Great fast small hatch
The car has only needed a new box box which was £80.Car is in good solid condition.
The car goes well in a straight line, but feels a bit unstable when pushing it had into bends under wet conditions.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 12th October, 2004
For the money you get great styling; a dynamic ride and good build quality
OK there have been a few things like the timing belt tensioner.
The wipers went through that juddering thing.
The headlamps just started fogging up on me.
Rear doors squeak horribly when they are opened-but not always. Hmm.
Rear suspension is squeaky at times.
I like the car generally. I think the build quality is terrific for the price and class. The interior plastics are very acceptable and guages. switches are well positioned.
The cup holders suck though as not every kind of beverage container-cup/bottle fits.
I think the city performance is top notch, but the 1.2 8v lacks power on highways when passing at around 100 km/h. Third's given you all she's got, but 4th just doesn't have the torque it should to safely let you pass a truck, for example.
I am satisfied with handling as well.
As for the above faults- I'm a mechanic so I'd be really disappointed with a car I couldn't fiddle with. I've done all the above reapirs on my own. If you don't know cars, then going to the dealer for all those minor faults would really be a pain in the butt.
Love that power steering!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 17th September, 2004
What could expect more for US$8,500?
First things appeared were too much noises. A really fast fix was done before 1000 km After that an oil spoil bothered me. They were from the motor and there was a 20,000 km performance. The warranty was just for a year, but the dealer honored the warranty until the car was fixed, after the year passed. A bottom part of the motor was fixed twice. When everything seemed to be OK, another spoil appeared, but it was water. Almost 5 times was my car in the garage. I became so frustrated so I tried to give it back, but in the very last time it was fixed. Dealer management was very concerned what was happening so they told me it was the first time it appears in a Fiat Punto car. I have 4 months without a problem, since the car was acquired, and I am going to sell it. I feel free to sell it because it doesn't have any serious problem that I had, because the person who is going to buy it is a friend mine.
It has a pretty good motor for a car that size, it is powerful for a small car. The front internal board is plastic, it doesn't have the finest details of the luxury cars, but works. External view is not attractive, but is good for my country because it is not attractive for robbery too. Electric operation worked good, so that is one of the things to make more fear on Fiat.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 13th September, 2004
Goes like a scalded cat!
CD autochanger is temperamental.
Radiator needs replacing - under warranty.
Seats showing signs of wear, especially in raised side sections.
After having a 1995 N Punto S, the HGT goes like a rocket! There is a marked improvement in build quality over the old Punto, although nowhere near the VWs of the world, but you get what you pay for. The 5 disc autochanger, sat nav, electrics all round and leather steering wheel are all nice touches and the seats are comfortable and supportive. The ride's quite hard, but you'd expect that from this kind of car.
The interior is quite dark, but the silver-coloured insert on the central console livens things up a bit.
To drive, it's a brilliant laugh, it takes everyone by surprise because it looks quite understated - the look on a Golf GTi driver's face last week was a picture :-) Handling is good, I've never driven a Saxo or 106 so I couldn't compare them, but the Punto's styling is way ahead looks-wise.
Running costs are pretty high - fuel economy isn't great and insurance quotes can make you cry, but it's well worth the fun of driving it! Buy one!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 26th July, 2004