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Grande Punto  Need cosmetic ideas!

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Grande Punto  Need cosmetic ideas!

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CKnott94

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Hello, new to the forum. Been looking at other peoples puntos for a year and i finally decided that i should see what to do with mine!

I'm in two minds with what to do with my car, i got it about a year ago and with my insurance coming down i have extra money to spend on the car!

ATM i'm pretty sure it's all just stock parts. Haven't done anything to it myself and it was owned by an old women before me, good condition and only had 18k miles when i got it.

So just want any ideas as to what i should do. Not to bothered about performance, but i do want it to look like it can go faster then it does, i can just pretend i'm not trying at 7000 RPM!

Don't have any photos ATM to put up as im at college but the main area that i want to change is the exhaust! Not to technical with it but its a down facing pipe, Horrid!

Ok well any help would be appreciated, i want to get it lowered and get some black alloys, maybe get the calipers and disc/drum sprayed but not sure how to go about it! Anyway, one thing at a time and as i said any help will be great!

Craig
smile.gif
 
Hello and welcome!

Would be good to see some pictures so people have a better idea of what it looks like and what they think could be improved (y) You could get a new exhaust system made up, for the sound your after or even just a backbox for visual purposes, would certainly look better than the tailpipe your on about! :) As for painting the calipers, majority of people use hammerite paint or a similar heat resistant paint, i'm sure theres a guide on here of how to do it, quite simple really, a paintbrush and a steady hand are all that is required. 99% of people will tell you not to paint the rear drums as it draws attention to the fact that you have drum brakes, painted in black is the only way to go, bright colours are a no no but of course it's your car so you can do what ever you like to it :D
 
Cheers for the reply :)

I'm at college ATM so cant really get any photo's up for another 2-3 hours. Backbox sounds good aslong as i can get rid of the horrid tailpipe! It's basically an 08 GP sporting with nothing else done, all standard and stock parts.

I want to get new headlights and rear lights but i cant find any that look easy to fit. Really like the Abarth ones but i cant find any cheap ones!

I was thinking Drum/Disc black and the calipers red. Can i change the drum to disc or is it a hassle? Not to good with modding cars only 18 and since its my first car im very inexperienced!
 
Hey, and welcome!

Abarth front and rears do look great. Partsworld just had an offer end yesterday where you buy the fronts for £200 and get the rears free. Thats where i got mine from, pity the offer literally just ended.

In terms of mods, subtle is always best. I happen to have some Team Dynamics JET RS alloys for sale in the classifieds, also currently listed on eBay. Reserve is £200 ;) Also, i'm open to offers on the alloys on my car currently. Check my thread.

-rear 3 window tints
-lowered on eibach sportlines
-debadge grill
-vinyl roof
-various interior colour mods

Just some of the things i'd be tempted to do if it was me. I've done the top 3 so far. Working on others currently.
 
Wow, crazy as it is I went through your posts yesterday Wisey!! I love your car and really wanted to make something like yours!

Ill get pictures up in the next 20 mins for you's to look at and hopefully you think it's an ok first car haha!:)

And I've had a look at those rims, I like them but will i need new tyres as well to fit the rim?
 
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Ok got some photos here. All added as attachments cause i'm not sure what i'm meant to do with them!
 

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What is factory standard tint? Like 75%? Again i'm really new to this so i have no idea what i'm doing haha! :)
 
CKnott94 said:
Wow, crazy as it is I went through your posts yesterday Wisey!! I love your car and really wanted to make something like yours!

Ill get pictures up in the next 20 mins for you's to look at and hopefully you think it's an ok first car haha!:)

And I've had a look at those rims, I like them but will i need new tyres as well to fit the rim?
Click to expand...

Glad you like my car :)

Your GP is certainly a great first car. Lots of potential. Standard subtle mods is the best way to go IMO. Not exactly what i've done, but if i was to do it again i'd keep it more in sync with standard. I'd loved to of had a GP as my first, but i'll have to settle for it being my 2nd. My old mk2 Punto was my first.

Yes you would need new tyres for the rims to fit. As you 15" alloys currently, they wouldn't fit. Mods cost money though, so its one of those really. Worth every penny though!

I'm unsure on what the % factory fitted tints are i'm afraid. Another member will know for sure.
 
Any idea on which tyres I should look for? Cause if i'm honest ill try and get some on the cheap just to get the alloys on then splash when I need to on some nicer tyres! :)

As for the Disc and Calipers, any idea what kind of paint im looking for? I found some Hammerite in halfords and it says smooth paint but will that work or will it just come off when the brakes get hot?

Cheers for all the info guys, just gotta talk my mum into it all now haha! ;)

oh and if anyone has advice on the huge antenna you get standard cause im thinking a sharkfin but im open to all options! :D
 
Ok going to put out questions, if you can answer them feel free :D

How much will a new back-box and exhaust cost and Where can I get one that will fit?

Should I get the shark fin ariel or just leave it as it is?

Is there any places in the north east that do good jobs with tinted windows and how much should i expect to pay for the three back windows?

Lastly should i be looking to get brand new expensive tyres or just bog standard?? I heard you can stretch tyres to fit and it makes them more low profile but would that make my tyres slippery since they become more like racing slicks?

Sorry for so many questions but I wasn't expecting any answer let alone good advice! If anyone has links to good products or sites that can help me then it'll be much appreciated! :)
 
CKnott94 said:
What is factory standard tint? Like 75%? Again i'm really new to this so i have no idea what i'm doing haha! :)
Click to expand...
Well I'm on 80% tint which is one above factory standard, so it will be around 65-70%.
I would get factory tint because on black cars it can look quite Chavy..
Also I would invest in a spoiler from Fiat Accessories they just make the car look alot smarter..
Also I have some 17inch forked alloys which are ready To be refurbed but I will do them in the silver they are currently in so if you are interested I will get them ready.
 
I'll answer what questions i can, with my opinion.

Shark fin aerial isn't a bad shout. I think an Abarth one would look better. Have a nosey.

As for tyres don't worry about 'stretching' ect, as this is more for when you have your car slammed flat on her belly, and require to stretch the tyres around the wheel arches to avoid problems. By the sounds of things you won't be going down this road for the time being. Whats important is knowing what alloys your going to have. Then you can get tyres, and always get the best tyres you can afford. These are, after all, what are keeping you on the road, and ultimately alive! Don't get low profile, i run low profile tyres currently (205/40/17's) and i wish i ran slightly chunkier tyres currently. I'm lowered on Eibach Sportlines, and the arch clearance is still a tad bigger for my liking to what i want, ideally.

For the brakes, you want hammerite, yes. Make sure you get one that says heat resistant and you'll be fine. Mask well, and give 2 or 3 coats. Prep work is 9/10 of the work, so do it properly.
 
Just got in so thanks for the replies guys! :)

Ill take a look at the site and see what I like. Could i spray my alloys black? Would that give the same effect and mean that I dont need to change tyres for the time being. I just got new ones a month or two ago on the front so would be a waste to get a complete new set!

Got my birthday coming up soon aswell so can ask parents to fork out if need be haha!

As for the exhaust any ideas what I should do and what price i should expect if i get an estimate?
 
Cheers for the site Ben, love the aerial. Its got a bit of white on the end as well and i was going to ask if black and white go well together on a car anyway!

I'm from Newcastle so anything to wear the colours ;)
 
Whats the front dash trim?

Just asked my dad about alloys and he said no chance because my insurance will sky rocket at 18 nearly 19. Is it really that bad? I was expecting to just not put it on my insurance and then not crash?
 
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