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[fiatdaft]

had a lot of experience with grande punto's have you cavette?

[Cavcraft]

had a lot of experience with grande punto's have you cavette?

Only taking them to the weigh in yard. Under a cover of course, even I've I've got some standards Take a chill pill by the way fella, only having a laugh.

[Mr Lobster]

Actually, the Grande Punto is not a bad car really, base model is really nothing special but a decent spec diesel would be quite a nice thing. Seem much better built than earlier Puntos.

[Cavcraft]

I quite like the new 500 thing, if I'm allowed to admit that in public?

[fiatdaft]

the wifes punto 130 sporting just took us to the ring ,had a good few laps,and brought us back averaging 47.4 mpg,great fun and i wasn't hanging about either !p s getting anoyed as 2nd time this week i have been slagged off for having fiats on this forum,i did kinda think this forum was open to all cars and tastes.i would never give somebody grief on there choice of wheels.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

A mate of mine worked at a Fiat Alfa dealer in Sheffield until around 6-8 months ago and told me some horror stories about the Grande Punto. Serious water leaks due to the robots missing some rather essential seam sealer, heater controls that break off in your hand and best of all, porous engine blocks that sweat coolant out. I think the word he used was 'junk', but I may be mistaken.In his eight years there, he told me the only decent Fiat is the new Panda. Which is made in Poland! Thinking back to my Fiat days, the original Punto was okayish, the Tipo not bad and the Brava Bravo a pile of shite. The Cinquecento was never any trouble apart from the odd tappet and fuel filler cap. As for the Uslessyse.......Fix It Again Tomorrow.....

[fiatdaft]

the tipo not bad you say?you gave me some abuse for having one.

[Cavcraft]

the wifes punto 130 sporting just took us to the ring ,had a good few laps,and brought us back averaging 47.4 mpg,great fun and i wasn't hanging about either !p s getting anoyed as 2nd time this week i have been slagged off for having fiats on this forum,i did kinda think this forum was open to all cars and tastes.i would never give somebody grief on there choice of wheels.

Hey, know what you mean mucker. Someone had the gall to slag Cavaliers on here recently ( ) but being honest whilst I do see my arse occasionally for being berated for llking Vauxhalls I've tried to go with the flow.Looking round I sort of get the feeling everything is quite light hearted on here and (whilst I could be wrong) I suppose some cars/makers will get some grief at some point.Anyway, a) I have no room to rip the p1ss out of most other cars because I drove a Chevette/defend Vauxhalls and I haven't even started on VAGs yet Ps my dad has been running (probably should be pushing ) Fiats for years now and loves them.

[Volksy]

I worked in a Fiat/Alfa dealers a few years back, and found in the main them to be pretty good cars. I'm sure all cars have there troubles, and unless you've owned or worked on them i think a huge amount of it is heresay. Alfa's quality control has improved massively, however this was somewhat there own undoing, the number of 156, GTV, Spiders that came in with blown engines, due to neglect and company car thrashers not checking the oil level, were huge.Fiats did pretty well too, the First Punto has rear subframe mountings failing, but was sorted on the first service before the owners even knew about it. Cinqs to be honest were grand little cars, apart from trim rattles and the plastic coolant pipe behind the engine fracturing if you hit anything underneath.Brava's had rear wiper failure every year, and the bravo's taillights used to fill with condensation. Other than that and bits of trim working loose they didnt seem too bad.This is a great forum, designed to accept shite, so if one mans shite is not anothers so be it, lets not turn each thread into a bickering session as there is far more interesting/hilarious stuff we can be discussing.

[fiatdaft]

finally some sense being written.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Alfa's quality control has improved massively, however this was somewhat there own undoing, the number of 156, GTV, Spiders that came in with blown engines, due to neglect and company car thrashers not checking the oil level, were huge.

As well as Alfa GB doubling the cambelt change interval from 36 to 72'000. Alfa's reputation has a lot to do with some idiot from Slough who thought that was a good idea. I bet well over 50% of cars with that engine have broken a belt and the trouble is, it always does other damage too which isn't fixed when the head is sorted out.By far the worst problem was parts availability. 3 weeks for a Coupe 20v throttle cable because the factory was closed for the annual holiday - that wouldn't happen with Ford, VW etc. Working for a Fiat garage was the only job I have ever walked out on in frustration.

[fiatdaft]

i wonder how the new ford ka will compare to the old one,as the new one is based on a fiat (panda,500) and is built in poland.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

It won't be as good as the original (which is a superb car) but the build quality can only get better. Nothing rots like a Ka, they're absolute shite on that front.

[Volksy]

I quite enjoyed my time there, however I left as the new General Manager disliked my dreadlocks..

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

You could almost say my first ever job involved Fiats as it was washing cars at a Lada dealer in 1983. That's when Ladas really were Fiat rip offs, before the Riva.After that it was at a Fiat garage proper in 1984 with the last 127's (superb car, especially the Sport), the first Unos, Stradas/Regattas (yuk) plus the Mirafiori (An orange Sport please) and that lame duck the Argenta of which this garage did not sell a single example. The 132 Bellini in black with alloys was quite a nice thing but they rusted like a bean can in a salt mine. The Panda had been around for a bit and you could unzip, remove and machine wash the covers. What a great idea!I was more interested in the Alfasuds though (it was a joint Fiat AR dealer).Good old Black and White garage, I owe them a lot!

[shite_meister]

3 weeks for a Coupe 20v throttle cable because the factory was closed for the annual holiday - that wouldn't happen with Ford, VW etc.

As mentioned in another thread I work in a garage, and have had lots of experience of many franchises, at the moment we are still waiting for a mid-late nineties shape Ford Fiesta fuseboard that has been on back-order for nearly a year! whether or not its unique or not I don't know-the point is that poor parts back-up can affect any manufacturer and that is just one example I could quote. Although FIAT don't enjoy the best reputation for build quality or reliability its a problem that could and does happen to any manufacturer. I have always found BMWs parts availability nothing short of amazing-virtually most parts are still available.Unlike a majority of modern cars at least Fiats still have a hint of passion about them whether its styling or downright driveability.

[r.welfare]

I have always found BMWs parts availability nothing short of amazing-virtually most parts are still available.

Agreed - it's all available, even for the older stuff. I had a 17yr old 528i - worn driver's seat (don't they all...) - new material delivered from Munich within 3 days! Not cheap but worth it.My aunt's had Fiats for years, starting with a 127 1050, then onto a white Panda Bianca (the one with the double fabric sunroof!), and has had an N-reg Punto 55 since it was six months old. Not a spot of rust and flies through the MOT every year needing nothing. This despite the fact it is never washed and hardly ever serviced. Okay, it may be a "good" one, but even so, I'm impressed.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

I can beat that - 1972 3.0CS Coupe, drivers door check strap and front wing moulding. Ordered Tuesday morning, here Thursday.Fiestas are junk really - an object lesson in how gullible the public are. Ford parts prices are absolutely obscene - £45 for an anti roll bar drop link and £130 for a pressed steel sump for a Valencia engined 1300.Compared to a Fiesta, a Mark 1 Punto is a very good car. They drive a whole lot better, have a properly roomy interior and they don't rust to bits plus it has a proper engine.Years ago when I did a bit for Auto Express I had to deliver an early Mark 2 Micra from Oxford up to Glasgow where it was joined by the then - new Saxo, a Polo and a Punto 55. Once the photos had been taken I blasted the Punto from just North of Glasgow up to Fort William and back. An absolutely fantastic drive that suited the car.

[reallyloud]

I have to say in Fiats defence, the current Panda is a cracking little motor. I've had mine for just over 3 months and its covered 8k with no problems at all. Not one glitch or worry. The interior is durable and the car is screwed together with the best of them, the paint finish is perfect, its not a bad car to drive and I have to say its one of the best non-shite cars I've owned. I treat the car like an appliance as its simply a tool to transport my lanky frame up and down the country. But its extremely economical, cheap tax and insurance - I find it surprising that there aren't more out there.

[mk2_craig]

I found the current Fiat range confusing, not exactly sure where the Idea was supposed to sit (though I think that they've stopped selling that in the UK) and the Grande Punto/Bravo look too similar. I notice they chopped the Croma too, although apparently Fiat still make RHD examples presumably for other markets so if you REALLY want one they will supply!

[fiatdaft]

you could say that about most car makers ranges today

[vicsmith]

Do you reckon if you gave them £8000 for it they`d black the bumpers and have the area around the grille done in elephant`s arse finish grey?

Your prayers have been answered with the Fiat Grande Punto ST0.

 

 

Spec as the ST1 except:

 

Engine

- 1108cc FIRE Inline-4 OHC 8-Valve

- Single Carburettor

- Manual Choke

 

Transmission

- 4-speed manual transmission (standard)

- 3-speed automatic transmission (optional, +£800)

 

Exterior

- 15 x 5cm "SD0 BASE" decal on tailgate

- No colourcoded bumpers

- No chrome-effect grille

- No reversing light

- No passenger side mirror (optional, +£70)

- No brand tyres (choice of Stomil or Stunner)

 

Interior

- No intermittent wiper

- No trip counter

- No interior light

- No interior boot release

- No interior mirror adjustment

- No carpet (optional FIAT embossed rubber mats, +£80 front only or +£120 all)

- No sunvisors (optional for drivers side only, +£40)

 

Just £19.98 per week at Superscum Car Finance.

If I pay another £50 could I have the 999cc 16v Brazilian market only engine, two wheelnuts removed from each wheel (be fine with just 2 on) and the wipers disconnected and glued in place - I can always pull over if it starts to rain heavily.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

The problem with Fiat is that they never learn. What Fiat do best is small cars and sports cars like the 124 Spider and the Barchetta. But instead of providing us with another barchetta, they waste valuable resources on turds like the Croma which was a waste of time the first time round. I bet the Bravo in its current guise doesn't sell that well either - it's the answer to a question nobody asked and the market is awash with that sort of car. The market will always favour a Golf or a Civic I'm afraid.Fiat should make the 500, Panda, Punto and a small 2 seater. Alfa Romeo can take up the middle ground. It's pointless Fiat making anything Mondeo sized as that whole market is dying fast. If it hasn't got a 'badge', the market doesn't want to know.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Hey rev, sounds like you oughta apply for a job as a head of an international car manufacturing conglomerate, you've certainly got it all worked out.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Common sense.The 500 has a huge waiting list and Fiat cannot build enough. Meanwhile, they build cars like the RHD Croma that they cannot sell. The original Croma was a flop, so was the Stilo. Small Fiats sell by the million however. It's what they have always excelled at.What would you do?

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I'd come up with an 'Argenta for the 21st century' its what fiat needs IMO.I like the new Croma! Its totally pointless, thats what I like about it.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

I'd come up with an 'Argenta for the 21st century' its what fiat needs IMO.

Hmm, I like your thinking. Base it on the forthcoming rear drive big Alfa/Lancia floorpan, 3 litre V6 auto with no diesel option and full 'Vatican' spec with Alcantara and maple wood, lashings of chrome and a price tag £100 above the equivalent 530i. Give it 3 months and wait for the 'Turdo D'Oro' limited edition.

[andrew e]

The Croma is for girls though - sit in one and the way the console gets in the way of your left knee gives you no "gonad room". I feel sorry for generations of cab drivers suffering 300k of bollock sweating itchyness.

[Jazzy Jeff]

Forgive me for my sins of ignorance, but before reading this thread I didn't even know their was a new Croma!!Having now tracked a photo down on the internet of it, all I can say is a screaming, harrowing bellowing WHY!?It looks just like a large Punto. Do they really think that's going to beat BMW? Did the style boffins at Fiat really stand back in the design studio in Turin, all dressed in Armani Suits, sipping espresso and said "Yes, this is the best we can offer the world. This is Italian style"?

[reallyloud]

I think the marketing kids at Fiat must have known that unless you were dropped on the head as a baby, no one is going to part with 25k when the croma has so much German and Swedish competition - so they basically did a Vauxhall Signum/Renault Vel Satis on the the styling and created what is known as a niche car for those unfortunate to have been assulted to part with their cash in the Fiat dealership. Fiat nearly got it right with the 130 range, back in the day - from what I've heard they were pretty competent cars.Of course, the current 'special order only' Croma is lined up nicely for complete worship on here in the near future.