I know I sound like a complete toss3r but I have just purchased a punto 1.8 abarth (2001 plate). Driving it back from the garage, I tried to open her up abit, got it into 5th then tried sliding into 6th and realised that i must be putting it in reverse so didnt venture anymore to the right!! Reading the manual says you should go far to the right and down to find sixth but that is exactly where reverse is.

Has anyone encountered this probelm with their 6 speed gearbox?? It is probably coz ive only had it a day but surely when you are doin 90+ mph you cant put the car in reverse?!! Is there something im doing completely wrong?

Obviously ive never had a 6-speed car before!

Hi

I thought it was just the 1.2 16v Sporting with the 6 speed box

No - hgt abarth has got 6 too. Any ideas about my problem??

Hi,
Just checked, see below as I have a standard HGT and that is only 5 gear, appears the arbarth is to.

Steve

Specifications for FIAT PUNTO 1.8 16v HGT Abarth 3drinsurance group 14
weight kerb 1040
length 3800
width 1660
MPG 1 24.6
MPG 2 44.1
MPG 3 34
0 to 62 8.6
max speed 127
weight gross 1550
cc 1747
bhp 130
fuel capacity 47
tyre size front 185/55 R15 81V
manufacturer warranty years 3
manufacturer warranty miles 60000
manufacturer paint years 3
manufacturer corrosion years 8
towing weight braked 1000
towing weight unbraked 400
width with mirrors unknown
height 1480.00
height with roofrails unknown
boot capacity unknown
num seats 5
engine power KW 96
engine power rpm 6300
engine torque lbsft unknown
engine torque NM 158
tyre size rear 185/55 R15 81V
wheel type 15" ALLOY
cylinders 4
num valves 16
fuel delivery MULTI POINT FUEL INJECTION
catalytic converter 1
transmission MANUAL
gears 5 SPEED
emission CO2 197
emission standard EURO 3
turning circle 10.5
auto transmission unknown
manual transmission unknown
load space arches
test pedestrian 2
test NCAP sideimpact 4
is safety issue unknown
EC standard EURO 3
noise level 73
emission CO unknown
emission HC unknown
emission NOx unknown
emission particles unknown

That could explain it then! Although the little diagram below the gear stick says 6. Very odd.

My 2002 HGT only had 5 gears - could have used 6 on the motorways though.

teh diagram on gear stick says 6 ? well it must have 6 then surely unless someone has changed the knob.

my sporting has 6 and 6 is below5 just pull down. reverse is further over still. try it when standing still stick it in what should be 6 and lift clutch if you go back then its reverse

if 6 puts it in reverse then u got a 5 speed box
sounds like some clever b*****d has changed the gear knob
what happens when you try reverse ?

i am sure i have read onthis forum before of a 6speed hgt and that its rare.

HPI check says 5 speed manual so I guess it is - but I think you might be correct in thinking that some clever b*stard has changed the diagram coz there is defo a sixth gear on it.

Shame coz a 6th gear would have been nice on the motorway. Ive noticed that it was revving quite high in 5th around the 80/90 mph mark so was expecting a sixth gear as is shown on the diagram.

I'm not sure if its right,never thought to ask ,but mine revs at around 3500 at 70 and 4500 - 5000 when playing in fifth.

Steve

You have been stiched up mate. The HGT only has 5 gears. The abarth only differs cosmetically not mechanically. Basically it has a sporting gear knob on it. Dont even try to put it into when it says sixth is as you will strip your box.

I don't know about others but on my 6speed you had to push the gear selector down to engage reverse otherwise it would not go in.

As has been said, the HGT Abarth is only a 5 speeder.

The gear selection process is the same for the 1.8 16v and 1.9JTD which is to engage reverse you simply pull to the right and down. In the 1.2 8v (5 speed), 1.2 16v (5 and 6 speed) and 1.9D (5 speed) you slot over to the right, lift a collar under the top of the gearknob and select reverse.

Sounds like the seller has put a sporting gearknob on it. I thought the 'Abarth' had an 'Abarth' marked gearknob (not sure).

This is sadly an old trick of the trade. When the Mk3 Golf first came out, the 1.4CL could be had with a 4 speed box as standard, 5 speed as option. Any dealer getting a 4-speeder in for trade-in who was less than honest would put the gearknob from a 5 speeder on for the test drive, take the customer on a route where they would not get into 5th and transfer the knob back over before the buyer collects. Buyer would be too embarrased to take the car back when they found out (not sure it was a 5 speed car, just thought it was mate...)

If you have been sold the car as a 6-speed by a dealer (or in fact private), you can take the vehicle back (to a dealer) or persue the matter through the small claims court (private) as the car is not as advertised

punto hgt's definately only have 5 forward gears,the only difference between a normal hgt and an abarth hgt is bodykit,wheels,steering wheel,gearstick (or maybe not in your case),pedals,handbrake handle thingy and thats all i can think of at the moment

ahh i new i dint imagine it

https://www.fiatforum.com/showthread.php?t=27486&highlight=gears+hgt

this guy sais he has 6 in his hgt.

Yes, but do you?

me ? i aint even got an hgt. was just quoting what someone said.

well the guy who said he had six gears in his punto must be imagining things!

dazzdog said:

well the guy who said he had six gears in his punto must be imagining things!

Click to expand...

What he said. Agreed.