Abarth Grande Punto

Author
Discussion

TheDoggingFather

Original Poster:

17,089 posts

205 months

Tuesday 10th February 2015
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I've been looking at Abarth 500's and the Abarth Grande Punto has caught my eye, it's a bit more grown up and bit more roomy than the 500. Has anyone had one, any good? Problems? Suitable for track day use/abuse? Ideally I'll be looking at the Essesse. Any guidance gratefully received.

TDF

Spantney

334 posts

154 months

Saturday 14th February 2015
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TheDoggingFather said:
I've been looking at Abarth 500's and the Abarth Grande Punto has caught my eye, it's a bit more grown up and bit more roomy than the 500. Has anyone had one, any good? Problems? Suitable for track day use/abuse? Ideally I'll be looking at the Essesse. Any guidance gratefully received.

TDF
I've had an Abarth Grande Punto for 4 years now. Absolutely brilliant car, don't think I'll ever sell it!

Always puts a smile on my face when I drive it or just look at it. Fuel consumption is about 32mpg around town, can do up to 45mpg on a decent run. Only mechanical issue I've had was a faulty ABS sensor which apparently quite common but fairly painless to sort out.

The Essesse one is a bit more raw than the 'Assetto' which I have, as it has stiffer springs, a bigger turbo with a bit more power and things like that.

I see you are South coast, if you are anywhere near Southend-on-Sea give me a shout and I'm more than happy for you to come and have a mooch.

http://i.imgur.com/guQzTfH.jpg?1

Cheers, Ant


Agoogy

7,274 posts

247 months

Thursday 26th February 2015
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Best small car design since Peugeot 205.

R2T2

4,076 posts

121 months

Tuesday 3rd March 2015
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I've got the Fiat Grande Punto T-Jet which shares the same engine, albeit with a slightly smaller turbo.

Great cars, handle well and still look good.
I would definately recommend them, based on how good my T-Jet has been.

LiquidGnome

551 posts

120 months

Wednesday 4th March 2015
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I would not recommend my Grande Punto to anyone :/

Great looking car, not much else good to say about it.

R2T2

4,076 posts

121 months

Wednesday 4th March 2015
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What one have you got?

LiquidGnome

551 posts

120 months

Wednesday 4th March 2015
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I have a 1.9 Sporting from 2007.

R2T2

4,076 posts

121 months

Wednesday 4th March 2015
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I have an 08(58) T-Jet and other than previous owner related problems it's been great. What was wrong with yours?

LiquidGnome

551 posts

120 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
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I suppose I am being a bit hard on it.

I recently changed the gearbox, DMF and clutch, apart from that the only thing that's gone wrong is the boot motor. The M32 gearboxes are pretty notorious for being made of cheese - I'm not sure if these are fitted to the petrol engines though...

It also has a regular starting problem, but I think I've got to the bottom of that.

Also the lack of a decent cup holder is a bit aggravating!rolleyes

Probably the best looking hatchback around though tongue out







R2T2

4,076 posts

121 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
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LiquidGnome said:
I suppose I am being a bit hard on it.

I recently changed the gearbox, DMF and clutch, apart from that the only thing that's gone wrong is the boot motor. The M32 gearboxes are pretty notorious for being made of cheese - I'm not sure if these are fitted to the petrol engines though...

It also has a regular starting problem, but I think I've got to the bottom of that.

Also the lack of a decent cup holder is a bit aggravating!rolleyes

Probably the best looking hatchback around though tongue out
The gearboxes are notoriously bad. The M32 gearbox is also fitted to the Corsa and I think the Astra VXR with no issues. The AGP uses the same, but never heard any issues with it, i've heard that it's torque related that the bearings cannot cope with more than 300lb-ft? Could be wrong though.

I have a Fiat t-jet which shares the same engine, but has a different turbo and a 5 speed box.
Other than niggles, and a DMF replacement it's been great and planning the modifications nowsmile

LiquidGnome

551 posts

120 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
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R2T2 said:
The gearboxes are notoriously bad. The M32 gearbox is also fitted to the Corsa and I think the Astra VXR with no issues. The AGP uses the same, but never heard any issues with it, i've heard that it's torque related that the bearings cannot cope with more than 300lb-ft? Could be wrong though.

I have a Fiat t-jet which shares the same engine, but has a different turbo and a 5 speed box.
Other than niggles, and a DMF replacement it's been great and planning the modifications nowsmile
The T-Jet is petrol right? Didn't know they had a DMF. It's a service item anyway so doesn't really count as a problem smile

What modifications are you planning?

I wouldn't mind a getting a remap as the 1.9 has great potential for an increase in HP and torque, but I think putting more torque through the cheesebox might be a bad idea mad

R2T2

4,076 posts

121 months

Thursday 5th March 2015
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LiquidGnome said:
The T-Jet is petrol right? Didn't know they had a DMF. It's a service item anyway so doesn't really count as a problem smile

What modifications are you planning?

I wouldn't mind a getting a remap as the 1.9 has great potential for an increase in HP and torque, but I think putting more torque through the cheesebox might be a bad idea mad
It is yeah, 1.4 petrol, using the same engine as the A500 and the AGP.

There are cases where people have no issues at all running 350lb-ft, but they all say 300 is about the limit the 'box can take.

Seeing this thread prompted me to make my own readers' cars thread
( http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... )
and that lists what I want to do to it.

If you're on faceballs, I would also recommend joining "Punto Enthusiasts" as they're a great community and a load of very knowledgeable people will always help out.