Fiat Stilos.....

sleepystar1975

.....What do folk that own them think of them?

Dh had been offered one by a trusted friend at a very reasonable price. He knows the MOT is due next month, and two tyres are close to their limit so will fail/get a warning on those.
He and his mate are going "halfs" on a cut price MOT deal to see if there is anything else to be aware of on it. but it looks a sound and solid car.
It's an 02 plate, and a 1.6l model. Not sure of the rest of the details, only that it's fairly low milage (just over 50k)

Are there any known problems with this model of car we should be aware of?

Hintza

[QUOTE=sleepystar1975;38504076at_a_very_reasonable_price.[/QUOTE]

To me it would need to be an excellent price.

The car is 8 years old and in my view past it's design life. I am a fan of of small Fiats especially the Panda, but I am not convinced that Fiat are any good at smaller cars.


What's the price? Needs to be below £1k.

sleepystar1975

Hintza wrote: »

To me it would need to be an excellent price.

The car is 8 years old and in my view past it's design life. I am a fan of of small Fiats especially the Panda, but I am not convinced that Fiat are any good at smaller cars.


What's the price? Needs to be below £1k.

£500 and one of my homemade christmas cakes.

The car is only to be a "second car"
Dh only uses a car for the rare occasions he does a school run, or in the winter, when the weather is too bad for the motorbike, so we don't need anything fancy.

Horizon81

Well it's £500 so if it turns out to be duff then not too much harm done. But if it comes from a friend then it's better than a £500 gamble in the small ads.

I'd say check ALL electrics in the car to see if everything works.

Inactive

Easy way to lose a friend..

freakybacon

Going by the honest john website its a car to be avoided- but for £500 in your position I would have a punt! If it turns out to be junk Its got to be worth that in parts on fleabay!

janninew

I actually bought a Fiat Stilo Multiwagon (Estate) in 2005 brand new and I've just traded it in recently. I can say honestly that I had no major problems and wouldn't hesitate buying another one.

janninew

sleepystar1975 wrote: »

£500 and one of my homemade christmas cakes.

The car is only to be a "second car"
Dh only uses a car for the rare occasions he does a school run, or in the winter, when the weather is too bad for the motorbike, so we don't need anything fancy.

£500 for a 8 year old car with low mileage isn't that bad a price! What is the condition, service history etc?

andygb

I would never buy a car with just 1 month's MOT, not even from a friend. If someone wants to sell a car, then the best way to do it, is with a long "ticket".

meeps

I had a stilo and the one thing it didn't like was infrequent use, but if unlike me you are competent at basic maintenance then that wouldn't be a problem- out of all the cars I have had it felt the sturdiest and safest.

Hintza

I think you are doing the right thing by getting an MOT early that will potentially save a bit of pain later and as Horizon81 says check the electrics and fuse box and signs of headgasket then for £500 if you only get a year out of it you will have done OK.

I was initially going to type sub £500 but I thought that might just be too cheeky.