new car bought.

[bub2006]

Just picked up a 1.2 8v fiat punto. X plate with 97k on clock. Elx trim so such frivolity as trip computer, electric windows,electric sunroof,central locking and factory fitted sub in boot. Mot till December for £280. Small clang on exhaust and sunroof won't slide back properly. Need to sell corsa now! How accurate is mpg computer on these?

[stripped fred]

Sounds good for £280 with long mot. I never trust the mpg reading on the obc on any car as they're usually optimistic. I just use it as an indication and check it accurately each time I fill up.

[KruJoe]

Sounds alright Bub.

What are Fiats of this vintage like for rot? We all know their rep from back in the day, but did they get it bossed?

This bloody V-reg Hungarian-built Suzuki Subaru thing I'm battling with is pretty crispy.

[dollywobbler]

Think terminal HGF or electrical mayhem is the issue with these rather than rot. I feel pics are needed though! Supercar headlights of course...

[Cavcraft]

..

 

Think terminal HGF or electrical mayhem is the issue with these rather than rot. I feel pics are needed though! Supercar headlights of course...

 

 

This, and power steering problems seem to plague them, too. Not actually a terribly bad car, but bargain that the electrics will eventually possibly drive you completely radio rental.

[sporty-shite]

Need to sell corsa now!

Can't believe Billy hasn't jumped right on this statement!

[bub2006]

Seems ok so far fingers crossed, as for rot I know early ones rotted like a metro but unsure of these. This one seems solid though. Got to sort sunroof, tilts fine but only slides back an inch. Got an oil leak which I think is from rocker cover. In this day anything running under 500 notes with mot is good going. Really comfy and quiet so I'm hoping it behaves. Not many of this trim about I've noticed either

[bub2006]

Regards pics also,sorry can't upload any as I'm on my phone.

[saucedoctor]

The exhaust clang might actually be the handbrake cables whacking off the floorpan. Take out the rear ashtray and see it the wishbone-shaped thingy is rattling around.

[Taff]

wishbone-shaped thingy .

Steady on blinding us with technical jargon, sauce!

 

 

tapped on the radiator using morse code

[500tops]

*Disappointed it isn't a Reliant*

[saucedoctor]

Behold!

 

I stuck a bit of an old car mat under the one I fixed (blue car I posted on here about 8 months ago)

[bub2006]

Thanks,I'll check that out.

[twosmoke300]

Or rear suspension bushes clanging .

[purplebargeken]

Never, ever, ever press the Town button. Ever. 

[hairnet]

camden or fleetwood

[bub2006]

I tried it when I was looking at car. Without moving the car the wheel was too light

[Noel Tidybeard]

..

 

 

 

This, and power steering problems seem to plague them, too. Not actually a terribly bad car, but bargain that the electrics will eventually possibly drive you completely radio rental.

wiper linkage can suffer detatchment anxiety

 

supercar headlights arent that super

[bub2006]

Supercar headlight have condom sensation on mine

[Pillock]

Trip computer MPG figures are as reliable as a Big Brother contestant explaining string theory.

 

My Peugeot was actually accurate to within 0.2mpg - I record all fill ups for company records and my app tells me what the MPG is between fillups and I reset the trip. However, being French I assume that was an electrical fault and the dealer could make it inaccurate again.

 

My Astra is about 15% optimistic, always. My old Scirocco was miles out, as was the mk3 Golf. The most hilarious was my E36 318i which had an uncalibrated trip computer from a 325 and would regularly average 60+ MPG.

[bub2006]

I'll have to work out how to work mpg out first then see how accurate it is then

[warren t claim]

I've had a couple of these, a 16v ELX and a six speed sporting. Both broke their cats off their manifolds.

[bub2006]

Mines a bit peculiar being the elx but only having the 8 valve engine. Easier to work on though I suppose

[Rusty_Rocket]

Does it have the old 'FIRE' engine as seen in most small Fiats up to the new Panda?

 

If so, it's a rugged economical lump which I've always found to be quite eager.  I think HGF is a possibility but they're so simple, I'd say they're up there with the Vauxhall OHC/ Peugeot TU engine for simplicity

[bub2006]

1.2 fire 8v engine in this. Apparently non interference

[HH-R]

Aye, the 1.2 8v FIREs are non interference and the ones built before Grande Punto like to NOM NOM a headgasket, but they usually go at about 40k miles so probably been fixed by now. Not sure what Fiat did to fix it but you don't hear of GP/Panda suffering from it much.

 

Mine wasn't plush enough for a trip computer but the Panda's with the same engine used to do between 42 and 45 MPG no matter how it was driven, ditto my old Punto. Trip computer used to say about 48 for real 44, had it to 52 average once but it only did about 46. Didn't have many electrical probelms with the Punto, got rid at 8 years old and all in it wasn't too bad, HGF aside. The steering red light of death can be a failing battery though they do suffer from torque sensor failures which can make it do odd things. I've never had the red light on any of them. Think these are too early for the shitty engine maps and chocolate wiring camshaft sensors the later FIRE has been ruined with.

[bub2006]

I've had red light for steering on twice. Both at full locking and low rpm. Worked when I turned engine off then back on.,mpg is reading 38 mpg but it's fluctuating alot with hills and traffic round here. Due to being a simple engine to work on I'm considering replacing head gasket and coolant along with pump and cam belt when I service it. Had eml flash for a few seconds at 75 on A38 earlier but turned off as soon as it came on. Apparently means it could be due a service on fiat forum on permanent means a dud sensor. Seems so simple and easy to work on though

[Guest AmbulanceChaser]

Dependent on what power steering motor it has, you can modify the circuit board with abit of solder if not they're not terribly expensive from the scrappers.

[bub2006]

Pic of punto now I've found how to do it!

[vulgalour]

I have a bit of a soft spot for Puntos up to this shape, Fiat seem to have got the proportions and details pretty nice on them.  My only real experience is a friend having one some years ago that burst its radiator but was otherwise perfectly fine and pretty practical.