General 05 Fiat Punto 1.8 hgt

[knobbs]

I know nothing about cars except how to drive them. I'm looking for a new car at the minute and spotted a nice looking 05 punto 1.8 hgt. I figured where better to find out what people think of it than here.
So has anyone got/had one? is it good? quick? economical? reliable?
Thanks in advance

 

[richie.guy]

They're a warm hatch. They're nippy but not quick.

The engine has a few common problems - water pump, cambelt, variator should all be done every 3 years or 36k which isn't a cheap service (£300+).

30mpg is about average if you have your foot down, 38-40 about as high as it'll get being sensible, caning it you'll see 20-26.

They are reliable if looked after.

They have lots of extras and for the price are the best car in their class in terms of being a compromise of quality, comfort speed etc. There are faster cars in the bracket, better handling cars, but the HGT is a better all rounder IMO.

Spend £600 on a manifold, backbox and induction and you'll see 150bhp easily enough.

 

[smokeyjoe03]

They're a warm hatch. They're nippy but not quick.

The engine has a few common problems - water pump, cambelt, variator should all be done every 3 years or 36k which isn't a cheap service (£300+).

30mpg is about average if you have your foot down, 38-40 about as high as it'll get being sensible, caning it you'll see 20-26.

They are reliable if looked after.

They have lots of extras and for the price are the best car in their class in terms of being a compromise of quality, comfort speed etc. There are faster cars in the bracket, better handling cars, but the HGT is a better all rounder IMO.

Spend £600 on a manifold, backbox and induction and you'll see 150bhp easily enough.

All good information mechanically.......however there are a few more points worth mentioning, such as:

They are great looking cars, very eye catching.

They are very VERY fun to drive

Hard to find a second hand one in origional condition that hasn't been caned its whole life.

And they are not the cheapest cars to run. Tax is £215 per year (going up to £235 in April 2010), insurance group 14 so not cheap and as mentioned above, the service costs are higher than your average hot hatch.

However don't be deterred as that is still not too expensive considering you get 130bhp and a 0-62 time of 8.3 secs.

If I had the money I would driving one