Bravo Matthewr1990's T-Jet Bravo Dynamic

Re: My new Bravo

Also, if you want all that torque... don't buy a FWD car.

3 series BMW is a better choice than an A3.

Re: My new Bravo

Most Easterly Pandas said:

The original interior or the updated one which came out this year?

Media system was a option to the best of my knowledge.

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Ahh good news. I'll have an eye out to see this.

RobBravo said:

Also, if you want all that torque... don't buy a FWD car.

3 series BMW is a better choice than an A3.

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Yeh I like the 3 series but my god BMW's hold their value lmao

Re: My new Bravo

Matthewr1990 said:

Also Rob's comments about the giulietta got me thinking. I do love Italian cars. My only issue with the giulietta is the interior doesn't quite do it for me. Is there a multimedia system for the giulietta?

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Giulietta IMO is the next step up from the bravo. If you ever plan on looking at one, go for the facelift models (2014). The touchscreen Uconnect system is standard (5 or 6.5" depending in the model), and is miles better than the blue&me. The most important detail though, as per the AO forum, is that the facelift improved a lot in the NVH department.

Of course I know these details because I'm contemplating one myself

Re: My new Bravo

Nvh?

Re: My new Bravo

Most Easterly Pandas said:

Nvh?

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Sorry - Noise-vibration-harshness.

Oh and I think Matthewr1990 should move this topic to another thread. It'll be interesting hearing what other people would want to move to from the bravo.

Re: My new Bravo

What about a Focus 2.0 163bhp TDCI?

It's built in Germany, more reliable than the Audi, better to drive (our other car is an A3 2.0tsi cabriolet) and a newer car.

Re: My new Bravo

JimbbobW1977 said:

What about a Focus 2.0 163bhp TDCI?

It's built in Germany, more reliable than the Audi, better to drive (our other car is an A3 2.0tsi cabriolet) and a newer car.

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New focus's interior is horrid (the one without the sony system). The dash looks like it was designed by a million different persons, the controls are unintuitive, and the cabin feels cramped despite the car being actually big. The ride is also not the most comfortable, and they got the electric power steering so badly wrong. Not one bit of feedback, yet still very light on high speeds.

Re: My new Bravo

KHALED25 said:

New focus's interior is horrid (the one without the sony system). The dash looks like it was designed by a million different persons, the controls are unintuitive, and the cabin feels cramped despite the car being actually big. The ride is also not the most comfortable, and they got the electric power steering so badly wrong. Not one bit of feedback, yet still very light on high speeds.

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Not sure what Focus you have driven, but that's not the case with the motoring press and people who own the car.

The Focus has one of the best EPAS systems made.

Re: My new Bravo

JimbbobW1977 said:

Not sure what Focus you have driven, but that's not the case with the motoring press and people who own the car.

The Focus has one of the best EPAS systems made.

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The old lady has a titanium model with a 1.6L petrol with Powershift. I'm really not being biased as I've driven it countless times (from and to the dealership of course) and even traveled with it a couple of times too so I think I'm somewhat qualified to compare the two cars. Notice that I didn't criticize the build quality, as I can't really fault it. My main problem with the car is that the whole cabin looks really poor. The powershift is of course horrendous but that's avoidable if you get a manual.

I'll explain what I dislike about the EPS. First, at low speeds, there's a terrible lack of feel and absolutely no communication with the wheels. Some people actually like that, but I personally don't , so that's maybe subjective. At high speeds though, even if the car remains stable, the steering becomes really light and has a lot of play as if it were hydraulically assisted . Compare that to the bravo which has a rock solid steering wheel at high speeds, and that's where I think ford has got it wrong. I'm sure you've read in some review that ford has made the current focus less of a drivers car compared to the last generation, especially when it comes to steering.

Oh and since we drive a Fiat, we both know better than to just believe what the motor press says . Everyone knows that the UK press will lick the focus's "b*lls" however good or bad it turns out to be.

Re: My new Bravo

Matthewr1990 said:

What do people think of this?

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Zzzzzzzz. Boring. Uninspiring. Expensive. Actually, like most German cars then

The Mrs has a 2014 Skoda VRS Estate (diesel at standard 182bhp) and although it's a tidy looking motor, very economical (55mpg+, £30 a year road tax etc) and plentiful in power, it does nothing at all to inspire me. She paid a crazy amount of money for it and I just say to myself she could have done soooo much better with something that has more flair, style and drive-ability.

Now I'm not saying my Bravo compares to it but I'd still rather have my Italian Beauty than her rebadged VW. But, she's happy with it and if it floats her boat, who am I to tell her otherwise

You take your choices and pay your money, but for me anything German is dull.

Re: My new Bravo

Insomnia said:

Zzzzzzzz. Boring. Uninspiring. Expensive. Actually, like most German cars then

The Mrs has a 2014 Skoda VRS Estate (diesel at standard 182bhp) and although it's a tidy looking motor, very economical (55mpg+, £30 a year road tax etc) and plentiful in power, it does nothing at all to inspire me. She paid a crazy amount of money for it and I just say to myself she could have done soooo much better with something that has more flair, style and drive-ability.

Now I'm not saying my Bravo compares to it but I'd still rather have my Italian Beauty than her rebadged VW. But, she's happy with it and if it floats her boat, who am I to tell her otherwise

You take your choices and pay your money, but for me anything German is dull.

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Here here I am in the £30 a year tax bracket may see how much it is with the new pay monthly coming up!!!!

And they are bloody everywhere just like focuses!!!!
☺

Re: My new Bravo

KHALED25 said:

The old lady has a titanium model with a 1.6L petrol with Powershift. I'm really not being biased as I've driven it countless times (from and to the dealership of course) and even traveled with it a couple of times too so I think I'm somewhat qualified to compare the two cars. Notice that I didn't criticize the build quality, as I can't really fault it. My main problem with the car is that the whole cabin looks really poor. The powershift is of course horrendous but that's avoidable if you get a manual.

I'll explain what I dislike about the EPS. First, at low speeds, there's a terrible lack of feel and absolutely no communication with the wheels. Some people actually like that, but I personally don't , so that's maybe subjective. At high speeds though, even if the car remains stable, the steering becomes really light and has a lot of play as if it were hydraulically assisted . Compare that to the bravo which has a rock solid steering wheel at high speeds, and that's where I think ford has got it wrong. I'm sure you've read in some review that ford has made the current focus less of a drivers car compared to the last generation, especially when it comes to steering.

Oh and since we drive a Fiat, we both know better than to just believe what the motor press says . Everyone knows that the UK press will lick the focus's "b*lls" however good or bad it turns out to be.

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The 1.6 auto comes with a different steering set up - it's a hydraulic one.

And, Fiats EPAS is no where near as good as a lot of other manufactures. I always found the steering to be better on a GP than a Bravo - both though are very light and lacking in any feel.

Re: My new Bravo

Not a happy bunny. Think I've been caught speeding doing 45 in a 40 by one of those portable speed camera vans.

Got a completely clean licence. Never been pulled or done for speeding so I'm hoping I get offered the speed awareness course which saves me from the points on my licence. Insurance renewal next month as well lmao, just my luck.

Re: My new Bravo

:thumbdown::thumbdown:

Re: My new Bravo

Matthewr1990 said:

Insurance renewal next month as well lmao, just my luck.

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Who you with? If admiral group they still class the courses as the same

Has anything come through the post though

Re: My new Bravo

Most Easterly Pandas said:

Who you with? If admiral group they still class the courses as the same

Has anything come through the post though

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I'm with swift cover. I've only been done today. In hoping I've not been caught.

Re: My new Bravo

So it's been 10 days since I think I was done by the portable speed camera and I've had nothing come through my door yet. Maybe I'm in the clear. I'm not sure.

Anyway haven't uploaded pics of my bravo in a few weeks so here's some Sunday morning pictures whilst I'm at work lmao

Re: My new Bravo

So I have an update. I've refitted my rear wiper motor today. And it wasn't easy. FIAT use some sort of specialist rubber grommet/rivet thing to fit the wiper motors. I couldn't find these or the tools to fit them. So I used some nuts, bolts and washers with a bit of improvisation. And it's back. I don't have a wiper arm on it at the moment as it had snapped at the bottom where it fits to the spigot. But I do believe when you buy a wiper arm it comes as a whole arm right?

Also anyone that has fitted one of those glass grommets


Good luck removing it. I nearly shattered my whole window trying to get it out. Look great though,

Here it is back in (I now know why they use rivets, there is no space lmao)



So why have I put it back, firstly it's winter, I can't see out the back window anymore. And when the snow comes it's going to be a pain. Secondly. I went to view a new car today that I think Im going to buy. So this maybe my last update on the Bravo until I sell it.

My original plan was for a German diesel. I've been swayed away and after watching the market for a few months i spotted something. Volvo's have some brilliant value for second hand buyers. So I went to look and test drive one today

I'm going for a slightly smaller car in a Volvo C30. But I'm going for the face lift, R-Design model with the 2 litre petrol, naturally aspirated engine pushing a reasonable 147 BHP. I'm not going for speed though as if I was I could go for their T5 engine (which is the focus ST engine at 244BHP). I'm going for comfortable. And my god this thing is comfortable, Volvo seats are made of feathers and dreams. it puts the Bravo to shame in that department. It corners so brilliant, has brilliant grip, Great driving position etc but the best thing. It's solid. Very well built. Everything is tough and robust. It has all the mod cons. Heads up display, full media and Bluetooth input, a fantastic 6 speaker sound system as standard. Good storage. Decent boot space. Also as my daughter is getting older I don't even mind that it's a three door. On driving side it has all the traction controls and independent suspension etc. DRL's, dual climate control, anti whiplash safety (whatever that is), arm rests, trip computer 18 inch alloys and so on. the car I'm looking at is a 2011 model with only 12k miles. the guy seems willing to let it go for just over £9,000... BARGAIN!


It's not quite as pretty as a Bravo I'll admit, but things are starting to go wrong and it's starting to bug me. I'll always love fiat and Italian. And maybe I'll be back one day but FIAT aren't inticing me with their newer models and until they replace the Bravo properly I shan't be looking at them again.

So here is the car in question. Any views? Experience. I need some insight before making the jump. One thing I don't hear of is reliability issues. Built like rocks apparantly.

Re: My new Bravo

Matthewr1990 said:

My original plan was for a German diesel. I've been swayed away and after watching the market for a few months i spotted something. Volvo's have some brilliant value for second hand buyers. So I went to look and test drive one today

I'm going for a slightly smaller car in a Volvo C30. But I'm going for the face lift, R-Design model with the 2 litre petrol, naturally aspirated engine pushing a reasonable 147 BHP. I'm not going for speed though as if I was I could go for their T5 engine (which is the focus ST engine at 244BHP). I'm going for comfortable. And my god this thing is comfortable, Volvo seats are made of feathers and dreams. it puts the Bravo to shame in that department. It corners so brilliant, has brilliant grip, Great driving position etc but the best thing. It's solid. Very well built. Everything is tough and robust. It has all the mod cons. Heads up display, full media and Bluetooth input, a fantastic 6 speaker sound system as standard. Good storage. Decent boot space. Also as my daughter is getting older I don't even mind that it's a three door. On driving side it has all the traction controls and independent suspension etc. DRL's, dual climate control, anti whiplash safety (whatever that is), arm rests, trip computer 18 inch alloys and so on. the car I'm looking at is a 2011 model with only 12k miles. the guy seems willing to let it go for just over £9,000... BARGAIN!


It's not quite as pretty as a Bravo I'll admit, but things are starting to go wrong and it's starting to bug me. I'll always love fiat and Italian. And maybe I'll be back one day but FIAT aren't inticing me with their newer models and until they replace the Bravo properly I shan't be looking at them again.

So here is the car in question. Any views? Experience. I need some insight before making the jump. One thing I don't hear of is reliability issues. Built like rocks apparantly.

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I think Volvo's are amazing cars, and just like Italian cars you have to own one sometime during your life.

I think the C30 is an excellent car dude, I've always loved it. Will be sad when you leave the Bravo family, but I guess it's something we'll all do one day.

As reliability wise goes, the Volvo's are truly built like rocks and even will protect you in an accident like a rock. However if I'm correct parts are rather expensive, so services could be pricy and if it ever breaks down it could cost a bit to fix.

Re: My new Bravo

l3v1athan said:

the Volvo's are truly built like rocks and even will protect you in an accident like a rock.

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No more than any other car

Matthew I'd go for it though, thats a lot of car for a 3 yo example IMO, and I've always had a soft spot for the C30