endrop - for all your online needs

General Thoughts on the Bravo - convince a potential buyer!

Currently reading:
General Thoughts on the Bravo - convince a potential buyer!

Jaymo

Jaymo

New member
Joined
Feb 18, 2013
Messages
5
Points
2
Hi all,

What's everyone's thoughts on the Bravo? I currently own a Grande Punto, which I'm looking to sell on as I live in Southport (not far from Liverpool as I guess many people haven't heard of the place) and I'll be travelling to Milton Keynes quite often now.

My whole theory is that my beloved Punto has done 80k miles, and although in immaculate condition, I don't want to run it into the ground. It's and 07 plate and I just think the drive to MK and back a few times every couple of weeks will "kill" it in terms of value, and possibly the mechanics of it. I'm that impressed with it I'm looking to stick with the brand, and I've noticed that the Bravo isn't too dissimilar.

I was looking at the 1.4 or maybe the 1.6, but being a "young" driver I'm trying to keep the insurance down as much as I can.

Your thoughts on the Bravo are very much appreciated.

Best Regards
 
Hi mate ,welcome, i have a 1.4 tjet 120 ,ive had it nearly 2 years now and it has 74000 on it ,snd i cant fault it one bit ,super comfy ,great to drive and for a 1.4 ,can shift,i heard alot about the m32 gearbox before purchase and after ,and ive never had a fault,to be honest gearboxes go on all kinds of cars so dont let the horror stories put you off ,after 2 years with mine all ive replaced is a loose jibilee clip ,and love it ,i say test drive one and i guaranter youl feel the same , good luck in your purchase fella
 
I've not driven a grande punto - so I'm probably not really in the right position to say much - but I have read that the Bravo is more solid to drive than the Punto and generally feels like it should i.e. a larger better quality unit.

I have the 1.4 T-Jet and overall I love it. Comes on strong after 3,000 rpm and pulls hard up to the red line. Sometimes lacks grunt below 2,000 revs but otherwise very good. Just lately though I've been falling out of love because the needle moves down faster than I'm used to. The Bravo diesel would give an extra 10 mpg so that's a consideration.

If you want something a bit lazier for around town, then get the more grunty diesel that's more capable of pulling from down low and then there is the benefit of the extra fuel mileage.

My pick of the bunch would be a 165T Diesel sport; powerful and efficient. :) Also comes with the F40 gearbox :)
 
Personally id stick with the Punto. If you're concerned about value then buying a Bravo and racking up the miles will have the same effect. Only you will be worse off as you've had to shell out on a new (to you) motor.

As for mechanical aspect, does the Punto make you think it would fail? As long as you maintain a car (regardless of model or brand) it should stand up to your demands. Also bear in mind you know the car you've got now, whereas a new Bravo would be potentially an unknown quantity. You won't know the history and regardless of what you're told, it could still fail you 10 miles from the forecourt.

If you have to be convinced (as your thread title suggests) to buy a car, then it's not for you. You should know it's the car for you without any 3rd party influence.
 
The Bravo is bigger, as a bigger boot which might matter or not to you.
The Bravo doesn't have the GP problem of water on the alternator.


If you want a Bravo get one, but not because you would loose value on your GP. You will loose regardless of the car ( because you would pay more to get the bravo ..)
 
I have driven both and the GP is better to drive then the Bravo, has more grip and better steering - though neither are brilliant in that department.

The Bravo feels like a bigger GP, and is better than the equivalent peugeot 307/308 or Renault Megane
 
I owned a Grande Punto for 3 years and the Bravo is better in every way. Except maybe the tight handling. But that's only because it's a bigger car. I think the build quality is much better, it's more comfortable too. If you plan on doing a big trip every few weeks I'd get a diesel. The 1.9 multijet 150 would be best in my opinion. Fast, efficient. If it weren't for your long trip which will cost a fair bit of petrol. Then I'd have to recommend the t-jet engines 120 or 150. Both are superbly quick and sound awesome.
 
Matthewr1990 said:
I owned a Grande Punto for 3 years and the Bravo is better in every way. Except maybe the tight handling. But that's only because it's a bigger car. I think the build quality is much better, it's more comfortable too. If you plan on doing a big trip every few weeks I'd get a diesel. The 1.9 multijet 150 would be best in my opinion. Fast, efficient. If it weren't for your long trip which will cost a fair bit of petrol. Then I'd have to recommend the t-jet engines 120 or 150. Both are superbly quick and sound awesome.
Click to expand...

I hate disagreeing with this great man..!

I wouldn't go for the 1.9 multijet 150. It's got the most torque in the weakest box.

Torque is rated at 305 nm, and the "M32" is so called because it's rating is 320nm. It's just not something I would recommend!

Spend the extra money, get the more powerful 2.0 multijet 165T which is, more importantly, hooked up to the F40 gearbox.

Alternatively, get yourself a 1.6 Multijet for the economy if that's what you prefer :)

Also;

Eibach Pro Kit
Bilstein Shocks
18" Wheels

That'l tighten up the handling :p
 
RobBravo said:
I hate disagreeing with this great man..!

I wouldn't go for the 1.9 multijet 150. It's got the most torque in the weakest box.

Torque is rated at 305 nm, and the "M32" is so called because it's rating is 320nm. It's just not something I would recommend!

Spend the extra money, get the more powerful 2.0 multijet 165T which is, more importantly, hooked up to the F40 gearbox.

Alternatively, get yourself a 1.6 Multijet for the economy if that's what you prefer :)

Also;

Eibach Pro Kit
Bilstein Shocks
18" Wheels

That'l tighten up the handling :p
Click to expand...
Ahh see I didn't know the multi-jet 150 had the same gearbox. It's still theoretically in the safe limits though. I see more problems with the t-jet 150 that the m-jet 150. Maybe it might be popularity. But if the 2.0 liter 165 has the better box definitely go for that. Plus the power sounds awsome.
 
Literally yesterday just sold my Grande Punto and bought a 1.9 M-Jet 120 Bravo. It's a nice upgrade from the punto, certainly quality and power wise! My insurance isnt too bad either, paid 1600 for a year on the bravo. 19 with no NCB.

Looking to get it remapped soon though, just needs a little more torque ;)

Definitely felt as if I made the right decision going from punto to bravo, just my opinion!
 
bradgibbs said:
Literally yesterday just sold my Grande Punto and bought a 1.9 M-Jet 120 Bravo. It's a nice upgrade from the punto, certainly quality and power wise! My insurance isnt too bad either, paid 1600 for a year on the bravo. 19 with no NCB.

Looking to get it remapped soon though, just needs a little more torque ;)

Definitely felt as if I made the right decision going from punto to bravo, just my opinion!
Click to expand...

The Bravo is a great car for power vs insurance.

I'm not that much older than you, but I got my Bravo in at £695 for the year at 22 years of age. Considering I had an accident in June 2013 that's not bad at all!
 
Bravo is perhaps a little less 'chuckable' through bends than the Grande Punto, but then it's a bigger car, so not a total surprise. Grip might be slightly lower, but ride & refinement tends to be better, and in quality terms the Bravo's leagues ahead.

The Grande Punto's Achilles heel is its interior quality and quality of some of its other components. The Bravo's only real sticking point is the M32 gearbox, but that affects the higher powered Puntos like the 1.9 Multijet 120 & 130 anyway.

Interestingly, in the Bravo the 1.9 Multijet 120 is a 5 rather than 6-speed gearbox, so doesn't have the M32. I'm assuming your Grande Punto is a petrol, therefore to make the switch more worthwhile I'd recommend with the long journeys that you go for a diesel. Will just suit the journeys more I think.

Unfortunately I'm not sure what gearbox the 1.6 Multijet has, but the 1.9 120 (2007-2009 models) has a good 5 speed gearbox and 2.0 165 (late 2008/early 2009 onwards) have a good 6 speed. It's just the 1.9 150 Multijet with the dodgy M32 box, but even they don't seem to die as eagerly as those in the Punto 1.9 Multijet, perhaps because Bravo's don't seem to be remapped so much as Punto's.
 
JTD_Liam said:
Bravo is perhaps a little less 'chuckable' through bends than the Grande Punto, but then it's a bigger car, so not a total surprise. Grip might be slightly lower, but ride & refinement tends to be better, and in quality terms the Bravo's leagues ahead.

The Grande Punto's Achilles heel is its interior quality and quality of some of its other components. The Bravo's only real sticking point is the M32 gearbox, but that affects the higher powered Puntos like the 1.9 Multijet 120 & 130 anyway.

Interestingly, in the Bravo the 1.9 Multijet 120 is a 5 rather than 6-speed gearbox, so doesn't have the M32. I'm assuming your Grande Punto is a petrol, therefore to make the switch more worthwhile I'd recommend with the long journeys that you go for a diesel. Will just suit the journeys more I think.

Unfortunately I'm not sure what gearbox the 1.6 Multijet has, but the 1.9 120 (2007-2009 models) has a good 5 speed gearbox and 2.0 165 (late 2008/early 2009 onwards) have a good 6 speed. It's just the 1.9 150 Multijet with the dodgy M32 box, but even they don't seem to die as eagerly as those in the Punto 1.9 Multijet, perhaps because Bravo's don't seem to be remapped so much as Punto's.
Click to expand...
I'd have to agree you can't chuck it around the corners as good but in regards to grip I can't agree. With a good set of tyres the grip is fantastic in my opinion.

When I had my grande I always thought it could do with more grip.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Technical Location of camshaft and crankshaft position sensor on a FIAT BRAVO 2008 1.4 T-Jet.
Replies
1
Views
236
electric73
E
Ioni
Styling Music , speakers on fiat bravo
Replies
0
Views
407
Ioni
Ioni
savage00
General LPG on Bravo 150 HP
2
Replies
23
Views
1K
electric73
E
E
Technical Knock sound after release the clutch at startup
Replies
3
Views
174
bugsymike
B
D
  • Question
General Bravo 2008 Bluetooth
Replies
4
Views
211
tomicdd
tomicdd
Back
Top