1998 Fiat Punto 85ELX 1.2 86bhp twin cam from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Terrific value, and great performance from 1242cc

Faults:

On delivery, there was insufficient fuel to reach the filling station - 1 miles away. Odometer reading as recorded in disbelief by the RAC - 7 miles. They was no apology or offer of payment towards losing my RAC no callout bonus.

A loose windscreen wiper.

Of all the new cars I have owned, this was by far the best delivered vehicle.

General Comments:

Boringly reliable, nothing has failed, not even a light bulb nor fallen off. It goes like the clappers all the way to 6,500 rpm.

Nearside door rubbing strip came loose, and few rattles in the roof lining.

Oil consumption about 1 litre/1,200 miles which is too much in my opinion.

Rear tyres are still OK at 37,000 miles and the second set on the front are due. Very good.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th November, 2000

20th Feb 2003, 14:59

I suspect you haven't had the car serviced at a garage, hence the excessive oil consumption!!!

The first few services are extremely important on a new car. I currently own a j reg mk5 1.4 escort and it has done 118,000 miles and has used maybe a cup of oil in 6000 miles!!!

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1998 Fiat Punto GT Turbo from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Seriously fast supermini

Faults:

Turbo not boosting correctly, a constant problem finally 75% rectified by a bleed valve.

General Comments:

Seriously fun car, enjoy the factory black leather interior and burnt orange paintwork as well.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th November, 2000

1998 Fiat Punto Sporting 1.2 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good looking, cheap second-hand car

Faults:

Gearbox gave up at 26k, leaving me with 6 neutral gears! Other than that, no other real problems.

General Comments:

Nearly 90bhp from a 1.2 litre engine means you can have the economy of a 1.2 liter car with the performance of a 1.6.

Low gearing means that it's not that economical on the motorway, it really does need a 6th gear, and maybe a 7th!

The interior doesn't look good quality, but in use it's as well made as any other car.

Needs better front seats to hold you in when you throw it 'round the corners!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th November, 2000

1998 Fiat Punto Sporting 1.2 16v from UK and Ireland

Summary:

A great little runabout which keeps on surprising

Faults:

Nothing yet. Just had it's first real service since new, which cost me £380!

Needed new front tyres (Avon ZV1's at £120 to replace Pirelli's) and was badly out of tune.

Reliability is excellent though, I can always be sure of getting from A to B. Watch the brake wear on Fiats though.

General Comments:

This was a steal at £7000 for an S-plate with 4500 miles on the clock!

I have had no problems, and the recent tune up sorted out the engine a treat. Economy is excellent - I can get about 350-400 miles out of a full tank with motorway and urban driving, which works out at about 44-50mpg (watch out for 80+ speeds though which REALLY increase consumption). It really is a baby GT, the 0-60 is quoted at 10.9 seconds, but I bet it is nearer 10 if there is just the driver in and you work the gears.

Excellent load space for its size and seats a lot comfier than the old S spec. It packs a lot of features for its price, and I can't fault it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th September, 2000

24th May 2001, 09:37

I have driven both this and the new 2000 shape Sporting on test drives. The old one is so much better, and faster. The new one looks good, but has poor roadholding and nonexistent acceleration.

I thought the old one was quick and handled extremely well.

15th Mar 2004, 16:35

£380 service bill? Count yourself lucky, my Punto 60SX cost £700 for the last service! It is very reliable, and the brakes also wear down at an alarming rate too. The fuel economy is the same, yet the sporting accelerates from 0-60 in about 4 second faster, so I'll be buying mine very soon. I was looking at a new sporting, but having read the comments here, I think the old one seems better, let alone being more powerful.