After many requests for pictures of my new pride and joy, here they are.







I have to say that all round I am very pleased with the car, everything (so far) seems pretty spot on. Very recommended for a new car.

Theres just one more thing needed to be done on it, which is colour coding the rear parking sensors to match the car. I recommend the parking sensors, just as an aid when parking. I have to admit, the first few times it can be hard to 'trust' them when parking in a spot, but over a short period of time I will soon get used to them.

I havn't used the Blue&Me yet - simply down to not having a bluetooth mobile phone.

The drive is very nice, the steering is pretty spot on for negociating around town, a car park or just for general motorway driving.

Boot size is enough for me, although one of my female friends recons she will never get all her shopping in. But I doubt she would get all her shopping into a Transit van so thats neither here nor there.

Interior room is good, there is plenty of room upfront for the driver and first passenger. And the back seats seem to be enough for a couple of 'little ones'.

Altogether its a very good car. I've had nothing but good comments from family and friends so I can't complain.

hiya mate, looks lovely. i have ordered a black 1.9 sporting, i can't wait to get it, my megane 225 is toooo expensive at the mo unfortunately.

i found when looking around the car that when i had the seat in position, there is more rear legroom than in my meg, which is ace!!! the boot should be ample for my needs i'm hoping although it is obviously smaller than what i have now.

not sure if i will use the blue & me either, but at least it's their to keep you safe and legal when needing to use the phone in the car!!

one criticism i do have of the car is the steering, which you say is good, so maybe i will get used to it. the steering wheel is more comfy than the megs, but the steering is very electronic, with no weight to it at all... can be very misleading when cornering, but i'm sure i'll get used to it.

great review, lovely motor!!

cheers, david.

minnnt said:

one criticism i do have of the car is the steering, which you say is good, so maybe i will get used to it. the steering wheel is more comfy than the megs, but the steering is very electronic, with no weight to it at all... can be very misleading when cornering, but i'm sure i'll get used to it.

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Personally, I find this very good. From driving a MK1 Punto for nearly 2 years with the lack of power steering etc I find the new Punto extreamly good for steering. Especially so when negotiating car parks or tight spots in town centre's.

Each to their own though. Thank you for the posative comments.

Andy - your car is ACE mate, same model as mine except I have it in Exotica Red.
If I was going to reccomend something, get your windows tinted, really finishes the car off well. When I get a chance on Saturday i'll take some pics of mine for you to see what it looks like "all blacked out".

Minnnt - You sure you weren't driving it in city mode? Makes the steering very light, and unlike what i was told it doesn't turn off at speeds over 30mph, it keeps going.

Tom

erm, not sure... i didn't press anything when i got in it, so unless it was already on when i got in, then no it wasn't... worth mentioning though.

Or the idiot of a salesman pushes the button when going round a roundabout! Ther would be a sign on the dash if its on.

venomco said:

Andy - your car is ACE mate, same model as mine except I have it in Exotica Red.
If I was going to reccomend something, get your windows tinted, really finishes the car off well. When I get a chance on Saturday i'll take some pics of mine for you to see what it looks like "all blacked out".

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Firstly, thank you. Secondly, I actually like the fact people can see me in it, makes me feel proud to have the car and to know some of them are thinking "I'd like that car." But thats just the side of me that likes to pose and show off

I'll certainly have a look at the pictures and contemplate it though.

P.S. For a larger version of the first picture of my car, click here.

Heya, no worries.

Its only the back windows i've had done, i know where you coming from with the showing off tactic.

Tell ya what didnt see it was a petrol lol, just noticed from the wheels, not the same model after all, same spec tho - Sporting Rules.

Tom

Very, very nice - a good choice - bet it's a different world to the old Punto eh?!
Look after it and have fun.

Nice car Andy. Do you have any interior shots?

Troy.

Glad there are people out there enjoying their GP

definately the best colour for the gp nice one.

Well, almost one week on and the GP is still running well. It seems to have 'loosened' up abit now with almost 400miles on the clock, so its running really well.

I've had the usual looks when driving a bright orange car - mostly those of jealousy. Fortunatly, no little scrouts have run a key along the side yet, although I have noticed a tiny dint on the left hand side near the rear wheel. Most probably from a stone or something along those lines - luckily, it is not noticable unless closely inspected.

It had its first clean today, and it brings the colour up lovely I must say. I've had good comments from the neighbours, one today being:

"I see you've a new car - Could you not have picked a brighter colour?"

I've still yet to have the rear sensors colourcoded but thats neither here nor there at the moment, they still serve there purpose.

The cars quite nippy too, travelled into Stockport to visit family the other day and reached 100 quite quickly on the motorway (but you didn't hear me say that ).

One of the things im most impressed with is how safe and secure I feel inside the car when travelling. Comparing it to the MK1 Punto I previous owned it is astonishing. I find motorway driving much easier, mainly because when im changing lanes or overtaking I know that as soon as I put my foot down there is power there and I can easily match the speed in the next lane. Where as compared to the MK1 it did not seem as 'safe' to travel at such speeds along the motorway.

I've still yet to completely master parking the thing. As im used to the lack of power steering in the MK1, I find that I am over steering when pulling up/reversing into a space. Although, no doubt I will get used to this. One gadget which is really handy is the 'CITY' mode on the car, it makes reverse parking seem a great deal easier.

I can still report that i've yet to see another GP in Caribbean orange which im pleased with. The closest match was passing a Focus ST in their shade of orange. One of my friends, who I mentioned about shopping earlier, owns a yellow MG ZR. I am around there most days, I normally nip in for a coffee/tea, and I have to say that the two cars parked side by side look stunning in her street. It would make a great photo oportunity.

I purchased a 'TomTom' GPS thing-ma-bob the other day too. Cracking little invention, although it has mis-directed me twice already. Once into a farmers field instead of Lyme Park and the next into a housing estate. But other than that its quite good, alerts me to speed cameras which is another bonus. A worth while investement for anyone who does travelling to new places, or even for those who like driving alot.

So, all in all i've yet to have any faults with the car. I've yet to have any leaks of any form, strange noises, lack of a horn, squeeling brakes and I have yet to be locked inside the car. Although, I have experience the problem with the key fob - I have popped the boot a couple of times whilst turning the ignition. But i've got used to this now and it no longer is a problem.

I also received the DVLA Registered Keeper forms through the post today, and its nice to see my name on it with it saying 'previous owners - 0'. Just another little thing which makes it all worth while.

snap!

mines a 56 plate too

i've had loads of comments about the colour too. even a police officer said "i hope you didnt pay extra for that colour". cheeky bugger.

yeh it does reach a ton quite easily, but best to do it in 5th.

i drove a saxo before. as far as feeling safe goes, its entirely different in the GP.

an interior shot for those interested...

AndyWigan said:

"I see you've a new car - Could you not have picked a brighter colour?"

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grandemike said:

"i hope you didnt pay extra for that colour".

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Have you had 'Why are you driving in an orange?' yet? Never mind me - I'm just jealous

grandemike said:

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Don't forget the clutch when you start the car up - you've left it in first

AndyWigan said:

Don't forget the clutch when you start the car up - you've left it in first

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force of habbit from leaving my old saxo parked on a slope every day.

Well, thank you for the comments guys (and girls).

Again, its been about two weeks now and the cars still running very well. Just two problems so far, one only cosmetic in that, what can only be described as, the plastic shell to cover the metal next to the accelerator pedal has come loose. Thats just a simple screw which has come loose though.

The second, is i've noticed a couple of times a grinding noise when steering. Mainly when parking/reverse parking. It doesn't happen all the time, but still something which needs to be looked at by the guys at the garage.

I've yet to have the rear sensors colour coded. But to be honest, I quite like them in black

I've given the car its first proper clean since i've had it. Scrubs up nice now.

AndyWigan said:

The second, is i've noticed a couple of times a grinding noise when steering. Mainly when parking/reverse parking. It doesn't happen all the time, but still something which needs to be looked at by the guys at the garage.

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Does it sound like its in enormous pain? (https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/88403-reverse-grind.html)

do u have 17 inch alloys on there mate?