Punto (Mk1) Considering a Punto

[spacebiscuit]

Hi,

New to the forum and Fiat. I'm thinking of picking up a second hand Fait for my wife to get to and from work in. I have seen a Diesel Punto (1994) which has done 170k miles.

Am I mad even considering this? Anything glaringly obvious I should look out for,

Looking for some feedback from some Fiat maestros who know they stuff!

Thanks!

 

[PuntoHowTo]

How much have you got to spend? A 1994 diesel with that many miles should cost probably less than its scrap value.

What you have to consider is until now someone has used it for all those miles and only now decided to get shot of it. I would personally expect it to either monumentally fail its next mot, or be in need of something expensive like a new diesel pump or turbo,
There are plenty of cars around now much newer and for not a lot of money

 

[spacebiscuit]

I was hoping to spend £500-1000.

The reason I was looking at Fiat was because my mum had a 94 Cinquecento that she never has any issue with - it was a great runaround so my thought turned to a Fiat again when considering a cheap car for work runs.

You're post has made me see sense though - I'm sure the owner has got rid because like you say something is going to fail very soon. 170k is a lot miles - it was being offered for £500.

Thanks.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

You can get a nice little car at the upper end of your budget, keep an eye on the autotrader website or the bargain section of the magazine, also try places like Gumtree and other free ads papers that are local to you.

 

[Brendan W]

I agree with Andy. Would have said filling the tank doubled the value of that car.
Diesels are only worth it if doing a lot of miles - breakeven is probably 7000 a year at least.As a nippy runabout I would be looking for a clean 1.2 8 valve petrol in standard as built condition. We have an eleven year old with 91k running sweet as a nut. You need to watch for overheating headgasket problems which are common and frequently due to poor maintanance , clutch release bearing and all electrics working and two chipped keys.The electrical steering is another weak point and should be tested at full lock with electrical load on - most times it indicates a dying battery but can be a fault in the column which is about the £200 mark reconditioned.

 

[s and b]

2 keys are a bonus not a ball breaker

 

[spacebiscuit]

Just wanted to bum this thread as I have seen a 98 petrol model with 80k on the clock which seems a wiser choice given it's newer and down half as many miles!

Are there any specifics I should look for on a Punto of this age and mileage?

Many thanks!

 

[fingers99]

Rust around the rear "jacking points", cooling issues, rear trailing arms.

Puntos are often the victims of owners who don't know/don't care, so go over it well.

 

[spacebiscuit]

I was of course trying to 'bump this thread and nothing else!

 

[cgarr04]

Hmm...

I have a 2003 Punto 1.2 8v punto, it's done 95k. MOT'd/Taxed until Nov 2012, with complete new exhaust, tyres. The brakes were also done about 7 months ago.

I've done 16,000 miles in the last year and the only fault I had was a slow puncture. Exhaust and tyres were done pre-mot, and it passed without an issue, even without any type of service.

I'm buying a new car in the next few days, therefore it will be going on gumtree, i'm looking around £600 for it.

Your post has made me think that I can get alot more for this car, or you're paying well over the odds for what you're buying?

Picture:- http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hpho...841045797_557750796_11779754_1079725425_n.jpg

Just my two cents.

 

[spacebiscuit]

That looks like a good deal, I would be very interested but looks like you're over in Belfast?

 

[cgarr04]

That looks like a good deal, I would be very interested but looks like you're over in Belfast?

I'm afraid so.

However, i'm just making the point that I think you could definately get a better deal for the sort of money you're paying.

Colum.

 

[RaulCarnahan]

I bought a Mk2 with £800 but failed its Mot on rust on sills.
The mileage was just under 70k though which is quite good.
Haven't had any other major problems with it though

Also I have seen a lot of them with around 80-90k miles on go for about £700.
I think if you pay attention to what you're buying, you can get a pretty good example of a Mk2.

 

[Andy2000]

I have a 2000 punto sporting it's a great wee car plenty of grunt when needed but very economical around town mine has done 105,000ks and I can't fault it it's a hoot to drive
Cheers.