FIAT PUNTO 1.8 16v HGT - any good?

[Emeye]

This looks good value, but obviously could be a shed.

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I'm after a £2k bargain barge really, but thought this could make a fun stop-gap car to give me more time to look if I've not found anything by Sunday as it's local.

[kambites]

I haven't driven the HGT, but assuming the interior packaging is the same as the normal Punto of that era, take one for a decent length drive - the driving position is shockingly uncomfortable, at least for me.

[Emeye]

kambites said:

I haven't driven the HGT, but assuming the interior packaging is the same as the normal Punto of that era, take one for a decent length drive - the driving position is shockingly uncomfortable, at least for me.

I've just sold my Alfa 155, so I'm used to the useless driving position!

[T16OLE]

Emeye said:

This looks good value, but obviously could be a shed.

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

I'm after a £2k bargain barge really, but thought this could make a fun stop-gap car to give me more time to look if I've not found anything by Sunday as it's local.

Christ they are cheap nowadays

[ZOLLAR]

Friend of mine had one when we were 17, thoroughly enjoyed getting a lift in in it (he was abit of a nutty driver).
Didn't realise they were so cheap, his drank alot of petrol though could have been his driving though.

[ZOLLAR]

As a side note check the insurance as these can be quite high premium wise.

[IanMorewood]

Alright until you pull up to the lights next to a Renault Clio sport or try to Follow a Ford Puma round soem bends. I mean come on 130bhp Meh, oh and 34MPG from a Punto?.

[GreatGranny]

Pay a bit more and get something like this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

you'll love it so much it will save you buying that barge.

[Emeye]

GreatGranny said:

Pay a bit more and get something like this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

you'll love it so much it will save you buying that barge.

Looked at these - it needs to be local to Manchester. There is a 1.4 minter for £1k around the corner from my house, but, even having been a proud owner of a 1.4S Fiesta which has a very similar chassis some years ago, I just worry they are a bit "girly".

[Mr2Mike]

IanMorewood said:

I mean come on 130bhp Meh, oh and 34MPG from a Punto?.

Is that the same "Meh" that you'd give a 2.0L Focus which is slower with similar or worse economy?

[Mr2Mike]

GreatGranny said:

Pay a bit more and get something like this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

you'll love it so much it will save you buying that barge.

The ironic twist being that the Puma is far more likely to have serious rust issues than the Fiat.

[IanMorewood]

Mr2Mike said:

Is that the same "Meh" that you'd give a 2.0L Focus which is slower with similar or worse economy?

Focus is a family 5 door hatch, this is a fiesty small 3door 'Hot' Hatch.

[T16OLE]

IanMorewood said:

Focus is a family 5 door hatch, this is a fiesty small 3door 'Hot' Hatch.

Its the same Meh I`d give it compared to a Clio 182 though, which average is 34mpg according to Autotrader

[Mr2Mike]

IanMorewood said:

Focus is a family 5 door hatch, this is a fiesty small 3door 'Hot' Hatch.

So smaller, faster cars should always use less fuel than slightly larger and slower ones? BTW, Focus came in 3 door as well.

The Clio 172 is very good on fuel, but good luck finding one for £795 that's not an utter wreck.

[The_Burg]

Driven a few, don't seem very quick at all.
Prone to issues with variable cam gizmo same as Alfa 1.8 twin spark without the oomph.

Didn't realise till recently there is a 1.9 diesel HGT, same power and much more torque. Probably a better bet.
(Not driven one but the wifes 40hp less one goes well).

[Mr2Mike]

The_Burg said:

Didn't realise till recently there is a 1.9 diesel HGT, same power and much more torque. Probably a better bet.
(Not driven one but the wifes 40hp less one goes well).

HGT diesel is 100bhp compared to the 130bhp petrol. The Grande Punto has a 130bhp diesel option, but it's a far more expensive car than the OP is looking at.

[Lefty]

My wife had one a few years back, a 99v. We loved it, i found it really comfy, no issues with driving position (I'm 6'4" and 16 stone) and so did she (5'2" and 8 stone).

We had it for 2 years and 20k miles and didn't have any trouble with it all.