Hi, this is my first post on these forums. I bought a used bravo last friday. It's a 1.6 SX on a 1998 S registration with 71k on the clock. I discovered this forum yesterday when i was browsing for information. One thing is for sure, there are a lot of people on here who know their Fiats . I've already learned a lot of things that i wouldnt have known for a while.
The car was bought from a used car garage. The original price was £1299 but I paid £1000 after a part exchange on my old car. Generally the car seems to be in good condition. There are a few corner scrapes on the bumpers but thats it. Interior is clean too. But i am beginning to wonder if this is a good deal or have i been had? There are a few niggles that i have picked up over the last few days about the car. I will try to explain some of these below.
The car came with minimal service history. There are a few garage stamps in the service log, just showing oil changes at regular mileage intervals. Apart from this just a few of the old mot certificates. A quick inspection of the engine bay and the battery looks quite new. I have located the oil filter and that looks new aswell.
Before buying the car i asked the dealer if the cambelt had been changed. He wasnt sure but reassured me it would be changed when i buy. I've been told its changed but i have no receipt for this. Also i only have a verbal agreement with the dealer of a 60 days parts and labour warranty. I didnt press him for a written warranty.
The handbrake is very tight. I have to pull it up quite hard and can just about get one click for it to hold. I was wondering is it possible for me to adjust this from inside the car so that its not so tight and i can get 5-6 clicks as normally on a car?
I've noticed if i wiggle the gearstick left to right in neutral there is a ringing bell type noise underneath the car. It sounds like a loose washer, but what could this be? The gearbox is quite clunky. It squeaks into some of the gears and sometimes difficult to shift into first gear. Could this mean my gearbox is on its way out?
Also im concerned that the dealer might have just filled up the cooling system with water. How can i be sure that 50:50 mix of water and anti-freeze is in the system? Its getting cold now and the last thing i want is a cracked cylinder head etc.
Sometimes the car has a slight shudder when moving off from first gear. It is barely noticeable. But it could be just me not used to the car yet. I am wondering if the clutch is ok too?
The other thing i have discovered from this forum is that i have NO RED Key. When i bought the car i wasnt aware of the red key thing. The dealer just gave me two blue keys and i drove off. Will this knock the price down if i were to sell the car in future? Have i already bought a potential problem car? If i needed to make a duplicate key does that mean im stuck? Could an ECU failure mean the car is scrap metal as i wouldnt be able to unlock or start the car?
My apologies for this long ranting post. But i just tried to squeeze everything into this post for everyones opinion. There maybe a few other things i have forgotten to mention. I will post again. Your views on my purchase greatly appreciated
The car was bought from a used car garage. The original price was £1299 but I paid £1000 after a part exchange on my old car. Generally the car seems to be in good condition. There are a few corner scrapes on the bumpers but thats it. Interior is clean too. But i am beginning to wonder if this is a good deal or have i been had? There are a few niggles that i have picked up over the last few days about the car. I will try to explain some of these below.
The car came with minimal service history. There are a few garage stamps in the service log, just showing oil changes at regular mileage intervals. Apart from this just a few of the old mot certificates. A quick inspection of the engine bay and the battery looks quite new. I have located the oil filter and that looks new aswell.
Before buying the car i asked the dealer if the cambelt had been changed. He wasnt sure but reassured me it would be changed when i buy. I've been told its changed but i have no receipt for this. Also i only have a verbal agreement with the dealer of a 60 days parts and labour warranty. I didnt press him for a written warranty.
The handbrake is very tight. I have to pull it up quite hard and can just about get one click for it to hold. I was wondering is it possible for me to adjust this from inside the car so that its not so tight and i can get 5-6 clicks as normally on a car?
I've noticed if i wiggle the gearstick left to right in neutral there is a ringing bell type noise underneath the car. It sounds like a loose washer, but what could this be? The gearbox is quite clunky. It squeaks into some of the gears and sometimes difficult to shift into first gear. Could this mean my gearbox is on its way out?
Also im concerned that the dealer might have just filled up the cooling system with water. How can i be sure that 50:50 mix of water and anti-freeze is in the system? Its getting cold now and the last thing i want is a cracked cylinder head etc.
Sometimes the car has a slight shudder when moving off from first gear. It is barely noticeable. But it could be just me not used to the car yet. I am wondering if the clutch is ok too?
The other thing i have discovered from this forum is that i have NO RED Key. When i bought the car i wasnt aware of the red key thing. The dealer just gave me two blue keys and i drove off. Will this knock the price down if i were to sell the car in future? Have i already bought a potential problem car? If i needed to make a duplicate key does that mean im stuck? Could an ECU failure mean the car is scrap metal as i wouldnt be able to unlock or start the car?
My apologies for this long ranting post. But i just tried to squeeze everything into this post for everyones opinion. There maybe a few other things i have forgotten to mention. I will post again. Your views on my purchase greatly appreciated
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