General Thinking Of Buying a Stilo

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General Thinking Of Buying a Stilo

munkey

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Hi everyone, going to see a yellow 04 Stilo 1.6 3 door with 60k on it at the weekend. I've just sold my Panda (which was one of the best cars ive ever had) due to getting another dog and needing a bit more space & dunno why but always fancied a Stilo.

Is the late model 1600 a decent model and are there any model specific thing I should be looking out for? I've read the buyers guides etc and have a mechanic's background so can look for all the standard stuff.

I won't be doing big miles in it - I only work 5 miles away, so will just be tinkering about in it and doing the odd long trip.

Just wondered what you guys thought really, any experiences? Just don't want to buy something that I'm goin to hate.


Cheers, Mark. :)
 
Thanks mate. I'm in IRL so the choice is much smaller and the taxation/insurance classes are a bit ****ed up too. Don't think Ive ever seen a jtd for sale down here.
 
Hi & Welcome,
Ive recently purchased an 04 1.6 Stilo Active Sport with 33k on it (when purchased 4 months ago). This is my first Fiat and I am very impressed with it. Just make sure there are no major electrical glitches showing - 2 keys are always preferable and if the cam belt has not been changed (with proof of it) put that into the equation when you purchase it and get it done straight away if it hasnt been done. Regards
 
Hi & Welcome,
Ive recently purchased an 04 1.6 Stilo Active Sport with 33k on it (when purchased 4 months ago). This is my first Fiat and I am very impressed with it. Just make sure there are no major electrical glitches showing - 2 keys are always preferable and if the cam belt has not been changed (with proof of it) put that into the equation when you purchase it and get it done straight away if it hasnt been done. Regards

Thanks for the advice mate. Ill have a good butchers and make sure everything looks ok. Tbh if I buy it I expect something electrical will go wrong at some point. What do you reckon to the overall feel of the car? MPG, performance, comfort etc?

Thanks.
 
Its not the quickest car in the world but not the slowest. It can be quite fun if you want it too be.
Mine used to get about 28 mpg on very mixed driving. Fast, meduim, rural, motorway etc etc. So im sure an excess of 35 mpg could be achieved if you have short arms and deep pockets.

The gear box can be a bit of a Mare. Mine had the reverse go twice but yours at 60k miles, if there is no evidence of gear box work then i would doubt it would be one of the effected ones.
 
Its not the quickest car in the world but not the slowest. It can be quite fun if you want it too be.
Mine used to get about 28 mpg on very mixed driving. Fast, meduim, rural, motorway etc etc. So im sure an excess of 35 mpg could be achieved if you have short arms and deep pockets.

The gear box can be a bit of a Mare. Mine had the reverse go twice but yours at 60k miles, if there is no evidence of gear box work then i would doubt it would be one of the effected ones.

Thanks mate. :)
 
Real axle bushes, they last until if your lucky 70k miles and are a "difficult woman" to change so be sure to search the process on this forum.
I do however agree with Shadeyman, diesel is the way to go, after 17 years driving petrol cars and then got a VW Sharan 1.9TDi and now my Stilo JTD 115 PS, I will never go back ;)

Could you give more details of the Stilo you were looking at, price and a link maybe!
 
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Hi Munkey,
I find the 1.6 Stilo very comfortable for a 3 door hatch with good sharp steering for its age. I am returning a regular 40 mpg from mine. I just gave it a good service and changed the Aux & cam belts .... NGK Plugs, Air,Oil & Pollen filters & Mobil Super FE Semi-synthetic oil and its hasnt missed a beat. Changing the pollen filter will usually sort out your heating blower concerns if they appear to be under functioning as it gets really clogged up if its not changed when seviced. Also make sure your battery is in tip-top condition if not new as this will lead to the usual electrical gliches common to the Stilo. If you cant run to a new battery just take it off and put it on a slow charge overnight - it works wonders. Hope this helps. Catch you later. Regards alsimmo
 
I use an Optima red top as my only battery ATM. It gets extremely abused. Often being drained until I have to jump start it. I havnt had an electrical gremlin since having it.
 
I use an Optima red top as my only battery ATM. It gets extremely abused. Often being drained until I have to jump start it. I havnt had an electrical gremlin since having it.

Which one have you got?

I had a Banner Unibull 50 200 which was 58Ah and did not seem good enough so yesterday I got the 50 300 with 69Ah.
I would have gone bigger but I have an extended warranty with a Fiat dealer so can only go the recommended, and because there was a banner in already I went the one with the highest Ah that I was allowed to. Cost me €137, not cheap by any standards. :worship:
 
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Thanks for all the replies guys, much appreciated. Apparently the Cambelt has been done at 60 thou so that's something. I'll have a drive and listen to the rear suspension when I go see it. I've done rear axle bushes on a few things before - boras, golf IVs volvos and puntos etc so shouldn't be too much of a prob but could do without the hassle. It was NCT'd (Irish mot) for 2 years last month and they are pretty strict over here so hopefully it will be mechanically sound.To be honest I just wanted to get a feel for the car from what you guys thought about it and it generally sounds positive so game on. Knowing my luck it will be sold by the time I get to see it!
 
Keep us up to date Munkey if the sale goes through - As you now know I have the same year and model Stilo. Always willing to share help, tips and problems. Hope it goes well for you. Regards alsimmo

Will do, thanks mate!! Going to see it later weather permitting so will bang a few pics up if I take it.
 
JTD 115 Bhp / Mjet 120 Bhp / Mjet 150 Bhp Choice Engines. You tiny mileage worth punting if you want petrol for a 1.8 or a mighty 2.4!
 
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