(G) So... am I to become a Punto owner?

If you go for the 1.2 8-valve you will find it much more refined than your AX but slower. My mum has a 1.0 45bhp AX and because of it's light weight and gearing it is much quicker than the 1.2 8-valve Punto.

For the money, a nice 1.2 16-valve ELX will be in budget on a '02' plate from a dealer or you might find a 1.2 16-valve 'Dynamic' on a '52' froma private seller. The Dynamic replaced the ELX and added remote locking, front fogs, centre rear headrest and a C.d. player. I don't think they are any more than the 8-vlave to run other than insurance, but a whole-world better to drive!

It's your second car, so go for the 16v. You deserve it after the AX lol. I have a mate who had a Punto Sporting until a week ago (got smashed from behind ) and his premium for the year was just over 1k- he's 17, been driving 4 months etc...

Do some online quotes to get an idea.

Might be worth looking at Skoda Fabias aswell!!

Dont be silly!

Hmmmmm, I said that once, give it a couple of years

lol

Thanks for the tips re: insurance!

As to comparing the AX and the Punto speed-wise.. hmm! I find my AX nippy enough when it's just me. But as you said, it's a VERY light car so add two 15-16st guys in the back (my dad and bro, heh..) and it becomes an absolute dog to drive! It's there when I think the extra power might make things a bit more useful

I'm also looking at the Toyota Yaris quite strongly though.. what do people think of them?

My dad has one, and for a 1.0 its pretty nippy. Interior is a bit...... grey but then again the more expensive trim levels may be better. Theres a new facelifted Yaris out soon and from the pictures I've seen in my dads magazine they look even nicer. The interior looks to have been improved too, I'll try and find some pics...

Old Yaris:

New Yaris:

New facelift Yaris is out now I think, I saw it in Toyota showroom yesterday.

Looks nice but Im a bit sceptical of the Yaris since our Yaris died. It got a hole in the piston at 26k miles

Really? My dads has had no problems at all...

P.S. The new interior looks looooooooooads better

The Yaris always comes out near the top in customer satisfaction surveys, with the Honda Jazz and Skoda Fabia superminis close by. You won't be going far wrong with a Yaris! But like you say they are more expensive and don't look half as good as the Punto.

Well ours probably had something to do with the fact that it was only serviced once in 4 years due to my dads laziness LOL and maybe my heavy foot after just passing my test

I've had my '51 Punto Go! for about a year it's a 1.2 8v 60bhp and it's my first car. I find that the engine is quick enough for me (I don't want a fast car for my first) but I got it up to 110mph on the motorway when the official top speed is about 97mph (I don't usually speed, but there were no cars around and I did it out of interest to see what it could do).

in town driving i can get about 42mpg but on the motorway it's done about 62mpg before which is great!

I don't really like the Toyota Yaris. you can't beat the Italian style of the punto!!!

as for realiability the only thing which happened to mine was the exhaust fell off (replaced under warranty) and i know quite a few people who this has happened to. So if you buy one check the condition of the back box where the exhaust pipe goes into the box.

I pay £1770 for my insurance (19 year old first time driver) but the 8v is only group 3.

I can guarentee it; the oil will have been like sludge and so won't have been lubricating or cooling. Why people don't service their cars is beyond me

The Yaris is a great little car and the 1.0 16v model is perfectly quick enough; try and find a GS/ GLS rather than the S as the latter is true poverty-spec. Cheap to own and run and reliable (so long as it's serviced). You will be looking at an earlier car, but the Yaris is a better car than the Punto (although it was a bit small for me...); that's the reason why the cost more on the used market. £3,000 should get you a good condition X-plate 1.0 GLS from a stealer or a 51/ 02 on the private market.