Should I buy a Bravo?

[Gareth]

I know I'm in danger of getting a biased opinion here but would any of you recommend buying a Bravo?
I'm looking for a reliable 3k car, and have read a few things about them having a fair few problems.
If not any other suggestions?
Cheers, Gareth.

 

[Andy H]

They are prone to being crashed!

Other than that they are good cheap, reliable if looked after cars....mine is anyway

 

[Si]

The 1.4's seem to have a few problems and the fuel economy in them is awuful, samegoes for the HGT.
Which model were you looking at?

All the reports say they handle only 2nd to the Focus in their class and the Bravo is better looking than your other options, i.e. Astra, Megane etc

Buy it!

 

[Jim]

No, you'll have more fun poking your eyes out with a blunt stick - and it'll be less painful.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Re: Should I buy a Bravo?

Jim you are obviously gay and have no knowledge of cars what so ever in fact you were only on this site by accident! you dont even own a Bravo!!!!!

Yes Bravo's are an al round fantastic car.

I have hand no probs with mine. Nice and roomy for a family hatch. Good Fuel econ.

No probs what so ever!!

What model are you considering?

Rob D/Ribzz

 

[Jim]

Re: Re: Re: Should I buy a Bravo?

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.........
Wrong on all accounts.
If you look back at my previous posts you will discover the "fun" I've had with my Bravo, which was purchased from new.
My wife also owns a Brava, previous cars include a Tipo and an Uno.
I thought the whole point of a forum was open discussion and sharing of experiences, however if you only want to listen to views that are agreeable to you there are plenty of extreme right wing organisations who would be only to pleased to hear from you.

 

[Barakka]

Jim:

You can hardly blame him... "You'll have more fun poking your eyes out ..." is hardly a constructive criticism is it ?

I've owned my Bravo from new too, 1.6SX.

MPG is good if not great at 30+ min. Performance and handling is top rate for the model and engine in question.

Had a few things done/gone : Clutch, one C.V. Joint, rear wiper all of which were due to either my stupidity/ignorance (rear wiper) or general use (clutch and CV Joint). Either way it's not bad for 72,000 miles...

Overall happy with my car.

Barakka

 

[Nick]

Re: Jim:

No complaints with mine (Brava 100TD series 2). Just coming up to 60k. It does the job but the Focus is better put together (but then holds it value better!). For a cheap family run around it represents brilliant value, but don't expect to get any kind of trade-in price. Reliability is average, but niggly electrical faults are common, but remember that average reliability in this day and age is in fact very good!
Check that the cam belt and tensioner has been changed on earlier models esp 1.4 and make sure that a red key is supplied (Its rumoured that some really late series 2 didn't need a red key, but anything in the 3K bracket will have come with a red key when made - make sure you get it)

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Jim:

Okay Barakka, slightly ott but I feel with some justification.
I've owned my Bravo from new and it's been serviced at the recommended intervals by a FIAT dealer.
The problems I've experienced include: cam belt tensioner disintegrating at 15 months - usual coming

together of pistons/valves, collapsed differential at 63 months - new gearbox/diff/casing, engine cutout

- gave up speaking to dealer it still does it, leaking sunroof, extremely noisy sunroof activation

motor, sticking rear wiper, short in airbag system ££££££££'s to fix on a regular basis, front disks

that wear at an astonishing rate, drivers seat adjusment mechanism that adjusts itself, poor (flaking)

finish on the black surrounds to door trim and mirrors, leaking boot, - there's more I just can't

remember them all. My wife's Brava (also bought from new) is now starting to present some of the same

problems, thankfully to date none of the "serious type".
What really annoys me most of all is the complete lack of response from FIAT UK to my (extremely

diplomatic) correspondence on the above.
My wife is now dead set on a Stilo, and I must admit I like the styling (as with my Bravo) but she

hasn't a snowballs chance in hell. Would you recommend a FIAT to anyone if you had had my experiences?

Yes I admit I may have been unlucky but judging from other posts in this forum mine are not unique.
On the plus side, it drives/feels/handles/looks great - shame about the reliability.
Jim

 

[Artur]

Forget it.

It looks nice, but that's all. 1,4 engine is just a bunch of ****, having 80hp consumes more than a 115hp 1,8..

 

[dan the man]

should you have a bravo?

listen mate it is up to you everyone has had a bad experanice i've had fiat's,rover's,ford's,skoda's and now run afleet of car's for work we have 4 smart car's list of fauilt's are as follows 3 car's no fauilt's 4th car lock on rear hatch replaced indicator's not canceling repaired still awaiting for replacment heater switch and more worring oil leak on gearbox case it dosn't matter what car make you have there will always be a small number of cars that will constantly breakdown all you can do is to make sure you have all the information on the car before you buy then that way you limt the chance of ending up with a lemon what do i think of the bravo best car in its class its a bargin dan the man

 

[Ph1l]

Bravos

I'm very pleased with my Bravo, a 155 HGT, I've had the airbag light gome up once which cost £50 to repair and a problem with the rear wiper, But that's all.
When I bought mine, I had it for a day before handing over the money, to be sure it was a good one.
And I had it checked out by two places which only cost £20 each.
Like any car, there are some bad ones, but Fiat are fairly expensive to repair so make sure you get a good one.

 

[steve]

Ive had a 1.4 brava for 1.5 years
I like the drive and look but Its given me more trouble over this period than all the cars Ive had over the last 20 years.

Things to be aware of;
Red master Key. This can cost approx £1200 to replace. Make sure you get one, not like me.
Took a fair bit of time and hassle to get dealer to fit complete new ECU/Locks.

CAM Belt tensioner needs to be replaced early. Idid mine as soon as I found out. (£180 if fiat do it, £120 do it youself)

Clutch thrust pad sufferered the same problem. I think some others here have had same problem.
Mine went. Just finished replacing it. (£400 if fiat do it. £60-£100 DIY (&150+ if you buy clutch from fiat)

Ive seen mention of starter probs as well. Mines played up a bit since refitting after clutch. Just spins first of all.


As mentioned in previous replies - some people seem to like smacking them. A big lorry smacked me on the bum 4months after I got it. Apparently some red ones dont respray very well. Mines still ok though .


So far its been pretty easy to work on though, referencing the haynes book. It could do with a few extra tips here and there.

 

[steve]

Re: Re: Should I buy a Bravo?

Oops

I forgot to add -- So if you like a challange buy one.

 

[phantom2]

Do not buy a bravo! Do not even dream of buying one I stumbled upon this site because there is so much wrong with my car that I wanted to get some technical data.

In the last 9 months I've had a new gearbox, new fuel pump, new fuel pump connectors, rear brakes totally overhauled, incredible irritating sounds inside the cabin, high levels of road noise,peeling paintwork, a new battery etc. The previous car a carolla hatchback could have been driven off a cliff and it would have been in better shape. Go with a jap or german car there are the best, pay now not later!

ps: have a look at the messages all the items are big bucks to replace!

 

[phantom2]

I forgot to say if you do buy one stop off and buy a haynes manual aswell you'll need it!!

 

[dan the man]

should you buy a bravo?

just to put the record stright fiat's are no more expenisve to repair then some jap cars has any one owned a mitsuibushi or mazda the cost of spare's are though the roof unless you buy non apporved spare part's and as for the german car's if they go wrong make sure you have a understanding bank manger all i am saying is if you buy a well looked after fiat bravo you should not have any more trouble than if you brought another make of car and you will enjoy a very good car dan the man

p.s. as has been said time again on this theard just because you have had a bad experanice with your car it dosn't mean that the production of that make & model is bad

 

[scriber]

DO IT

Get it bought ive had 4 fiats (puntos and bravos) only ever had paintwork problesms. Mind u ive never bough a new car and also never owned one thats over three years old. Doesnt matter whatmake u get just be careful in purchasing.