What is it like these days. I don't want / mean to bash Fiat. I am considering replacing my Mazda 3 with a GP or a Panda.

easiest to look over the respective sections and see the posts made

How about a nice RX-8

mate got RX-8 , always breaking down (2 years old) and there was a member here that told me some shocking stories about mazda dealerships

End of the day markn, test drive the car you are looking at, dont just buy it but drive it at least 30mins. Mazda build quiality is better in most respects but what about the fun in driving and being part of the best forum on the net

My mates one as been going good he did let me drive it but then i do all the repairs and servicing for him, i did like the FTO he had more no

Fiat seem to think they have got the Grande Punto quality up to scratch - new ones come with a 5 year warranty. From my own experiences with my own car the build quality has much improved although there are still niggling faults.

your get niggling faults with all make of car new or old

They've definitely improved a lot. I bought a new Uno 60DS in 1989 and it was
great, never let me down and only had one rattle in the 5 years and 180,000 miles I had it. It was clipped on the front wing when it was about 9 months old and for various reasons was never repaired. Apart from a little surface rust
which was about the size of 5 pence piece it never got any worse. My Panda MJ is 4 years old in March and apart from front pads that wore out in 23,000 miles has never put a foot wrong. The wife's Stilo 3 door is also 4 years old in March and has been faultless. They don't feel quite so well put together as some cars but so far I can't fault them.