Hi there people!

completely new here and also completely new with driving!! Now I have a real dilemma on my hands and I was thinking you guys can help me out here.... :idea::idea::idea::idea:

Due to high insurance quotes, my wife bought me a blue metallic 5 door Fiat Punto 2002 mk2 1.2 8v active with just under 89k mileage.... Its got a lot of dents on the body and all for £500... Since driving it, I have started to like it.. more and more... (not in a erotic manner I like to add!!) Unfortunately the cat converter is playing up (as it has started to show up in the EMS light), but my local mechanic has turned the light off (for now)

Now here is the deal:

Is it worth me spending money on it to fix up the car? And when I mean fixing up, I mean getting a new cat converter, get new doors, do the suspension, accessorise externally....

Or shall I just drive it untill my insurance is up and get a new car?

One side of my mind goes: Sharky do not fix it cause its done 89k and the other side of my mind goes like: Sharky fix it, you like it....:tempt:

SO FIAT FORUMITES AS A FELLOW FIAT OWNER I AM HEREBY ASKING FOR YOUR HELP PLEASE!!!!

much appreciated

if you like it why not fix it?
my car has now 170.000 km and i dont have any problem...

If it was me I would get a quote for repairing the exhaust. Then get a quote for dent removal and a general detail. Then take it from there.

Driving in a good condition standard car is far more fun than driving a standard sardine can and cleaning/repairing the car won't increase your insurance costs.

Depends whether you value driving a car in good condition or not. I personally do, some people don't really care, make up your own mind when you've got some quotes!

Welcome to the forum!

Trust me i am starting to like it and i am considering it to fix it!!!!

Firstly thank you for welcoming me and yes i also am one of thise whose safety comes first.... I think i am going to fix the car as i want to keep it and dont really want to loook around for a new car new quote etc etc.... It has grown on me so gonna do the inside first then do the doors and we ahall see where it ends after that!

Good for you. See how you go with it, they are very likeable cars.
I did regret selling my Mk2b in someways, it was an awesome car with go-kart handling.

sharky van damsco said:

Firstly thank you for welcoming me and yes i also am one of thise whose safety comes first.... I think i am going to fix the car as i want to keep it and dont really want to loook around for a new car new quote etc etc.... It has grown on me so gonna do the inside first then do the doors and we ahall see where it ends after that!

Click to expand...

Good for you!

I only bought my Punto a couple of months ago -- dirt cheap: as I knew that stuff needed doing to it... -- initially as a stopgap, until our Panda arrives. It hadn't even been anywhere near the top of the list of the cars I test-drove, either.... :nono:

However, once I stopped pressing the accelerator, thinking it was the brake, and realized (a) how much fun it was to drive on our local country roads (as well as the motorway journey home from picking it up...); and (b) that it was extremely economical on fuel... I decided to invest a few quid in it: getting it fully serviced (including changing the timing belt and water pump; new front brake discs and pads; gearbox filter and oil; etc.); and sorting out things like new mats; owner's handbook; mudflaps; replacing the missing bits in the toolkit; upgrading to alloys; giving it a damn' good clean and polish; resolving an earthing fault (with the help of the forum, of course...!) -- you get the idea...!

It's the first car in ages that I've owned as much for the pleasure of driving as for utility; and I'm now extremely proud of Priscilla...!

I think its quirks and foibles -- as well as its typical FIAT/Italian car characteristics -- also make the Punto quite an 'addictive' car (not helped at all by the fact that this forum is also a lot of fun; and filled with a lot of friendly, helpful and extremely knowledgeable people...)! :worship:

I therefore think, personally, that you've made the right decision; and I hope your investment in the car gives you many years of motoring pleasure! Let us know how you get on, please...!

your definitely right there Homeward!! It is actually kinda addictive to drive..... I shall be putting up some pics to show start to finish in thew upcoming months.... And I will definitely let you know how it gets on.... i am going to have to brace now the force of the garages!!! wish me luck!!

Check the chassis first before pouring money into it

If the floor is rusty - and poke holes easily rusty - then run it ragged till MOT and scrap it

Horrible to say but there we go

I kept pouring money and more money into my beloved and departed Percy punto, but the chassis was rotten on the rear, and what i put in was a complete waste really

So Yes - If the car is STRUCTURALLY SOUND, then put the money in
if its going rusty that a quick clean and paint cant sort, then there is plenty more fish in the sea

Ziggy

That is great help Ziggy!! Even though my MOT is still valid till October, I am going to do it next week.... Just to check how sound the structure is really and also find out if anything needs replacing..... If that is the case then I will make an inventary of stuff that I need to get.... So far found a second hand cat converter for 30 quid! But I will defo look if the chassis is rusty or not and need to wait for the outcome of the MOT!!