Fiat Grande Punto - Hell
Discussion
So, ever since I purchased my Cursed Grande Punto I have had noting but problems and I wanted to hear from others what issues they may have experienced.
Admittedly a Grande Punto has always been a cheapish car but regardless of that I would at least expect the car to run for more than a few months without something falling off or needing repairing.
In the last two years that I have had the car I have needed to replace/ have fixed
-Power steering pump
-Steering rack
-There is a constant knocking noise on the vehicle and after countless garage visits and parts replaced the issue is still not fixed.
- New grill as the original kept popping out
- Both susp springs replacing
- Internal dash grill
- Oil leak
- Water getting into headlight
Would I buy a Fiat again...
Admittedly a Grande Punto has always been a cheapish car but regardless of that I would at least expect the car to run for more than a few months without something falling off or needing repairing.
In the last two years that I have had the car I have needed to replace/ have fixed
-Power steering pump
-Steering rack
-There is a constant knocking noise on the vehicle and after countless garage visits and parts replaced the issue is still not fixed.
- New grill as the original kept popping out
- Both susp springs replacing
- Internal dash grill
- Oil leak
- Water getting into headlight
Would I buy a Fiat again...
onlynik said:
You don't say the age or mileage of your Punto, but I had a 07 plate a couple of years ago, used it for 18 months, covered about 4k in it, taking it from 14k to 18k, and all I needed replaced was a broken spring. Sold it as I didn't use it enough.
I'd buy one again.
Sounds like the OP might know where you can find one I'd buy one again.
Sounds like you've found a lemon.
As a counterpoint, a colleague of mine had one for 4 years. 3 repairs needed; a heater fan wiring loom (common fault, easy fix), 2 front drop links and a petrol cap. Other than that it's had 4 oil changes and 2 tyres, written off last week by a careless school run mum.
As a counterpoint, a colleague of mine had one for 4 years. 3 repairs needed; a heater fan wiring loom (common fault, easy fix), 2 front drop links and a petrol cap. Other than that it's had 4 oil changes and 2 tyres, written off last week by a careless school run mum.
I've had the misfortune of having several pass through my hands in the trade, the steering rack does seem to be a common fault, they just seem to be a shoddily built car - in complete contrast to the 500 which seems to be on the whole fault free, well finished and durable. Pandas wear well too. Just noticed a correlation here - stick to Polish Fiats!
HPI only picks up vehicles which have been written off as a total loss by the insurance companies. If it was merely a repair then it's not going to be shown and would be something that the seller would have to disclose. It's usually fairly easy to confirm whether a car has been in an accident or not. Great repairs can be hidden but most stuff that goes through insurers will have corners cut and therefore be obvious if you know what you're looking for.
I have regular access to my Mums Grande Punto which I use to move amps about in. Truly awful car. She has had it from new and it is currently on 90,000 Miles.
Some thoughts off the top of my head -
From day one it would mist up no matter what the climate settings.
You cannot flash someone a thank you without it clicking onto full beam.
You cannot turn the engine off without turning off the stereo mid song. (Surprisingly annoying)
Stereo on button jammed on.
Stereo buttons have peeled.
Steering wheel has peeled.
Footwells are now full of water.
The boot spurts rain water on you when you open it. (Which you can’t do from outside without a key, OR getting a dirty hand due to the lack of handle)
Headgasket has gone twice.
Handling is worrying.
Always has a knock at the front, despite "various bits" (Mums words) being replaced.
Likes oil.
It’s just crap all round with redeeming features.
Some thoughts off the top of my head -
From day one it would mist up no matter what the climate settings.
You cannot flash someone a thank you without it clicking onto full beam.
You cannot turn the engine off without turning off the stereo mid song. (Surprisingly annoying)
Stereo on button jammed on.
Stereo buttons have peeled.
Steering wheel has peeled.
Footwells are now full of water.
The boot spurts rain water on you when you open it. (Which you can’t do from outside without a key, OR getting a dirty hand due to the lack of handle)
Headgasket has gone twice.
Handling is worrying.
Always has a knock at the front, despite "various bits" (Mums words) being replaced.
Likes oil.
It’s just crap all round with redeeming features.
As said earlier. Steering racks can cause a difficult to trace clunking, I changed one a few months back. The dash grille ha salways been a problem, we used to glue them down for a local dealer, always doing them. Remove and refit front 1/4 glasses as they sat proud of the door. Remove and refit rear 1/4 glasses as the rubbers the door closes onto tare early on. Remove and refit heated rears because techs diagnosed leaks that were down to the drain holes in the boot not being right at the bottom of the gate so water collects there then when you open the boot and close it again water comes through the seams at the top.
Not the best made cars but it also depends greatly on how fussy you are., most people wouldn't notice the bad bits
Not the best made cars but it also depends greatly on how fussy you are., most people wouldn't notice the bad bits
If you look online a lot of the issues seem to be typical faults with the Punto.
edpryce said:
I have regular access to my Mums Grande Punto which I use to move amps about in. Truly awful car. She has had it from new and it is currently on 90,000 Miles.
Some thoughts off the top of my head -
From day one it would mist up no matter what the climate settings.
You cannot flash someone a thank you without it clicking onto full beam.
You cannot turn the engine off without turning off the stereo mid song. (Surprisingly annoying)
Stereo on button jammed on.
Stereo buttons have peeled.
Steering wheel has peeled.
Footwells are now full of water.
The boot spurts rain water on you when you open it. (Which you can’t do from outside without a key, OR getting a dirty hand due to the lack of handle)
Headgasket has gone twice.
Handling is worrying.
Always has a knock at the front, despite "various bits" (Mums words) being replaced.
Likes oil.
It’s just crap all round with redeeming features.
Some thoughts off the top of my head -
From day one it would mist up no matter what the climate settings.
You cannot flash someone a thank you without it clicking onto full beam.
You cannot turn the engine off without turning off the stereo mid song. (Surprisingly annoying)
Stereo on button jammed on.
Stereo buttons have peeled.
Steering wheel has peeled.
Footwells are now full of water.
The boot spurts rain water on you when you open it. (Which you can’t do from outside without a key, OR getting a dirty hand due to the lack of handle)
Headgasket has gone twice.
Handling is worrying.
Always has a knock at the front, despite "various bits" (Mums words) being replaced.
Likes oil.
It’s just crap all round with redeeming features.
get your bum over to these guys,
http://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/
There are a few mechanics and other knowledgeable bods on there that will steer you (no pun intended!) in the right direction.
Had a number of Fiats in the past (Puntos and Stilos) and never had any real problems with them. However, when the Stilo was in for a service I was given a GP as a courtesy car and I thought it looked a bit cheap and nasty inside - and this was coming from a Stilo!
http://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/
There are a few mechanics and other knowledgeable bods on there that will steer you (no pun intended!) in the right direction.
Had a number of Fiats in the past (Puntos and Stilos) and never had any real problems with them. However, when the Stilo was in for a service I was given a GP as a courtesy car and I thought it looked a bit cheap and nasty inside - and this was coming from a Stilo!
jmxtjmxt said:
So, ever since I purchased my Cursed Grande Punto I have had noting but problems and I wanted to hear from others what issues they may have experienced.
Admittedly a Grande Punto has always been a cheapish car but regardless of that I would at least expect the car to run for more than a few months without something falling off or needing repairing.
In the last two years that I have had the car I have needed to replace/ have fixed
-Power steering pump
-Steering rack
-There is a constant knocking noise on the vehicle and after countless garage visits and parts replaced the issue is still not fixed.
- New grill as the original kept popping out
- Both susp springs replacing
- Internal dash grill
- Oil leak
- Water getting into headlight
Would I buy a Fiat again...
Hop over to http://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/Admittedly a Grande Punto has always been a cheapish car but regardless of that I would at least expect the car to run for more than a few months without something falling off or needing repairing.
In the last two years that I have had the car I have needed to replace/ have fixed
-Power steering pump
-Steering rack
-There is a constant knocking noise on the vehicle and after countless garage visits and parts replaced the issue is still not fixed.
- New grill as the original kept popping out
- Both susp springs replacing
- Internal dash grill
- Oil leak
- Water getting into headlight
Would I buy a Fiat again...
And we'll sort you out.
Dom
dombooth said:
Is there an echo here??
jmxtjmxt said:
So, ever since I purchased my Cursed Grande Punto I have had noting but problems and I wanted to hear from others what issues they may have experienced.
Admittedly a Grande Punto has always been a cheapish car but regardless of that I would at least expect the car to run for more than a few months without something falling off or needing repairing.
In the last two years that I have had the car I have needed to replace/ have fixed
-Power steering pump
...
- Both susp springs replacing
...
The Grande Punto uses an EPAS system which doesn't use hydraulics so there is no power steering pump. Sounds like someone has taken you for a ride.Admittedly a Grande Punto has always been a cheapish car but regardless of that I would at least expect the car to run for more than a few months without something falling off or needing repairing.
In the last two years that I have had the car I have needed to replace/ have fixed
-Power steering pump
...
- Both susp springs replacing
...
Suspension springs are a part of modern car ownership, they are a common failure on most makes of car.
The grill sounds like it's probably had a mild front ender at some stage.
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