1996 Fiat Punto S 1.2 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

FUN FUN FUN

Faults:

A minor fault with the fuel injection, the car still worked perfect while the fault esisted.

General Comments:

This car is one of the best cars for its year, its extremely nippy for a 1.2 car and extremely comfortable. I first chose the punto because so many people have them, so if its popular it must be good, and it has been. The 1.2 version has an enormous amount a power for that little engine! I have a green 3 version, the doors are really big and its so easy to get into the back. Generally a good performance car! Although a slight rattle has appeared, but this is to be expected in a car of its age

TOP MARKS FIAT.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 31st May, 2005

1996 Fiat Punto Team 1.1 from Netherlands

Summary:

Perfect when not serviced by Fiat dealer

Faults:

Steering unit, broken at 20.000 km

Clutch, broken at 15.000 km (it's my wife's car so...)

Guarantee fixed by Fiat (dealer didn't want to do anything, parking the car in front of showroom door helped him changing his mind)

Accident at 55.000 km, new front suspension, new steering unit (until now perfect, older units have problems), new shocks etc.

Nothing serious until now, very cheap to run when serviced by NON-Fiat dealer!!!

General Comments:

Suspension is very hard.

Little engine only suited for short distances.

Fun to drive around town.

Biggest small car on the market.

Beautiful design.

Car has been bought from large dealer, serviced later by other Fiat dealer. They both charged me with things they didn't do, one time 750 euros for parts which were not replaced!!!

The problem with Fiat is not the car, but the dealer! At least in my case and that of everybody else I know with a Fiat or Alfa.

Have it serviced by Toyota and you will have a perfect car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 22nd February, 2005

1996 Fiat Punto 55sx 1.1 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Spacious, nice drive, but not very reliable

Faults:

My oil sump sprung a leak one hour after purchasing the car.

Had problems with engine over-heating.

Also had problems with heating system in car.

Bad condensation in cold weather difficult to get round.

Brake Pads worn at 65,000 miles.

Squealing sound coming from front near side wheel.

Steering wheel rock, solved by getting new front tyres.

General Comments:

The car is quite nippy for a 1.1.

The room inside is extremely spacious with plenty of leg room.

The glove compartment is a disappointing size compared to dash.

The side pockets also are very little.

The front and rear lights are excellent in dark due to the shear brightness.

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

Review Date: 3rd January, 2005

20th May 2007, 11:03

The car is great for fuel consumption and its also nippy and spaces, but that's it.

The thing is nearly everything goes wrong with it I've had mine for almost 1 year I've already had to replace the cam belt at 40,000 miles and my head gasket has gone 450 quid repair job my steering wheel judders due to my wheels out of inlinement so I'm just waiting for something else...

1996 Fiat Punto 55s 1.1i from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Cheap to buy and Expensive to maintain

Faults:

Before I got the car it had only the Front Brake Pads, and Rear Arm Bushes repaired.

Once I had it the Exhaust fell off at 86,000 miles along with the Head Gasket and replaced Spark Plugs all for £400.

Also the Rear Shocks went again.

Brake Pads went again after 88,000 miles.

2000 miles later the Water Pump went taking the Head Gasket with it costing another £300.

Other faults are Dipped Headlights and Rear Lights both not working.

Plus my Dashboard and dial lights.

My Rear Washer doesn't pump out water.

Battery also runs flat easily, Hazards only last about 5 minutes.

Have had balding on Front Tyres and Balancing was fairly dodgy.

General Comments:

Smooth running car when all good and running, quite nippy around town, but does struggle to keep up on motorways.

Watch out for overheating, Punto's are well known for Head Gaskets blowing. On the 55s there is no temp meter, only a red light which comes on after the Head Gasket has blown.

Large Dashboard and storage space with a reasonable boot size.

The small wheels makes it look too shabby, 15" wheels will fill up those large wheel arches nicely.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 10th May, 2004

22nd Dec 2004, 10:15

Firstly I really like to your review. Just 2 correct you on point. Punto's r not cars that over heat easily. Head gaskets on Puntos rarely go if ever. I work for a very well known car company and the majority of all major punto related fault are clutch or gear box based.

Regards.

8th Feb 2005, 08:14

The head gaskets always blow.

11th Mar 2009, 11:14

Punto head gaskets are renowned for going, so I don't know were you get your information from, but they do. If you go on eBay there are quite a lot of them with head gasket problems, and look on other websites, they will tell you as well.