Hi, as you can probably tell, I used to have a Stilo (1.9 JTD). My wife wants to learn how to drive and it's too big, so it's gone.

I am keen on getting a Bravo, but not sure which one.

I've got a choice: 1.4 active/dynamic, 1.4 t-jet 150 (or poss 120), or 1.9 multijet, all 2007 plates.

I don't mind getting the 1.4 90bhp as there are some nice bargains to be had, but is it as underpowered as some reviews have suggested? We'll only be doing occasional motorway trips to Scotland twice a year, so it will mainly be used for the driving instruction/test and zipping about our lovely seaside town. Does it have enough pull on the A roads and motorways?

The T-jet is more fuel cost, more tax and higher insurance, would it be worth it? I'm not interested in burning off cars at the lights.

The 1.9 Diesel, does it have the particulate filter? If so, that's a no no.

I'm going to test drive in next couple of days, but would like to hear from actual longer time users?

Thanks.

The 90 will be under powered if often more than 2 of you in the car, if this rarely happens or is normally just 1 of you it should be fine.

Dynamic spec will give you the most toys and creature comforts

Only Bravo's that will defo have a DPF are the 1.6 and 2.0 diesel lumps, but if driven properly shouldn't cause an issue

Hi,

Thanks for the info. I really liked my old Stilo and was sorry to see it go.

There are two of us and a 6 year old, but I don't fancy something that has NO pulling power, so might have to be the T-jet or Diesel.

I don't mind a diesel again (especially if it doesn't have a particulate filter) as I will look after it and keep on top of the servicing.

What about someone learning to drive in the Bravo?

definitely Bravo is not the car for learning, i am 99% sure that your wife wont like it, because:
- low visibilty from back and front
- handling - you cant feel the road, steering wheel is ok, but feeling the road is not so good, yes you have city mode but its not good for learing
- bravo is bigger car then stilo...
- ...

I am not teeling not to buy it, it is overall good car (not many issues). my recomendation goes to 1.9 -120hp multijet, this engine will never dissapoint you and it has super good durability

davidbravo said:

definitely Bravo is not the car for learning, i am 99% sure that your wife wont like it, because:
- low visibilty from back and front

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:yeahthat:

After doing 160k in my 1.2 stilo I got a bravo.
The side/rear visibility on the Bravo is something to get used to, because it is nowhere near as good as the Stilo . For that reason I would think a learner would have difficulty. A learner car would be the Punto or (even better) the 500.
I have the Bravo 90, quite acceptable if you're not a boy racer, ok on long journeys (close on 50mpg) but you do have to adjust your driving pattern, especially when considering overtaking.
We also have a 1.4 stilo which has slightly better overall performance than the bravo , not sure why but could just be the weight although I've never checked.

A Stilo to a Bravo? Surely the Bravo is as big if not bigger?

Thanks for the replies so far, much appreciated.

I should point the following out just to clarify things a little.
My wife has quite a bit of driving experience already, just not in this country. She's' driven family saloon cars. She's had some official driving lessons here in the UK, but has failed the UK test twice on a couple of observational matters. The instructor suggested that we get a car more suitable for her to practice in, get used to and eventually take the test again. Stilo estate was slightly too big. So I'm suggesting the Bravo as I like Fiat, Bravo's look great and they are a bargain. I have noticed that rear visibility is limited (Stilo was great for rear view), so she'll have to sit in it and see I guess. She is only concerned about the parallel parking part size wise, nothing else really.

It's a Bravo or a Suzuki Swift at the moment; I know which one I want https://cdn-i.fiatforum.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

I'm leaning to the 1.9 so far as it seem to have it all.

850kd said:

We also have a 1.4 stilo which has slightly better overall performance than the bravo , not sure why but could just be the weight although I've never checked.

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Interesting, I've always wondered how the 90 Bravo would compare to the 95 1.4 Stilo, which is what I had before my Diesel Bravo.

Matthewr1990 said:

A Stilo to a Bravo? Surely the Bravo is as big if not bigger?

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Nope, more room in a 5-door Stilo than the Bravo IMO, and more cubby holes etc.

Spotstilo said:

I'm leaning to the 1.9 so far as it seem to have it all.

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1.6 will be cheaper on tax which will equate to a fair bit over a few years. If you're doing diesel mileage don't let the DPF put you off.

Thanks for all the input, again, much appreciated.

I've noticed that some driving schools use the Bravo - rather than the Punto?

My wife is slightly worried about the chunky size of the Bravo, which doesn't seem any bigger than the Stilo hatch to me.

All about perception I guess.

Cheers.

I wonder if driving schools use Bravo's rather Punto's because they're better built. The Bravo does seem to have notably less issues than especially the early Grande Punto's and is probably one of the most dependable Fiats ever - it's essentially a heavily modified Stilo so I suspect most problems were eliminated in the Stilo production run.

I'd go for the 1.9 120 Multijet Dynamic. As mentioned by some, the 1.4 90bhp will be ok but no ball of fire, and the T-Jets (definitely the 150, possibly 120 too) use the Vauxhall M32 gearbox which can have bearing failure problems. The 1.9 150 Multijet also uses this gearbox, so be wary.

However, the 1.9 120 uses a 5 speed box which is much tougher, whilst still having plenty of mid-range shove & decent MPG. As mentioned, unlike the newer 1.6 & 2.0 Multijet's, it's unlikely to have a DPF, so one less thing to think about. You can get an Active, Active Sport or Dynamic with this engine, but not top spec Sport. If you like the look of the Sport, try hunting down a (rare) Active Sport as they look similar to Sport but with a lower powered engine (and no steering wheel stereo controls).

Thanks again, some good pointers in there.

It's definitely the 1.9 diesel for me.

I'll get looking.

Cheers.

Hiya again,

I've found a couple of 1.9 actives around £3000, slightly higher milage 79K & 89K, but with full service history.

The milage is around what my Stilo had, it was Ok, just a bit noisy on the motorway.

Anyone drive a higher milage Bravo diesel? If so, any thoughts?

Spotstilo said:

Hiya again,



I've found a couple of 1.9 actives around £3000, slightly higher milage 79K & 89K, but with full service history.



The milage is around what my Stilo had, it was Ok, just a bit noisy on the motorway.



Anyone drive a higher milage Bravo diesel? If so, any thoughts?

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It's a diesel. That isn't high, low if you ask me for the age of vehicle. 250k+ is higher mileage for a derv IMO.

I got another here; 105K with one owner since new, full MOT and full history, might be able to get it down to £2500.

I won't be doing masses of miles myself, and would be happy to keep for at least a couple/three years.

Could be a bargain at that price maybe?

I found a 1.9 Diesel 07 plate 89K for just under £3000. It's still for sale in Autotrader; small independent dealer in the Stoke area.

It seemed OK, test drive etc. We were ready to cut a deal until I suggested that I get it inspected. A simple visual inspection for peace of mind as I'm not massively clued up. Maybe a local garage, or one of the national (but not AA).

As soon as mentioned it, they said we'll call you back. I got a call a few minutes later from the 'boss' who went on and on about how pointless these inspections are. According to him, they jack them up, take the wheels off, take the doors off etc - all untrue. He even said that he'd rather not sell the car to me if I was going to get it inspected! I know people have they own thoughts re car inspections, but I know one thing, I won't be buying from this place.

Back to looking.

Spotstilo said:

I found a 1.9 Diesel 07 plate 89K for just under £3000. It's still for sale in Autotrader; small independent dealer in the Stoke area.

It seemed OK, test drive etc. We were ready to cut a deal until I suggested that I get it inspected. A simple visual inspection for peace of mind as I'm not massively clued up. Maybe a local garage, or one of the national (but not AA).

As soon as mentioned it, they said we'll call you back. I got a call a few minutes later from the 'boss' who went on and on about how pointless these inspections are. According to him, they jack them up, take the wheels off, take the doors off etc - all untrue. He even said that he'd rather not sell the car to me if I was going to get it inspected! I know people have they own thoughts re car inspections, but I know one thing, I won't be buying from this place.

Back to looking.

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You've done the right thing in walking away.

If they've got nothing to hide, they shouldn't have any opinion on an inspection. I think your reaction of walking away is most certainly the right one. There will be more out there

Looking around online a couple of hours after being talked out of buying the car, and I've seen the same car again, but now it's £500 more than the price when I first saw it online.

They are now saying in the advert it just had full cambelt kit and water pump etc, which we agreed needed doing at the time of viewing; the 'full and comprehensive' service history wasn't very clear if these things had been sorted. That was very quick.

This kind of behavior really p**es me off to be honest.

They were fine until I asked about an inspection.

Bizarre place.

The car 1.9 Active is still for sale in the Stoke area on Autotrader £3450 if anyone want to avoid it.

Thanks.