General Sporting Punto

[windy1664]

Going to test drive a Punto Grande Sporting on Sat, is there anything i should be looking for?

 

[Andy Monty]

new or second hand?

what engine?

 

[Westwell11]

is it a 1.9 or is it 1.4?? if its a 1.9 just out ur foot down!! iv had a test drive in 4 diff colours haha orange red and grey and blue!!

 

[sharkrider]

hey windy, think you'll recognise me.... enjoy the test drive, throw it enthusiatically around a few corners

 

[windy1664]

Hello Sharkrider,

Looking fwd to some severe cornering , see how it compares to the VRS, the only putting me off changing is the name FIAT...btw its the 1.9

 

[sharkrider]

Hello Sharkrider,

Looking fwd to some severe cornering , see how it compares to the VRS, the only putting me off changing is the name FIAT...btw its the 1.9

well, I'm ip to 3,800 miles in 4 weeks, and no faults... loosening up nicely, last weekends brisky BBQ meet was a good test to see how the GP holds up to the vRS's... it's loosened up nicely now, is about level on acceleration, easily outhandles yashicamats's (Rob's) octy II (sports suspention and 18's), and better brakes.... having the angel remap on Sunday, so then I'll have the speed to go with the handling... (can't wait for then next cat'n'fiddle meet!)

enjoy your test drive, remember, if it's low miles, it may feel a little slow... don't let that put you off, it doesn't have the big surge between 2 and 4k like the vRS, it is a more progressive engine, but try some a-road overtaking, and you'll be happy with the mid range grunt...

I also had reservations comming from skoda to fiat, after all, the reputations are on opposite ends of the JD power surveys! however the new panda did very well, and the GP seem set to follow suit... only common problems I've come accross on here are door locks/mechanisms being faulty, and poorer than expected fuel economy.(note: in the 80k I did in the vRS, I had a new gearbox, and new EGR valve on warranty, and new control arm bushes that I had to pay for!) My reliability in the fiat has been faultless so far, (we'll have to see how it handles 100k in two years!) but my fuel economy is in the low 40's whereas it would be the high forties in the skoda, but then again, my insurance has dropped by £130, so kinda evens it out!

report back on your impressions from the test drive.

Shark.

 

[windy1664]

Well 5 and half hours to go till i get my hands on the Fiat, quite excited really, see how it measures up to the Vrs

 

[windy1664]

How dissapointed I am,

Great Handling car, much more stable than the Vrs, seemed a lot harder sprung?? Very good turn in to corners not as wallowy as the VRS

Interior feels well built, good finish

Seats not as gripping as the VRS, however quite comfy

Instuments set out well, nice and clear.

Engine:- Feels like a TDCI unit fitted to a Focus!!!, no poke compared to VW PD unit, Got to 100mph then it seemed to run out of puff, very asthmatic lol, its quiet at idle

Dont think Im going to buy one, just get my VRS Mapped and A rear ARB fitted I think

 

[T14086]

Oh well...good luck with the VRS

 

[minnnt]

sorry to hear that matey good luck anyways!!!

 

[Jamie]

meh...


your loss

 

[luvduvs]

Interior feels well built, good finish

It is?

 

[sharkrider]

windy... how many miles did it have on? I was at the briskoda BBQ last weekend, and you can ask any of the members, my GP was just as fast as the vRS..... (but certainly doesn't feel it, due to how the PD engine in the vRS gives it's power in one big lump...)

I have been to angel tuning this weekend too... now it's even faster

 

[DannyWestwell1986]

so go on then would you recommend the remap? is it worth the money? what would you say the wow factor is in a remapped sporting from 1-10??

 

[sharkrider]

so go on then would you recommend the remap? is it worth the money? what would you say the wow factor is in a remapped sporting from 1-10??

the way to think about it is, in reality, the GP sporting is just a "warm" hatch... you'll be seen off by type-r's, cooper s's, 172's ect...

with the remap, it's more of a hot hatch, and would give the above cars a run for their money......, I'm gonna have to take it to a track day, and give it a proper run

 

[RichC]

What sharkrider says is spot on. I was up there with him and it now feels so much more responsive. With the weather not being great i havent given it a good test yet but it certainly feels like its got the ability.

Rich

 

[Coops79]

I took a GP Sporting out for a test drive and have to say I loved it. Definately quicker than my 147!!.

All I have to do is get the boss to sign the paperwork and it will be all mine (subject to a 12week wait )