Advice on Punto HGT Abarth...

[GILBERINO]

I've been thinking about getting some extra seats and a boot (currently running a Eunos roadster) and i've always liked the Punto Sporting now i've spotted a yellow 1.8 HGT Abarth for sale down the road -and quite frankly i need to be told whether to run away or give it a go.....

answers in a self addresses envelope.... or even better just below...

[GILBERINO]

ps its a Y reg '01 with 70,000 miles and nothing too obviously wrong on a test drive and poke around....

[steedy27]

best pop onto fiatforum.com or puntomk2.com think there was couple issues on variators and sumps best ask there though

[MadDad]

Can't comment on the Punto but I do have a Barchetta which shares the HGT engine, running gear and floorpan. Engine is a great little lump, as long as it is serviced regularly it is fine. The variator is the weakness, if there is a rattle on startup or when the engine is running (tractor noise) then the variator is on its way out, to change it, the cam belt, tensioner and followers is about £350-£400 - thankfully they don't fail too often!

The engine is also easy to mod, they run at about 130bph as standard, you will get another 10bph from an induction kit, another 5-7 from a stainless steel exhaust and a bit more from a re-map. A friend of mine is getting 155bhp at the wheels on a rolling road, does not sound much but in a car that weighs very little it makes for a fun drive!

Pop along to the fiatforum.com and ask some questions there - its a very lively forum with lots of knowledgeable members on it!