Fiat Stilo 1.6 dynamic

[jdl1981]

Hello,

Any owners out there recommend one of these or should i not touch one with a barge pole? me and the missus are looking for a cheap family run around and i can pick up an 04 plate for around 2k! they seem to be well equiped, i understand electrics can be a bit of a problem are there any other known faults with them?

Any help would be appreciated

[itiejim]

£2k sounds like an excellent deal for a relatively modern, safe family car. Our last family barge was a 2001 Multipla which provided us with reliable service for years.

The Stilo isn't exactly a "PH car", but tbh it sounds like it could do the job for you.

What's the mileage?

[jdl1981]

I've seen 2 or 3 ranging from 52 to 04 plates and mileage between 60 and 90k. it seems a fair bit of car for the money, considering you still have to pay over 2k for a 12 year old golf with a similar spec!

[jimmy156]

My brother had a 1.6 Stilo with a lot of problems, i will point him at this thread see if he can give you any tips.

[balders118]

Hello. I'm the brother...

So I had a 1.6 Ative (step down from the dynamic). The main issue is electrics! I had a constant air bag failure (very common) and intermittent

• Fuel level sensor failure
• Numerous (fake) bulb failures
• Occasionally going over a bump all the warning lights would come on, and everything (traction control, ABS etc) would switch off. This fixed after restarting the engine.

I had an issue with some electrics shorting which would cut the engine when starting up. Also had an issue with brake lights sticking on. I also had a period of it going into saftey mode only giving me 15-20% of power.

Had a lot of suspension trouble (not really something you can worry about, just crappy english roads).

There was also a possible clutch/engine mounting issues casuing juddering and jolting.

I think thats all the issues I had, except for the final nail in the coffin - my HG blew. Game over for the stilo i'm afraid.

I don't think HG's are neccasarly an issue with the stilo but the usual milky oil doesn't apply (so told by a fiat specialist) as the water doesn't often mix with the oil when the HG fails on these engines. So I guess just check the water level's.

It doesn't drive well (think boat), but isn't too slow in a straight line. Cruises well at Motorway speeds.

Like you said the MAIN BIG issue is electric faults. People on fiatforum are always mentioning these. IMO its ugly, and not involving at all to drive (wallowy, light steering with no feel).

In conclusion if you can find a car with good history, no electrical faults and you can get over the fact that its totally dull to drive and horrible to look at its redeeming features are that it is very cheap comapred to competitors and very well equppied too.

So thats my tupence, as you can tell I didn't have a very good experience with mine!

ETA: This was within 18 months

Edited by balders118 on Saturday 25th September 19:45

[robsco]

You could have a 147 Twin Spark for close to that sort of money. I sold my 52 plate for just over 2k with only 55k on the clock, 2 owners and full Alfa service history.

[balders118]

robsco said:

You could have a 147 Twin Spark for close to that sort of money. I sold my 52 plate for just over 2k with only 55k on the clock, 2 owners and full Alfa service history.

No brainer really!

Honestly I'd look at foci, 306's (great car IMO if a bit older), or anything that isnt a stilo. lol.

[robsco]

balders118 said:

robsco said:

You could have a 147 Twin Spark for close to that sort of money. I sold my 52 plate for just over 2k with only 55k on the clock, 2 owners and full Alfa service history.

No brainer really!

Honestly I'd look at foci, 306's (great car IMO if a bit older), or anything that isnt a stilo. lol.

We sold a Stilo from work earlier this year. The car had to be bought back a few weeks later after numerous consecutive problems.

[jdl1981]

robsco said:

You could have a 147 Twin Spark for close to that sort of money. I sold my 52 plate for just over 2k with only 55k on the clock, 2 owners and full Alfa service history.

i don't know much about alfa's, would it be any better than the stilo in terms of reliabilty? Also how big are the 147's could you get a buggy, baby stuff and shopping in the boot easily? The car wont be for me, the missus just wants a family sized hatchback. she loves golfs but for 2k you are getting a s reg 1.6 with no equipment!

[robsco]

jdl1981 said:

robsco said:

You could have a 147 Twin Spark for close to that sort of money. I sold my 52 plate for just over 2k with only 55k on the clock, 2 owners and full Alfa service history.

i don't know much about alfa's, would it be any better than the stilo in terms of reliabilty? Also how big are the 147's could you get a buggy, baby stuff and shopping in the boot easily? The car wont be for me, the missus just wants a family sized hatchback. she loves golfs but for 2k you are getting a s reg 1.6 with no equipment!

Mine was fine, a couple of very small niggles but otherwise fine. Great engine, they're very well kitted out in Lusso spec (cruise, CD, dual zone climate, optional leather etc) and much nicer to drive than the Stilo. The boot is average, I never needed to put buggies or anything like that in it, but I imagine you'd be alright.

[Save Ferris]

Ive had a 2003 Stilo JTD Dynamic for over 2 years, and been really pleased with it. Had no major problems over usual wear and tear. I bought it to replace a Leon and has proved to be far more reliable than the Seat.

I guess it's like all cars though, you get some good and some bad, there just seems to be more bad Stilos than good