(G) It's that time...

...to say farewell to my Stilo

Yes, as some of you may know, my car broke down big time a week or two back - due to total lack of oil pressure, even though oil was in the car. I ended up being recovered to the dealership, once I found out who my recovery people were

So there the car has sat - and me driving around in a Fiat Idea 1.3Mjet for a week, waiting for the inevitable phonecall, which came today from the service director.

They gave me a few options - firstly, to repair it, big bucks; secondly to have a new engine - BIGGER bucks OR just get shot of it. Considering the car is nearly 5 years old, and I never paid a great deal for it anyway [plus IF the car was to be fixed, it would also need an MOT, 60k service, cambelt change, aircon refill / fix, etc] I decided to cut my losses today, and buy a new car I feel any money paid out on it would only mean more money being paid out next year [selespeed issues, clutch, etc].

A few things have changed in my life recently, including my priorities. I don't do a 48 mile commute to work everyday, I need to save on my fuel costs, etc, BUT I still want some fun. So I decided to test drive, wait for it....




.... a Panda 100HP - and I fell in love with it instantly. I know Gary, the Multipla Mod, loves his - and I can see why. I went out for a 30 minute spin, with one of the Alfa team at Motorvogue [it was his car actually, not a demonstrator] and I was just smiling ear to ear - the responsiveness, the driveability, plus all the toys as well, as standard. Like a go-kart, stiff suspension on 195/45/15s - and a 6 speed gearbox that was so so quick. Granted, not the feel of a 5-pot, but what do you expect from a 1.4

So finance options were looked at [I am now self-employed from 1st April, plus a tenant] and agreed on. They had in stock a new one [I was taken over to the out-of-town depot to check it out], in Electroclash Grey - and I pick it up on Tuesday.

Obviously, I will still be around all the forums on here, especially as that is what my role entails - yes, I will be sad on Tuesday, when I go down there with a few carrier bags to empty the Stilo of all my belongings - BUT at the same time I will be so excited - a new car [the last one was the Ulysse, a 53 plater] with the added benefit of a 3 year warranty, plus the backing of a dealership that knows me and I know them. I still have the use of the Idea until then as well, so the cost of hire cars or taxis has to be taken into account, plus potentially lost earnings.

At least I stuck with Fiat

The end of an era Stu, but the start of a new one. I know you liked the Stilo a lot so that Panda must have been something else. You still gonna mod the Stilo section or jump ship you turncoat bas***d.

Yeah, it was - sometimes a change is good, but staying with FIAT was also something I wanted to do - having a relationship with a dealership goes a long way

Well, I am a super mod on this site but will hopefully remain active in this section as a mod - it is Rich that does most of the technical stuff, I just do all the tidying up in the background that no-one sees

so what happen to ur stilo? are they taken it for PX or what? if not, is there any spare parts for sale??

Taken it in as PX - to be honest, I have no space here where I live [so would have to be stuck on the road basically].

Granted I could get more money for breaking it, but no inclination - or the time.

oic, How much they offer you then?
I did consider the panda before I bought my jtd, but I doing a 140miles round trip every day, the fuel tank on the panda just too small, which mean a visit to the petrol station every couple days.

Well, not a great deal coz the engine is fooked and stuck on their forecourt BUT it is all relative, due to the discount on the other car.

PLUS I haven't had to fork out the cost of a hire car for 2 weeks either

IC, good luck with ur panda and dont forget to post some pic when u got it!!

Of course, I am not a newbie you know

PNL is devastated say no more

AND





that says it all for me

Sorry to see you leave the Stilo massive Stu the Stilo has served you well!

Must admit though them Panda 100Hp's are brilliant looking cars and in a magazine I read beat a F*rd KA Sport, Suzuki Ignis Sport hands down.

At least your staying with FIAT though

Well, sorry - not something I envisaged, believe me - but needed to do something.

At least I stayed loyal to FIAT

and you've changed your sig already

It has indeed - even though things went wrong with it

I loved the car [well, loved the 5 pot more to be honest] - but it has had a fair share of issues - gearbox actuator [off road for a long time, cost of hire car] - driveshaft issues [due to lowering, possibly] - and now this.

Even if I did fix it, then what about next year - the costs soon mount up, and I just need to call it a day.

I do have a tendency to kill cars though - hopefully not the next one

Sometimes you just have to cut your loses! Glad your still with Fiat & have fun in the panda