Hello all,

New member here.

I own a Mk4 Golf 1.6 at the moment, and its costing me a fortune to run, so i'm in need of a more "wallet friendly" car. I've come across the Stilo JTD and its ticking my boxes!

I'm 18 and the Golf is my first car. It cost me an absolute bomb to insure but im just wondering if any 18 year olds have a JTD out there and how much your insurance is? I currently pay £2750 a year so im hoping the Stilo wont be more than this and i can just ring up my insurance company up and tell them the change and either give them a "few" quid or they refund me some money!

What are the Stilo's like as a car? I know the JTD engine is a beaut but whats the car itself like? In all fairness, i havent been that impressed with the Golf and woudlnt buy another VW. So many little niggles and silly problems. I know going to Fiat wont solve my problem lol but it cant be worse i hope. Are they nice cars to drive?

Any opinions would be great.

Cheers

Rob

Alright mate! I got my Stilo MW JTD when I was 18.. It cost me 1200 a year then. Im 20 now, and It's gone down to 900 a year.

As you've mentioned, the JTD is a sensational engine in my opinion. The 115 goes well, has so far been very reliable and also achieves great economy, around 45mpg when driving like a stereotypical 18 year old

I couldnt tell you about the 3dr which I assume you're looking at, but the estate drives fantastic in my opinion. Its comfy, goes well, carries well, and handles well (saying that it used to roll a lot until it I got sport springs.)

The Stilo JTD is a brilliant secret for 18 year old.. A HELL of a lot of car for Insurance Group 5, lets just hope the insurance companies dont find out

Well recommended mate! - One warning.. avoid the JTD80 , JTD115 All the way! :slayer:

Owen.

Hi fella

I've had my 3dr Stilo JTD for nearly 2 years now, and it's been a good car. The way they drive varies abit between the 3dr, 5dr and Multi-Wagon (estate), but the 3dr seems pretty sharp. I had a Mk2 Punto JTD before and the steering is definately sharper than that. As the Mk4 Golf isn't famed for legendary handling, i'd imagine the Stilo will feel sharper than that too.

Clutch and gearbox feel pretty heavy but more in a well-built way than anything. The noise levels inside are fairly decent for it's time, the only annoying noises are the suspension clonks over potholes & stuff, but if our roads wern't so sh*t this wouldn't be a problem. On the motorway it feels smooth enough, even on the 17" upgrade 'Blade' alloys i've got on mine. With the standard 16" alloys on the Dynamic trim level, it'd probably be even easier on the bumpy bits.

As for costs, mine's cost me nothing in repairs in 2 years, not a penny. Worked faultlessly. They are (like mine) officially due a cambelt change at 5 years and 72,000, whichever comes first. However most people recommend getting them done anytime from 55,000 miles onwards. Allow about £300 average for this, depending on where you get it done. Most people recommend the water pump is changed at the same time as if it fails later, you have to remove the cambelt to get at it.

The JTD 115 is only Group 5 for insurance (in the old system), and isn't as typically lad-ish as the Golf, so should save you some cash i would think. Tax is £120 for the year, which is also competitive.

Try and go for a one or two owner car, preferably one that the last owner has had for more than 18 months, as some Stilos can be troublesome so by picking ones that have been kept for a while helps to make sure you're not buying something that's driven its owner to an early sale.

Not really any particular problems that affect the JTD engine, just the general Stilo issues which mostly relate to unusual knocks from the suspension and warning messages on the dash display which are usually lies - the system fires off things like 'airbag failure', 'alternator failure' etc when often it's just a tired battery which isn't allowing enough voltage to the computer to complete the relevent checks prior to start up. Most people would advise replacing the battery first if this happens, rather than investigating the area that the car 'says' is faulty.

That's pretty much it mate. Good luck!

Liam

Was gonna post a review myself, but that 100% hits the nail on the head with the Stilo. Well said Liam

Oakley28 said:

Was gonna post a review myself, but that 100% hits the nail on the head with the Stilo. Well said Liam

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Cheers fella.

I know some things like handling/ride/noise levels can be viewed differently depending on what people have been used to in previous cars, so am glad what i said can be related to by another owner

Maybe i should've left abit for other people to comment on though, i get abit carried away when i hear the word 'Stilo'

Would agree with 'JTD_Liam' (Good review by the way) just like to point out that front inner tyre wear can be an issue on 3dr model, worth checking out when looking at one. Also should have had a recall for spring catchers to be fitted, as there was an issue with broken springs potentially puncturing tyres if breaking. Like most cars can be luck of the draw but on the whole are are lot better value for money than Golfs of similar age, and will probably have a better spec.

Stilomeister said:

Would agree with 'JTD_Liam' (Good review by the way) just like to point out that front inner tyre wear can be an issue on 3dr model, worth checking out when looking at one. Also should have had a recall for spring catchers to be fitted, as there was an issue with broken springs potentially puncturing tyres if breaking. Like most cars can be luck of the draw but on the whole are are lot better value for money than Golfs of similar age, and will probably have a better spec.

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Thanks Stilomeister - i knew i'd missed something - tyre wear and springs!

Thankfully mine's done 12,000 miles and hardly worn the tyres at all - it's almost worryingly well behaved. Though it has been stood for a few months as it desperately needs an MOT, service & cambelt (which being out of work i can't afford), so i'm expecting some fun and games when it goes back on the road

I couldn't agree with you more the 1.9 jtd stilo 3dr is a really good car especially for a younger driver becuase it doesn't really sit in any genre such as saxo's do for younger drivers, I got my stilo jtd when i was 18 and insurance was the same as it was for my 899cc seicento third party yet i got the stilo insured as fully comp for this price around £1500 paying it monthly.

I am suprised that more young drivers don't go for a stilo becuase they are a well suited all rounder. Cheap to run being a diesel , Cheap Tax , Good deal of space inside, good amount of power i would highly recomend one , however as with all cars they may have problems but with a good site such as the Fiat Forum the problems have already been had by someone else befor and they can point you in the right direction to solve the problem .

I've had mine for nearly 5 years now and has just gone over 160k. Still starts first time every morning, despite the weather but I do have it serviced around the 10/11k mark. Its had 2 cambelt changes at approx 65k each. due another soon. I have a mechanic who does the servicing and cambelt change for £400 and he does not take the engine out as the garage said, robbing buggers.... So far its had a new clutch at 90 something, the rear bushes have just been done, as have the front "swing "arms, not quite sure if thats the correct name. The n/s drop link was replaced within the last year, brake pads all round and then again on the front, but thats to be expected. The rear caliper siezed on the o/s/r so I replaced both and the o/s/r handbrake cable. The only other thing was the crank pulley, easily replaced at home. Apart from tyres which you expect, its done really well, still getting 51/52 mpg and the best thing is when a speed freak pulls along side and tries to overtake, the 1.9 JTD has enough "umph" to keep going and pull away. I would definately buy any car with this engine and now she owes me nothing, Just getting bored of the same car now after 5 years but why buy something that could have lots of problems when this has none. Thats done it, now something is bound to go wrong....