Hi there everyone, nice to meet you all. I have been using this forum for a while and have found it to be a very useful resource, but only realized recently that I had an account which I made years ago (got a birthday message in my email inbox).

I drive a 2007 Grande Punto 1.2 8v (petrol). I personally love this car, actually I have a very soft spot for it because it used to belong to a relative who gave it to me prior to his passing in late 2012, but at that time I was not licensed to drive so I kept it in storage until 2018 when I obtained my license and now it is my first car. I started with 32,800 miles, now I'm just short of 56,000. As a new driver, the first day I drove the car, I took the whole side off it and destroyed the sill (passenger side) trying to get through a narrow gate at night. Fixed it with two used doors and touched up the sill myself (not the most professional job, but would rather use the money for servicing and mechanical repairs than aesthetics if I have to choose between the two). Since then I have had some problems, partly self inflicted (broken spring and drop links due to driving over a harsh speed ramp too fast, probably accelerated by corrosion due to the car being left idle for so long), some minor electrical problems, but otherwise an incredible car considering it was idle in a driveway for the best part of 6 years, and not switched on/turned over for 5 years. One issue was the electric power steering, but I have read that this fault is due to the overuse of the "city" steering mode which puts undue stress on the power steering module (it's actually only meant for parking, according to the user manual, so I can't 100% fault the car for this...).

Today, my GP was given a major/bi-yearly service (spark plugs, etc). Timing belt recently done too. I try to keep it as well maintained as possible. So far, no engine or gearbox problems, clutch is still original and has loads of life left in it, same for the brake pads. After 5 years idle, this machine was found in great condition. I would also add that, despite having only 65bhp, it is a joy to drive, very spacious interior for a car its size, it almost feels like I'm driving a sedan (bit like the Tardis), I really like the clutch action and the brakes are honestly superb in contrast to my mate's Corolla I drove recently which had such brutal break pedal play it was frightening. As for steering, it goes where I put it, and aesthetically I don't think even the most hardcore "fix it again tony" (translation: I've never owned a Fiat before and I make fun of them because I would rather spend 600+ euros than 240 euros replacing the timing belt on my big German car) preacher can fault the way this car looks - Giugiaro did a great job.

Sorry for the long intro, to conclude here is a pic of my GP on a good wax day.

Hi

Hello Lambobosso and a big welcome to the FIAT forums - what a nicely written introduction - absolutely no need to apologise for it being long - there is no such thing as too long!

My first comment will be "That looks to be a very shiny car!" Important to keep them this way although I have found dark colours the hardest to keep clean.

Speed-bumps are a real pain - never chance it with those. I have to drive over a series of them every day at work - the speed restriction in the area is 10mph but I literally crawl over them VERY slowly having had four broken springs from them in the past.

Great that you inherited this car and feel that is an important part of owning it; I like stories like that Long may you continue to own it.

Thank you for your very kind reply, MaxHeadroom I completely agree with you on speed ramps, some of them are very badly constructed and present quite a shock to the car even at low speeds. There are some very smooth ones which can be flown over at as fast as 30km/h (I still prefer to take them a little slower) and then others which demand 1st gear. In my case, it was in the morning and the sun was reflecting off the tarmac which I think caused me to not see the ramp ahead and it was one of the slightly rougher ones. I ended up gong over it at 40-50km/h, a major shock. One of those things you simply cannot blame the car for!

Best car I had for speed ramps was my trusty Citroen 2CV - amazingly, the faster you went over the speed bumps the less you felt them!

That's extraordinary!

To be honest, I'm surprised the Punto didn't sustain more damage. Considering, as I mentioned, the probable corrosion, the fact that only one spring and the drop link(s) failed was excellent. All other suspension components are original even on the Irish "roads", and it has taken other beatings besides just the speed ramp, including two bad curb mountings and many potholes.