General Bad Press...

[jasper]

Without wishing to re-hash old threads that have probably covered this issue before...I just wanted a debate about the bad press the Stilo has sometimes.

Case in point ...I picked up that new 'Test Drive' mag that's been advertised recently - I flicked to the back where there was the obligatory quick summary of all cars available. The Stilo scored three out of five stars with the 2.4 versions only getting two. The summary said "quite a stunner in 3door guise but Fiat seriously misjudged how quickly the small hatch market would move forward and you can't help think the Stilo is just there to make up the numbers?"

I agree the Stilo is not the car it should or could have been...but 2 stars? Bearing in mind they give the truly diabolical (but soon to be replaced by the apparently excellent C4) Xsara 2 stars also. So they're trying to say a well specced Abarth is no better a car than a base model 1.4 Xsara - I think that's a little harsh.

Also there's no consistency between mags...Top Gear have slammed the Stilo but in a recent special Buyers Guide Top Gear mag; they say the Abarth is an original and alternative hot hatch and other very complimentary things ..I remember Auto Express also rating the manual 2.4 highly.

I am being naive in thinking journalits don't get paid to say nice things about certain makes? Because I'm begining to suspect sometimes they do? (rant over just wanted to get it off my chest!)

 

[Stu DemonD]

I too read the Top Gear mag about alternative Hot Hatches - they reckoned a second hard Abarth for £8k was a top buy, and you'd be silly not to.

P'ah, the Press stinks, all based on individual journalists opinions.............

 

[Lorddean]

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!! i want to buy one soon, more bad reviews = cheap stilo for me!!!!!!

 

[jasper]

ok I'll be quiet!! trouble is it also means zilch re-sale value for my Abarth...Hey ho I'll enjoy running it into the ground then!

 

[Lorddean]

I mentioned in another thread, we have a fiesta pool car at work, we've also got a 1.6 focus, and i swear my bravo's is in a lot of ways a better drive, theres just nothing about the focus that seems to make it stand out. anyway was so impressed with the diddy punto that im gonna test drive a stilo on saturday, i'm fed up reading contradicting magazine reviews so i think i'll give it a go.

 

[Lorddean]

just looked on parkers website, it's not actually that bad a review, so there's hope yet!

 

[twincamms]

I'll give it a review.......................

Stilos are the dog danglies!

So buy one!

 

[jasper]

yeah, be sure to let us know if you get one ...or if you need any advice...etc

 

[StiloBoy]

Yeah twincamms hit the nail on the head, some folk think the Stilo is the dogs dinglers, but other think its just baws!

 

[Lorddean]

The test drive will tell! have been considering diesel, there seems to be alot of diesel fans in this forum, i was considering a bravo hgt but it'd cost a mint to run and they're getting on a bit now. had a fairly big debate in the bravo section on pro's and con's of diesel, and liked the whole 'angel tuning' route but i dont want to dismiss the petrols, my 1.6 bravos perfectly adequate so im asuming the same of a 1.6 stilo. who knows, choosing a car is such a mission!!!

Ps on the the subject of press reviews etc its quite interesting to read other forums like this one about other manufacturers i don't think ive ever found one car that hasn't had the same balance of good and bad reviews! my ex girlfriend used to choose cars by how pretty the colour was, what a simple life she led...

 

[The Negotiator]

It gets bad press partly because Fiat messed up the mechanics, hence why people are driving around with dodgy tyres etc.

 

[pinin__prestatyn]

Don't be ruffled By this too much. I have read rave reviews about the coupe In magazines, Only to read It getting slated In the magazine a few editions later. It all boils down to the fact that the magazine's viewpoint is only that particular Reporter's view, This Is why you get inconsistent views from one mag. Reporter's really haven't got a clue, I could do a much better job. So gimme the keys to that Enzo for the centre spread :devil:

 

[cmc]

It all depends what you pay for it at the end of the day. I looked at the back of Whatcar? for the used buy valuations and they rate a second hand Stilo great value for money because of the depreciation. If you can get a good price on one you can have a good car which is nearly out the wrapper for a big saving.

OK some models might not be the sharpest drive compared to the new Golf or new Focus but how many people drive at the limit anyway. For many (but admitably not all) they want a car to get about in a bit of comfort. I think the Stilo does this very well. OK there are a few annoying design issues and the built quality isn't A1 decent (like some other manufactuers too - ask VW about all the coil pack failures in their 1.8T engine - I should know!) but it's and I bet if you done a value for money survey it would be closer to the top.

In summation, I think if the price is right you can have great value motoring which is Fiat's aim.

cmc

 

[HellFire]

I currently have a Mondeo TDCi 2002 Zetec Sport, lowered 30mm on 18's, the car handles very good for a large car, I was suprised a week ago when around the twisties a 1.6 Stilo kept with me, especially when my brothers Clio 172 has a job and that is known for being chuckable.

I came to the following conclusion, all of the cars at this level are going to be good at handling, and unless you put them on a track you will not notice that the Clio Sport is any faster than mine. The point im making is that it's all down to driver ability, and though yes, I do chuck my cars around a lot I can't see how my Mondeo could at most pull more than 1 car length, especially against a car with a 2.4 20v engine unless the driver in the stilo was much worse, and I was proven wrong the other day.

I know it doesnt have the best build quality, things can always be fixed. Whats more annoying is rattles, and I hope the Stilo I test drive tomorrow doesnt have any & for all the features that are standard on it, you can't complain - I just hope they haven't stuck all that on to try and hide the fact there is nothing underneath? that is my only worry...

But again this could all be bad press and it may have a good feel with a good urge to push on.

 

[Lorddean]

Hey, good luck with the test drive, i am tomorrow too, but will it be a or a . It'll be interesting to hear your verdict.

 

[jasper]

I agree with the vast majority of all the opinions here - I'm relaxed now, It's just that it was something that's always really 'narked' me! Good luck both with your test drives - hope you like it...

 

[StiloBoy]

The Stilo is actually a pretty good handling car even in standard form. Its the fact it doesn't feel like its handling well is the reason the car gets panned compaired to other manufacturers cars. Stilo turns on well, but it does lean a bit, it does test its tyres to the limit and it doesn't communicate where it is very well. If you a good driver you'll be able to drive round this, but most folk tend to over exagerate their driving and then complain that its the cars fault its understeering.

 

[apierdomi]

I have driven and I often drive Ford, Rover, Peugeot, Renault, Alfa, Lancia, Honda, BMW, Audi and many more makes and models.
I am not a professional test driver but I am not an inexperienced driver neither: I am definitely very demanding in terms of comfort and performance.
Before trying the Stilo I have done extensive research both in the UK and in Italy, I have searched on the web and spoken to many dealers, garages, enthusiasts. I had many contradicting opinions on nearly all models and makes: this is human nature, each person is looking for different priorities in a car.
Examples: Alfa 156, many owners are extremely happy, others are less, some mechanics think Alfa is non reliable at all, others think this is one of the most reliable and sporty cars on the market. The truth is that this car is great fun and very reliable, but this is my personal opinion, for another driver the Alfa engine might sound too loud or aggressive, for me it is pure music.
When you extensively test drive a car you know the truth.
The 1st test-drive can be quite misleading as we are used to our own personal or Company car and it is not easy to adapt to new clutch, brakes, steering etc.
We should always test-drive at least a few times, the best way would be to hire a car and this is what I have to do often for personal reasons and any car-hire is for me an excellent test-drive over a few days: it gives me the time to adapt to a new concept for example.

Several makes/models are victim of negative prejudices, some models are instead given 4-5 stars without any objective impartial merit and just because they benefit of years of good marketing. Often there are huge interests behind press reviews and it is not easy to be impartial for a test-driver working for a major car magazine, it is often impossible instead.

Also the Stilo is and has been victim of a very bad press campaign not only in the UK but also in Italy and the reasons behind this are very obscure and certainly not entirely clear.

The final verdict on the Stilo is the one that comes from the independent specialists, honest people which work in the motor industry and give you a honest genuine opinion without any hidden objective, either commercial or personal.

The Stilo is then a 5 star car and most of the owners know this very well.
Anything else is pure speculation.

 

[twincamms]

Mmm.........

not that we're biased or anything ???

 

[Lorddean]

Just got back from test driving the 3dr stilo, and have got to say i'm well impressed. it was only the 1.4 active thing, but it was really nice, more toys than you could shake a stick at, really good quality finish, and also very comfortable. i felt the handling was secure and zipping round roundadbouts and stuff was no effort at all, it just did everything i wanted it to. i also could'nt beleive how smooth it was, it seemed to take somthing moon crater size to unsettle it. the value for money is tremendous this was an 04 plate pre-registered with 16 miles on the clock for £7699. i was never that impressed with the focus and after driving one was always quite content with my bravo but i cant say that after driving the stilo. i can't believe how far fiat have come! So shorty for sale met blue bravo 100hlx.....