Punto's looks, features, style and price at their level of quality???!! Plus, the economy on a long trip is awful, 34mpg!! Coupled with the tiny tank means cruising range is very poor.