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Grande Punto My White Grande Punto 1.4

Introduction

Hi! I've driven 30,000km (18,000mls) in my Prius and to be honest i am sick of it, the CVT is annoying and i want something more stylish... the Prius is still a great car and i love them, but i needed a change.

So i went from one extreme to another, Japanese to Italian, ugly to sexy. I got a 2008 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 Dualogic. I wanted a full manual but got a good deal on a Dualogic (with 3 years warranty), the auto mode is horrible so i'm using it as a manual.

The car feels about as fast as a 2008 Gen 2 Prius, yet strangely rides a lot smoother and sounds MUCH nicer. The fuel economy difference is pretty big (67.26mpg from the Prius versus 48.7mpg in the Punto)


I plan on lightly modding it with 16" OEM alloy wheels from a Fiat Bravo/Ritmo, Phillips silver vision indicator bulbs, satin black painted front grilles and piano black interior trimming, plus maybe slightly tinted tail lights and LED interior lights (Can anyone link me on how to do this on a GP?

It also matches my Parents 2008 Fiat Ritmo 150hp T-Jet This means that the 1496cc Prius is the largest capacity engine in my household, with the Punto and Ritmo at 1368cc, Who says there's no replacement for displacement?
Thanks!

I was more after replacements for the current lights - although i didn't find anything in the guides section on this - i think it'll be hit and miss trying to find decent LED bulbs. Has anyone replaced the license plate lights for LEDs? I'm getting parts of my interior wrapped in glass black vinyl to replicate piano black. My plan is to go for an OEM plus/Euro(ish) look with the car, tart up the interior a bit and make it look a bit more premium without looking tacky/cheap/boyracer.

... I also took delivery of the car today, i'm so excited!

Attached is a photoshop mockup of what i want my interior to look like. i'm booking it in for the wrapping first thing in the new year.

As soon as i got home i removed the dealer sticker and number plate surround (yuck!), and then added a $1 air freshener plus an Apple sticker :p It's a pity i have to have the massive P-plate for another 2 years :( (i'm 17)

I also saw a red 500 today! (Fiats are very uncommon in Australia)
 

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Last edited:
If you meant LED headlight bulbs etc, the GP doesn't seem to like them, throws up bulb errors on the dash unless you fit resistors apparently, I'm sure theres a way around it you just need to have a search of the forum :)
 
Some updated pics of the car... i'm loving it! It's great to drive and look at!
 

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I've added a fake D&G air freshener (yes, i know it's tacky), some Abarth decals plus an Italian flag badge on the tailgate :)
 

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Just an update on my GP...

I've done it up a bit more by adding clear front indicator lights; it's amazing how big of a difference they make to the overall look of the light. I was also never a fan of the silver grills on the 2008 GPs so i got my (heavily stone chipped) grilles repainted in satin black, IMO it looks much nicer now against the white paint. I've also replaced my front Fiat badge with a new one as the old one was cracked, full of water and heavily chipped.

I'm thinking of vinyling my front grille soon...
 

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