My wife is replacing her aging Corsa (Hurrah!), and we've got a test drive booked for Saturday. Actually two test drives since the only person at Clevland Cars on Sunday said why not get a diesel. At least that's better than Bishops who for 10 minutes had NOBODY in the showroom, except us! We won't get a diesel since we expect it will only do 5k or so miles a year, so it's not worth it, and they're harder to find, and pay a premium etc... BTW, the car will be nearly new, and kept for 5+ years.

What it's up against. Test drove a 307 and a meganne on Saturday. We'd have brought a Meganne there and then if it wasn't for the ugly rear and decreased boot space. Tough decision, but we wont be going with a Meganne. My wife wants a 307. I'm doing my best to persuade her to look elsewhere. We had an offer of the 307 we drove, and it was good. Just it was silver and not blue.

Being a Fiat owner myself, and having driven 2 Stilo's a couple of years ago, I recollect them driving well, and she will be impressed. Clevland Cars only have 3dr, and we need 5. I know that Dynamic is where it's at for me, despite my brother having an Active Air-con for a week (hire car) and loving it. Perhaps the new 1.4 is okay, I drove a 1.2 and it was awful. Luckily I also drove a 1.6 Dyn, which is what we'd have.

So, any things to ask? Anything to look out for? And how can I persuade my wife to even consider the Stilo, when her heart is set on the looks of the 307? How does the 1.6 do in general usage? I equal the combined mpg on my Punto, since I have a long commute, but is the Stilo as bad (compared to Meganne 1.6 and 307 1.6) in economy? What about residuals?

If you want honesty......................

The 1.6 Dynamic will serve you well as far as toys go, it has a pretty comprehensive range of gadgets. They drive beautifully. The 1.6 returns poor MPG, I average 28MPG combined, if you drive like an old man, you can get it up to 31MPG and if you hammer it you'll get it down to about 21MPG, so it's mainly down to your driving style. All the test reports I've read say the 1.6 is the best compromise for Mr Average in terms of performance, insurance, useability and affordibility, myself, after driving a diesel would go for one, but that's personal choice. In this car sector I cannot see a prettier or more desirable car, the Stilo has the looks, the individuality and is of higher quality than people give it credit. I don't think any of the mainstream manufacturers can touch it and as far as I'm concerned the only cars that are better than it are the BMW1, Audi A3 and the Alfa Romeo 147, but then we are talking same size car twice as much money! Residuals are crap ,but if you are keeping it for five years who cares, price up your Dynamic against an equivelant Golf then see how much you are saving in the first place, ooh, I'm rambling on now, but you get my drift!

Re: If you want honesty......................

twincamms said:

In this car sector I cannot see a prettier or more desirable car, the Stilo has the looks, the individuality and is of higher quality than people give it credit.

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Don't forget, they are after the 5-door! Am I allowed to use this quote again?

Gav, glad you decided to steer away from the Renault and Peugeot - both over-priced for what they are, and very common. One reason we went for the Ulysse [and not the equivalent C8 and 807, or competitor Espace] was down to pricing. I am also a avid hater of VAG cars as well, although Audi does make some headway with me on certain models.

The Stilo is without doubt the car to go for in this sector, if you want to make a statement. The spec alone is worth it. As TC said, the 1.6 is the all-round happy comprimise, although it would not be my choice in such matters - I would be steered towards the JTD.

What budget do you have? Will you be buying from the dealer or maybe playing them off against heavily reduced new prices as offered by jamjar / drivethedeal / coast2coastcars / etc...

Stu

Yes Stu..........................

you can qoute me anytime, even though you have a five door, a Stilo is a Stilo, and a Cool Dude is a Cool Dude, welcome to the club!

I have heard how good the 1.8 engine is and how does a lot more miles to the gallon than the 1.6. So best to go for 1.8. (there was a thread for the 1.8 engine somewhere on the site).

Get a stilo...

...get a JTD

Same insurance group as a 1.6, but quicker AND more economical, they cost slightly more, but will also be worth more at resale time

The 1.8 is a .........................

rebored 1.6, it is 133bhp against the 1.6s 105bhp, but it returns worse economy, better for towing I believe!

When you look at just the power outputs, 133 seems a lot more than 105, but the small difference in actually performance suggests this power isn't too usefull, maybe delivered at higher revs?

I have to say, one of the reasons I like my JTD is the ease of performance, no thrashing it like a small petrol. The 1.4 courtesy car I had recently was actually able to make decent progress, but it needed revving all the way to do so, I don't like having to drive that, and unless you're going for a big engine i.e. the abarth, thats how you need to drive a petrol to get any kind of go.

I have had a few Stilos as courtesy cars, and the small engines drive me crazy - last one was a 1.2, and had to thrash it to even feel like I was moving.

Stu...

Now you know thats untrue! How many times does Stiloboy have to tell you the 1.2 is a flying machine, and regularly achieves 99mpg over a 3000mile trip?

James.............................

I believe the bhp on the 1.8 is all in the mid-range and specifically aimed at people who wish to tow things ??? with their Stilo.

Savi...

I'd like to see one outhaul the torquey JTD!

Or more so, the awesome 1.2

Sorry James...............................

I'm just quoting what I've read.

Mmm, I forgot about the 1.2, sorry everyone, the 1.2 is the fastest, most economical, best looking (even in five door guise), best equipped, best value for money and best FIAT product ever released to the public!

That should keep one of our members very happy!

Re: Sorry James...............................

twincamms said:

That should keep one of our members very happy!

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Hmm, which one

Clue......................................

he lives North of the border!

lol every time i hear stiloboy oing on about the 1.2 like that it makes me laugh!!

Dont buy the 307 it will fall apart it was even on BBC watch dog!

The 307...

Will also tell you it has gone twice as far as it really has!

Had a bit of a tussle with one the other day, it was the Dturbo so assume its the 110HDi, anyhow, pulling onto the A69 I got away from him and he didn't catch me until I stuck in 5th and stopped trying at 80mph

Then......................

you were both overtaken by a 1.2..................................

1.2?

No mate, don't be daft, do you really think I could keep a 1.2 off til 80?

My mistake.........................

Sorry !!!