General 1.6 versus 1.4 engine

[Camblet]

I wrote off my 2002 1.6 stilo in a snow related shunt last week. The insurance company (Churchill) offered me a very fair price indeed so I am in a position to replace the car asap. My dilemma is whether to get another 2002 or 2003 1.6 Dynamic as a direct replacement, which I am happy enough to do, but for the same money as the insurance offer, I've seen a couple of 2004 Active (AC) Stilos for sale with the 1.4 engine.

On the plus side I've read the 1.4 is about 10 to 15% more economical and cheaper tax but some reviews say it is underpowered and that the 1.6 is a better engine. The 1.4 comes from the Punto apparently, so does seem a bit feebleon paper. I'm not sure that a ten minute test drive would be enough to make an informed decision though. Like my previous car I intend to run it for as long as it lives 'cos I'm addicted to Fiats and the Stilo is the most ludicrously underrated car in the world! Once you're aware of the minor electrical niggles and quirks they are no bother at all to fix and keep fixed and the only other stuff to deal with is normal wear and tear.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone has any strong opinions from experience as to whether I would love, hate or not notice much difference after five years driving the 1.6 about 10,000 miles a year. This comprises about 50/50 local driving and longer trips of about 50 miles and the occasional 100 mile run down the motorway.

One last query.....does the Active AC model have the reverse parking sensors? That might also influence the decision if it doesn't.

Cheers!

 

[rattystilo]

Have you considered a 115 jtd Dynamic. should be the same as a 1.4 to tax and insure (especially as your insurance will probably go up) yet it goes like a 1.6 until you remap it then it goes better than an abarth

 

[fletch101101]

i got the 1.4 (first car) and for a 1.4 its quite a good car really, powerfull engine but it is a big car for it to use, i notice that on motorways it jsut sits there all day long. 10k miles in it so far and not problems what so ever touch wood

 

[Andy90]

I have the 1.4 engine. It only has 95bhp which for a 1.4 is a decent amount of power when you compare it to the rival cars of the same year. I return 42mpg out of it and thats with a heavy foot. Dont forget you also get the 6 speed gearbox for dual caridgeway/motway journeys to bring the revs down a little.

Ive never driven the 1.6 stilo so i cant compare it in that way. Just saying the 1.4 wouldnt be a bad choice.

 

[jim cooper]

I find my 1.4 powerful enough for use on non motorways and motorways in England. Only on long inclines on German autobahns do I wish it had more power. Otherwise it will cruise all day at 80mph in 6th gear. Another point - the engine feels comfortable in any gear at any revs. It really is a lovely engine.

 

[neonglow]

I find my 1.4 powerful enough for use on non motorways and motorways in England. Only on long inclines on German autobahns do I wish it had more power. Otherwise it will cruise all day at 80mph in 6th gear. Another point - the engine feels comfortable in any gear at any revs. It really is a lovely engine.

Imagine now how much better the 1.6 might be.. or the 2.4 ... or the JTD Especially the 1.9 JTD at cruising speeds.. or a MJET with 6 gears... you're used to what you have, so am I with my 1.6, but there is better for the same cash out there...

 

[rattystilo]

you could get yourself a bargain on ebay this week. Not many people have spare cash to buy a car at this time of year so fewer bidders are about. Assuming you have £1500-2000 to spend you have a big choice of 1.4s, 1.6s and jtds. Personally i would look at dynamics rather than actives

 

[Argonought]

Imagine now how much better the 1.6 might be.. or the 2.4 ... or the JTD Especially the 1.9 JTD at cruising speeds.. or a MJET with 6 gears... you're used to what you have, so am I with my 1.6, but there is better for the same cash out there...

It's purely a relative term though.

Anyone with a 1.4 will likely consider themselves better off than someone with say a 1.6, 1.8 or an Abarth - as they are all less economical.

Admittedly that comment doesn't apply to the JTD

 

[schumraid]

The 1.4 produces as good as the same power as the 1.6 with better fuel economy. Even if BHP was relative to engine size the extra 200cc wouldn't make THAT much of a difference.

Wern't parking sensors an optional extra on anything but abarths?

 

[neonglow]

The 1.4 produces as good as the same power as the 1.6 with better fuel economy. Even if BHP was relative to engine size the extra 200cc wouldn't make THAT much of a difference.

Wern't parking sensors an optional extra on anything but abarths?

I've never driven the 1.4 myself. In theory the fuel economy is also almost the same. But you can get better fuel economy out of the 2.0 turbo engine it's really a matter of style of driving so I wouldn't say the 1.4 has a better fuel economy. The difference in power in torque is 15hp and 20Nm Not much still but imagine puting the 1.4 on a MW like mine... it would seem underpowered.. a lot I think... why did the italian engineers build 1.4 and 1.2 and 1.6... because of cost.. the 1.2 is the cheapest.. if you're driving 140 km\h the 1.2 will burn the most and the 1.6 the least.. that's what both theory and reality says.. the smaller engine needs higher revs to keep up and burns more always if pushed hard and on a motorway\autobahn..

 

[fletch101101]

i know that me 1.4 is faster than most 1.4 cars about and its better than me mates 1.6 saxo.... dosnt feel like a tin can rattling around either

 

[Andy90]

i know that me 1.4 is faster than most 1.4 cars about and its better than me mates 1.6 saxo.... dosnt feel like a tin can rattling around either

I beat some chav in his 1.6 vtr the other day....not by much but a win is a win. We were both flooring it and i gave him a beep of my dixie horn as i passed to just shows tho that the 1.4 can hold its own !!

 

[Camblet]

Thanks very much for the excellent range of opinions my fellow Stilo fanatics! The consensus amongst 1.4 and 1.6 drivers is that I'd hardly notice any difference in performance but should see a positive benefit in fuel economy. I've never owned a car with an engine rating more than 1.6, so I fully accept those of you used to getting from 0-60 in well under 10 seconds would find the 1.4 seems slower than hitching a lift, but for me, something reasonably 'nippy' off the blocks and not too noisy at speed is all I'm looking for.

I had thought about the diesel option, but I am a creature of habit and have always been happier driving petrol engined cars based on my admittedly limited experience of the former.

With the cost of fuel as it is though, if I'm staying with petrol, even a few extra mpg would be handy. I agree people's style of driving has a major impact, but for my purposes the 1.4 looks a good bet. I struggle to average 35mpg in the 1.6 and around town it's only about 30-32, which is a sick joke compared to the diesel. On a careful run at a steady 60mph I can get about 40mph but that is depressingly hard work to maintain, so if I can cruise along in 6th gear in the 1.4 at 80mph without having to think about peddle pressure all the time, and get 40mpg+ that will do nicely.

Luckily the NCD is protected so the insurance stays the same. Unluckily, although there are a fair number of cars in the £1,500 to £2,000 range on Ebay and in Autotrader, the pick of them are too far away from here to consider. Based on what I've read from you guys I've now got my eye on a tidy 1.4 Active with fsh, new cambelt and full MOT. And it's only 8 miles away, so I know of the dealer, who has been around for many years and has a good reputation.

I would have preferred a Dynamic and if I lived in Newcastle on Tyne, Manchester or Scotland I'd have more options and maybe a better spec. for a bit less money. But needs must, buying locally is beneficial and I can always get an aftermarket parking sensor kit for about £50 to bring it up to pretty much the same spec. as the Dynamic apart from a few trivial trim differences.

Anyway, thanks again for the very helpful advice. Much appreciated.

 

[fletch101101]

my avarage furl in me 1.4 stays at around 42 no matter what i do lol

 

[neonglow]

Your 6-th gear has the same ratio (almost) as the fifth of an 1,6 or an 1,8 liter petrol Don't be fouled by the number 6 And don't get the cheapest engine, the 1.6 or 1.8 doesn't burn more... if you want petrol and fuel economy why don't you go for a LPG injection... same drive but much cheaper..

 

[StiloBoy]

Are you sure about your ratio comment? At 70 in the 1.2 Stilo I'm pulling under 3000rpm. At 70mph the 1.2 against the 1.6 will use less fuel in steady driving, Fact! Smaller capacity and longer gearing... However when you encounter a steep hill that comment is reversed due to you needing to give more throttle to maintain 70.

I'm sure the 1.4 is a good engine, I had an Idea for a week and it was the 1.4 with 5 box and I was impressed!

I was under the impression the 1.6 was a bit of a dog, tractor sounding when cold, fuel heavy and fairly underpowered considering it's higher capacity. 1.4 would be a good alrounder second hand assumingy you can't pick up a decent JTD from some muppet who bought it new and has only put 50k on it before selling.

 

[volxstu]

Have you considered a 115 jtd Dynamic. should be the same as a 1.4 to tax and insure (especially as your insurance will probably go up) yet it goes like a 1.6 until you remap it then it goes better than an abarth

Thats totally wrong a 115 will never be anywhere near the abarth. The 150 is debatable as in my other thread. As somebody who claims to know about these things why would say this. Its my exact point in my other thread of people keep saying this rubish all over the forum that simply isnt true.

 

[neonglow]

Are you sure about your ratio comment? At 70 in the 1.2 Stilo I'm pulling under 3000rpm. At 70mph the 1.2 against the 1.6 will use less fuel in steady driving, Fact! Smaller capacity and longer gearing... However when you encounter a steep hill that comment is reversed due to you needing to give more throttle to maintain 70.

I'm sure the 1.4 is a good engine, I had an Idea for a week and it was the 1.4 with 5 box and I was impressed!

I was under the impression the 1.6 was a bit of a dog, tractor sounding when cold, fuel heavy and fairly underpowered considering it's higher capacity. 1.4 would be a good alrounder second hand assumingy you can't pick up a decent JTD from some muppet who bought it new and has only put 50k on it before selling.

I assume 70 is ~115km/h the 1.6 is also well below 3000rpm in fifth. They put 6 gears on the 1.2 not because it has awesome power but because it hasn't and otherwise there would be two much difference in gear's ratios and would be undriveable. Have a look at how many gears a lorry has... same reason weight to power... You can compare the figures, just google it...

I don't know how a 1.4 sounds when cold started... I wouldn't say the 1.6 is noisy and I can compare it to lots of rented cars I use, VW, Audi, Nissan... etc.. and doesn't sound any different I mean noisier..

 

[rattystilo]

Stu, i knew you would bite on this one. Read my comment again. i never said a 115hp is better than an abarth, i said a remapped one which is making 150 to 160hp.

Don't get so wound up on it. Life's too short.

 

[fletch101101]

I went out jsut for you and at 50mph i am doing 2k revs on the dot in 6th in me 1.4



my 1.4 is faster than an abarth .

if the abarth is doing 100 and i rattle past at 105 i am easily faster

as Jeramey Clarkson once said