Tipo New member

Currently reading:
Tipo New member

Ian Stobbs

Member
Joined
Mar 23, 2019
Messages
37
Points
64
Hi. Decided to join forum to keep up with the latest fiat info. I 've had Fiats since 2002 ,52 punto, 05 punto , 08 grande punto, 61 punto my life , 64 punto 1:4 gbt , 16 500x , and now a 68 tipo lounge. All new and no problems with any. I live in North East England and have noticed there are less dealerships now than when I got my first punto. Hope this is not a sign of things to come.
 
That's an impressive list of Fiats, especially all those Punto's! I had a 1996 (Mk1) and 2000 (Mk2) Punto, but then moved onto the Stilo and Alfa's before coming back to Fiat with the Tipo, though only the Tipo has been brand new.

Quite a few dealerships have closed down in the last few years. I believe it's effecting some other brands too, but i've definitely noticed it with Fiat. I can think of 9 or 10 Fiat dealers that've gone in recent years, many over the past 2 years.

The closures in the north east I thought were a few years back, but I'm thinking of Wentane Stockton and Benfield Newcastle, not sure if there are others?

I think there'll probably be more though - the Fiat network grew when the 500 launched, but Fiat's sales have declined quite a lot in the past couple of years - 500 & Panda are old now, the 500L & X models don't sell in great numbers and the Punto has been discontinued. It wouldn't suprise me if the Tipo was one of the biggest selling Fiat's in the UK, behind the 500 and perhaps Panda, but with the sales numbers involved I can't see many companies crying out to be given a Fiat franchise.
 
In my area we are down to only one dealership with an outlet in Newcastle and in Sunderland, if you want a Fiat you are unable to compare deals.
Had tlpo for 4 months and its "ok". The brochure states it should have disc brakes all round and have a lumber support on driver seat, drum brakes on back and no lumber support. Find it a bit noisey but it is good to drive. Mileage ok but not great. For price its good value for money and compares favourabily with friends Focus. Overall a good car .. but will keep options open !!
 
My t-jet Lounge sw has 4 disc brakes and electrically adjustable lumber supports on the drivers side so I'm guessing it's model specific.
 
FIAT dealerships have almost disappeared in Ireland also. A terrible pity in my opinion. My first venture into the marque was a 1990 citivan, then a secondhand 1984 Ritmo. Onwards to a 1.7ltr diesel Uno from 1990. After that had a couple of Puntos, went away to the Citroen C3 for a couple of years before returning to a Punto followed by two Bravo's and my current Tipo. Very happy with most of the FIAT cars I had, and delighted with the service from my local dealer. Cannot understand why there are not more FIAT cars on the road. My current Tipo is a comfortable 5 person car with ample boot space, and fantastic economy at more than 70mpg on the last fill. ( Check me out on fuelly.com) and all for less than twenty grand -euro-
 
My tipo is a 68 1.4 (95hp) lounge with all the bells and whistles that should be there EXCEPT the lumber support and discs all round. I thought all lounge models would have the same level of trim......
The only local Fiat dealership seems to be concentrating on the Jeep brand to the detriment of Fiat. Plenty Jeep models on display but just one 500,one 500x,and one 124 spyder.No Tipos.
 
My tipo is a 68 1.4 (95hp) lounge with all the bells and whistles that should be there EXCEPT the lumber support and discs all round. I thought all lounge models would have the same level of trim......
The only local Fiat dealership seems to be concentrating on the Jeep brand to the detriment of Fiat. Plenty Jeep models on display but just one 500,one 500x,and one 124 spyder.No Tipos.

Fiat them self's do not seem to care for the Tipo
I've never seen an advert for one nor seen our sat around in a fiat dealership
Bet most people have not even heard of a fiat tipo
 
Last edited:
To be fair, there are Tipo adverts on the internet, but you do feel that FIAT UK are not that interested.

A bit like me, I like my Tipo, but I don't love it, its a decent car.

The last six cars have been Alfa 147, 500 Twinair, four Abarths and now the Tipo, I loved the Alfa and the Abarths, we only had the 500TA for six months before it was written off and the Tipo does lack a little soul.

But its a decent car, that no one has heard of and once they're in it they like it. But FIAT need to push the advertising, I think they're more likely to kill it off in favour of the 500X.

The whole industry needs to understand that not everyone wants a SUV, so its time they worked on a newer Tipo
 
Hello everyone.

I am also in the North East. I am back again after a long absence from the forum. I have had as my previous cars a 176 Punto, a 188 Punto, a 198 Bravo, my partner has a 14 plate 500 (312 i think..) a 199 Punto and now a 356 Tipo Lounge sw. I have came back to Fiat after having an Alfa in between. I have had a couple of cars that were none fiat but since my first year of driving have always had access to one. Love the new tipo, so underrated!
 
Back
Top