Couple of bangers...tell me what you think

Tilt

Since 1978 I have owned 16 Fiats which were either ex demos or brand new. I can honestly say that I have only had a problem with one of them which was sorted out eventually. My current car (Punto HGT) is now 12 years old and runs like a dream with no major issues. Still has the original clutch etc. The biggest spend was a cam belt change and obviously it's had a couple of sets of tyres, brake pads and exhaust sections.

So I think I am qualified to safely say that Strider dosn't know what he is talking about.

andygb

Tilt wrote: »

So I think I am qualified to safely say that Strider dosn't know what he is talking about.

I think it is fair to say that urban mythology and the "wise" words of "the bloke down the pub" have sealed the fate of many a car manufacturer.
Still, it does mean that people like us can pick up the odd bargain now and again.

Hintza

Fiat's strengths were always in small cars such as this. If they were that bad can you explain the great residuals on Pandas and 500s!

citykid5

just to add my twopenence worth.all my 4 boys started their driving with either seicento's or cinquento's and they are great little cars.easy to home repair,brakes and tyres last for ever and are cheap to replace.their main weekpoints are rear radius arm bushes,when test driving if you get a clonking noise when going over bumps,check for any back and forth movement by holding both hands at 12 o clock on the rear wheel with the car still on the ground,if their is any movement/clunking best to walk away.also the clutch cables tend to snap if the clutch is wearing,cheap fix about £15 but very fiddly to do.but still great cars if you buy wisely.best of the lot imo is the cinquecento soleil version

buscape

Seicento.

I'd be looking at Corsa's and Punto's as well.

barbiedoll

Just to update....the Fiat was sold about an hour before I rang

The Kia's still on there but now I'm thinking that it's not good enough for anyone else to buy so I don't want it either!

Have been looking at Corsas and Micras too, but nothing is catching my eye today, will have another look at the weekend.

Thanks also for the tip about Googling a seller's mobile number. That's been a bit of an eye-opener!

Tilt

Wouldn't touch a VX around that age with a barge pole!

There are plenty of Seicento/Puntos out there in Auto Trader!

barbiedoll

Just spotted this.....

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/black-fiat-punto-mia-600-urgent-sale-mottax/100677136

How much for a new clutch? (London prices!)
Quite high mileage but a years MOT and it looks quite good to me, not that I know what I'm looking at.......

Tilt

I've got the HGT version and it runs like a dream. It's 12 years old but I've owned it from new and sort of looked after it.

The 'city steering' (electrically assisted) is apparently prone to failure although there's nothing wrong with mine. Basically there's a motor in the steering column.

To be honest, this looks a tad shabby. The seicento you were looking at looked much cleaner inside. Mileage is a tad high and you deffo need to know when/if the cam belt was done. Price is about right though although I would try and knock them down because of the clutch.

I'm sure there are better examples around though.

s_b

barbiedoll i expected the sissy to be gone when you got your self there
at £500 you have to be up early to catch a true in the way bargain
30 years ago i used to be outside the printers to get a copy of autiotrader as it came off the press to find the ultimate bargain

nothing changes really