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Punto (Mk1) My New Toy

Introduction

Hey all :)

Well as some of you will have read in the Bravo Tech section, the HGT has been off the road at the garage since 19th November 07 while they try and source a replacement power steering pipe.

Unfortunately this was the last straw of very much a love/hate year with the Bravo.

Although I still own it, it will be up for sale shortly after the garage have finished with it.

This meant that I needed a replacement car (by today at the latest actually) so I picked this up last night from Kettering:




1998 Fiat Punto GT3 in Vroom (Broom) Yellow :D

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Sorry the pictures are absolutely crap because I took them on my phone about 45 minutes ago as I was leaving work...... and I know its filthy, it wasnt when I picked it up last night but the 100+ mile drive back to Reading left it needing a wash.

Its in no way mint but it isn't bad condition either. Given a bit of time and some selective modding and I will have my dream weekend toy :slayer:

Anyway more pictures to follow this weekend in day light after a good clean and some 'de-chavving' ;)

Oh and P.S...... Woooooooo for BOOST :worship:
Nice one si! I know uve wanted a GT for quite some time (y) Doesnt look like there's any dechaving to do imo. Looks very nice and subtle as it is! Just get it lowered :)

As for being unreliable. They are solid cars. The weak point being the turbo system but as long as its in good nick to start with and you do regular services (oil) then there's no reason it wont be a reliable car.

Plus, parts are alot cheaper and easier to get hold of than for a 20v bravo.
 
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Cheers for the comments guys :D

ChrisUK - It's not that i was after a more reliable car, just one that doesnt have to go to a specialist for the slightest little fault. If I wanted a more reliable car then I wouldnt have bought a Fiat ;)

Chris (Bushboy) - There are a few little chavvy bits..... Chrome badges on the boot, GT badge on front bumper, Max Power sticker on the bonnet and a chavtastic exhaust trim :rolleyes:
 
Fair enough. Having said that when they do break there quite easy to work on yourself as everything is pretty accessible unlike the 20v's.

I'm a bit partial to a GT myself ever since I'd been out with a mate who's got one. Very nice engine once on boost :slayer::devil:. How does it compare to the 20v in terms of speed?
 
I havent been in a Punto GT but ive owned a number of Uno Turbos. You cant really compare the power from a n/a to a turbo. Even if they are putting out the same power, they still deliver power completly different. Turbo is all woooooosh and pin you back into your seat with the turbo torque where as say a 20v is all smooth and then a bit of a kick at 4500 upto the redline.

Lag is seriously addictive
 
The Team D's are staying, just need new centre caps and one needs touching up slightly.

The GT was my original choice before I bought the Bravo but like most people the scare stories of reliability put me off but I've taken a leap.

The plan is for it to become my weekend car while something like a mk4 Golf TDi becomes my mileage muncher as the Bravo was drinking the juice far too much for my liking (more than the GT has done so far anyway).

I do expect problems after all it is a 9 year old car but you can actually work on these engines without a diploma from NASA.

As for comparing with the HGT:
I miss the climate control and heated seats in the Bravo but I love the boost in the GT.

The GT is a nippy enough car with plenty of pull while off boost and it's pretty damn rapid once it's on boost. 3rd gear boosting is very strong.

I will give a better update once I've had a bit longer with the car.
 
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Howdy Si (y) long time no see ..nice punto by the way and deffo the right colour ..god I'm sounding like bozzy now :D
 
Lag is awsome... Used to love it when u would stamp on the pedal and nothing would happen... then BOOOOSSSTTTTTTT :D:D:D

Wouldnt be the same if it went as soon as u pressed the pedal heh

True would feel too much like a modern car I guess lol :idea:

Yeah true I agree 80's style lag before boost can be fun :eek: nothinnggg...... ahhhhh.. change gear... nothingggggggg.. ahhh etc lol :yum:
 
Lag is awsome... Used to love it when u would stamp on the pedal and nothing would happen... then BOOOOSSSTTTTTTT :D:D:D

You lag and boost lovers would love an old school two stroke sports motorbike. Same kind of engine characteristics - sod all power below 5K rpm, a big flat spot between 5 - 6K and then you hit that magic 6K and BAM! All hell breaks loose and the front wheel has gone skywards! God I miss my Yamaha RD350 YPVS :cry:
 
Merry Christmas all :D

Just a few updated pictures for you, not done much but I gave it a wash yesterday.

So far I have removed the GT badge from the front bumper (was bloody superglued on :( ), The Max Power sticker from the bonnet, the Brooklands sticker from the boot and the tacky exhaust trim. Still to remove the chrome badges from the boot but waiting for a replacement standard Punto GT badge before I do that.

So here's the pics:

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Will get more pictures up in the New Year once I start the project :)
 
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