Hi there,

I'v seen a punto JTD ELX for sale that i quite like, just wondered if there was anything that i need to watch out for when buying a punto?

It's an 2000 X reg.

Thanks Mike

Sorry, it's an ELX

Thanks Mike

I had one and it was a great car. Make totally sure it has a full service history and as it is 5 years old that it has recently had the cam belt changed. If it hasn't, knock £300 off the price as this is how much it costs at a Fiat stealer

Other than that, check the tyres have plenty of tread left as they are about £50 per corner, check the brakes are OK (the discs at the front are ventilated and quite expensive). Other than that just the usual 'car' checks really. Make sure all the warning lights work and go out OK. The gearbox feels 'agricultural' but selecting gears should be fine so if it isn't there is a problem. Clutch bite is very low, so don't be surpised if it feels sharp!

Avoid anything that has been modded. They can be chipped to give big power (I think it is 115bhp) but I would worry about the long-term effects to a car, especially one that is 5 years old. Some people would say there are no long-term effects but evidence is starting to come to light that suggests there is

Hey Bud

Thanks for the reply, will check service history and wen cam belt was last changed. Looks quite a useful motor.

Thanks again

I have a 2000 jtd elx

Check the Power Steering works correctly. While stationery, both in normal and city mode, turn it lock to lock a few times. Mine had the usual power steering failure and would come back to life, only to fail while turning right.

That cost about £700 to fix at the main dealer. Worth checking to see if thats been done. It's got nothing to do with mileage either, mine has only just done 60k

Again, check for cam belt, about £300 at main dealer, as you need tensioners etc but worth getting it done there.

Only other drama I had was the bottom hose on the radiator popping off one day. Could have been a diaster, but I know the smell of coolent and stopped immediatly ! Was a close one !

Apart from that, it's a cracking little car, will cruise at 90 with out trying which is quite amusing when you realise you are still returing 40mpg

Handling can be a bit strange at first, as the engine weight causes slight under steer.

gregit said:

Handling can be a bit strange at first, as the engine weight causes slight under steer.

Click to expand...

You are the master of understatement...

For the record, mine did about 55mpg throughout it's 2 1/2 years with me. Combination of motorways, towns and hard driving