Frazorblade
New member
- Joined
- Nov 14, 2018
- Messages
- 3
- Points
- 2
Hi folks,
I recently bought my first Fiat, a 2009 GP 1.4 8v Active 5dr in red with FSH, a full years MOT and only 18500 miles on the clock. It’s in almost immaculate condition inside and out and I think I got a fairly good deal at £2990.
I’ve a couple of issues however...
Firstly, both front and rear bumpers are a slightly darker shade of red. I was concerned that the car had maybe been in a bump and had these replaced but the dealer assured me it hadn’t. I checked the MOT history, service history and on the car where the bumpers are connected to the metal bodywork both front and back, under the bonnet and underneath even lifting the carpets to make sure but there are no signs of compression, buckling or crumpling of the paint anywhere. There wasn’t so I’m fairly satisfied that it hasn’t been in a collision and the bumpers are original, but why are they darker?
I understand that paint on plastic bodywork has a tendency to fade but this seems to be the opposite. Other than a respray is there anything I can do to restore them to match the metal bodywork colour?
Cosmetically I was also thinking about a few simple mods to make the car my own like chrome door handle and wing-mirror covers and windscreen wind deflectors. Should these be notable for insurance purposes?
Performance wise it seems to be in great shape but my one concern is changing gears seems to be a little stiff, at least harder than I’m used to with my previous car (a Ford Ka Mk1 1.3) and fleet vehicles I drive at work. Is this normal with GP’s or something I should be concerned about? Do I need to have the gearbox oil changed?
I was also considering changing the air filter and spark plugs to high performance ones, would this be worth my while?
Any comments and recommendations welcomed, thanks.
I recently bought my first Fiat, a 2009 GP 1.4 8v Active 5dr in red with FSH, a full years MOT and only 18500 miles on the clock. It’s in almost immaculate condition inside and out and I think I got a fairly good deal at £2990.
I’ve a couple of issues however...
Firstly, both front and rear bumpers are a slightly darker shade of red. I was concerned that the car had maybe been in a bump and had these replaced but the dealer assured me it hadn’t. I checked the MOT history, service history and on the car where the bumpers are connected to the metal bodywork both front and back, under the bonnet and underneath even lifting the carpets to make sure but there are no signs of compression, buckling or crumpling of the paint anywhere. There wasn’t so I’m fairly satisfied that it hasn’t been in a collision and the bumpers are original, but why are they darker?
I understand that paint on plastic bodywork has a tendency to fade but this seems to be the opposite. Other than a respray is there anything I can do to restore them to match the metal bodywork colour?
Cosmetically I was also thinking about a few simple mods to make the car my own like chrome door handle and wing-mirror covers and windscreen wind deflectors. Should these be notable for insurance purposes?
Performance wise it seems to be in great shape but my one concern is changing gears seems to be a little stiff, at least harder than I’m used to with my previous car (a Ford Ka Mk1 1.3) and fleet vehicles I drive at work. Is this normal with GP’s or something I should be concerned about? Do I need to have the gearbox oil changed?
I was also considering changing the air filter and spark plugs to high performance ones, would this be worth my while?
Any comments and recommendations welcomed, thanks.