Hey everyone, im new to the forum so any replies would be appreciated...

Went into my local dealership last Tuesday and ordered up my brand new Grande Punto for March 1st.

Luckily ive managed to get my hands on a brand new model that is being released as of March 1st, the Dynamic Sport!

For your information this is the basic Dynamic model with standard Dynamic spec (Air Con, 1.4 8v Engine etc.) but it also includes the following extras as standard now:

• 16" alloy wheels with sports suspension
• Foglights
• MP3 player
• Rear spoiler and sideskirts
• Blue & Me
• Unique grey sports interior

Ordered the above model in crossover black so am eagerly awaiting the arrival of my new car now !!

.....anyway, main reason ive come on the forum is because after browsing many threads ive seen both bad things and good things said about the new grande punto's.

Now, im not naive and from my experience of cars, all makes and models have there plus points and negative points.

Main question i want answering really though is do the pro's of the grande punto outweigh the con's and is there anything i should watch out for or add to my order before the car begins to be built in February?

I look forward to hearing from you all!!

Chris

Cancel the order and change it to a G. Punto 1.4 16 valve Sporting.....
the 1.4 8 valve engine is lifeless and basically crap.
Beg, borrow or steal the extra £1200 for the Sporting....it's a completely different and better car.
Go to Fiatsupasaver.com for an idea on price.....think it's £9100 on the road.
I'm deadly serious here.....

Does that model extend to the Multijet engine too??

What was the list price you were quoted for it?

Agree with Superboy, unless you can get it for less than £9,100, go for the Sporting if you are going to choose a hot looking petrol.

I have had the 1.4 8v for 8mths and am looking to get one of the faster models already. Is def worth the extra forking out a bit more to start off with to get the better engines.

would have to agree the 16v version is so much better than the 8v if performance is what you are after if you aint that bothered then save yourself the £1200

The list price for the Dynamic Sport 1.4 8v is £9795

They are also doing:

• Dynamic Sport 1.4 8v (5 door) - £10395
• Dynamic Sport 1.4 16v (3 door) - £10495
• Dynamic Sport 1.4 16v (5 door) - £11095
  
• Sport 1.9 MJ (3 door) - £12495

would it honestly be worth me paying the extra £700 to have the Dynamic Sport in a 16v version rather than the 8?

oh and just another footnote....

the 16v engine used in the Dynamic Sport is the exact engine that is used in the Sporting!

If the 16v engine was out when i got ordered my 8v Active Sport i would def have paid the extra for the 16v engine

I guess it just depends what you want it for. If you just pootle round town the 8v is probably more suited to you, but if you like to charge along a tasty 'B' road then the 8v does get a bit tiring with all the gear changes to keep the engine spinning and the speed up so the 16v is the on to go for

I would go Sporting and get better wheels and probably tires too.

'aye the 8v is a large metal block that doesnt do much in a GP. drinks petrol like no ones business. since i got my active sport back in march ive almost done 18k - wish id got a diesel 75 or 90bhp for the mileage!

jdr.

chriskeegan said:

The list price for the Dynamic Sport 1.4 8v is £9795

They are also doing:

• Dynamic Sport 1.4 8v (5 door) - £10395
• Dynamic Sport 1.4 16v (3 door) - £10495
• Dynamic Sport 1.4 16v (5 door) - £11095
  
• Sport 1.9 MJ (3 door) - £12495

would it honestly be worth me paying the extra £700 to have the Dynamic Sport in a 16v version rather than the 8?

Click to expand...

Dear Chris
Please try and help us by being clearer.....notably - How much are you paying for the Dynamic Sport that you've ordered??
Then compare it to the cost of a 1.4 Sporting.
You've heard the comments - you're a big boy, it's not rocket science - now it's upto you.

Bite the bullet and buy a 1.9 sporting. Ya know ya wanna

I have the 1.4 16v Sporting and I could not imagine having an engine even 1 hp less than what I have,.....I can imagine how the 1.4 8v will go,......you MUST pay the extra money for the 1.4 16v,.....

Apart from that, the pros of the car are much more than the cons,.....

Quickly to mention that the following which I consider as good points:

- Impressive design (everyone looking at it)
- Good size, internal space, etc (In forward seat you think you are inside a
much larger car)
- Very good handling and very comfy ride
- Good relation between price and what you get
- Excellent brakes
- Very solid built of the interior (no comparison to previous puntos, good
compared to other makers)
- 1.4 16v & (especially) 1.9 MJT are good engines with good fuel consumption
- Skydome is super..!
- Leather interior very nice
- Blue & Me a big help....
- etc,..etc,...etc....

From my experience some disadvantages may be considered the foll:

- small details in the inside (mainly) may be found perfect
- feeling of the electrohydraulic steering wheel not 100% good,....could be a bit better..
- .......what else,......mmmmmmmm

Some defects like the steering rack defect (this does not exist any more - it was on the first cars that came out from the factory), rear brake pads noise (can be solved), window problems, or other electric defects are not a rule in every car (mine and many friend's of mine have no such problems), .....etc ,...are not common problems and can happen in every car.
-

Hi,

On here you are really going to be struggling to get a concrete answer to your question. As already mentioned it is all down to personal choice. I myself am lucky enough to own a 1.9 Sporting and could not imagine driving anything less. You have to remember the GP is a very heavy car and, in my opinion, the 8v is a real struggle if you enjoy driving "enthusiastically". As much as the 8v will have the bottom end pull it will only really be good for around town driving, if you do any amount of motorway miles the 16v is the only choice. When you think that on fiatsupasaver.com you can get the 1.4 16v Sporting for £9100 and list price on the 8v is £9495 its a bit of a no brainer to me.

Final thing to remember whatever your choice may be (which im sure you will be happy with regardless) is that once you have bought a car its a lot more expensive to regret it and then look at changing in a years time.

Good luck.

Rich

Hi guys, cheers for the feedback!!

Went down the dealer first thing this morning and have now got a nice shiny crossover black 1.4 16v Sporting on order ready to pick up on the 1st March on an 07 plate!!

Looking even more forward to it now!!!

Chris

congrats! i have the 1.4 16v in an eleganza and am enjoying it - especially now it's done 4,000+ miles - it really loosened up around 3,000.

i've not driven the 8v, but for me, the 95bhp can sometimes feel too little, so you've made a wise investment - it also sounds great.

chriskeegan said:

Hi guys, cheers for the feedback!!

Went down the dealer first thing this morning and have now got a nice shiny crossover black 1.4 16v Sporting on order ready to pick up on the 1st March on an 07 plate!!

Looking even more forward to it now!!!

Chris

Click to expand...

Thank God......Yippie! I am so pleased that you listened to our advice man.
I think you're very wise......we do know what we're talking about ya know!

Did you get it down to £9100 and did you order any options?

No unfortunately i ordered and paid for it at my local Fiat dealer so paid book price for it!! As long as im happy with the car though im not worried about the extra ive paid for it! I know i should really have ordered it off the supa saver website but id already placed my ordered when i saw this post.

And as for options ive gone for the standard model with nothing added.

Chris

Good man the 8v is very very weedy and has a drink problem Im glad someone else didn't fall for buying it. It the 1.4 8v and 1.2 they need to be ditching not the 90bhp 1.3 Diesel!.