Reliability Advice???

[Savior118]

Hi,
Recently I have become very interested in Bravos and am planning to buy one, But the other day I did see a Reliability Scale in a newspaper in which the Bravo came dead last. Can anyone please tell me what they think of this, I know about the timing belt and the problems that can be caused it if isn't changed, but are there many problems that a number of people have experience and if so what was the severity of the problem. I really like Bravos and basically this will be the decider of whether I buy one.

Any advice is appreciated

Savior 118

 

[alan]

tom did a servey on this so may give you some stats.

i've had mine 2 years and only had tyres and service costs so far. it's a '98 1.6sx

 

[Tom]

It most likely came last as by now most of the bravos out there are getting old and worn.

They do not take into account the service history or how hard its been driven in these surveys. you mostly get whinging morons who have never checked the oil level or tyre pressure moaning that its faulty cos the glovebox rattles (and it does!).

My 1.6 has just passed 80k, bought it 4 years ago with 28k on the clock, second owner. Ignoring the usual stuff like tyres and shocks and tinplate exhausts that rot in under 3 years nothing major has gone wrong.

Have a look at:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/thread?forumid=15639&messageid=1077391316&lp=1078666943

 

[Tom]

Must process those results!

 

[JonD]

I think these JD power surveys and the like are misleading. The JD power survey top car scored somelike like 88% the bottom 77%. Not exact figures but you get the idea. Also Fiat/Alfa tend to come lower down because of the dealers not being as good as other makes.

You can only really go off other owners experiences. I think the bravo is
generally reliable, but you can get a lemon like with any car. Faults tend to be niggly electrical faults for example my air con somtimes goes warm but you just need to tap the dashboard and its fine.


I have a 1.8 hlx. x reg 2000 (48k miles). Had it just over 2 years now.
Only problem is heated seat element broke.
And clutch bearing has gone. Suppose that is a wear and tear item.

I would recommend one. If you can afford it the 1.6 or 1.8 are probably a good bet. The built quailty isnt as good as vw but not bad really, good
equipment levels nice engines good looks.

Just wondering what other cars you are considering?

 

[Wimmy]

When it comes down to it - my bravo is the most reliable car I've ever owned.

Take care of the Bravo and she will take care of you

 

[Wiggy]

lol wish this was the same as women

 

[Savior118]

Other cars that I am considering are Pergeot 306, Ciroen saxo and Renault Clio. But the Bravo looks so much better than these cars.

 

[Anonymous]

If you want reliabilty buy a honda

 

[Ozric-Al]

....only if you want to die peacefully at the wheel having nodded off through boredom Mr Ramsbottoms!

How's your bible group by the way Rog(ers badgers in his spare time)?

 

[Tom]

If you want services every 9k buy a honda

 

[Azza]

or if u want the endless list of problems a fiat involve's gooo ahead buy 1 lol

cars,breasts,food n beer its all i think about

 

[JonD]

All the other cars you are looking at are french so thats a no no im my book. The 306 is ok but not many around these days dated car. gti-6 is good thought. Saxo and clio are smaller cars cant compare them.

 

[M]

I bought a 1.4SX with 35k on it and it's been the most unreliable car I've ever had. Cost me £600 in the first 5 months with half a dozen different problems. Checking oil level and tyre pressures didn't save me - nothing could have. I bought it because of the looks and the fun factor, but do honestly wish I researched more about reliabilty in the first place. I'm not a Bravo-basher, but I really would be a moron if I ignored the experience I've had.

I know that every survey that comes out saying the Bravo is unreliable gets rubbished for different reasons, but logic tells me if it's nearly always last there is probably something in it. No smoke without fire sort of thing. You could say people are not looking after their Bravos, but by the same logic you'd have to say people don't look after other makes very well either, but they don't keep coming last

I realise I'll be in a minority - this is just my honest viewpoint - I wouldn't ever get one again or recommend them to anyone. Other people have obviously had a much happier experience.

 

[Tom]

Azza, yours doesn't count cos you've done no end of silly things to it

 

[Azza]

erm silly things??? erm an air filter and wheels wiv a cat back system hows that silly things?

cars,breasts,food n beer its all i think about

 

[Tom]

What about your rage backbox that makes lots of noise

 

[Azza]

ive had to spend over 1k in repairs n ive had it 3 months! all i can say is if u buy 1 erm get joined up wiv the RAC!

had all this go wrong:
clutch
brakes
inertia switch
silly ticking noises
plugs bust
leads got wet and went mental
handbrake cable nailed
clutch sticking at bite
drivers door wont stay open

pretty sure there's more in the mechanical department like but i cant hear that due to the RAGE!

oh and the petrol issue's on a 1.4 blow balls! in all fairness tho there good cars like and look mint but reliability so far for me .. not too good!

want a 2.0 hgt gotta be more reliable

cars,breasts,food n beer its all i think about

 

[Matt]

As with all surveys it depends where you look, I have seen surveys where the brava/bravo have placed above volkswagens etc. To be honest in this day and age there are very few really poor quality cars and the brava/o is certainly not one of them. On the plus side Fiat repair prices are amongst the cheapest in the business

 

[Azza]

i dont belive the rage backbox is a silly thing it sounds good n loud not exactly silly is it? yeah have ur opinion like i dont mind but people have diffrent idea's of silly and just plain ****in crap like!

cars,breasts,food n beer its all i think about