General Mk1 punto sporting....

[MrBravaLava]

im lookin to purchase a mk1 fiat punto sporting in the Very near future....i jst wanted to know what you guys reckon bout this car. ive found one in a garage, looks in amazing nick.any help is really apreciated.
cheers
Ben.

Much respect to the dude that invented the wheel!!

 

[pritch]

With the Mk1 Sporting it's a tale of two engines.

Up to 97 there was the old 1.6 litre unit which gave 90bhp which many would consider a proper size engine for a 'warm' hatch.

But if I were going to get a mk1 sporting, I'd get a later one (97-99), budget permitting, with the 1.2 16v engine. It's down to 85bhp *but* because it weighs a lot less than the old 1.6 unit it actually gets to 60 a smidgeon faster. A lighter car, especially at the front end in a front-drive car means better handling and less understeer if you push it. It's also a more fuel-efficient engine (41 rather than 35 on the combined cycle, probably as much as 7-8mpg difference round town at times) and will feel a bit sportier because it's a 16v engine. Mind you there's a lot more to the 8v/16v difference than that but I won't go on.

With any Sporting it's important to make sure it hasn't been thrashed by a would-be Schumacher. Insist on a test drive, make sure it starts OK, check the oil, all the usuals. As with all Puntos I'd try the electrics on full blast to make sure nothing is flagging. When it's warmed up, rev it slowly up to peak for a while to make sure there's no black smoke from the exhaust. Check for mayonaisse as well to make sure the car hasn't spent it's life doing 2-mile journeys, the usual small-car check stuff.

If the car's done over 50,000 miles really check the gearbox. If there's what might be a noise, push the clutch down and listen. If it disappears, then comes back when you let the clutch up the gearbox bearings might be on the way out. According to Parkers, this is the second most common problem on Puntos after ignistion coil failure.

Again, as with all Puntos, check the bodywork meticulously. Look for crash damage - evidence of respray and stone chips. Punto has high sided-doors and they dent easily: run your eye line along the door in the sun and look for small dents all along. I got £100 off my Punto for spotting one of those

I think I should sum up If possible, get a later 1.2, make sure it's not been razzed, look for service history, do usual Punto checks. Good luck!

Spirito di Punto | M-reg 55SX, black, 5dr.

 

[MrBravaLava]

great advice mate!!im in luck, its a 98 S reg blue sporting. around about 65k on the clock so il check the gearbox and stuff. im a member of the AA and they do this thing where if your lookin to buy a new car then they go and see the car and give it a good going over then let you know what they have found. im dead excited to get rid of my brava and get the sporting. what u ppl reckon il get for my V reg fiat brava 1.2 16v, 62k on the clock. its in great condition? the punto ive seen is up for £2995, the garage will trade so i should be able to trade the brava in for it. any theorys on this??
Ben.

Much respect to the dude that invented the wheel!!

 

[Punto 1.6 sporting]

i have both n as std the 12 16v is prob a better car 4 pottering about but if ur going to do it up the 1.6 is better its faster once your in 2nd the big eng over the front prevents wheelspin and understeer!also pos to get more power! 1.2 also has a common prob cold starting ! both good cars better than any saxo,fiesta or corsa!keep away from turbos!

A girl phoned me the other day and said, 'come on over; nobody's home." I went over. Nobody was home.

 

[pritch]

For your Brava, Parkers seems to reckon on just over £3k at a dealers, above-average mileage adjusted, Autotrader reckons on much less. Part-ex figures are just over £2k it seems. Seems kind of low to me.

Spirito di Punto | M-reg 55SX, black, 5dr.