Hi all. I'm a Fiat fan. My old 02 punto with 150K is rusting out and is getting very tired. don't think she'll go another mot. Was looking on eBay and found a Grande punto 1.4 54K 12 months mot for £1400 near me...I'm tempted...but..I know nothing about these "new" Fiat s. It's a 1.4 8v . Is this basically an over sized FIRE type engine? Are the new punto s prone to rust? Are they based on a Vauxhall or are they a real fiat? I'm sorry if the questions are dumb but when I buy a car I keep it until it's dead as I hate getting a new one. Had my cinqucento 7 years! Bought my current punto as scrap or spares repair too. I love my old punto but she's getting very tired and I've put over 80K on her. I do all my own work and repairs. Thanks all any advice welcome

Im now on the fourth punto in my family..the last Grande Punto is my daughters but I do the neccesary work.

There now appearing in my local breakers and I have only had to sort the usual things out for MOT's like consumables.

Personally Im a fan of service history and there's plenty about so I would be looking for a low miles etc car.

Where are you based?..

You should see a family resemblance to your old Punto.

At the top of the GP forum there's a faults section. Make sure the electrics are all OK including power steering, the steering wheel controls, the interior light when you open the doors and the electric windows ( the wires from the body to doors and hatch fail eventually). Check the heater fan on all settings (resistors and wiring).

My 06 1.2 Active has been a great little car. Not had to do much to it. Had some new front springs and strut bearings and an exhaust a couple of years ago.

Also check the Cam belt has been done (not an easy DIY).


The basic GP is the same underneath as the Corsa D though the GP came first: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Fiat_Small_platform