Hi all,

Just ordered the 1.9 Sporting, in red. They have just been released here in Australia and have been recieved very well. Tough market to crack here, every second car is a Ford Focus, VW Golf or a Mazda 3. Diesel cars are not common here, the Golf and Citroen are the only ones and they arent that popular (in diesel), but with the price of fuel set to jump again, I think that will change very soon. FIAT has had a hiatus here for a few years and this is the first foray back into the Aussie market. They still carry some baggage in regards to reliabilty but hope that will be turned around with the GP.

I test drove the Sporting 2 weeks ago (was the orange) and just loved the way it drove, loved everything about it. Saw the red a few days later and knew that was the one, those 17 inch alloys look stunning. There are none in red in the country at the moment and the dealer has said late August for delivery (apparently it is on a boat).

I have a question if anyone can help. Do you recommend having the car treated with the outside protection material? It has a lifetime warranty and apparently keeps the car shiny (they say not to use wax to wash it), also helps protect against stone chips and UV. It is an extra $700?

Cheers!

It is good to Fiat back in the Australian market, it has been too long (17 years!).

I have been umming and arrghing about whether to buy the Punto Sporting. I have driven a couple (orange press car, and black dealer demonstrator) and I have been suitably impressed, nice handling. Steering feels a bit light, but you could get used to that.

Did the dealer you spoke to give any indication as the availability of the Sporting in other colours? I'm not the sort of person that is willing to sign up for a car and wait months for it (I'm impatient about these sorts of things ). If a particular colour is only going to be available in August, then I'll wait and sign up for one then.

As the paint protection, I don't think it is worth the money personally. It would be significantly cheaper to give the car a coat of wax periodically yourself.

Hey Troy,

Thanks for the advice re the paint protection, yeah I thought it was a little exy, but then again if it keeps it shiny maybe its worth it, I will think about it, dont need to let them know until it arrives here.

Yes they were happy to sell me a black GP sporting then and there (would have been ready in 4 days, it was in the showroom), as to other colours I am not sure, but for me it had to be the red . What colours appeal to you?


Cheers

Matt

mpr104 said:

Yes they were happy to sell me a black GP sporting then and there (would have been ready in 4 days, it was in the showroom), as to other colours I am not sure, but for me it had to be the red . What colours appeal to you?

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I prefer not have pay extra for paint, and since metallic is free, I would be leaning towards Chemical Grey. However, I tend to be flexible when it comes to colour so I would also go for Carribean Orange. I wouldn't touch the black or the blue though. Black is terrible for showing up dirt and fine scratches.

Troy.

TroyO said:

I prefer not have pay extra for paint, and since metallic is free, I would be leaning towards Chemical Grey. However, I tend to be flexible when it comes to colour so I would also go for Carribean Orange. I wouldn't touch the black or the blue though. Black is terrible for showing up dirt and fine scratches.

Troy.

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I had heard this and was definitely a factor in steering me away from the black, although when on the showroom floor it looks awesome. I like the blue, but think it will be one of the more popular colours. You like the orange? It is so bold, not sure if I could be that game
Yes the metallic is free, but the pearl (which is the red and orange) is an extra $600 I think.

mpr104 said:

I had heard this and was definitely a factor in steering me away from the black, although when on the showroom floor it looks awesome. I like the blue, but think it will be one of the more popular colours. You like the orange? It is so bold, not sure if I could be that game
Yes the metallic is free, but the pearl (which is the red and orange) is an extra $600 I think.

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$750 is price quoted by Fiat. Blue I am not so sure about. I would have to see it in the flesh, blue can look or bad, depends on what shade it is.

The only thing I don't like about the Sporting is that it doesn't have a spare tire. That's a no no to me. They would have to supply a spare tire (full sized steel or alloy, no cookie cutter space saver) and a jack. The fix'n'go kit is not much good if the tire gets side wall damage, or if you are a 200 kms away from the City.

Troy.

TroyO said:

$750 is price quoted by Fiat.

Troy.

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Yes you are correct, $750 it is, I just re-checked my details.

I agree with the need for a full size spare, I guess having the 17inch wheels and with space being a premium in the smaller cars they could not fit it in without sacrificing boot capacity. How long are the fix'n'go kits good for? You essentially have to drive it straight to a repair shop.

Matt

mpr104 said:

Yes you are correct, $750 it is, I just re-checked my details.

I agree with the need for a full size spare, I guess having the 17inch wheels and with space being a premium in the smaller cars they could not fit it in without sacrificing boot capacity. How long are the fix'n'go kits good for? You essentially have to drive it straight to a repair shop.

Matt

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50km's is the maximum recommended range I think.

Troy.

TroyO said:

50km's is the maximum recommended range I think.

Troy.

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As you pointed out earlier, that will be a problem if you are away from the city

You get the sporting extras (inc. those great looking wheels) but compromise in other areas.

So do you think you will buy one Troy?

Matt

mpr104 said:

So do you think you will buy one Troy?

Matt

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Hmmmm, I am still undecided at this point. It's possible.

Troy.

id gladly trade you my spare for the fix n go kit lol

i got the active sport in new orleans blue and it looks really nice in the flesh i would of prefered the carribean orange but its sporting only.

i wouldnt touch the gray as it looses all the gPs curves ive seen a few and they look really bad!

any way good choice of car and the red is really nice have alook at chrisUK's he's got the red with the sky dome on

OxO said:

i wouldnt touch the gray as it looses all the gPs curves ive seen a few and they look really bad!

any way good choice of car and the red is really nice have alook at chrisUK's he's got the red with the sky dome on

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I have started having doubts about the grey was well. I really prefer Silver, or white (boring colours I know), but you can't get the Sporting in either or those colours it seems.

I just remembered I had pics of a Blue Sporting. Doesn't actually too bad in that colour.

Troy.

white is a nice colour ive always liked white cars, and i think the colours coming in for show cars are more pastel again so white and pastel colours are the new black

i think you can get the sporting in white as it is available for the 1.2 actives! not sure tho tbh better off asking fiat!

OxO said:

id gladly trade you my spare for the fix n go kit lol

i got the active sport in new orleans blue and it looks really nice in the flesh i would of prefered the carribean orange but its sporting only.

any way good choice of car and the red is really nice have alook at chrisUK's he's got the red with the sky dome on

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Thanks OxO , one of the trade-offs for the bigger wheels, but yes I prefer the 17inch wheels to having a full spare!

I like the blue too, looks great, but just couldnt go past red....although havent seen the sporting in red (pics only), but did see the 5 door 1.3 and dealer said the colour was the same.

chrisUK's car is great, makes me want my car now!! I didnt opt for the sky dome (although my wife put plenty of pressure on me!!), it is an extra $2000...

can your dealer not pull them from over the water?
we have loads of blue and red left here, but the way that they are sleling it wont be for long.
and is metallic paint free there?! it is $500 here!
silver is available on the Sporting, dont let the dealers tell you otherwise!

fiatdownunder said:

can your dealer not pull them from over the water?
we have loads of blue and red left here, but the way that they are sleling it wont be for long.
and is metallic paint free there?! it is $500 here!

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Well the car is apparently on the boat as we speak from Italy, there were no Sportings available in red.

So they are popular in NZ, have you purchased one fiatdownunder?

On the Sporting metallic paint is included in the price but the pearl paint (red and orange) is an extra $750.

Matt

fiatdownunder said:

can your dealer not pull them from over the water?
we have loads of blue and red left here, but the way that they are sleling it wont be for long.
and is metallic paint free there?! it is $500 here!
silver is available on the Sporting, dont let the dealers tell you otherwise!

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Yes, metallic is free on the Sporting, but cost extra on the Emotion and Dynamic. Pastel colours cost extra on all models.

When you say silver, are referring to Chemical Grey or a lighter colour like the Jungle Grey that the others are available in? The Car configurator on the Australian Fiat website indicates that the Sporting can only be had in chemical grey.

Troy.