Hi everyone, this is my first time posting here. I've been lurking for a while and found this to be a pretty friendly and helpful looking place; it seems a lot of you know what you're talking about which is why I'm posting here really.

I'm soon to be getting my first car and what I've got in mind is a Grande Punto 1.3d. It would be great to hear some thoughts and opinions on the car and if there's any known problems that I should look out for?

More details of the car I had in mind:
Fiat Grande Punto 07 plate
1248cc diesel Multijet Dynamic
5 door
light blue (I don't know the accurate name)
20,000 miles
Alloy wheels
£6,990

Ta, Em

Hi Emily
Welcome to the forum

I have moved your thread here as the guys will be much more helpful over here

I have a 1.3MJ dynamic and love it. Best buy in a long time, i am sure you wont regret it

This that a dealer price? It was about what I paid for mine from a dealer.

The only issues I have is the water pump needing replacing, which seems a common fault in the 1.3 and also the steering column. But these were replaced under warrenty.

Emily91 said:

Hi everyone, this is my first time posting here. I've been lurking for a while and found this to be a pretty friendly and helpful looking place; it seems a lot of you know what you're talking about which is why I'm posting here really.

I'm soon to be getting my first car and what I've got in mind is a Grande Punto 1.3d. It would be great to hear some thoughts and opinions on the car and if there's any known problems that I should look out for?

More details of the car I had in mind:
Fiat Grande Punto 07 plate
1248cc diesel Multijet Dynamic
5 door
light blue (I don't know the accurate name)
20,000 miles
Alloy wheels
£6,990

Ta, Em

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Hello Em, welcome, Its a GP of course its going to a great car! I think its Aztec blue, im not sure though. I think that price seems about right for the milage and it being 2 yrs old. Is it from Simonstone Motor Group PLC? But obviously try a get that price down, I reckon they would knock abit off, after all we are in a recession! lol

sounds nice

I think its a tad over priced though, I'd try and get at least £500 off that price!
It's called Azure blue if i remember correctly as well.

Welcome to the Forum

oh haiiiiiiii

Azure thats the one! lol... Yeah i was looking at other cars for that yr and milage but it is cheap, but yeah I would try and get a bit knoocked off.

To answer your question about problems, the GP has had some common faults. If you dont know what to look for in buying a new car take someone how does know, like your dad or uncle or someone, obviously check for marks, scratches, bumps basically the body work condition, then I would check the interior. Check tyres, springs for cracks, the list can go on, but remember your parting with your cash so make sure its right for you. Do you do alot of milage, hence getting a diesel?

punto_matt said:

oh haiiiiiiii

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Thats sounded a little bit camp Matt!

Its my new tactic. Trick em into thinking i bat for the opposite team.

matt is a little bit camp. a lot in fact.

punto_matt said:

Its my new tactic. Trick em into thinking i bat for the opposite team.

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:nutter:

Thanks guys, I feel very welcomed!

Um, I'm still not down with all the forum technical stuff and I'm not sure how I quote things but -
AirCooledBug - Yes it's from Simonstone, I've been perusing their website (and their forecourt every time I go past) for a GP as they seem to be the only decent dealers around here.
And yeah, in September I'll be driving to Bath nearly everyday so possibly getting on for 10,000 a year (I don't know if that's a lot though)

Also the main reason why I have my heart set on a diesel is because I'm learning in a 1.3 diesel Corsa and I think having that power is lovely (and so flipping cheap in a GP!).
However, my mum kindly put me on her insurance for a 0.9 petrol nissan micra - and it's definitely made my mind up about engine size and petrol over diesel.

Em

If i was you i really would not compare a non turbo 0.9 litre car against a 1.3 turbo diesel. I imagine the micra is gutless and the corsa will seem rapid compared to that. The 1.3 in the GP and corsa are the same so it will be an easy change for you if you get that GP

punto_matt said:

The 1.3 in the GP and corsa are the same so it will be an easy change for you if you get that GP

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Ah yeah, I know I shouldn't ever compare but I first drove the Micra straight after a 2 hour lesson in the Corsa... it felt like floating - a very weird sensation.

I need to prove to my Dad that I have to get this car the minute I pass my test (I've actually shocked myself by how much I think about GP's now) so any advice for that part guys?

Em

at first welcome,

i have a 1.3d (90bhp) and to be honest, the driving is good but you cant expect anything from it top speed i did is 90mph, when there is no wind, when theres a lot of wind it has a top of 80mph an a lot of consumption,

i have an average from 6.4 l per 60miles. and from the moment i touch the gas i see it rise to about 20...

its really slow to accelerate aswel.

(my last car was 1.6 ford escort and therefore a fiesta 1.1 (which got faster))
but this car is a real comfort to drive in.

old school said:

i have an average from 6.4 l per 60miles. and from the moment i touch the gas i see it rise to about 20...

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Sorry, having a "girl" moment - what does this mean?!

Em

I think he means in 60miles the car used 6.4 litres of petrol which i think is just under 1.5 gallons which works out that the car used 1 gallon of petrol to every 40 miles give or take a bit.

I am a newbie too (just signed up) and already I am interested in this post as the Mrs has ordered the 1.3 90BHP Diesel due to the cheap road tax and fact it's for just round town

Look forward to chatting more often and swapping posts

Thanks Fiat_-_Bravo - Is this good? I was told that it was
"Fuel Consumption (Urban) 45.6 mpg
Fuel Consumption (ExtraUrban) 80.7 mpg
Fuel Consumption (Combined) 62.8 mpg"


lonepilgrim - I too was pleased to see the road tax was so low - brilliant for a commuting student.. all those pennies adding up:bang:

Em

yeah 40 miles to the gallon is good as long as that driving was what it classed as urban which is based arund driving around a town with frequent stop starts around 30 mph

Cheers FiatBravo, got a bit worried then!

Em