Hello everyone. This is my first thread/post on this forum and have a few questions regarding the Fiat Grande Punto.

Iv just passed my driving test and my budget is Lowwww, as in £2,000 for a car low.

Anyway my big brother has fished out some cars that i could get for less than £2,000 and the fiat grande punto i fell in love with. The 2 things i want for my first car is looks (has to look modern) and reliable which this car (hopefully) is.

My first question is: When getting an insurance quote the 1.4 active (2006 model) seems to be around 100 pounds cheaper than the 1.2 dynamic (2007 model). I don't quite understand why a bigger engine is cheaper to insure?!? For anyone who wants to know i am getting a quote of £1,800 a year for a 1.2 and £1,600 for a 1.4

Second question: I read a few threads on here where people were complaining about the weakness in the power of a 1.2. Will the 1.4 active feel and drive more powerful than the 1.2?

Im a complete idiot with cars which is why im asking you guys.

Hope you can help me lads.

Cheers from a future owner of a Grande Puto (hopefuly)

Welcome to the forum, you will get alot of people with the faster engines on here saying it is Wooooo slow , I've got the 1.2 and I don't find it is woefully underpowered at all. The grande is a heavy car so it's not gonna be amazingly quick but it keeps up with the usual corsas and 106's easily and looks a hell of a lot better. Can't explain the difference on insurance prices. Just got for the cheapest. There isn't a big difference between the 1.4 (more horsepower) and 1. 2 (more torque). Best thing to do is test drive both of them and decide yourself.

Sam

They are both dog slow, the 1.4 has a tiny bit more punch for dual and motorway overtaking.

HOWEVER, the 1.2 Dynamic is a very well spec'd car, as opposed to the Active which is bottom. With that in mind, I'd go for the 1.2 Plus it is a year newer as well.

See what I :devil:

The difference in price i'm sure will be because of the trim level.

Basically more equipment in the dynamic then the active so more things to insure

MrMurray20 said:

See what I :devil:

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Haha Magic Johnson But i see what your saying. My driving instructors car is a 1.2 corsa and to be honest thats fine for me. So if the 1.2 Dynamic can provide the same power as that corsa im more than happy. Thanks for the reply Sam and others

My brother found this:

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-...ine-punto-sporting-alloys-2-owners/1031067364

Although its 3k, my bro said he can lend me a grand and pay him back later.

Its already got the modifications i want (black alloys and tinted windows) so its gonna save me some money beforehand.

Its only done 29,000 miles which is pretty amazing. What do you guys think is 3k too much for this?

I can't understand why it's only 3k? For its age it should really have had the cambelt done so check for any history for that and if not ask for some money off the car. Other than that it's a nice car good colour but I'd change the wheel colour. Not a fan of black wheels with grey faded tyres.

Sam

Good shout Sam. Ill phone him up tonight.

The 1.2's are technically quicker than 1.4's. I don't know why, but the guys at Fiat told me this when i bought mine couple years ago. Its not all about power, its what feels good when you drive it, and if you like the feel of a car you test drive, and its technically/mechanically sound then why walk away. Its just a matter of paying how much you want for it, haggling if you can or saving more if you want it.

In terms of that link you've posted, i don't know why its so cheap. But consider this. If you get that one that has the nice tints and alloys on you like, you need to declare those mods to your insurance. Regardless of if you put them on the car or if they came with them on, ignorance is no excuse and your insurance policy will be null and void, but you'll still have to pay the years premium + a new policy. **thats out the way**

The GP is a cracking car, and well worth getting IMO. Regardless of engine size you'll find it plentiful for a first car. Around town and general cruising i find the 1.4 packs enough punch to keep me happy. I'm only found wanting a bit more on dual carriage-ways and motorways - but that serves me right for merging straight into the 3rd lane trying to overtake an M3

Insurance wise they are very cheap to insure. They're a popular car, and easy to fix. They have a great safety rating, and are rather economical cars. This all combined keeps insurance generally lower, which is great. I think most people find the insurance is lower on a 1.4 to the 1.2, can't explain it and if anyone can explain insurance they deserve a medal.

We look forward to embracing you into the GP family! Make sure you get pictures up of your 1st motor when you do - we love a good pic-fest

James

abdullah1994uk said:

My brother found this:

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-...ine-punto-sporting-alloys-2-owners/1031067364

Although its 3k, my bro said he can lend me a grand and pay him back later.

Its already got the modifications i want (black alloys and tinted windows) so its gonna save me some money beforehand.

Its only done 29,000 miles which is pretty amazing. What do you guys think is 3k too much for this?

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that is quite cheap considering , make sure verythings mechanically sound with it as mentioned above , would be a great car , i got a 59 plate 1.4 active as my first car and was insurance was 2k

Thanks for everyones reply. I phoned the man and it turns out to be a scam, he has listed the car in multiple cities and wants a deposit of 100 via paypal BEFORE the test drive. I just shut the phone in his face.

Anyway i just came back from basketball training and we were driving behind a GP and it looks amazing, much better in person than a in a picture.

Ill keep looking for one. Right now im more than sure ill get one over the over rated corsa or fiesta.

Go for the 1.4, IMO having that little extra power there is alway a plus,I know this since I came from a 1.2 active mk2b to a grande punto t-jet:slayer:
besides your insurance is cheaper aswel!
Welcome to the forum

lukeeee77 said:

Go for the 1.4, IMO having that little extra power there is alway a plus,I know this since I came from a 1.2 active mk2b to a grande punto t-jet:slayer:
besides your insurance is cheaper aswel!
Welcome to the forum

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1.4 8v - normal
1.4 16v - t-jet (turbo)

You make it sound like if he gets a 1.4 he'll have power. 1.4 8v will be minimal increase from a 1.2

Yes speaking from experience the 1.4 8v is pretty damn slow. But again it depends on your definition of slow. if you've been driving 1.0 - 1.2 cars then the 1.4 will be noticeably faster.

Even though the 1.4 is slow, its not slow enough to be a problem

ive got a 1.4 8v , i dont find it slow tbh , but most of my friends have little one litres so mines blows them away , great cars anyway you should defo get one

JDYER1 said:

great cars anyway you should defo get one

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oh yeah without a doubt, I love mine! i am a bit envious of the faster engined puntos but i do love my little 1.4 8v like its my own child

Have bought my daughter a 1.2 Active and she loves it. Modern, good looking, economical (40mpg) and it can happily cruise at 70mph on a motorway. As noted by others modding it will increase your insurance, or void it if you don't tell them about the mods. Then try and get your next years insurance. Get some oldies on your insurance as well as that helps reduce the cost. Have a look on Gumtree around where you live as I find that is a better place to get a straight car as most people will be selling on there from their house.

Looking on gumtree in Aberdeen....
http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-...o-emigration-first-to-see-will-buy/1029590994

Wisey said:

1.4 8v - normal
1.4 16v - t-jet (turbo)

You make it sound like if he gets a 1.4 he'll have power. 1.4 8v will be minimal increase from a 1.2

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I know that it sounds a bit like that , but with owning a 1.2 punto the one thing I needed more of was a little more umph. 1.4 seems a more viable option for most driving albeit with a minimal increase in power as yourself stated .

id say 1.4 is the best engine size to start , cause its poerful enough that you dont need ratlle every gear to get it yo go , and u wont go through loads of petrol , 1.4s woooo:slayer: