Introduction
My fleet of italiana has just grown by one today as after 17 years I am now proud to back in a MK2 
I wasn't intending to be of course by it was fate I guess. The car in question is a 2003 three door in active trim powered by the evergreen 1242 8V FIRE engine which I love so much. It was bought new from a Fiat main dealer in warwick (grays) and stayed in the family for many years until passing into the ownership of my best mate last November when his car, a 97 Rover flumped it's mot and he needed a car. He has since bought a newer bigger car and offered me "the streak" for a mere snip of not very much money. I couldn't resist so here it is
At 101000 miles it's not low miler but it's condition doesn't reflect its mileage. According to my friend it was garaged all its life until he bought it and as a result it's solid and sound underneath with no advisories at all over corrosion in its whole 16 year life which is amazing for a Fiat of this age and mileage. As I said at the top it's been 18 years since I owned a MK2 which to this day was the only brand new car I ever bought. It was a W reg emerald green ELX and I parted with it way too soon. This car is slightly newer being an 03 plate but it is very close in spec to that emerald green one that soon as I drove it I was flooded with very good memories of that old car. It drives very spritely indeed and the seats are lovely and comfy in fact I don't remember my old one being that nippy and comfortable! So what am I to do with it? Well i will be pressing into daily service as my work vehicle giving my Bravo a well earned break for the time being. I will also be doing some work on it as although it's in great condition there are a few areas that need attention so I'm hoping the good folk from the MK2 section will be able to dispense some good advice
So the "to do" list. The owner before my mate had it gave it to his son for a few years and it seems he was into his electronics - particularly lighting so I'm giving it a back to standard look. The interior is littered with LED lights tucked under dashboard and in the boot. He also changed all the dash lights including the Windows, heated screen and rear fog switches from orange to blue (are these bulbs or LEDs?) He also converted the blank front fog switch into a push button start (but you can still start it with the key) and he's painted certain interior items different colours. Outside thankfully the only mods undertaken were covering the rear lights with that ghastly fly eye stuff :yuck: so 2010.
Non standard coloured air vents soon to be changed
Decent clarion head unit but may well be changed to a standar one
The front headlights have suffered "cloudy headlight syndrome" which so many cars of the noughties are suffering from these days. I'm amazed these passed an mot. These will be replaced.
A familiar and welcome sight. All tip top under the bonnet but will be getting a good service soon.
All in all I'm very pleased with it and can't wait to get stuck into punto ownership again
I wasn't intending to be of course by it was fate I guess. The car in question is a 2003 three door in active trim powered by the evergreen 1242 8V FIRE engine which I love so much. It was bought new from a Fiat main dealer in warwick (grays) and stayed in the family for many years until passing into the ownership of my best mate last November when his car, a 97 Rover flumped it's mot and he needed a car. He has since bought a newer bigger car and offered me "the streak" for a mere snip of not very much money. I couldn't resist
so here it is At 101000 miles it's not low miler but it's condition doesn't reflect its mileage. According to my friend it was garaged all its life until he bought it and as a result it's solid and sound underneath with no advisories at all over corrosion in its whole 16 year life which is amazing for a Fiat of this age and mileage. As I said at the top it's been 18 years since I owned a MK2 which to this day was the only brand new car I ever bought. It was a W reg emerald green ELX and I parted with it way too soon. This car is slightly newer being an 03 plate but it is very close in spec to that emerald green one that soon as I drove it I was flooded with very good memories of that old car. It drives very spritely indeed and the seats are lovely and comfy in fact I don't remember my old one being that nippy and comfortable!
So what am I to do with it? Well i will be pressing into daily service as my work vehicle giving my Bravo a well earned break for the time being. I will also be doing some work on it as although it's in great condition there are a few areas that need attention so I'm hoping the good folk from the MK2 section will be able to dispense some good advice So the "to do" list. The owner before my mate had it gave it to his son for a few years and it seems he was into his electronics - particularly lighting so I'm giving it a back to standard look. The interior is littered with LED lights tucked under dashboard and in the boot. He also changed all the dash lights including the Windows, heated screen and rear fog switches from orange to blue (are these bulbs or LEDs?) He also converted the blank front fog switch into a push button start (but you can still start it with the key
) and he's painted certain interior items different colours. Outside thankfully the only mods undertaken were covering the rear lights with that ghastly fly eye stuff :yuck: so 2010. Non standard coloured air vents soon to be changed
Decent clarion head unit but may well be changed to a standar one
The front headlights have suffered "cloudy headlight syndrome" which so many cars of the noughties are suffering from these days. I'm amazed these passed an mot. These will be replaced.
A familiar and welcome sight. All tip top under the bonnet but will be getting a good service soon.
All in all I'm very pleased with it and can't wait to get stuck into punto ownership again
