Hi I am looking at buying a 1.4 Bravo sx, of around 30,000 - 60,000 miles on the clock, and was wondering what the common faults are for these cars, and they go for sale quite cheap and was wondering if it was due to mecahincs always going wrong or they are just cheap cars to buy, I would be very gratefull if you could please give me feedback.

Cam oil feed.

A 1.4 will be at least 8 years old and a car that old with that low milage should really be avoided.

ive seen a cple of 1.4 2001 models with around 50,000 are the later year 1's any better, would 1.2 be better, if they are what is the 1.2 performance like, ive gota 1.2 1996 corsda at the moment wich is very slow do the bravos have better acceleration and top end

Have a look at the buyers guide chap: -

http://www.fiatboo.co.uk/buy-a-bravo.htm

The 1.4 was dropped in 1998... End of story.

The 1.4 is the one to avoid. The 1.2 is a better choice all round.

but thats only if budget isn't an issue.

you can pick up a reasonable 1.4 for 500 notes, whereas a 1.2 will cost you closer to £1k

if you have the 1k, its better spent on a 1.2, but dont believe everything you hear about the 1.4
As i've said a million times, most 1.4 owners will defend theirs. Its mostly people who have never had one who contuinually pass negative comments. so take with a wee pinch of salt. Folk seem to think if the re-gurgitate some comment they read 2 years ago about the 1.4 they will sound like they know what they are talking about. sometimes they do, sometimes they dont.

I agree with you buzz. I bought a 1.4 a couple years ago because money was an issue and apart from finding it underpowered it was a great car i kept it for 18 months before i sold it when i got my alfa as long as you take extra care with the spray bar they are a good runner.

Andy

right, i have a 1.2 sx formula and can only say its a great car now! paid 4k for it just over 3yrs ago. for the last two years its been great. (touches wood)but did cost me a lot in repairs in the first year, oh and it was less than 3 years old when we got it full S/H and 1 lady owner with 32k on clock.

then i had a 1.4 cost me 120quid with worn cam, oil spray bar was clogged!! whiped it off good clean in petrol and toothbrush, oil & filter change ran as sweet as a nut!! new mot 45quid, sold to me buddy as i could not run two cars then. while i did use it it ran very smooth and was not as slow as a lot of people make out mpg was not great but started every morning and had no rust and was ten years old.

i now have a marea estate 2.0 and its fantastic the first time i went out in it was to scotland and did 1200 miles in a car that cost me .....well i would rather not say as it was so cheap!

after driving and living with all three (i still have two) i can say that i could live with any one of them on a daily basis.

just rember any car can go wrong even if it has full S/H i know i my 1.2 did!! while the marea has NO history i still trust as much as my 1.2 which is half the age and full history,

Fiat Brava 1.2SX Formula 53k
Fiat marea weekend 2.0 20v 78.5k

1.4s

"if you have the 1k, its better spent on a 1.2, but dont believe everything you hear about the 1.4"

Hear hear.........well of course the problem with 1.4's cam oil feed is true, but they are cheap and fore warned is fore armed. Mine cost me very little 3 years ago and 40000 miles later I'm a very happy driver.

PLUS, if you get a 1.4S, theres barely any toys to go wrong. no leaky sunroof, now slow window motors. no faulty window switches, or leccy mirrors to go wrong, no ABS sensors to break, and the gearbox has ben tried and tested, and actually been in use since the late 80's i think, on the 1.4 Tipos!

See, its much cheaper and more reliable already! lmao.

Buzz
The champion of the Bravo 1.4 & now ex owner of a Bravo 1.8

Member Page

lol @ buzz, but he does have a point, now in search for 1.4

Fiat Brava 1.2SX Formula 53k
Fiat marea weekend 2.0 20v 78.5k

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1998-FIAT-BRAVA-1-4-S-4-MONTHS-MOT-TAX-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ330084169229QQihZ014QQcategoryZ9843QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

look what i have just found!

Fiat Brava 1.2SX Formula 53k
Fiat marea weekend 2.0 20v 78.5k

THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is a clean example of a 9 year old fiat brava!
The engine bay has clearly been cleaned recently though, because it has no undertray, and the 1.4 bay has a LOT of space for roadsurface crap to splash up. But even under the boot carpet, the spare wheel recess is spotless! either that wheel has never been used, or he's put new carpets in. which i doubt.

Buzz
The champion of the Bravo 1.4 & now ex owner of a Bravo 1.8

Member Page

Uhmm, Buzz.

I have a 1.4S and it has a sunroof, power windows, fogs, heated seats, painted bumpers and a faulty speedo.
Just in the winter tho, and the sunroof is leaky as hell...

hehe ive got a leaky aerial at the moment not because of the rubber but because of the useless sprayers that did my car so im off to silicone seal it for the time being

Schpreck, thats a 1.4 SX with either an aftermarket sunroof, or more likely, someone paid the extra £600 when they ordered from fiat brand new.

Buzz
The champion of the Bravo 1.4 & now ex owner of a Bravo 1.8

Member Page

I belive that the 1.4 goes as far back as the Uno.

I have had 3 Unos, 1 was a 1.4 which was reliable.

The 1.2 16v is a gem however. It replaced a 1.6 in the Mark 1 Fiat Punto.

If you take your time and search e-bay and autotrader you should be able to pick up a 1.2 for not too much more money, than a 1.4.

In any case I would go for a mark 2 (after 2000). It has other improvements in the interior that include a digital clock mileage.

I have recently paid £1450 for a 1.6 HLX 2001 with 6 months tax/46k/FSH, although I had to check autotrader almost daily for 2 months.

Check this out for more details
http://www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/carsearch/carsearch_cartest_reports.jsp?carTest=carTest&latestReports=n&modelID=C8&modelName=Bravo&makeName=Fiat