General Cheeky fifth gear idiots!

[Shminkypinky]

Been on the new fifth gear website today only to confirm that not only is the programme not as good as TopGears nor is the website.
Anyway I thought i'd check out the review on the Stilo and this is what theyve written:

I was shocket to read 'The sharp-edged styling of Fiat's family hatchback already looks out of date'. WHAT are they on about!!!

So the stylings so out of date that the stylists at Vauxhall went and copied it for their latest 3 door Astra!!!!!

I think fifth gear have lost the plot, the Stilo looks as fresh and modern today as it did in 2001!!!

Heres the review:

Rating (3 out of 5)

Quick Summary
Average. Sensible or boring? A tough call. The sharp-edged styling of Fiat's family hatchback already looks out of date, but equipment levels and pricing are good.

Full Road Test
Thoroughly inoffensive, no-thought motoring from Fiat. Stodgy driving dynamics are the big downside, although there's plenty of compensation to be taken from the well constructed, spacious cabin, excellent standard equipment and keen pricing. The basic 1.2-litre engine feels underpowered out of town, but the bigger petrol engines offer zestful performance, and the state-of-the-art JTD turbodiesel option is excellent. The estate version offers excellent space, practically on a par with a five-seat mini-people-carrier. The biggest problem is likely to be acute depreciation, long since a mid-sized Fiat's Achilles heel.

JD Power stars

Best models:
1.6 Activ, JTD 115 estate

Worst models:
1.2 3-door

Replacement Date: 2008

Residual Value**: 34%
**percentage of list price retained after 3 years / 36,000 miles

 

[activematt]

How olds that review? The 1.2 isnt done anymore

 

[Argonought]

Full Road Test
Thoroughly inoffensive, no-thought motoring from Fiat. Stodgy driving dynamics are the big downside,

Sounds like they took it for a quick spin around the local car park - never heard of country lanes obviously

 

[activematt]

Either that or they took a 5 door out, they supposedly have a softer set up from standard

 

[Argonought]

Either that or they took a 5 door out, they supposedly have a softer set up from standard

Hey! careful! .....mine's a 5 door.


Actually, they are a bit like that around town - but get on a twisty road and it comes into its own

 

[Stu DemonD]

The standard setup is atrocious - get some decent springs on them, and the difference is amazing

 

[Argonought]

The standard setup is atrocious - get some decent springs on them, and the difference is amazing

Is that view based on experience or just from what you've heard?

As I've said before I don't find it an issue on the open road (twisty or not)

Any good links?

 

[Stu DemonD]

Is that view based on experience or just from what you've heard?

Hmmm, experience - seeing that I drive a 5 door Abarth

 

[activematt]

Hey! careful! .....mine's a 5 door.


Actually, they are a bit like that around town - but get on a twisty road and it comes into its own

Hey i didnt say that as a dig at 5 doors, read the Fiat literature and it states that the 5 door has a far softer set up than the 3 door

 

[Stu DemonD]

No one said you were making a dig at 5 doors, Matt!!!

But I know how my car handled before it had some Eibachs on it - i.e. it didn't handle

 

[bozzy]

Sounds like they took it for a quick spin around the local car park - never heard of country lanes obviously

I bet they never even got in the car. Gleamed as much info as possible from other magazines and bundled it together in a make-shift report. I notice a clear pattern from one report to the next and even the format is the same. Even if they bothered to get in the car they wouldn't want to report anything different to what they have already read for fear of not conforming to common belief. Forgive the language but pseudo car eficienado ******s.

 

[Argonought]

Hmmm, experience - seeing that I drive a 5 door Abarth

I knew you drove an Abarth but hadn't realized it was a 5 door. In any case rather surprised that FIAT didn't up-rate the springs by default.

So tell me more about Eibachs

 

[Stu DemonD]

I knew you drove an Abarth but hadn't realized it was a 5 door. In any case rather surprised that FIAT didn't up-rate the springs by default.

So what did you change to?

All the pics are in My Gallery space

I went for the Eibachs in the end, having been recommended them - it was a good choice

 

[Stilo Multijet 140bhp]

I knew you drove an Abarth but hadn't realized it was a 5 door. In any case rather surprised that FIAT didn't up-rate the springs by default.

So tell me more about Eibachs

I've just written an extensive post on the Eibach 30mm springs in the "ESP, got it or not" post, Take a look at it, it explains what i felt when i changed my springs

 

[Argonought]

I've just written an extensive post on the Eibach 30mm springs in the "ESP, got it or not" post

Thanks for that.

My only issue with fitting Eibachs is that I like to take the car off road on occasion and losing 30mm might be critical

What's the general consensus on Strut-brace vs Eibachs (aside from the SB being a lot cheaper to fit anyway)?

 

[Ben R]

Fit both! I have! There's also Bilstein gas shocks available couple those with a strut brace & you'll really be laughing!

 

[activematt]

couple those with a strut brace & you'll really be laughing!

Right thats it Ben in future everytime you mention strut braces you owe me £1, i reckon i'll be a millionaire by christmas!

 

[StiloBoy]

Aye 1.2 guttless out of town, coming back from the cinema tonight, 85-90mph all the way back, and still averaging 43.6mpg!

 

[Ben R]

Aye 1.2 guttless out of town, coming back from the cinema tonight, 85-90mph all the way back, and still averaging 43.6mpg!

What's that at 9000rpm?

 

[StiloBoy]

3500rpm thanks to the 6th gear!