RE: Best Fiat Sales For Four Years
Discussion
I really hope this new popularity FIAT are getting can last. I have always owned FIAT's (perhaps being of Italian descent I may be a little bias) but I really think they have always achieved what they set out to do - which was to build affordable runabouts. Like most manufacturers they have not been without their mistakes (Notably Russian steel, and then everything about the Stilo), but they definitely seem to be returning to their previous good form.
No one deserves this more than Fiat imo. I've had two now, and whilst they havent been without fault, they will still be the cars I remember most fondly. Memories of little 1.1 FIRE engines screaming at 6500 rpm, roundabout being taken without a lift, playing find the rattle and fixing most problems with Duck Tape will long outlive the memories I had of impressive yet deeply tedious competence I had wih my Vee Dubs.
Just wish they'd go back to their old style 80s/90's logo with the slashes between the letters. But much like their cars, the company aint perfect, but will get forgiven anything as long as they keep up with the releases like the Grande Punto, the Panda 100hp and the Abarths. A replacement for the Coop 20v Turbo would be nice also.
Just wish they'd go back to their old style 80s/90's logo with the slashes between the letters. But much like their cars, the company aint perfect, but will get forgiven anything as long as they keep up with the releases like the Grande Punto, the Panda 100hp and the Abarths. A replacement for the Coop 20v Turbo would be nice also.
bodhi said:
No one deserves this more than Fiat imo. I've had two now, and whilst they havent been without fault, they will still be the cars I remember most fondly. Memories of little 1.1 FIRE engines screaming at 6500 rpm, roundabout being taken without a lift, playing find the rattle and fixing most problems with Duck Tape will long outlive the memories I had of impressive yet deeply tedious competence I had wih my Vee Dubs.
Just wish they'd go back to their old style 80s/90's logo with the slashes between the letters. But much like their cars, the company aint perfect, but will get forgiven anything as long as they keep up with the releases like the Grande Punto, the Panda 100hp and the Abarths. A replacement for the Coop 20v Turbo would be nice also.
I think one of the best things they could do would be to offer the Grande Punto as a convertible as per the first-generation car.Just wish they'd go back to their old style 80s/90's logo with the slashes between the letters. But much like their cars, the company aint perfect, but will get forgiven anything as long as they keep up with the releases like the Grande Punto, the Panda 100hp and the Abarths. A replacement for the Coop 20v Turbo would be nice also.
Make it a fabric roof to avoid the sort of clumsy electrically-actuated rear deck you see on the likes of the Mitsubishi Colt and Nissan Micra convertibles, and with the roof down, you cut out the humped rear lines of the hatch - result, it looks even more like a Maserati.
I think a 'new' Coupe might be out of the question, especially as Alfa Romeo already have two in their range and it looks like they might put the Lancia Fulvietta into production. I think the Spider-X1/9-Barchetta bloodline needs a successor to go head-to-head with the MX5 though, and the GP would be a great place to start.
Edited by Twincam16 on Wednesday 8th October 17:15
Twincam16 said:
I think one of the best things they could do would be to offer the Grande Punto as a convertible as per the first-generation car.
Make it a fabric roof to avoid the sort of clumsy electrically-actuated rear deck you see on the likes of the Mitsubishi Colt and Nissan Micra convertibles, and with the roof down, you cut out the humped rear lines of the hatch - result, it looks even more like a Maserati.
Make it a fabric roof to avoid the sort of clumsy electrically-actuated rear deck you see on the likes of the Mitsubishi Colt and Nissan Micra convertibles, and with the roof down, you cut out the humped rear lines of the hatch - result, it looks even more like a Maserati.
In that original Punto sporting yellow. I'm not too sure about this one.
bodhi said:
Memories of little 1.1 FIRE engines screaming at 6500 rpm, roundabout being taken without a lift, playing find the rattle and fixing most problems with Duck Tape
oh yes first one I had was 4 speed uno with no rev counter - miles and miles with revs at max and no indication whatsoever...they could take a absolute thrashing.but the old carb engine....on cold damp mornings cutting out dead at lights...thank god for electronics....
really have a soft spot for them .... always think when i see a fiat owner - somebody not following fiesta/corsa clio heard far less that despicable polo
I had a couple of Fiats in my younger days & there was always a cheerfull honesty about them ......whenever one of my friends is looking for a cheapish 2nd car I always recomend a Fiat.
Despite the success of the Grande Punto & 500 I would like to see more Bravo's on the road as I think they are a great looker...
Despite the success of the Grande Punto & 500 I would like to see more Bravo's on the road as I think they are a great looker...
I'm really pleased Fiat seems to be making a turnaround. I've never owned a Fiat, but they have always held a kind of special place in my heart to be honest, one of my favourite manufacturers. I've always been put off by the thoughts of poor reliability.
I have driven a few though. I had a 1.2 60 bhp Mk1 Punto S as a courtesy car when my 1.0 litre micra was in for repairs. Have to admit, I didnt want to give it back, the engine sounded great for a bog standard shopping trolley and it went well. It had "fun" handling and crap brakes. It was a hoot.
Also drove a 1.2 Sporting Mk1, and that was a hoot too. I think I preferred it to the likes of the Saxo VTR, wasnt quite as good handling, but it was more fun, with a really eager, revvy little engine that was the total opposite of the drab old 8v lump in the VTR. A Fiat Bravo 1.6 (original shape) was also a great little drive, non-existent steering feel excepted.
However, I drove a couple of mk2 Puntos and they were so drab compared to the mk1, they looked nice but were boring to drive i thought. The stilo was completely anonymous, I dont know what they were thinking of. Not only was it anonymous but it looked crap.
They looked to be going down the tubes, but they've really turned it around now. The Panda is quite funky, the 500, although I still maintain is just a Micra wannabe, is clearly popular, and I think the new Grande Punto and Bravo are really excellent looking cars, far better looking than most in their class. I have to admit I'd take a Punto Abarth Essesse over the likes of the Clio Cup and Corsa VXR, its just something different, better looking, and rarer.
Well done Fiat
I have driven a few though. I had a 1.2 60 bhp Mk1 Punto S as a courtesy car when my 1.0 litre micra was in for repairs. Have to admit, I didnt want to give it back, the engine sounded great for a bog standard shopping trolley and it went well. It had "fun" handling and crap brakes. It was a hoot.
Also drove a 1.2 Sporting Mk1, and that was a hoot too. I think I preferred it to the likes of the Saxo VTR, wasnt quite as good handling, but it was more fun, with a really eager, revvy little engine that was the total opposite of the drab old 8v lump in the VTR. A Fiat Bravo 1.6 (original shape) was also a great little drive, non-existent steering feel excepted.
However, I drove a couple of mk2 Puntos and they were so drab compared to the mk1, they looked nice but were boring to drive i thought. The stilo was completely anonymous, I dont know what they were thinking of. Not only was it anonymous but it looked crap.
They looked to be going down the tubes, but they've really turned it around now. The Panda is quite funky, the 500, although I still maintain is just a Micra wannabe, is clearly popular, and I think the new Grande Punto and Bravo are really excellent looking cars, far better looking than most in their class. I have to admit I'd take a Punto Abarth Essesse over the likes of the Clio Cup and Corsa VXR, its just something different, better looking, and rarer.
Well done Fiat
Just to redress the balance (I am a big Fiat fan, four brand new ones the last ten years) last year I bought a new Grande Punto, needed a new complete steering rack, pissed water into the drivers footwell due to faulty weld on the bulkhead in engine compartment, and a complete drivers electronic door locking assembly, all under warranty in the first three months.......
Great shame because I did like the car.........now sold.
Great shame because I did like the car.........now sold.
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