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

Hello one and all

First off a little background - I'm 20, female and passed my test in August this year. Will be in the market for a new car (Currently driving an N Reg Citroen AX) in about April this year, having gained one year's no claims.

But the decision is always which car to go for...

I'm looking to spend about £3000 on something, maybe a bit more for that special car, but hesitant to spend too much as I'm not sure I really do enough motoring to justify spending too much.

I need five doors - taking my parents out (I don't drink so I drive).. doing the weekly shop (unless the Punto can handle 3-4 Sainsbury's Smart Boxes plus a few extra bits in its boot).. so five doors makes life a lot easier.

I'd love things like (remote) central locking, electric windows, power steering... even having a fifth forward gear would be a luxury compared to what I have

The Punto seems to fit the bill, and it looks fantastic too. Plus it seems I can get say a 02,52 or even an 03 reg for this sort of money which is great!

So I have to ask questions of reliability etc which is where you guys come in. People always tell me Fiats are unreliable (admittedly these people are a fair bit older and probably a bout out of touch with today's motoring), that the cost of servicing is expensive etc... so I want to hear the truth from those who really know

Alternative cars I'm looking at include the Toyota Yaris which is MUCH more pricey but then the Toyota name carries a fantastic reputation. From a dealer a 5 year old Yaris can be up to £6k whereas a one year old Punto only £5k!

Or perhaps a Ford Fiesta.. Vauxhall Corsa... Ideally I want something about three years old and the Punto seems pretty perfect

Depends what punto you get really, servicing etc for my 1.2 8v is comparitively cheap, about 70 quid for a basic service, 100 for a full one.

Hi, welcome to the forum

First thing is to decide which engine you would go for. There are a few to chose from from a 1.2 8v to a 1.8 16v, this will affect your insurance and people's opinions on reliability.

I had a 1.2 8v and it let me down twice due to a dodgy clutch and ECU. It had some rattles but other than that it was fine. It eventually got sold to a girl with an AX......

List of all the Puntos HERE

Well a 1.4 is about the max I would go for due to insurance as mentioned there - as I'm only a new driver it's definitely a huge factor.

I'm paying £750 fully comp at the moment on my AX which is pretty good though!

I'm not adverse to going diesel though! A diesel engine wouldn't be too bad on insurance either right?

Bearing in mind I only want a little engine (or possibly a diesel) which would you point me to for reliability?

Welcome.

The 1.2 8v is a good reliable engine, and i would say the easiest and cheapest to repair too.

You should be able to find an 03 1.2 8v for 3k no probs

Sounds good to me I don't have any desire to go speeding around the place.. just something that is an enjoyable drive and will allow me to visit some friends up the Motorways etc.

(Due to an alternator fault my AX doesn't like going about 55 at the mo )

Only the newer Puntos have a 1.4 16v engine. Id recommend a 1.2 16v for a smaller petrol engine, theyre nippy and quite reliable (more owners should comment soon). There is a 1.9 JTD which is the same insurance group as the 1.2 16v- group 6, but im not sure about the prices of these. Both are relaible engines I think, but im no mechanic. The petrol has 80bhp and the diesel has 85bhp and loads more torque.

Have a look at prices on www.parkers.co.uk and www.autotrader.co.uk

I personally own the 1.2 8v, got mine for £1800 in March, it had done 63 or 64k miles at the time, although it was lowered, 17" alloys, tinted windows, backbox etc, so for 1800 I think its a pretty great deal, looks and handles amazing.

The 1.2 8V though is a bit lathargic on the motorways, around town its fine, economy, well I cant comment on a stock 1.2 8V, its meant to do 49mpg combined, I do mostly town driving, some dual carraigeway and the best Ive managed to get is 43mpg, but thats with 17" alloys and alot of extra weight, sub and amp etc.

So overall Id have to say I love my car, I have actually drove a stock 1.2 8V elx and it was a bit nippier than mine, 17's kill performance a bit.

Like I said, considering the engine has done 66k to this day its doing well in the reliability aspect, its needed the following:

Full Service @ 65k including new cambelt etc(never NEEDED it but I done it anyway to be safe) = £170
New Exhaust = £100
New Clutch (only 2 weeks or so ago) = £210

I think thats about what its needed, and it shouldnt need much more done to it atall because Ive done the major things, clutch, cambelt etc. the only thing Im scared about is the headgasket going

insurance is cheap, but when youve got mods it adds on alot

Cant beat puntos imo for looks and driving for the price.

Although I have to add, I think you should pay the extra for a 16V, nippier and you can do more to them.

Ive got a 16v, great engine, but the higher insurance group may put you off.

For an '03' 16v expect to pay 4k though.

you could get a nice mk2 elx 1.2 16v 5 door with all they toys for 3k

I brought myself a 04 1.2 8v about a month ago and I cant fault it at all, its nippy enough even with a full car, it will easily see 47mpg during town driving (even with my slightly heavy right foot )

It hasnt got remote central locking, just normal central locking, its got electric windows, power steering (and city button), colour coded bumpers.

In my opinion it is stacked very well for a base model car in its class plus I picked mine up with 6 miles on the clock for £4k

I strongly recoment the Punto to anyone but I would be tempted to pay a little bit more and get the 16v engine.

Hope that helps a bit

Hey guys thanks for the replies so far

I have to say I'm not too fussed about the acceleration being too fantastic, modding it or altering things or whatever Anything is nippier than my AX anyway (especially with my dear dad and brother in the back seat... it's AWFUL).

And if it goes on the motorway at all then I'll be a happy girl, since my Citroen's alternator doesn't like it when I go above 55mph

How much more does the 16v engine add to the insurance grouping? I think I still need to stay pretty low in the groups due to my age and newly passed status. For once being a female driver does have some benefit, though!

It'll be a couple of months yet before I get another car (get winter out of the way).. definitely some food for thought regarding the Punto though!

If memory serves me right the 8v is group 3 insurance and the 16v is group 6 insurance but even group 6 will be cheap enough considering your a woman and your over 18 however for me it would be too much to insure as I am male and only 18 (insurance companies hate young blokes )

I would also suggest looking at the Corsa SXI as its a pretty decent car (still not as good as the Punto tho )

Corsa... dont bother!!