1994 Fiat Punto GT 1.4 turbo from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A good car for the money, especially considering the year and equipment

Faults:

Nothing yet, everything still seems quite tight.

General Comments:

Nice cheap sporty car, quite underrated and not as common as Golf's and Peugeot's.

Suspension is firm and road noise is quite audible especially on the motorway.

However I must disagree with a previous comment regarding the cost of tyres, £45 each for Yokohama's is not too bad.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th April, 2001

1994 Fiat Punto 55S 1.1 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

This isn't a bad buy!

Faults:

Exhaust needed to be replaced.

Clutch went at 60,000 miles.

Rear suspension arms and brakes heavily corroded at 68,000 miles.

Roof leak through the radio arial!

General Comments:

These cars are nice, only they tend to break down pretty easy.

The car is a smooth drive, but the interior seems pretty lame for Fiat standards!

Let's hope the new model doesn't have the same problems - better buy Ford!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th February, 2001

1994 Fiat Punto 55S 1.1 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good fun car - just keep it serviced

Faults:

Clutch very noisy after 30,000, but still working even though no work done on it.

Head gasket blew at 70,000 and again at 96,000. 350 pounds a time. Did get the timing belt replaced the second time. No temperature gauge means you only know the car is running hot when it is too late.

One trailing arm replaced after 4 years, the next the next year.

Rear drums replaced after 94,000.

Speedometer gave random readings after 75,000.

Fuel consumption down to 37mpg.

Heater matrix leaking after 85,000.

Indicator relay works intermittently. Really, it's not a joke. Sometimes it works and sometimes it does nothing.

General Comments:

Good cheap car for the first few years, now marred by things going wrong.

Has carried five people on many trips with ease.

Dealers not great. One in Macclesfield always willing to charge that little bit more. One in Reading took 2 weeks to get a new sump cover and the car was broken into while they had it, then they snapped the key off in the ignition.

I did try to get a new 2000 model, but after waiting for 15 weeks I gave up. The whole dealer network now gone into liquidation. I think it's a coincidence.

I would buy one again, but would rather buy it and service it at a whole different network of garages.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th February, 2001

9th Apr 2001, 13:06

Hi,

I have a 1995 Fiat Punto TD SX which has covered 50,000 miles and I am the second owner from new. I bought it in june 1997 with 5,700 miles on the clock and full service history.

Recently, my car has developed a clunking sound from the rear of the car. On investigation, this turns out to be the o/s rear trailing arm. There is a significant amount of play in this and I am interested if many other Punto owners have experienced this.

I must admit, I only change the oil every 12,000 miles and the car has received no routine maintenance other than oil and filters. The brake fluid is black and the car struggles to better 40mpg!It will also out accelerate a Punto "Sporting"up any reasonably steep incline!

It has been a superb car and has cost little to run!

Thanks for reading.

Ian Hand (Stoke-on-Trent)

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1994 Fiat Punto 55 SX 1.1 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Well designed, fun, practical, basic car

Faults:

Odometer stuck.

Alternator failed.

Ignition leads failed.

Lambda exhaust sensor allegedly faulty.

Gearbox mounting failed.

Rear suspension bushes & trailing arms wore out.

Starter motor failed.

Head gasket leaked.

Central locking went berserk.

General Comments:

Despite its low power, & quirks, it's always a giggle to drive and I am finding it difficult to replace.

Ride quality awful, but its eager engine & nimble, grippy (though rolly) handling compensate.

Surprisingly spacious, and much better when travelling fast, than when stuck around town.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 24th November, 2000

1994 Fiat Punto 55 SX 5 door 1.1 injection from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Great - everyone should try one

Faults:

Only really problems encountered with covering such high miles, apart from a cylinder head gasket at 48,000 miles and again at 90,000 miles.

Replaced the alternator at 102,000 miles, seems to be a common Punto problem, but mine lasted longer than most.

Front and rear suspension totally replaced at 100,000 miles due to wear, components bought secondhand off a 1,000 mile smashed Punto Sporting, now handles like a dream, with very little body roll, although ride is slightly harder than before.

General Comments:

Great car, a breaze for DIY, dealer service once - really unimpressed, carried out all servicing work for last 80,000 miles myself including the head gasket and timing belt changes, reasonably simple jobs due to small engine in large engine bay.

Even with 131,500 miles the engine still pulls strongly, in fact it gets better with age, goes 20mph faster than the manufacturer's top speed, without a hill or any wind!!

Not a Fiat of old, I have never had an electrical problem yet, and no rust. Not even failed an MOT yet.

Really comfortable car with height and lumbar adjustment on the seat and height adjustment on the steering wheel. Even with miles the interior is as good as new.

It may only have a 1.1 engine but most people think it has a 1.3 or 1.4 engine mainly due to the pickup speed and the fact it doesn't slow with a full load.

Downsides - front brake pads wear quite quick, and a bit noisy above 70mph due to high revs, needs at least one more gear.

A real roomy small car with plenty of get up and go and well equipped in SX trim anyway.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th November, 2000