specs78 said:
I readed all the reviews on carsurvey.org for fiat punto 1999-2005 4 days before i bought my car. Strange more then half reviews are describing the car as awfull. Common problems were: Clutch replaced at 800 miles from new , ok it happens , but then again after another 2000 miles? It's obvious that the person who wrote that doesen't know how to drive, i had my clutch on my old car replaced at 110.000 km (and it was produced in 1983 so far more inferior to new punto;s). One even wrote this:
Clocks had 4000 extra miles. New clocks fitted. and just scroll down and you will see this:
Distance when acquired 36000 miles. Other things:
# Seems to scratch easily. :bang:
# New 5th gear fitted at 25,000 miles.
# Wipers and cat faulty.
# problems with wipers, coolant, cat, gearbox and dashboard replaced.
# Looks good but falls apart all too easily.
# Returned for numerous faults which were never rectified beyond driving
the car off the forecourt.
# Mystery cold-start problem were quickly rectified by dealer.
# New rear suspension and new sump gasket. Far too much time spent at Fiat garage for a new car.
# Rear suspension faulty from new - constant knocking. Took five visits to
Fiat dealer before it was fixed.
# Rust under front grill.
(yea right after only 2 years? he''s garage was obviously in some lake or pond)
# Terrible customer services. Nice car, but can’t rely on Fiat UK.
# Gear linkage gears ropey.
# Rust around engine mountings. Dashboard dropping to bits.
lol
# Cylinder head crack/piston wear - not covered by warranty!!
(it is covered by warranty here checked that)
# 2nd gear notchy - jumps out.
# 2 sets front brake discs and pads/rear shocks - 25,000 miles only!!
# Bearings and differentials gone completely.
(he can't understand its's NOT 4x4 offroad drive it on asphalt for god sake)
# Clutch replaced twice.
# Water ingress, rattling trim and de-misting.
# Oil leaks, camshaft problems and persistent noise when idling.
# Moisture in headlights.
(what he misses to write is that he prolly bumed he's car in something and had to replace the front cover glass and after that "he forgot" that he need to apply silycon glue to make it fixed)
# Oil doesn’t Circulate well when cold, hence knocking kind of noise - fine
once warm.
(what kind of oil? perhaps used one)
# Very rough. First gear has to be forced in half the time.
(learn to drive and save the clutch)
# Indicator switches its self off.
# Loads of electrical faults.
# Appalling handling. The worst of any supermini. No steering feedback.
(no steering feedback? TURN OFF THE CITY MODE moron)
# Engine pinking. 3 dealerships were absolutely inept.
(what he means by pinking :shakehead )
# Steering, poor finish, no interest from supplying dealer or Fiat. Once
bitten, as they say
(pff smart arse)
# They never replied to my letters - it"s been about 7 weeks now.
(letters? HELLOUUU we have phones and internet in this century mate)
and so on. I readed all this and many toughts started to trouble me i must admit. Then i spoked to at least 15 people here who own punto's mk2 and they just laughed about this. Its a car. Maintaine it keep it up and it will run, now and then something may fail but as i said it's a car. Even if you spend 100,000 euros on some car it doesen't mean it will run without flaws. I had my fiat 128 since 1983 (first owned by my father) and it is still working as swiss clock the engine is still intact but i do maintain it.
