My current run around (1.2 Punto)

[TAHodgson]

Bought as a small first car 'cause my caddy failed it's MOT and couldn't afford to repair and get it through. This came up for £800 with 82k miles and some history. Had a broken passenger side mirror, four odd wheel trims and a couple of months tax & mot. Since I bought it, the mirror has been replaced, popped some Punto Sporting wheels on it (15" Didn't want the usual chav 17/18's) and four brand new tyres. Gave it a thorough service and a decent clean up. Currently looking for a black/grey full interior as I can't stand the basic blue with green bodywork. And just purchased some bumpers that should be colour coded very soon. Also looking to upgrade to coilovers as the body roll is ridiculous and it looks like it's sitting WAY too high, maybe a 30mm drop?

Here's how it looks at the moment:









Will continue to update as things progress if anyone is interested.

[robsco]

Still one of the best looking superminis around. They look so much better with the slimmer projector lights than the cack handed facelift followed. Like the colour too, tidy car. As for the grey interiors, the special edition Mias all had them, if I recall correctly. Might be worth doing a search for a Mia on Ebay and seeing if there's any spares/repairs?

[steedy27]

Loved my MK2 Punto they are good cars mine took 3 years of abuse without any trouble. I had 50mm Spax lowering spring they stopped the bodyroll but killed the ride, guess it depends of what you would prefer.

[PaulG40]

Ive got one for a daily driver too.

Replaced all the rear suspension, soon to do the both fronts and both wishbones and all bushes. The exhaust rubbers were knackered so replaced them with halfords ones but they make the exhaust knock, bleeeding annoying, but just need to pop down to fiat and get some actual punto ones, but im far too lazy to do that at the mo.

Bar a coolant leak repair from hitting a badger at 50mph, causing overheating issues which K-Seal sorted, just pulled the the bumper back out, she is a true work horse and getting 48mpg out of it too, just soldiers on! top car!

[Chunkychucky]

Nice car lad! I have a 54 reg Mk2b Sporting with the bodykit, lovely looking car and haven't had any problems! Fitted a Pi shorter spring and damper kit which lowered it 30mm at the front and 15mm at the rear, a different car now - so much pointier it's unbelievable, a real weapon on twisty a-roads and b-roads even if it's only a 1.2!

[TAHodgson]

• UPDATE***

A mate of a mate has a MK2a sporting for sale, for only £400 as it needs ALOT of welding to get through the MOT. So I might purchase this vehicle, rip the 16V cylinder head, 6 speed 'box, sporting interior (And re-trim my rear door cards to match) and the front bumper (which will fit) and the side skirts (which will fit with some persuasion) And attempt to make a 5 door sporting. This could get interesting.

[TAHodgson]

Chunkychucky said:

Nice car lad! I have a 54 reg Mk2b Sporting with the bodykit, lovely looking car and haven't had any problems! Fitted a Pi shorter spring and damper kit which lowered it 30mm at the front and 15mm at the rear, a different car now - so much pointier it's unbelievable, a real weapon on twisty a-roads and b-roads even if it's only a 1.2!

Any chance you know of a 5 door kit from this manufacturer? Might be worth a look into?

[djt100]

Now, you've given it a nice clean, it looks good,but you'll be binning money by spending on it. just sell it and buy a sporting.

[mattman]

^^^^ This! looks respectable as it is now - probably added value already so either sell and find another or save your money for the caddy

[Chunkychucky]

TAHodgson said:

Chunkychucky said:

Nice car lad! I have a 54 reg Mk2b Sporting with the bodykit, lovely looking car and haven't had any problems! Fitted a Pi shorter spring and damper kit which lowered it 30mm at the front and 15mm at the rear, a different car now - so much pointier it's unbelievable, a real weapon on twisty a-roads and b-roads even if it's only a 1.2!

Any chance you know of a 5 door kit from this manufacturer? Might be worth a look into?

I'm not sure, would have thought it would have been roughly the same? The total kit all in cost me i think around £280, but it was a couple of years ago now.. If you're thinking of keeping it, are into driving quickly and think the standard handling leaves alot to be desired, then it's definitely an option to consider! The ride quality takes a bit of a dent, but it was a sacrifice I was willing to make.

[TAHodgson]

As said above, any money spent could just be a waste and I went to a dealer yesterday who said he would give me £1,100 for the car as it is now, bit of a result! So will be looking to move on soon to something different, still relatively small but a bit more fun to drive (been looking at phase one 106 rallye's) So in september i'm going to be 18 and if all goes as planned, one years NCB. And will try to get rid of the punto for around £1k. Any other opinions on what would be a nice "fun" car? Power isn't everything afterall Budget by then is likely to be around £2.5k

Edited by TAHodgson on Sunday 9th January 19:31