General Newbie Brava buyer

[Vicki]

Hi there,

Just purchased a Brava 1.4 S - 1998 S reg today, pick it up during the week.

Just wondering if anyone can give me any ideas as to what to expect with it etc

I'm driving a 1.1 1992 fiesta at the moment. Really looking forward to having the power steering, but any info you can give me will be great.

 

[Helz]

Hello Vicki and congrats on your new car. Erm, I have nothing much to say except a. make sure you get a red key and preferably a radio code (don't go away without at least the red key) and it's much much much nicer than a fiesta (well my 1.2 is and it has similar stats to the 1.4) so I think you'll enjoy the difference - even though it's bigger and heavier it moves better and being heavier has better handling when you need it (as someone said in one thread you don't have to be afraid of 'throwing it about' on the road).

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. o O Helz O o .

Proud owner of a silver Baby Brava with a Smiley air freshener​

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[mad_colm]

expect fairly high fuel consumption, the 1.4 12v was replaced by a 1.2 16v and brought the consumption down. oh well! it'll be a good deal quiter and roomier than the fiesta anyway.

hope it goes well for you!

Met Cognac 99 Brava 100 HSX, wish it'd clean itself!

 

[wimmy]

Welcome aboard. Check http://www.bravo-guide.co.uk for specs and problems etc. When its running why not join BOO? Bravo/a Owners Org (http://www.fiatboo.co.uk)

 

[Vicki]

Originally posted by mad_colm
expect fairly high fuel consumption, the 1.4 12v was replaced by a 1.2 16v and brought the consumption down.

How much fuel am I lekely to use? At the moment im only filling my fiesta up once a month (full tank) and that does me am I likely to be much more than that, bearing in mind that im really only going to work and back and the odd trip to mates and town etc?

 

[James M]

Originally posted by Vicki

Originally posted by mad_colm
expect fairly high fuel consumption, the 1.4 12v was replaced by a 1.2 16v and brought the consumption down.

How much fuel am I lekely to use? At the moment im only filling my fiesta up once a month (full tank) and that does me am I likely to be much more than that, bearing in mind that im really only going to work and back and the odd trip to mates and town etc?

Wow, you must'nt do many miles, when I had my 1.0 Fiesta a tank used to last like 5or6 days

My Stilo tank last about 10, but I do do like 400+miles a week

Was your Fiesta a 4 or 5 speed? You may find the Brava slightly more economical, the rattly old HCS ford engines don't seem to mature very well

53 3d Stilo Dynamic JTD - Sprint Blue

 

[Vicki]

Originally posted by James M

Originally posted by Vicki

Originally posted by mad_colm
expect fairly high fuel consumption, the 1.4 12v was replaced by a 1.2 16v and brought the consumption down.

How much fuel am I lekely to use? At the moment im only filling my fiesta up once a month (full tank) and that does me am I likely to be much more than that, bearing in mind that im really only going to work and back and the odd trip to mates and town etc?

Wow, you must'nt do many miles, when I had my 1.0 Fiesta a tank used to last like 5or6 days

My Stilo tank last about 10, but I do do like 400+miles a week

Was your Fiesta a 4 or 5 speed? You may find the Brava slightly more economical, the rattly old HCS ford engines don't seem to mature very well

53 3d Stilo Dynamic JTD - Sprint Blue

Its a 5 speed I have (J reg), so am I likely to use about the same amount then?

I would say I probs don't do anymore than 40-60 miles per week on average, coz I only go to work or in town or to mates.

 

[mad_colm]

the mpg figures for the 1.4 seem to be similar to the 1.8 model! between 25-35mpg

Met Cognac 99 Brava 100 HSX, wish it'd clean itself!

 

[James M]

Ahh my Fiesta was a 4speed piece of crap

If you do that few miles though, fuel consumption shouldn't be an issue, with lots of short journeys even a diesel wouldn't give you that good a economy

53 3d Stilo Dynamic JTD - Sprint Blue

 

[mad_colm]

make sure the cambelt has been changed at 40k

Met Cognac 99 Brava 100 HSX, what do you want? cupholders? open door warning light? grow up!

 

[Steven]

Yes, and if it hasn't do it asap, especially on a 98 car. Anything 5 years or more should be done they say.

<h5>Click here for pictures of my Uno
Click here for pictures of my Brava

 

[mad_colm]

yup, or you'll be taking the engine home in a hoover bag!

Met Cognac 99 Brava 100 HSX, what do you want? cupholders? open door warning light? grow up!

 

[Vicki]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Picked the car up last night, and so have been playing "to get used to the car". Was down the industrial estate last night practising manouvres in the car so i wasnt likely to hit anything or one.

Car is as smooth as. A lot better drive than my fiesta, and I have really noticed the difference again with the power steering, not had that since I was learning.

Just cant wait to my stereo fitted into it now, cant be doing with the casette player, I miss my mp3s.

Mentioned the timing belt to the salesman in Arnold Clark too, to which he said no, no 65k miles and it needs changed, I said yeah or 5 years, so he says so not till 65 thousand miles, So I told him aye whatever you say, but if thats wot you lot think, dont think i'll be back for a service. He totally clammed up after that

 

[James M]

Originally posted by Vicki
Thanks for the advice guys.

Picked the car up last night, and so have been playing "to get used to the car". Was down the industrial estate last night practising manouvres in the car so i wasnt likely to hit anything or one.

Wish I was as sensible as that

53 3d Stilo Dynamic JTD - Sprint Blue

 

[Helz]

I know! My idea of practice was Asda car park on a saturday without a clue how to put the car into reverse. A note on cambelt change - it's recommended it's done at 48,000 or 60,000 miles service at the latest to be on the safe side as at the end of the day if it goes your whole car could go with it. Worth the caution I think....

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. o O Helz O o .

Proud owner of a silver Baby Brava with a Smiley air freshener​

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[James M]

Originally posted by Helz
I know! My idea of practice was Asda car park on a saturday without a clue how to put the car into reverse.
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. o O Helz O o .

Proud owner of a silver Baby Brava with a Smiley air freshener​

</font id="violet">

I'm not that bad

53 3d Stilo Dynamic JTD - Sprint Blue
92 15.3hh Thoroughbred - Eats Money!

 

[Helz]

Make me feel better why dontcha . BTW, I did know how to reverse the car, just not how to get it into reverse gear....

<font color="violet">

. o O Helz O o .

Proud owner of a silver Baby Brava with a Smiley air freshener​

</font id="violet">

 

[Steven]

Best of luck with it. Enjoy.

<h5>Click here for pictures of my Uno
Click here for pictures of my Brava

 

[twincamms]

Good on you mate!

FIAT Stilo Sport. Pretty Much Bog Standard Really. Rear Roof Spoiler,
Sill Protectors, Aluminium Foot Pedals, Eibach 30mm Drop Springs.

 

[James M]

Originally posted by Helz
Make me feel better why dontcha . BTW, I did know how to reverse the car, just not how to get it into reverse gear....

<font color="violet">

. o O Helz O o .

Proud owner of a silver Baby Brava with a Smiley air freshener​

</font id="violet">

Thats not so bad then

53 3d Stilo Dynamic JTD - Sprint Blue
92 15.3hh Thoroughbred - Eats Money!