General Test Drive + 8v vs 16v

[kingchris]

Hi,

Test driving the Evo tomorrow, but they only have the 1.4 8v but they claim its only a tiny bit less powerfull.

Is this dealership talk to get me in there? Or is the difference not that great.

The cheaper engine would mean I could get a sunroof and some other stuff compared to the multiair.

Thanks

 

[Eklipze3k]

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/summary.aspx?model=1849

There's a difference of almost 30bhp and an increase in top speed of 12 mph on the MultiAir, emissions are about the same but the insurance groups are quite different. In terms of driving feel I can't see there being that much difference in the short space of a test drive though, so if you drive an 8v but want an MA (assuming you're buying new) there won't be a problem with that.

 

[kingchris]

Test drove the Evo, they had an active with no aircon as a demo (was hot that day)

It is a big improvement over my 2002 Punto I used to own.

I really like the interior in red on the GP model.

The demo car had done 6000 miles so the engine should have loosened up a bit but I don't think the 8v is for me.

But I need to look also at the Ford Fiesta, before I can decide on the Evo.

 

[MikeOggie]

Hey mate,
I test drove the evo last week the standard 1.48v but thought it was a bit sluggish. no one seems to stock the multi air's but i managed to found one and i would definately go and test drive one cos i think its well worth the extra money (in my opinion) mines on order now but there saying its going to be about 12 weeks :/ what spec you goin for?

 

[kingchris]

I want a 5 door in GP spec with the red dash and the car in red.

I can't seem to find any used ones, so will have to be a new order.

Will try FiatSuperSaver tomorrow as the website seems to indicate good prices, but they don't seem to reply to emails.

Can I ask what price / spec your order is?

 

[kingchris]

MINE:

Punto Evo GP MultiAir.
Just purchased over the phone.

I love sun roofs.

 

[macaroni]

Definitely worth going for the MA 16v engine. I drove both and the 8v was dangerously underpowered.
I also test drove the Fiesta 1.25 and 1.4 and they are both completely gutless. Nice steering though.
Definitely preferred the Punto.

 

[Fordyl]

I have the 8v and would not say its "dangerously" under powered at all. Yeah its not lighting fast, but to say "dangerously" is extreme.

 

[Ffoxy]

I have the 8v and would not say its "dangerously" under powered at all. Yeah its not lighting fast, but to say "dangerously" is extreme.

Even my daughter stated "dangerous" when she had a 1.2 GP as a loan car when her 1.3 Suzuki Swift went in for a Service... & she is no racer lol!

 

[Fordyl]

I havnt driven a 1.2 so I wouldn't know what that is like..

 

[SteebWBA]

I test drove the 8v 1.4, both a brand new one with around 11 miles and a 60 plate one with around 2500 miles, and for what I use a car for mostly and price wise its a good runner. I use it mainly for town driving, with rare motorway excursions and its decent enough. Nippier than my current car, a mazda2 1.3. I couldn't really afford the 16v anyway because a) at 21/22 years old the insurance jumped up by some way compared to the 8v which barely had any affect, and b) obviously more expensive to buy, which would have put it just outside my budget, unless I swapped 5 doors for 3, which defeated the purpose of me changing my car..

All in all, it is dependant on where you are driving it, and what you are comparing it to. I'm comparing it to a mazda2 1.3 which only had 2/3 bhp less than the punto 8v, and its a marked improvement.

 

[kingchris]

All in all, it is dependant on where you are driving it, and what you are comparing it to. I'm comparing it to a mazda2 1.3 which only had 2/3 bhp less than the punto 8v, and its a marked improvement.

Exactly, its a lot harder to downgrade then upgrade.

Also if you own the car you learn how to get the best out of it.

 

[IronHorse]

Definitely worth going for the MA 16v engine. I drove both and the 8v was dangerously underpowered.
I also test drove the Fiesta 1.25 and 1.4 and they are both completely gutless. Nice steering though.
Definitely preferred the Punto.

Agreed, I test drove both and honestly i think the difference speaks for itself