Query

I'm thinking of possibly replacing the sei due to the fact that she could be a rite off I really love the look of the 3dr stilos and i've found a few 1.2 16v actives at good prices and most being on about 2002 plates. I was just wondering what the insurance group for one of these is?

Thanks in advance.

5 AFAIK Rickster

A number of us on here still have issues (particularly me) about the durability of a 1.2 litre engine (even a good one with a 6 speed box) in such a large car. However, none of the petrols particularly stand out from what I can see and the JTD comes with a large premium.

Without rumaging in the loft to find the old brochures I can't say for certain but the 1.4 which has replaced it is a Group 5 so if anything the 1.2 may be lower so that's the worst it will be.

If you want to check www.parkers.co.uk

I was thinking the same Paul, small engine in bigish car doesnt sound like a good match although im not a speed freak so as long as it can get me to 60- 70MPH and get me there fairly quick im not fussed. If there is any 1.2 owners who want to tell me about this from experiance then i will be very gratefull.

Group 5 not good especially if i lose my 2yrs NCB.

According to parkers they are group 4 which is only 1 up from my sei.

Sorry about your crash btw

Group 4 is good. Stiloboy is our main 1.2 owner and he will talk about how great it is non-stop for weeks! Bob also has a red 1.2. TBH, it's a good engine (80BHP 16v) so I don't think you will have to many problems if you're not a speed freak just, well, IMO the engine is stressed more than a larger engine. The cars also have large depriciation as most people think "1.2 in a car that big?! No way!" But I suppose that means they are much more affordable to buy right now.

the Stilo JTD is also group 5 insurance, so there's no high premium with the JTD!!

Sorry, should have been clearer, if you're refering to what I said by "premium" i meant initial cost premium, not insurance.

oh right, apologies Paul.

1.2 Stilo is group 4. Cheapest insurance rated Stilo. Cheap as chips to insure.

1.2 might seem a bit small capacity wise, but its 80bhp, compair that with a 60bhp 1.2 Punto, i'd say they are very similar. I've driven a 1.4 Idea, it seemed to have more torque, but i wouldn't say it felt any quicker.

Best bit about the 1.2 Stilo is those 6 gears. Crusing on Motorway at 70mph is under 3000rpm. Might not be quick to accelerate, but then drop to 5th like all the other lowely drivers and your up to 3.5k, and right in the power band.

Car might not have a lightening quick 0-60, but its a sweet revver, and it can be spaned to 7000rpm when needed. (i'll update this from a post on the Punto forum! )

Best of my knowledge, 1.2 Stilo has same depreciation of 1.6. Only JTD had lower depreciation, but then you pay loads more for it (i did a post a while back about how long it really takes to safe the difference in fuel over the purchase price).

I typically average 40-44mpg, bit lower at the moment, due to only covering 6 miles a day. On a good long run, i drove to Alton Towers from Fife in Scotland, 4 passengers, boot load of luggage, driving between 70-75mph most of the way and i averaged 600 miles to the tank, and 49.5mpg.

Buy one, but be prepared to be slated by the 1.6 owners, but shhh, don't worry, they are just jelious!

but I think all the Stilos barr the Abarths are Group 5, it's something to do with the cheapness of body panels due to a simplistic design and manufacture process and apparently they are supposed to be very easy to replace too, hence the cheap insurance grouping.

Bloody long mixed up sentence but you get my drift!

**Cut and Paste from Parkers site**

Fiat Stilo Hatchback
1.2 16V Active 3d 2004/53
Insurance Group 4

Stilo 1.2 is slow, but no slower than a JTD MK2 Punto i think!

http://www.fiatforum.com/punto/26091-punto-jtd-question.html

I believe the 1.8 is in a higher group, either 7 or 8 I think?

Paul, the JTD doesn't carry that much of a premium, when you consider it is also the higher spec trim level.

TBH though, if you've found a 1.2 for a good price, and you find it quick enough, I'd say go for it.