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Old 11-05-2008   #1
 
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Are you glad you chose the GP?

Initially, I regretted buying it. The interior, whilst good looking also seemed pretty cheap. I hated the way there is nowhere to store anything, found the 5 speed gearchange to be a bit spongy and the 1.2 engine far too noisey.

But now, after owning for just over 3 months, I really think I've made the right choice

I (unfortunately) live in an ex council house in a council estate. To see a grande punto sitting on your driveway each morning gives you hope. Nothing in my street even comes close to looking as "upper class" as the GP on my drive does. I have basic 1.2 active with absolutely no options and it still looks gorgeous. Everytime i drive it out of the estate, it seems to turn everyone's head Just stands out so much when mixed with mk2 astra's and ford fiesta's with alloy wheels.

Proud that it's an understated car manufacturer getting all the looks as apposed to some snobbish BMW or Audi.

Also, the 1.2 engine is just such a work horse. It genuinely felt no slower when i had 4 passengers in. My old 1.8 laguna this was instantly noticable.
Around town and up to 50mph it feels really nimble, and even at high speed on the motorway its dead stable.

Fuel economy is brilliant, performance considering the weight is impressive, headlights are very good for night driving. The interior looks really nice and modern, especially illuminated at night.


Really beginning to see the nice side of the car now. It's not an expensive car but it's ALOT of car for the money, and theres this sense that whilst other things may go wrong and the car may have problems, I doubt it would leave me stranded in the middle of nowhere.

How about other owners? I know there have been some bad experiences with early cars, but still.. what a car
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Old 11-05-2008   #2
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Re: Are you glad you chose the GP?

ye man i love my gp love the colour love the nippeyness and love the looks!

ill never buy a fiat again though.
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Old 11-05-2008   #3
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Re: Are you glad you chose the GP?

Yep, love my car to bits

Even after 2 years of owning it, im not bored of it in anyway and the power and torque still put a smile on my face
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Old 11-05-2008   #4
 
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Re: Are you glad you chose the GP?

I am over the moon with my GP 1.4 8v Active Sport. Handles well, comfortable, economical'ish (44mpg). Storage is a little poor but then I try to keep stuff in my car to a minimum anyway. Good value as well.

I had a GP Sporting M-Jet but did not get on with it so well, sold it after 5 weeks, I will never have adiesel again! This is not a dig at the GPS, its more about me. I now know I am a petrol engined man through and through.
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Old 11-05-2008   #5
 
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Re: Are you glad you chose the GP?

yeap, im still pretty besotted with my GPS!!

i cant wait to jump into it and take it for a run every morning, even if its just to go to work, i still get out of it with a stupid grin, and the torque is pretty good too!!! i liked the last one too but didnt like the plastic feel steering wheel and gear knob and felt it took forever to get up to speed!!

im glad i chose the GP as though and have a feeling this won't be my last GP!!
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Old 11-05-2008   #6
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Re: Are you glad you chose the GP?

Kev?
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Old 11-05-2008   #7
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Re: Are you glad you chose the GP?

Originally Posted by sledge View Post
Kev?
noooooooooooooooo...this is a kev free thread
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Old 11-05-2008   #8
 
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Re: Are you glad you chose the GP?

I adore my GP, Looks great and the Dynamic is such a good spec car for the money.


I get around 28mpg which im sure is half what most people get from a 1.2 8v... I even took it back to the garage and they said there is nothing wrong with it, so I assumed it was the way I was driving the car, as it is a small engine it sometimes needs alot of revs to get it going.

That brings me on to my other point... How come I pay £1600 a year for my insurance on a 1.2, because anything over came to £3k... and all of my mates who are also 18 have 1.4 206s and Polos and there insurance can even be cheaper than mine??

The conclusion I have at the moment is that, it is a heavy car which is why it is slow and needs alot of revs for the low mpg. And I do mostly stop start motoring
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Old 11-05-2008   #9
 
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Re: Are you glad you chose the GP?

Set your trip computer so that you can see the realtime average as you push the pedal. I've managed to drive around town with it showing 50mpg for a considerable amount of time.

It's all about getting that perfect momentum and then changing up so that simply resting your food on the pedal keeps it at constant speed.
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Old 11-05-2008   #10
 
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Re: Are you glad you chose the GP?

I went to my local Fiat garage last week to test drive the 500, didn't really like it but saw a GP Stripe in the showroom so i ordered one. I'm picking it up on the 23rd. It's my first new car and i can't wait.
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Old 11-05-2008   #11
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Re: Are you glad you chose the GP?

oh yes, my fave car to drive, always gets looks
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Old 11-05-2008   #12
 
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Re: Are you glad you chose the GP?

im glad, tis perfect, they're excellently priced.. (mine only 10325 from new), has loads of stuff, lovely to drive, looks great, safe, the 1.4 16v engine is pretty good,nippy etc.. smells lovely inside (new car smell)
only regrets were listenning to my dealer when he said the 1.4 16v sporting wasnt on sale.. (is it still?? seems like it is) cos i really love the orange etc.. soo.. i saw one the other day and nearly cried.....
also the gearbox is a bit of a pig sometimes getting into 2nd or 1st...
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Old 11-05-2008   #13
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Re: Are you glad you chose the GP?

you put food on the accelerator?
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Last edited by T14086; 11-05-2008 at 21:02.
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Old 11-05-2008   #14
 
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Re: Are you glad you chose the GP?

I absolutely love my GPS Mjet to bits, love everything about it, well worth the money. I wasn't even looking for a GPS when i was looking for a new car two months ago, but when i saw the car it was love at first sight. I know i definitely made the right decision when i bought this car.

Incidentally i have just come back from visiting a friend in Rugby, nearly 300 miles, and still have half a tank of diesel, would have been more but i decided to do a bit of torque surfing, lol.

I showed the car to my friends parents and her dad was well impressed with everything about the car, the colour, the engine size, quietness of the diesel engine, and he's owned quite a few diesels.

In all a fantastic car
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Old 11-05-2008   #15
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Re: Are you glad you chose the GP?

Great looking car, acceptable performance/economy, good seats, spongy gearshift, great brakes, lots of road noise on some surfaces, cheap to buy, poor storage, lighter socket in poor location for sat nav etc, lots of niggles, warranty not long enough. Wont be keeping it beyond the end of the warranty but might think about a brand new one next time.
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Last edited by shadydave; 11-05-2008 at 21:17.
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