Picking my new Punto Evo GP up from the dealer this week after an extended delay after ordering it in January (thanks to striking Italian lorry drivers).

The car has been waiting at the factory/in port for ages. My concern is that it could be etched in bird muck etc. Does anyone know if they coat the cars in a protective wax before they leave the factory? That was how my Citroen C2 VTS turned up at the dealers in 2006.

Here hoping that after this wait that all is OK or it shall be rejected!

Have Fiat at any point mentioned that the Evo has been replaced by the 2012 Punto around the time you ordered? It now looks more like the Grande Punto did.

I personally rather like the Evo (especially in the nicer GP & Sporting trim levels) but it seems abit cheeky that they're expecting someone to take delivery of a car that's kinda 'old' before it even arrives.

Did they offer you a good deal to start with? Any apology or discount for the delays?

Liam

Edit: The Parents 500 didn't appear to have wax or any thorough protection on it, but the bonnet had a white plasticky sheet stuck over it, presumably to stop paint damage. We did expect it to be better protected during transit to be honest, but the Dealer did a very good job of preparing it for collection & it looked Worlds apart from how it did when we went to check it over just after it came off the lorry.

I was aware of the 2012 Punto when ordering but the finance deal on the Evo GP and spec levels were much better than on a Punto GBT for example. Was told that this was the last GP they were expecting in (although expected it in for 1st March delivery). Managed to get free metallic paint, the £1000 Fiat contribution, 0.37% interest and my p/ex valuation has been honoured from January.

Speeccing up a GBT or Easy 2012 Punto to GP levels would cost more as for some reason Fiat have left out things like Blue and Me, esp, 16 inch wheels etc.

Dealer apologetic for the delay and am expecting mats etc as a minimum!

That sounds decent to me - Very good deal, especially the interest rate

Totally agree about the spec levels, they're really rather stingy on the 2012 Punto. I've played about on the configurator and to get one with the sort of kit i'd want you'd be near £15,500, which is financial suicide on a Punto. The Evo represents better value for money & i (unlike quite a few people) like the way it looks too.

I've not seen any 12 plate Punto's, not really seen many new Puntos at all since 60 Plate so yours will stand out. What colour have you gone for?

Agree with the financial suicide bit completely. Currnetly have a 2011 11 500 Lounge which I know has held its value better than the Punto will but I need something bigger and the Evo GP offers the right spec without costing me dramatically more each month. Compared to equivalent cars (fiesta etc) this is comparatively good value.

Got free metallic paint as I wasn't bothered about colour so would have been happy with the free white, however as this was the last 'available' it is crossover black. To add weight to the case that it is a cancelled order, it also has italian side stripes etc which I haven't paid for. These are likely to be removed as am not keen!

Just picked up the car and to my surprise it had a spare wheel and jack kit in it too! Now going to put the unused spare and jack kit that I sourced from the breaker's on ebay!

When dry will try to upload pics!

Stick it on the classified here and see what interest you get and avoid the ebay and paypay fees

My evo arrived covered in metalic fall out

https://www.fiatforum.com/car-care/272729-new-car-first-half-decent-clean-iron-fall-out-removal.html

That sounds like a plan! How do I place it in the classified section?

I have a bottle of iron x at the ready but won't get round to doing this for a while yet - jury is still out on Italian stripes; the kids like them but OH doesn't!