Fiat Bravo

[Seve Povey]

Good Evening Lads,
After a bit of advice please, I have put a down payment on a Fiat Bravo 1.9TD SX in V Good condition, 98 R reg plate with 74,000 on the clock. I am keen on purchasing this car and I think it will be my ideal first car at only just passing my test at 30. BUT I have been warned off the Fiat's because I've been told that they are not "reliable", is this true? Please let me know the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Cheers
Seve

 

[Anonymous]

http://www.bravo-guide.co.uk/buy-a-bravo

 

[JUSTIN POVEY]

FIAT BRAVO

I've read the Bravo guide a few times and its is one of the most helpfull sites I've found but I'd like to know from your experience if I'm taking a risk or not purchasing a Bravo

 

[Anonymous]

Re: FIAT BRAVO

buying any car is a risk, there are always good cars and bad cars. I have owned 2 bravo's and never had a single problem.

Reading through this forum it may look like they have a lot of problems, but remember people post to say "help i have a problem" they dont post to say "i got up today, started my car and it started first time!"

I dont think the bravo is worse than any other car out there, just read the bravo guide to make sure you dont buy a lemon.

Jonathan

 

[Nick]

Re: Re: FIAT BRAVO

As far as I'm aware there are no reliability issues with the 1.9 Diesel.
I have one and its coming up for 70,000 miles without any mechanical problems at all. The overall build quality seems OK as no internal bits have fallen off. I've had to replace the electric window motor but that was easy.
The days of Fiats rusting to bits are long gone and their diesel technology is up there with the best of them, so in general terms they are probably average compared with the Fords of this world, but being a diesel its going to be more reliable than the average petrol engine. (Less electrics to go wrong!)

Hope that helps!

 

[Nick]

Re: Re: Re: FIAT BRAVO

I've just noticed you said it was 74,000 miles. Note that the cam belt interval is 72,000 on this model (I believe), so make sure its been changed or get it changed ASAP. Its a good idea to at least change the oil on a 'new' car, or get a service done, as sometimes you can't trust the people you are buying them off to be entirely honest with the history sometimes. I don't think cam belt changes on the TD are that expensive - I'll find out myself shortly!

Make sure you get the red key!
And a good upgrade for the SX is to fit the remote central locking relay (available from Fiat). It makes it much more convenient to open the doors.

 

[seve]

FIAT BRAVO

Thanks for all your responces, it makes things a lot easier, and yes it has already gone in for a cam belt change,oil and filter change- total cost £95.
How much would it cost to put Central locking on the car? and I also want to put a set of alloys on in the near future. how much do they cost to buy and then fit.

Cheers Seve

 

[Aria]

110 and counting

I've had my Bravo TD100 since new, 1998 and I've done 110000. no problems with engine. only servicing costs. and today had my first puncture in years. the sun roof is letting in some water after car wash, but only a couple of drops. and that's it.
I have trashed it from the word go, didn't run it in, and it still pulls like new. happy motoring.