09 Reg Punto or 04 Golf? Is it really all about the badge?

[sat1983]

I find it crazy that a mk4 and very early mk5 golf with lots of miles is worth as much as a 2009 Punto (for example) with sensible miles. Both priced at £2,500.

Is it really all about the badge or is the fiat really bad?

[Escy]

A decent mk5 golf is more than that. £2500 would likely get a dog and/or undesirable engine/trim.

They aren't worth the premium but the Fiat is probably crap also. It's not in the same class of car anyway is it? Wouldn't it be the Polo?

[sat1983]

True. But a high miles MK4 is still fetching £2,500!!

[Swanny87]

An 09 reg Punto is worth more than £2500, unless it's done astronomical mileage or cheap cause it's hiding something. How many miles is sensible miles?

[sat1983]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[daemon]

Its about demand.

Not too many people want a Punto therefore prices are low.

You're taking extremes though - and also comparing a supermini class of car to a family hatch.

[sat1983]

daemon said:

Its about demand.

Not too many people want a Punto therefore prices are low.

You're taking extremes though - and also comparing a supermini class of car to a family hatch.

I don't see them as being hugely different though! How is a mk4 golf much bigger than a Punto?

[Swanny87]

He must be really trying to get rid of that Punto then...

This one's even less desirable with a smaller engine, yet it's > £1000 dearer

Link

Fiats aren't bad, they aren't made of rust anymore and are pretty reliable and cheap to fix. You might get the odd bad one but that's the same as every other manufacturer.

Edited by Swanny87 on Wednesday 10th September 15:46

[daemon]

sat1983 said:

I don't see them as being hugely different though! How is a mk4 golf much bigger than a Punto?

But the market does.

[Swanny87]

I think the only valid points that could stand for the 'fiat being bad' argument is that the Grande Punto lacks any semblance of steering feel whatsoever. Also the interior material quality isn't that great. Also the 'Active' spec is pretty much poverty spec. Literally no creature comforts (maybe, if you consider trip mileage comps and CD players creature comforts).

I should know, I drive one. Thinking of getting a Suzuki Swift Sport soon though

Edited by Swanny87 on Wednesday 10th September 15:55

[nickofh]

My choice would be the Fiat if the car checked out. My wife owned a 57 punto active from new for three years and 50K. It had two safety recalls and one sensor go. For a very cheap pre reg car we were very pleased with it. At the time I think it was one of the safest in its class and was fairly advanced.

Many other cars are based on the same platform and I think the punto offers great value for money. As someone else said if they do go wrong the are pretty cheap to fix and the engine is quite well proven and understood.

When we bought our fiat croma dog / caravan car it was almost half the price of some similar age / mileage rivals. Even cars that had the same fiat engine in were considerably more.

[sat1983]

nickofh said:

My choice would be the Fiat if the car checked out. My wife owned a 57 punto active from new for three years and 50K. It had two safety recalls and one sensor go. For a very cheap pre reg car we were very pleased with it. At the time I think it was one of the safest in its class and was fairly advanced.

Many other cars are based on the same platform and I think the punto offers great value for money. As someone else said if they do go wrong the are pretty cheap to fix and the engine is quite well proven and understood.

When we bought our fiat croma dog / caravan car it was almost half the price of some similar age / mileage rivals. Even cars that had the same fiat engine in were considerably more.

I was after a diesel, preferably a mk4 Golf PD engine as it's considered 'bombproof'. a 90s car!

But to think a 2009 car can be had for the same money- it does make you think!

[nickofh]

sat1983 said:

I was after a diesel, preferably a mk4 Golf PD engine as it's considered 'bombproof'. a 90s car!

But to think a 2009 car can be had for the same money- it does make you think!

Never had one myself , but can't argue with the reputation the engine has.

Have you thought of a Bravo ?

Could get a 1.9 Multijet 2007 for less than three grand. Our Croma has the 1.9 Multijet and the engine is reliable , its on nearly 100k and returns 45mpg on the back roads , 55+ on the motorway.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-57-Fiat-Bravo-1-9-M...

My father in law has one same year and its pretty solid. Perhaps not the best diesel engine ever , but again very common and well known ( used in Vauxhall , Saab , Alfa )

[sat1983]

The power of a badge....!

[talksthetorque]

Bombproof classless iconic reliable Golf or slightly newer stty small Italian death trap Punto?

Just to play devil's advocate of course.

[rb5er]

talksthetorque said:

Bombproof classless iconic reliable Golf

Very funny.

[Warnie]

The wifes Punto Evo GP is looking like being worth £1k+ more than the balloon which is due in 2 months. The balloon is £4k, we buy any car are offering £4840 now.