My first car. A Punto?

[quarryman]

I'm currently trying to decide if my first car is going to be the Punto i went to see yesterday. It was in very good condition for the mileage. Will be getting an engineer's report this week to make sure everything working order.

I know this forum might be a little bit biased but i just looking for some opinions on whether it would make a good first car. I still can't drive so have nothing to compare it against

Here's the details:

1999 (Army Green) Fiat Punto for sale.

- 1.25 Litre
- NCT 05/05
- Central Locking
- Electric Windows
- Cd Player
- Power Steering

Just recently serviced and head gasket replaced. Mileage is a little high 76k hence sale price €2,750. Ideal second car or for someone who is learning to drive. Genuine reason for sale.

Here's a picture. sorry for the poor quality, taken with a phone cam.

 

[Steven]

It's a 1.2. No reason it shouldn't be a good first car. You are doing things properly with the engineers report, etc. If you look after it then it will look after you.

They're easy to drive, park, and so on and won't be hard on the insurance, plus it's a more interesting car than the usual Fiesta/Corsa...

 

[Bob in disguise]

i had a 1.2 punto as my first car, cant fault them

excellent choice

 

[quarryman]

thanks for the replies. Should i be concerned about the 76k on the clock? like i said though it'll be checked out by an mechanic so hopefully that weed any problems out.

also i'm considering putting a set of alloys on it at some stage. I am a complete noob at all this stuff. How much would a decent set cost me? 2nd hand most likely.

thanks in advance

 

[jamie86]

Cambelt would be the about the only thing to think about I would imagine?

Alloys- Get some punto GT ones on it then you could prob get away with the insurance (which I in no way condone )

 

[Bob in disguise]

my punto had 76k on it when i sold it. The cam belts the only thing to worry about, the buyer that had mine kept going on about it till i found the receipt to show it had only been changed 6k miles ago.

 

[JonnyBoy]

Is it a 1.2 8-valve (Punto 60 or 75) or a 16-valve (Punto 85)? THe 60 is the cheapest to insure and the 85 the most expensive (the numbers refer to the engine's power output), obviously the 85 is fastest!
I've had my 1.1-litre Punto nearly 3 years and it's been a great car. Cheap to insure and not had much wrong with it. My alloys are standard Punto GT ones, they cost me a hundred notes and I resprayed them black myself.

Funnily enough my Punto also has 76k on it right now! Not bad for a nearly-11-year-old car!

 

[quarryman]

its a 60. Insurance in Ireland is extremely high for young drivers. I'm 23.

 

[Bob in disguise]

my insurance on my punto was cheap for being such a young driver i had the 60 as well i had the car for my 17th birthday