Anything to look out for specific to this car when buting nearly new? Common issues/faults etc?

How do they respond to remap?

Are they actuall y up to much, as I see it as a viable (cheaper) alternative to an Alfa Mito.

Thinking of something like this may be a good 500 replacement

The Bravo Sport is a good overall car, pretty, lots of toys, practical, responds well to a remap (mines 196bhp), does mainly what it says on the tin, but remember the word Sport is more akin to the aesthetics of the car than it is to the performance, the rear suspension is (excuse the pun) shocking and it's no sports performer or handler, my Mrs 2009 standard Astra SRI 150CDTi urinates all over it in every department.

Hope this helps..........................

I'm OK with poor suspension, there's no way it can be as bad as the 500.

I'm mostly concerned about any known issues with the cars & how they are on m/ways as that's where I spend 80% of my time.

Who did you rmap & whats the economy like after it?

Mark

i now have a Bravo TJet150 = petrol turbo

(Abarth in all but name)

and loving it

bargain used

or buy this new one!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2010-10-Fiat-...9578370?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item519609d782

twincamms said:

The Bravo Sport is a good overall car, pretty, lots of toys, practical, responds well to a remap (mines 196bhp), does mainly what it says on the tin, but remember the word Sport is more akin to the aesthetics of the car than it is to the performance, the rear suspension is (excuse the pun) shocking and it's no sports performer or handler, my Mrs 2009 standard Astra SRI 150CDTi urinates all over it in every department.

Hope this helps..........................

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when did you last get your eyes tested

rear suspension shocking?? hmm why?

RobW said:

when did you last get your eyes tested

Why do I need my eyes testing? My eyes have nothing to do with car evaluation, it's performance, handling, feel, etc...................

rear suspension shocking?? hmm why?

Click to expand...

The rear suspension is shocking, it's terrible, you obviously haven't driven your Bravo hard, the rear end is skitty, it's easy to elevate one of the rear wheels when cornering, it's not independant suspension, it's one piece linked, this is done to save costs but compromises handling, even with an Eibach upgrade, the rear is poor.

My Mrs has had two cars this year, a 06 Golf GT and a 59 Astra SRi, both of these cars have been tested (ragged) by me to evaluate their full potential and both comprehensively destroy the Bravo on handling, my comments are made from driving various cars so I reckon they're valid. Most Bravo drivers if they're honest will agree with me.

twincamms said:

The rear suspension is shocking, it's terrible, you obviously haven't driven your Bravo hard, the rear end is skitty, it's easy to elevate one of the rear wheels when cornering, it's not independant suspension, it's one piece linked, this is done to save costs but compromises handling, even with an Eibach upgrade, the rear is poor.

My Mrs has had two cars this year, a 06 Golf GT and a 59 Astra SRi, both of these cars have been tested (ragged) by me to evaluate their full potential and both comprehensively destroy the Bravo on handling, my comments are made from driving various cars so I reckon they're valid. Most Bravo drivers if they're honest will agree with me.

Click to expand...

Put some bricks in your boot, problem solved!!!

Not sure there's any need to re-map a diesel with 165bhp as standard, just asking for trouble i reckon.

Only problem that seems to stand out on the 2.0 Multijet is the wonder that is the DPF. Several die-hard problems with them reported on here, dealers seem to struggle to cure the power loss & poor running problems.

However, i know someone with this engine & he's had no problems in 2 years despite using heavily congested roads each day.

All the other niggles are applicable to any Bravo:

*Drop Links (most replaced under warranty by now)
*Blistering Leather on the steering wheel (some repaired by Fiat, some not)
*Fading/degrading of rear Fiat boot badge
*Stiff gear changes on some models (esp. when car/weather is cold)

That's about it. Certainly seems better than many give it credit for.

twincamms said:

The rear suspension is shocking, it's terrible, you obviously haven't driven your Bravo hard, the rear end is skitty, it's easy to elevate one of the rear wheels when cornering, it's not independant suspension, it's one piece linked, this is done to save costs but compromises handling, even with an Eibach upgrade, the rear is poor.

My Mrs has had two cars this year, a 06 Golf GT and a 59 Astra SRi, both of these cars have been tested (ragged) by me to evaluate their full potential and both comprehensively destroy the Bravo on handling, my comments are made from driving various cars so I reckon they're valid. Most Bravo drivers if they're honest will agree with me.

Click to expand...

i haven't 'ragged' the Bravo, and haven't driven it on track either - yet

but i have driven it to Italy and back and never found it inadequate even on some of the most demanding roads in europe (Stelvio Pass, Amalfi coast Road)

I realise the rear suspension is a beam with arb and yes it can lift a wheel and feel slightly loose; but the same can also be said of the Abarth 500, Peugeot 205 GTI...

If i wanted a 'perfect' car I would have bought a Golf, but I like Italian cars with their characteristics

Thanks for the text the other day Rob, ment to respoond sooner but been mega busy.

I'm also looking at an Alfa Mito TB as my next car.

Mark Elvin said:

Thanks for the text the other day Rob, ment to respoond sooner but been mega busy.

I'm also looking at an Alfa Mito TB as my next car.

Click to expand...

I like the MiTo

RobW said:

I like the MiTo

Click to expand...

Me too, but it's very colour sensitive.

White or red olours only ones that really work