Possible SOTW Forgotten Hot (warm) Hatch

[only1ian]

Anyone got experience of these:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...

The first semi auto to have auto blip I believe and with 170BHP and such utterly bland q car looks could be a laugh! anypone owned one?

[themanwithnoname]

I mistakenly owned one of them back in 2003 - easily the worst car I have ever had the misfortune of owning.

It was in the garage for major repairs 23 times in 18 months. Twice for replacement gearboxes, three times as I recall for replacement SRS systems, several times for faulty ignition/emissions/drive issues which meant, as the only upside, I became the master of heel and toe everywhere as the car wouldn't idle and the engine wouldn't stay lit between gearchanges.

Got rid of it with less than 20k on the clocks.

I also wouldn't touch the semi auto with someone else's 10 foot bargepole.

Other than that it was a great car.

[skyrover]

Fix It Again Toni

[viggyp]

skyrover said:

Fix It Again Toni

Huh, original.

Seriously though, I would never even think of one of these. Give me a Bravo HGT anyday over this and that's saying something. Best Hot Hatch Fiat made was the Strada Abarth 130TC.

[aka_kerrly]

2.4L, 5 cylinders, 170hp but 8.9 seconds to 60? Is it the semi auto box that limits it?

Never driven one so can't comment if the car feels quicker once up and moving but for a 5 cylinder buzz at <£1k it's a bit different.

The single biggest problem for that Stilo is that if you want a 5 cylinder Fiat the Coupe is so much more appealing and not all that much more expensive.

Or for other 5 cylinder experiences a VW/Seat VR5 or Volvo

[TwistingMyMelon]

If it was £500 and manual, maybe, no ways otherwise

[s m]

aka_kerrly said:

2.4L, 5 cylinders, 170hp but 8.9 seconds to 60? Is it the semi auto box that limits it?

Never driven one so can't comment if the car feels quicker once up and moving but for a 5 cylinder buzz at <£1k it's a bit different.

The single biggest problem for that Stilo is that if you want a 5 cylinder Fiat the Coupe is so much more appealing and not all that much more expensive.

Or for other 5 cylinder experiences a VW/Seat VR5 or Volvo

Autocar did a Hot Hatch handling day article at Combe about 12 years back. Around a dozen hot hatches of the time, Civic Type R, MCS, ZS 180, Golf GT TDI, ST170 etc

Fiat came last IIRC

[Matt_N]

Bravo HGT would be the better option or even a Fiat Coupe if you want that 5cylinder.

[Toaster Pilot]

I seem to remember hearing that the Stilo (non Abarth) was at one point considered so bad that Fiat dealers wouldn't buy them in P/X - might be an urban myth / pub tale though!

[conkerman]

Sound nice, crap fuel economy 28mpg in the hands of my F-I-L.

Try it, if it works properly, offer £700 for it. Break it if the bork fairy visits.

[4a4]

Looks like he's had his knee down fairly judging by those front boots...

Do you get a sharpie marker to draw the tread back on?

[Dog Star]

aka_kerrly said:

2.4L, 5 cylinders, 170hp

Is this the engine that if you need a cambelt doing it means a massive front end dismantling and engine drop job? Pretty well makes the car uneconomic to repair.

[Mr SFJ]

My Fiat GP T-Jet does 8.9 to 60 with 120hp, and it's a 1000cc's less.

And other than damage caused by imcompetance by the dealer, my Fiat's been fine.