i want 2 join the bravo team, need buying advice

[fred]

i hav been looking for a bravo for quite a while now . i 1m only 20 and hav no no/claims. i was 1st opting for a 1.4 but heared they were very,very uneconomical. i think iam heading for a 1.9 td or a 1.8 hlx. i was recently going to by a 1.8 hgt 40k m for £2465 but he did not hav the red key so i walked away.Basiclly what iam saying 'any got any tips on purchasing a bravo?'

 

[Dillinger]

Check the Bravo/a guide.

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

Dill.

 

[Mr Al]

Re: Re: i want 2 join the bravo team, need buying advice

Lucky you did walk away - They never made a 1.8 HGT lol. The italian version of the HLX 1.8 is called the GT though so it could of been that. The HGT is great but i'd hate to see the insurance for you
I started with the 1.8 HLX 3 yrs ago then moved onto the HGT last year now the insurance has dropped. Just had a quote of £525 Fuly comp. 23 yrs old 6yrs no claims. The desiels are good - and yer the 1.4 is slow

hope that helps. And as the above post says check the bravo guide.

Mr Al.

 

[Dank_army]

Re: Re: Re: i want 2 join the bravo team, need buying advice

Hey!

Dont knock the 1.4's - they are a great 1st Bravo for anyone that can handle the petrol money!

I would have got a 1.2, but dont have the money to buy one. My 1.4 was a steal, not literally - I paid £2250 in May of this year:

23,000 Miles
P Reg, Two owners
Full service history and all the keys.

You can't knock that now can you!

Its a brilliant car, if I were you mate i'd get the cheapest Bravo you can buy - within reason, steer clear of any over 50k. Go for a 1.4!

I pay £630 for the insurance and im 18 - 1years NCB

John

 

[Bahney]

Re: Re: Re: Re: i want 2 join the bravo team, need buying advice

i agree i love my 1.4s

but looking back i wish i had gone for the SX rather then the S, no electric windows drives me insane!!!

the 1.4 is a good little engine all be it petrol hungry i do 220miles on a full tank (£28) and that is town driving.

my car was also a bargain at £2500 in feb this year with full service, all keys and immaculate condition and it is 1998 S reg

i pay £720 for insurance and i am 20 with 2yrs ncb and i have alloys on mine.

defenatly go for the 1.6 if you can because that would be good on ins plus a nippy car but never ever get the S the plastic bumpers and the lack of electric windows/sunroof might not matter at first but after a while it will annoy you, trust me i am a 1.4S owner and i am haveing to pay £100 for leccy windows and £200 for a sunroof

good luck in your bravo purchse i am 99% sure what ever model you choose it will put a smile on your face everytime you look at it

 

[jay]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: i want 2 join the bravo team, need buying advice

hello mate.
i have a 1.6 sx on a 1999 S plate. some might mock the white colour, but i love it.

it is insurance group 7 and i bought it for £4000 in june, 2003. it's worth £3300 now. (low miler and no outrageous mods etc).

for a london boy of 23 with 2 years ncb, i pay £800 fully comp with all mods declared and the car is garaged.

I reckon you should go for a 1.2, 1.6 or the Angel Power ready JTD. Make sure it's got a good service history and change the cambelt AND tensioner at around 50k. thats it, apart from mods and servicing, i know myself and many others have not spent much on fixing their cars.

(that was not on the queen's highway, mind!)

 

[Roger Ramjet]

No need to worry about red keys as most Motorfactors and even Timpsons can clone teh bule ones.

Go for a 1.2 to start with otherwise the insurance will cripple your finances.

 

[Bravo Broking, Inc.]

Re: Re: i want 2 join the bravo team, need buying advice

I too am 23, live in London and have had an 1.8HLX for the past year. 3 years No Claims and about £570 a year with Tesco's motor insurance, Group 9. Very reliable car and fun to drive although it was only just over a year and a half old when I bought it.
Lovely styling, plenty of gadgets especially for the price, elctric windows & mirrors, heated seats, PS, ABS, Alloys, Metallic blue paint, AirCon. All for £6500!

 

[Barakka]

Re: Re: Re: i want 2 join the bravo team, need buying advice

"No need to worry about red keys as most Motorfactors and even Timpsons can clone teh bule ones."

No, worry about the red key.

If the car doesn't have it walk away as you did. Either that or demand at least £800 off the price as the car is technically defective. The blue keys can be cloned but they will not perform the function of the Red Key. You may never need it true, but there have been instances of Mk1 Punto owners needing the Red Keys (same CODE system fitted), and Mk1 Puntos go back further age wise than Bravos. So we may get Bravos needing them in a few years - Fiat wiring has never been something that gets better with age.

 

[Sy B]

Re: Re: Re: Re: i want 2 join the bravo team, need buying advice

Ignore that bit about the Red this is a must!!!!
Although timpsons can clone the keys you can't use these to reprogram the ECU if anything does go wrong, THus if it does i believe for a new ecu and chip set for keys the price is about £1000, so make sure you get one with the RED Key.

SY B

 

[Paul Maks (MISERABLE GIT)]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: i want 2 join the bravo team, need buying advice

Def dont listen to the comment about not needing the red key (R'RJET)

You DO need it - after all its meant to come with the car. You probably wont use it. But someday you might need it for the reasons mentioned above.

It wont be difficult to find a Bravo for sale with a red key. Its worth your money and peace of mind.

Paul Maks

 

[fred]

i thank everyone for they input and advice , it has been most helpful. i am very close to purchasing my bravo now THANX EVERYONE!!!

 

[James Jones]

Potential Purchase?

If you want an HGT, give me a call or e-mail me - 07818 444351/[email protected]

 

[jay]

Re: Re: i want 2 join the bravo team, need buying advice

which one are u getting?

 

[Anonymous]

for a first bravo either get the 1.2 or 1.4 SX model, insurance is cheaper for the 1.4 cos it has less power and with these you get the best fiat stereo and electric windows/roof, also u get body coloured bumpers. Of course if u can afford it get one of the bigger engines but i got a great 1.4 for about £2600, 1 owner from new 40k, absolutely clean throughout, all i did was change the stereo (not speakers the standard ones are pretty good) and fit toad alarm and 2nd immobiliser (only reason i got bravo was becuase some little arse stole my nova and torched it) and I'm 19 so imagine my insurance!

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Re: i want 2 join the bravo team, need buying advice

so that little arse did you a favour then?!