(G) Stilo Abarth advice - Should I?

Hi all..

All new to this forum.. So bare over with me..

I have been offered a very good deal on a brand new Stilo Abarth.. It's a 40% discount compared to the normal prize.

To good to be true... Yeah I know.. - Here is the deal...

The car is a 2002 Stilo Abarth 2.4 with all this equipment (don't know if it's all standard):
Red metalic
Connect Nav+ system
2 way clima controll
Electric windows/mirrors
16" alloy
Remote controlled central locking
6 airbags
ABS
Parktronic
Fog lights
Cruise controll
Servo steering
Rain sensor
Selespeed
so on and so on..

It has been standing in Torino since 2002, and then the importer gets about 10% rebate.. When it comes to Denmark, where I live, ther won't be put taxes on the rebate, which is why the rebate her in Denmark suddently blows to 40%. All because og the Huge taxes here in Denmark..

A normal Stilo Abarth costs 325.000 dkr here in Denmark - Which is:
57,235 USD
43,681 Euro's
30,480 GBP

With this offer the prize is 200.000 dkr - Which is:
35,221 USD
26,880 Euro's
18,757 GBP

This way i Won't get the original Fiat guarantee, but then again.. The car has run les than 1000 km/500 miles.

So.. Is it a good deal??
Would you guys do it?
Is the "no guarantee" worth the rebate?
Is the car good enough?
I have heard that the Stilo's electrical system is weak, and has alot of errors.. Is that your experience? - The same goes for the Selespeed gear?

Thanks in advance
Jesper from Denmark
Fiat Seicento Sporting - Maybe soon a Stilo Abarth

id be cautious as you say theres no warranty/guarantee and if i have read right the car has been sat stationary for nearly three years. maybe worth a gamble as it does seem a good price compared to the normal price of the abarth over with you (£30 grand ) - the choice is yours...

Yep, that is standard selespeed equipment, very few options.

Been standing around? Hmmm - not good.

And no warranty? Believe me, you will need it.

I got a same spec, '02 Abarth, with 16k on the clock, for £7.5k about six months back.

Well.. Cars ARE expensive here in Denmark..

Forgot to tell that I WILL get a 6 months warranty from the importer..

You are writint that I will need it... - Is the car weak or why do you say that?

i wouldn't say weak, but is prone to the odd fault which can be sorted by warranty (which makes it handy!!)

Well.. It's something that will show up the first 6 months, and then covered by the warranty?

You guys start ti scare me..

Is the electrical system so bad, and experienced by everybody, or only by a few ones?

i cant say that, car might be perfect for 6 months then a week later develop faults. its gonna be risky...

Hi again,

On my car, I have had a multitude of faults fixed or being fixed under 3rd year warranty [and car only done 22k miles], namely:

- passenger seat airbag weight sensor;

- front nearside headlamp leveller shorted - need a new headlamp unit;

- 4th ignition coil pack - had to call out recovery;

Plus numerous warning lights that come on and off, including gearbox failure, airbag system failure, parking sensor failure, etc. BUT all seems to right itself, so may be over zealous sensors.

BUT at the end of the day, I love the car to bits

Don't forget that the majority of people who do post about their cars have had problems with them at some point ...... Myself I've had no problems at all with my Stilo so far compared to others .... Like all cars there are bad one's and good one's, for example read comments on VW golf's online and you'll see just as many people highlighting faults .... I spent two weeks reading through this forum and nearly managed to put myself off buying one ..... but in the end a test drive, a couple of good reviews (and a recommendation in the telegraph) sold me on it! There must be people out there with '02 Abarths who have had no problems?

I Wouldnt Buy A Stilo Without A Full Warranty. Yes Most Faults Are Niggly- Airbag Warning For One,various Other Electrical Niggles But I Wouldnt Like To Have To Fork Out The Readies For These Jobs.my Warranty Has Just Run Out On My 1.2 So Im Now In The Process Of Buying A Jtd Because Although I Love The Car , I Need The Comfort Of Knowing I Have A Full Warranty. One Last Thing ; I Tested An Abarth And Cant Help Thinking That Gearbox Is Going To Be Trouble.

@ Tony404 - Which Abarth did you test? I presume you tried the selespeed after your comment?

I bought mine, even though we had a few niggles with the Ulysse. Don't let any potential faults put you off, coz the car is still great. BUT you have to be aware that things may go wrong, albeit not of a serious nature?