do i get a bravo or not?

[bren]

After hearing all the horror stories on here it as seriosuly put me off now! I know every car manufacturer as horror stories but fiat are renowned for it. I dont want to be having to get the damn thing repaired every few month, and does anybody know if the cambelt on a 1.8hlx is an engine out job? Cheers for any info

 

[Paul]

Well, it's not an engine out job for the 1.8, so you're safe there. As far as reliability goes, most of the problems are niggles. Had a 1.4SX for four years without a single murmur of a problem. Other people have had no end of problems. Some have had a few problems they can put up with.

Don't be put off by some of these recent surveys either. The problem with some of these surveys is that they don't put across reliability of these cars across very clearly (any car). The JD power survey for instance is a prime example. A car gets rated even further down if the owner doesnt like the styling for gods sake. (if someone doesnt like the look of the car why buy it?) These surveys take into account stuff like dealers (we all know about Fiat dealers), aftersales, ride, performance and stuff like that and the overall satisfaction of the ownership experience. If you boycott Fiat dealers and take to a good specialist or independant garage you should be fine. If you don't mind a firm ride you should be fine.

A few years ago Lex did a survey on reliability - Fiats came out near the top with 11.0% of cars breaking down. That was above BMW and Mercedes. (Alfa, Renault, Ford and Vauxhall were way down with 40% plus breaking down) The Punto was one of the more reliable cars they had. The Bravo wasn't as high as the Punto, but still made a relatively good showing, save for the few electrical and teething problems of the original cars.

But back to the original question - if you get a well looked after, properly maintained car, there's no reason why it shouldn't give you excellent service but buy a neglected, abused Bravo and you'll be shelling out for it on a monthly basis.

regards,
Paul

 

[amit]

Re: Re: do i get a bravo or not?

deffo get a bravo - best bet is a 1.6hlx though in terms of performance, and also fuel economy/extras

amit

 

[bren]

cheers

Ok cheers Paul thats been a big help and amit, i would get a 1.6hlx but the 1.6 is on the later model isnt it? I cant really afford the later models thats why i was looking at the 1.8hlx...

 

[amit]

Re: cheers

how much u lookin to spend m8, cos i seen some bravos at amazing prices! let me knw ur price range!

 

[bren]

prices...

Not sure to be honest, from looking on auto trader i have seen a few nice 1.8hlx's for about £2800 to 3.5k, i aint really looking around at moment, just working out prices, be a few month before i get one need to save some cash up lol

 

[patrick]

The worst thing about Fiats

The only downside to having afiat, is that you come on this forum and bump into people like amit.............lol

 

[amit]

Re: The worst thing about Fiats

thanks 4 that patrick - i aint gona bother posting any more on this forum.

bye

 

[patrick]

Best friends

I was going to invite you and nige over for christmass

 

[Gurjit]

Amit you're always welcome

Amit,

I appreciate your views and comments. Don't leave this Forum. Just ignore people who offend you.

I know the feeling of being bashed. I have experienced it in a Forum in my own Country, Malaysia.

Cheers.

 

[Paul]

Patrick...

Ole Patrick's only messing about and joking around. He can't help it. He's from up north.

 

[Julian]

I wouldn't advise it

How I chuckled when I read on this site that the Bravo won a reliability test. Do a bit of research on the Internet and you'll find that engine cambelts snap prematurely, interior fittings fall off and Fiat garages (in the UK at least) simply do not understand the term customer care.

I own a 1.4s (1995) and I can safely say it's the biggest lemon ever. My problems, particularly on the 12V engine, do not seem isolated. Moreover, the more I read about this engine, the more I realise why it was later dropped from the bravo range.

Here's a little taster of what I have endured thus far.

Airbag control unit packed up.
Rear box on exhaust rusts with alarming speed (even when replaced with a genuine Fiat part)
cambelt snapped (causing bent valves and £1400 of engine damage).
Replacement cylinder head suffered from oil starvation problem - replaced again.
June 02 - replacement of replacement knackered too. Again oil starvation. This time advise to replace whole engine (due to additional damage).

As I say if this was just a one off I'd happily say go ahead and buy a Bravo, but search on Google for a bit and you'll find that it is genuinely the car from hell when buying used.

Yes, I know they drive nicely. Yes they are lovely to look at. Yes, they're still very stylish. But Fiat can't screw together a car to save their lives. Which is why Fiat Group are in such dire straits. If Fiat is still around in 10 years time I'll be amazed.

Absoluter trash steer clear!!

 

[Barakka]

In Defense

I have a 1.6 SX that I bought new 3 years ago...

It's done 64,000 miles so far and has had the following problems:

Clutch went at about 40,000 miles, but this was most likely down to me being the only driver to that point and then letting my g/f drive it as well so is to be expected. Cost Around £150

Rear wiper motor has packed in which is a common fault but not very expensive to fix... about £100

Near side C.V. Joint went at about 60,000 miles but that was due to daily driving being 40 miles of pothole filled A Roads... so again, to be expected. Cost £120

And well that's it really... No rattles, no bits dropping off, had the CAM belt done at 64,000 miles cost £180 including the follower and guide pulley etc.

It gets 30-45 MPG depending on the type of mileage (30 in built up, 45 on the MWay), quite low insurance, nice drive (Italian car so suited to being driven quite hard as that's how Italians drive)

The driving position is very good having been designed by one of the world's leading ergonomics labs. (in the UK)

Barakka

 

[Chris B]

In Defense II

I drive a JTD. It's done 69,000, of which I have done around 30,000 over the last 2 years.

To date, I have had no problems bar the following...

Back wiper - washer tube came loose - 20 minute fix
Clutch - feels like it may go soon

And that's it.

I have the oil changed every 6,000 miles, and service it regularly. I have a tuning box fitted and use redex to keep the engine clean. I have driven Vauxhalls, Fords, Nissans and Peugeots and have had more hastle with all of them.

Sounds like the 1.4 12v was the runt of the litter to me.

Out of interest, how many people would consider buying another Fiat?

 

[Barakka]

Re: In Defense II

I would... well, this is my second Fiat after a Tipo as my first car which served me brilliantly for six years. I've driven Vauxhalls, Pugs, Rovers, Nissans, Hondas, BMWs, Fords, you name it, and nothing compares to the Fiat for character and style.

I wouldn't mind a Punto HGT after the Bravo as I fancy something with Too Much Power !! Other main competitor is the Honda Civic Type-R, but then you lose the Italian Personality - LOL!

Thought about the Bravo HGT but don't fancy £600+ Cam belt changes, and the Stilo doesn't have the high power band that I love in Fiats, although i'm really starting to warm to the shape of the 3 door version.

Incidentally I get my Bravo serviced about every 10,000 miles, usually costs about £150.

Barakka

 

[amit]

Re: Re: In Defense II

i wud and am defintly gona buy another bravo, nothin comes close in terms of value for money etc>>

for 7100 i am gettin the following:

2001 FIAT BRAVO 100 16V HLX 3dr Hatchback
2001 51 registration, 2 and half years warranty and AA cover, rear spoiler and sports interior, 15" alloys, 6 disc multi cd changer, Remote Control Central Locking, adjustable steering wheel, colour coded bumpers, alarm & immob Climate control A/C, ABS, 4 airbags, PAS, Metallic paint, Heated/Electric wing mirrors, Heated seats.

is that value for money or wat??!?!?!

cheers
amit

 

[Chris B]

Insurance

I take it your insurance company paid out then Amit?

 

[amit]

Re: Insurance

still tryin to sort it out mate

 

[Paul]

In defence of Fiat again

My family's on its 8th Fiat and have had 2x Unos, Tipo, 2x Puntos, Cinquecento, Seicento and a Bravo, so yes, would definitely get another. (Also warming to the 3 door Stilo, but still hate the five door - looks like a Maestro)

Not one single mechanical problem with any of them except for one of the Unos which needed a new gearbox at 130,000 miles as bearings had gone. No trim has ever broken off any of the cars except aforementioned Uno (window winder).

Also got an excellent authorised service agent (run by enthusiasts who actually know what a car is - a refreshing change for a Fiat dealer) to look after the cars.

As far as replacement items go for the Bravo: there were none. Not even a bulb blew. The sunroof seal was replaced once due to a leak but acording to the new owner it seems to have cured itself. It hasnt leaked since, even in all the rain we've had recently.

Incidentally, the Bravo was a 1.4 12v. It was mechanically 100% reliable. However, compared with the other engines in the range, it's certainly the weakest link.

 

[bren]

klsmdklsadm

Ok thanks a lot for the info guys, the reason i looked at the bravo is mainly because of 1) the styling 2) the insurance is very cheap. I have heard more horror stories about the smaller engined ones so hopefully sometime in the near future i will be looking into getting a 1.8 hlx