fiat punto

twink

i am thinking of looking at an 02 plate punto, anything to look out for?

harveybobbles

The fact it's a Fiat...

Inactive

harveybobbles wrote: »

The fact it's a Fiat...

Agreed, avoid like the plague.;)

foxy-roxy

Inactive wrote: »

Agreed, avoid like the plague.;)

Erm...i have a 03 Punto, i was torn between a Corsa and the Punto and research suggested Corsa, but when it came down to it the Punto was much nicer looking and had more spec for the same price as the Corsa so i bit the bullet and got the Punto.
so glad i did, i LOVE it, i drove from Liverpool to Great Yarmouth and back not long after i got it, without a hitch.
The only thing that you may have problems with is the radiator, i did and know they are quite fragile.
But overall i am very pleased with it and would reccomend.

indiegirl_2

Off the top of my head:

Head gasket failure - extremely common
Wiring loom for the airbag warning light is very fragile and runs behind the glove compartment and (I believe) somewhere under the seats. Move the seat too quickly, and you'll trigger the airbag warning light which then needs resetting. Overfill the glove compartment and 'shove it shut' - and you have the same issue.
If it's a 3 door - check that both front seats' release mechanism to move forwards works
Check for leaks (especially around the rear windows)
Handbrake can be a little loose and the cable is prone to stretching
Did I mention that they are very prone to head gasket failures?

This is from experience of co-owning a 2000 (same model) Punto for 14mths, and also my sister who bought an 03 plate (same model - later models were facelifted) at the same time. She's had everything (and more that I can't remember) go wrong with hers that possibly could; a real money pit.

I would always recommend that the OP looks at any other small car, but particularly a Yaris instead - I wish I had!

foxy-roxy

Yeah i have heard the Yaris' are very good cars, but other than the radiator on my Punto i have had no problems with mine at all.
Suppose it's just luck, and tbh i know a few people who have Punto's without problems.
I suppose it's like any car, they will come with there problems.
My Vectra's always had the same problems, engine cutting out when it was raining and you dipped the clutch.
Engine management light always coming on.
Alot of people warned me about them but i still went ahead and bought and ex taxi with over 200,000 miles on the clock:eek: and had no issues with it.
If i like a car i will just get it, there will be horror stories about any car you review tbh, so just go for what you will be happy in and not what is reccomended as even the reccomended car could still cause you problems and then you will be back on here saying we told you to get a 'dud' car;)

Inactive

foxy-roxy wrote: »

If i like a car i will just get it, there will be horror stories about any car you review tbh, so just go for what you will be happy in and not what is reccomended as even the reccomended car could still cause you problems and then you will be back on here saying we told you to get a 'dud' car;)

Possibly, but far less than there are for Fiat Punto's.;)

iNath

I used to have an '04 Punto.....NEVER again! Absolutely rubbish cars. Something snapped on the driver's side wiper blade mechanism meaning it was detached from the motor arm, this was in the pouring rain 5 miles from home

roddydogs

So you had a wiper blade issue and thats a reason not to buy that make?, PS what make of car is it that NEVER goes wrong?

hewhoisnotintheknow

iNath wrote: »

I used to have an '04 Punto.....NEVER again! Absolutely rubbish cars. Something snapped on the driver's side wiper blade mechanism meaning it was detached from the motor arm, this was in the pouring rain 5 miles from home

you do know fiat dont make the wiper blades or the bit that connects them to the car, if thats the only problem worth mentioning thats pretty good going

exup

try going to fiat forum UK and checking up on the Punto - they will likely have a buyers guide of things to watch for .