Goodbye old chum

[Justin Case]

So the entire 9000 fleet cost less than the neighbours new fence

I don't think that the whole philosophy of Autoshite could have been put better than that

[Guest]

Also see a few puntos like this shape

Are these ok? And w.t.f is city steering

Dont know much about this generation of Punto, but if its anything like the early one that my parents still own it will have a good assortment of electrical gremlins per mile

 

isnt the Shitty Steering system basically an on-off switch that makes the PAS lighter for parking?

[vicsmith]

City steering is a button to turn incredibly light EPS into ridiculously light EPS for people who really can`t park. The EPS unit is something that fails on these Puntos, but it`s not common, just known about, and they are easily and cheapishly available from breakers. Other than that the only thing I `ve really known them be a bugger for is head gasket failure, however it`s a "nice" head gasket repair job, like the 8v Cavalier, rather than a "nasty" job like the K-series. Other than that, not bad, not really known any electrical faults although it`s been a good 18 months since I last sold one, they`ve been getting older since then!

[shite_meister]

Also see a few puntos like this shape

Are these ok? And w.t.f is city steering

Dont know much about this generation of Punto, but if its anything like the early one that my parents still own it will have a good assortment of electrical gremlins per mile

 

isnt the Shitty Steering system basically an on-off switch that makes the PAS lighter for parking?

The electronic power steering motor is a major problem on these and it comes as part of the column, when I last ordered one last year it was about £500 just for the part.

When I worked for a Fiat dealership a few years ago these were replaced at an alarming rate.

[AnthonyG]

I'd avoid a 5 year old + Fiat , that era Punto are sold mainly on price (there was no real other reason to choose one) and so unlikely to have been partcularly well maintained. That added to traditional Fiat 'reliability' and lots of complicated bits gives you a mix of ingredients that could easily add up to severe financial indigestion!Now a simple old Uno was a different matter.

[r.welfare]

That shape of Punto is now getting temptingly cheap, but as said EPAS and head gaskets are the concern.1.4 Focus is a slow old thing and having punted one round the circumference of Ireland for a week a few years ago, I wouldn't recommend it despite the cheaper road tax, as the economy really suffered from having to row the gearbox about. Also, the 1.4 only comes with CL spec which is pretty boggo; despite the Autoshite mantra of "less to go wrong", I'd still lean towards a saloon in Ghia trim which comes with A/C, and should be easier to find evidence of caring old-giffer ownership.

[peter9000uk]

The 1.4 Focus was only produced for a couple of years early in the model life and is perfect shite as it is known as a 3rd eyebrow in the motor trade along with 2.0 variants and any saloon model. Similar is the saloon version of the Megane.As a few have already mentioned the Punto suffers badly with the electric power steering failing, along with head gaskets and wiper mechanisms. A bloke at work has had one from new and has suffered all the above.Newer Corsas also have the same problem with their power steering

[Guest]

Thanks for the help-looks like Focus/106/206/306-I know the 206 has been slated in another thread but I have heard good things elsewhere about them. Punto's out-thanks for the advice there

[peter9000uk]

If you go down the 306 route be careful to check that the heatermatrix is not leaking, for some strange reason they are very prone to this. I would think that roughly 80% that have crossed my path have had this problem. Damp or smelly pass footwell is the place to look. Also be very wary if the central locking is acting strangely ie locking and unlocking by iteself or not at all. The fault is normally the wirng loom into the drivers door, it is a fault known to Peugeot as they sell a modified loom as a replacement, the different is about 2 inches extra wire!There is a website , pug306.net which is mine of informationI had a shite 306 SRi saloon with all the above faults and more, who said the Italians were the masters of dodgy electrics obviously hadn't owned a 306

[Guest]

Thanks for that. I have had 3 306's all 1360cc models 1 was a sean and all were great except a bit of rampant sunroof rot on 1. I assume the zx has the same faults.

[Cavcraft]

I spent a thoroughly miserable 200 mile holiday trip very recently driving a Mk1 Focus (2.0 Ghia) and can't think of a car I would reccommend less right at the moment. Hateful piece of shit.

[Mr Lobster]

1.4 Focus is thankfully relatively rare and also a bit of a miserable thing. 2.0i is quite quick but also has a bit of a thirst. 1.6 / 1.8 / TDdi Focus FTW.Ghia spec is quite nice but Zetecs still get a reasonable spec list, especially if you get on with the 'Climate Pack' which IIRC gives you heated front screen & aircon.

[AnthonyG]

A ZX is a pretty old car now (very old to non-Autoshitists ).

 

Are they simple enough (like a 80s Polo for example) to compensate for this?

[alfetta]

Merc 190 about same size as a focus saloon, park next to most modern stuff it looks tiny but actually feels like a bigger car. not the most exciting drive but incredibly well screwed together unlike my crappy alfas or tempremental Saabs which I was forever having to tinker with...(I'm past that..) I just put petrol in and drive!

[Guest]

Well good bye old friend-the last 7.500 miles since I bought you last November have been good. £250 You cost and only needed £30's worth of welding for the mot-and after all this time you have only blown a light bulb You were one of my cheapest cars and will be missed.

So long-see you around I hope

[Guest]

I spent a thoroughly miserable 200 mile holiday trip very recently driving a Mk1 Focus (2.0 Ghia) and can't think of a car I would reccommend less right at the moment. Hateful piece of shit.

Bit strong, but they've got a crap interior and they rust, because they're Fords.

[Albert Ross]

What a hateful looking heap...mismatched paint, towbar, 3 door with bodyshell crackage possibilities on the B pillar, bet there's no power steering...Why aren't you glad to see it go? FTW Poundland trims to boot.....it makes it almost worth it!

[MrRegieRitmo]

What are you replacing it with?

[Volksy]

3 door with bodyshell crackage possibilities on the B pillar

My Neices 12v POS is doing that, on the B pillar by the quarter window... Sound about right?

[Mike D]

I've just bought my Mrs a '98 Toyota Starlet 1.3s, and it's a right quality bit of kit. No rust at all, power steering, reasonably nippy and excellent on fuel, I'm using it at the mo and it's enjoyable to drive too. You could probably get 2 or 3 for your budget!

[Cavcraft]

Vectras pretty dull and pretty unloved but they are a good motor for the money (they're silly cheap at the moment), you can get a decent spec one easily enough. Had a load of 'em now and not one major problem, not bad considering most were well up in the mileage stakes.2.0 (petrol) the best of the bunch in my experience.Focus wise you're in the shite end of the money so will probably only get a high mileage and/or mingebag spec model.My very recent experience of a Focus (2.0 Ghia) was not at all good which is a shame because I really wanted to like it but it was fucking horrible.I'm going to throw my favourite wild card into the mix here and get flamed to high hell: Astra Mk4 would be your best bet in my opinion. Snag is same as Focus in that only high miles/low spec likely to be available but if you steer clear of 2.0 diesel and go for something like a 1.6 petrol with reasonable spec you'll have a blinding car which is well built, reliable and cheap to maintain.Merc 190s a good bet too. Stupildy cheap at the moment (a grand will get you a REALLY nice one), dead reliable, parts cost buttons and they'll solider one forever if you can do basic maintenance.

[Volksy]

I've just bought my Mrs a '98 Toyota Starlet 1.3s, and it's a right quality bit of kit. No rust at all, power steering, reasonably nippy and excellent on fuel, I'm using it at the mo and it's enjoyable to drive too. You could probably get 2 or 3 for your budget!

Those 1.3 Starlets are a proper giggle to hoon about in, far better than a Micra. We had some as courtesy cars and they didn't go wrong - ever.

[aled]

toyota carina e or early avensis go for the 1.8 absolutley fabulous on fuel, 55+on a run and 40 around town. really pissed that i sold mine so i just got another(picks to follow)with a knackerd gearbox(garage fucked it up when chainging the cluch--don't ask) £150 tax and tested and i picked up a gearbox for £70.

[Guest]

What a hateful looking heap...mismatched paint, towbar, 3 door with bodyshell crackage possibilities on the B pillar, bet there's no power steering...Why aren't you glad to see it go? FTW Poundland trims to boot.....it makes it almost worth it!

That means I am on the right site then-it was cheap shite motoring with no hassle-at least it wasnt a clio It wasnt a bad thing to drive-never failed and sipped the fuel

What are you replacing it with?

2000 On a V Peugeot 206 1.4 glx

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Vectras are just waste matter, a horror story. The absolute lowest common denominator - quite fitting given the jokers that made it. Didn't they go bust? :-)If you wanted silly cheap and basic, a Mark 1 Punto 1.2 55S with struggle windows but the 5 speed box. They're a tough little blighter and apart from uniform underbody rusting they don't rot badly - nothing like as bad as a Fester. the FIRE engine is a tough old thing and a cambelt is 30 mins work. There's very little to go wrong with them. £750 will buy a mint V plater, maybe even the 60S. The Mark 2 Punto is nowhere near as reliable.BMW 316i Compact. Ugly little runt and not fast, but they're pleasant enough to drive and £1000 will buy a minter of an N-P plater now. Neolithic E30 rear suspension, tough iron block SOHC engine plus cheap parts from Euro Car Prats. Much easier to fix than a Focus or any of the French scrap. Electric front windows will require fixing at some point in all likelihood.

[Pillock]

I love those TD Corsas. They're amusingly nippy and do about eleventy to the gallon. They can fetch decent prices yet occasionally one will pop up for a couple of hundred, cost you nothing to run, and get sold on for twice purchase price easily.

[Cavcraft]

Had a TD Nova that was amazing, saw many a newer/sportier car off in that. @Fiat Puntos being 'tough little blighters', I might signature that for another forum.

[Rocket88]

Merc 190. They were usually bought by old giffers when new, and will usually have been looked after. One of the few cars that will put up missed services and general abuse. By a good one, and it'll last forever.

[Guest]

What a hateful looking heap

The new owner thinks so-I dropped it off last night 8pm. 8am he go's to use it for the 1st time the starter motor threw the towel in

[Pete-M]

Merc 190. They were usually bought by old giffers when new, and will usually have been looked after. One of the few cars that will put up missed services and general abuse. By a good one, and it'll last forever.

I bought a minter, it lasted about a month.Horrible over-rated chunk of shite if ever there was one. On a par with a Vectra for utter 'orribleness.