The Punto became available in South Africa for the first time a few months ago (Mk3). I got to go driving them for a day at the launch, and even had the chance to take the HGT for a few laps around a race track. I found the car really sporty, and thought it was so good that I bought one about a month ago.

But now I feel like the car I have bought is really sluggish. I don't know if I am just remembering them as being faster than they are, and the car isn't slow, but it just seems like there isn't any urgency when you put your foot down.

I don't know if it's maybe the clutch giving problems. It always feels really spongy (compared to a VW Polo for example), almost like you are pressing a brake pedal rather than a clutch. To press the clutch in properly all the way (for example to activate the hill-holding when stopped on a hill) takes some effort, really pushing the clutch as deep as possible (and then pushing some more!) Also, when changing gears, as put take your foot off the accelerator and put in the clutch, the revs sometimes go up, almost as though you have put your foot on the clutch without having let go of the accelerator (even though you obviously have let go of the accelerator already).

Anybody else experience any of these problems? The car shouldn't be too stiff anymore, its done about 2000miles. I'm even considering taking it to get the power checked out at a dyno, I can't believe its performing at full tilt. And I don't know if the clutch is meant to feel so spongy, I'm reluctant to take it into a dealer for no reason, they'll just fiddle around and break something else.

Thanks in advance!

yeah ive had ma hgt 2 weeks now from new. i swapped our sporting which i loved because of clutch problems. i find the clutch very heavy and im no little guy. also a little click as its half pressed. i know not major but boy does it wind me up in slow traffic. hgt is a lot better though which i think is more to do with more power. ive been told u need to get the revs about 4k to get the speed. maybe why you noticed it on the track and not on the roads m8

you might want too take into account that the test car was probly thrashed its whole life, ive driven lots of new fiats that have been thrashed from new and the engines have allways felt better like you described however they never seem too last as long
that clutch does sound a bit dodgey tho.