Hi guys, this is my first post.

I have a 53 reg 1.2 16V Dynamic Punto. Like many of you, I cannot resist the temptation of the latest Grande Punto. I had a test drive on Saturday on a 1.4 Dynamic. I loved it. I don't know if anyone noticed, the car is more stable around corner i.e., less body roll, inside the cabin is quieter too. I found I had to change from 1st to 2nd gear very soon in order to get more acceleration. I know many of your prefer speed and diesel seem to achieve just that. I on the other hand prefer petrol because of the budget reason. I therefore ordered the 1.4 Dynamic. Petrol consumption seems to be identical with the 1.2, so I thought for an extra 500 pounds is worth going for a high bhp range. I have gone for a jungle grey color because I often drive to South of France where the sun can be strong and so it reflects heat better than the other colours.

I also wanted the SkyDome option which is available as an option on the Fiat main website. To much disappointment, the sale representative had told me that this option is not available yet. They don't know when and perhaps never at all. As I am trading in my 53 reg Punto, if I wait my present punto will value less and so I went ahead with the order of the Punto Grande without skydome. It would have been a perfect car!

To be honest, this car speaks for itself. The sale person didn't have to hard sell, because as soon as I saw it, I know I am going to buy it. This is my 3rd Punto and my 4th Fiat car. Fiat now rocks!

Argh shame...i really want to get one with a SkyDome...looks like i'm going to have to hold off for a bit. SkyDome's are available in Italy, so i hope they continue the option over here... I guess if i can't go for the SkyDome...i'll treat myself to the leather instead!

Anyway, congrat's on the new Punto purchase! Any idea when it'll arrive?

The Fiat main dealer said it will be due in March. No set date! They have already confirmed the exchange price of my present Punto and so the later they exchange the car, the more they will lose out due to the depreciation.

I hope you get the best configuration of your new punto. What's your choice for colour?

god good, the new punto jsut looks :yum:

i take it you dont like speed? most people would get a faster car, but you have gone slower well hardly anyway hope you LOVE it.

Hello uno_94! Of course I would like to have a fast car that goes from 0 to 60 mph in much less than 13 seconds. I would like to have the diesel, but with extra cost, higher insurance, higher fuel and my low annual mileage, I just think that the petrol is more financially sound.

Actually, I am slightly disappointed that there is no longer a 16V petrol engine which would make the car a litter faster.

Cheers!

uno_94 said:

god good, the new punto jsut looks :yum:

i take it you dont like speed? most people would get a faster car, but you have gone slower well hardly anyway hope you LOVE it.

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sassyboy said:

Hello uno_94! Of course I would like to have a fast car that goes from 0 to 60 mph in much less than 13 seconds. I would like to have the diesel, but with extra cost, higher insurance, higher fuel and my low annual mileage, I just think that the petrol is more financially sound.

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What insurance group is the 1.4 dynamic?

could of waited?- more engines come out later this year

I asked this question too until I saw the following thread in this forum.

https://www.fiatforum.com/showthread.php?t=53125

AppleSei said:

What insurance group is the 1.4 dynamic?

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I couldn't because I am exchanging my present 53 reg Punto with the new. I would have waited if the dealer could tell me when the SkyDome option comes available. Of course, they didn't know. So, I admire you guys who can wait!

I am driving it to Nice and back later in May to give the engine a good run. It is going to be thirsty the first 3000 miles from my experience.

uno_94 said:

could of waited?- more engines come out later this year

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sassyboy said:

I asked this question too until I saw the following thread in this forum.

https://www.fiatforum.com/showthread.php?t=53125

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Interesting, i never caught that thread, quite impressive the groups theyre in

Yeah, the insurance group is quite impressive. I think the current version or shall I now refer it the previous version of a 1.2 16V 5dr Dynamic is in group 6. I think the excellent NCAP scores helped lower the group number.

group 6 is quite high.

I think the 1.3MJTD in the grande is about group 4-6 and thats way better and more economical than the petrols (the 1.2 is a waste of space in the grande as it weighs about half as much again as the mk1!!!)

What is a skydome?? IS that the louvred folding glass roof job? Like you get on stilos and pandas? If it is then you HAVE to wait as on the stilos they are really quite nice, might leak water in several years time but then most sunroofs do anyway!

I'd wait for the skydome too. You'll regret not waiting that little bit longer for a really top-notch option.

Likewise, I would wait for the 1.4 16v engine if the diesels aren't your thing. From the figures, the 1.4 8v is a bit of a slug to be honest; I drove the 1.3 (75bhp) m-jet and thought it was brilliant but was dissapointed to note you can't have the car with Dynamic specification or optional Air Conditioning.

Yeah...luckily i'm not in the position to buy the new Punto for a couple of months so hopefully the SkyDome option will be available then.

Regarding engines...i would have liked a 1.3 90bhp MJet Active Sport - but they don't do it - plus there's no SkyDome option on the Active Sport either. I also want the side skirts and sporty touches and it in red so i HAVE to go for the Sporting. Don't mind though...i'm happy with the extra power!

nice choice!

for everyone else that can wait... in italy the 1.4 16v 90something bhp is coming out next month...! think about it!

I think i'd still prefer the 90bhp diesel...let alone the 130bhp Sporting!

I don't want to make you guys feel bad, .......but just 2 weeks ago I ordered my Grande Punto 1.4 16v on black colour with Skydome and Leather interior....:slayer:

I really look forward to delivery date.....:devil:

From what i read inside the Forum, many of you especially in uk have big delays in deliveries, etc......which i don't understand. Why this happens?
Here in Greece, the cars are delivered within 6-7 weeks maximum after the day that they are ordered in the dealer.

Sporty said:

From what i read inside the Forum, many of you especially in uk have big delays in deliveries, etc......which i don't understand. Why this happens?

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Fiat UK are sh*t

Simple as.

maybe due to the steering wheel being on the 'correct' side here.
may be they get less runs for right hand drive cars

custard boy said:

maybe due to the steering wheel being on the 'correct' side here.
may be they get less runs for right hand drive cars

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Listen to the man, he makes alot of sense...

UK and South Africa are the only RHD markets till they relaunch Fiat in Aus and NZ