Stilo Multiwagon or Grande Punto?

[Steven]

We were so so close to putting money down on a 2004 Stilo Multiwagon 1.6 today. The dealer agreed to hold it to Monday morning for me until I decide what to do.

We went on Saturday and had a look at the Grande Punto, they are gorgeous, but this Stilo is nice as well.

The Stilo has only 13,000 miles on it, it's immaculate and the boot is huge, a definite plus. The only thing stopping me was reading about all the problems the Stilos have with the electrics. It's silver, air con, electrics, etc. £6695.

The Grande Punto Active would be brand new, we could pick the colour, interior trim, etc, and is has all the toys. The finance deal is good to, no deposit, no final payment and £149 a month.

I'm in a real fuddle over this. Opinions would be very welcome.

The room in the Stilo would be great, we're going camping in France this year and it would be ideal for that, but the Grande Punto is really really nice.

It will definitely be one of these cars, but which one?

 

[sammiboo]

have you test drove either of the cars?

 

[Steven]

The Stilo is identical to this, the room inside is fantastic!

 

[Steven]

have you test drove either of the cars?

Yes Sammi, the Stilo. We went to Mervyn Stewarts yesterday but didn't test drive the Punto. We just got figures and so on. It would be hard to see it being nicer to drive than the Stilo though.

 

[sammiboo]

worth a test drive though isnt it. If you need the car as something practical then the multiwagon would be the obvious choice i think.

I would still test drive the punto though

 

[beau]

so what engine punto, 1.4?

 

[H2DaE]

I would say if you need the practicality go for the Stilo, but if that's not important then Punto Punto Punto

 

[Stu DemonD]

I think the room in the MW would be ideal for camping!

My only qualm would be the 1.6 engine, but that is down to me not really liking small engines in big cars [or even small engines in small cars :chin:] - it is a pity it is not a JTD.

 

[Steven]

The Punto is cracking, but I'm really taken with the Stilo. It may be a bit older, but it still has most of the warranty left and is a beautiful car. My wife prefers the Grande Punto, but with a young family I think the space in the estate would be useful.

We don't really need the practicality, the boot would only be used occasionally, but it's nice to have.

 

[Steven]

so what engine punto, 1.4?

Entry level 1.2 Beau.

I think the room in the MW would be ideal for camping!

My only qualm would be the 1.6 engine, but that is down to me not really liking small engines in big cars [or even small engines in small cars :chin:] - it is a pity it is not a JTD.

I'm not a huge fan of diesels Stuart, it's the Stilo reliability has me backing off a bit. The 1.6 is more than sufficient for our needs (if it works).

 

[Stu DemonD]

I think that with a 2004 MW, a lot of the early niggles were ironed out.

 

[Steven]

I've just found it on the dealer website. This is the car. Yes, it's an 04 motor. 1.6 Active Estate. 13,110 miles. It's sitting waiting on me to go back and put money down. I have to Monday to make my mind up.

 

[Stu DemonD]

So how did you feel about the test-drive - did you take it a long way? Any warning lights coming on? Did it feel quite refined and comfortable?

 

[Steven]

I took it about 15 miles. No warning lights, everything felt solid. No squeaks, rattles, etc. It drove well, stopped when I wanted it to, the view is great, even out the back which I thought would be a bad point. It was very comfortable and little touches like the trays on the rear of the seats were nice. It has 6 airbags, 3 full rear seatbelts, etc. To be honest I think my mind is made up, if only I can get over the fear of electronics...

 

[Cyber5]

I took it about 15 miles. No warning lights, everything felt solid. No squeaks, rattles, etc. It drove well, stopped when I wanted it to, the view is great, even out the back which I thought would be a bad point. It was very comfortable and little touches like the trays on the rear of the seats were nice. It has 6 airbags, 3 full rear seatbelts, etc. To be honest I think my mind is made up, if only I can get over the fear of electronics...

All this fear of the electrics is a silly TBH. Mine is an 03reg & I've never had any bother. Admittedly some unfortunate souls have had problems but then this is a forum to air them so unfortunately you don't often hear about the good points. I say go for it if you like it.

 

[AppleSei]

on stilos wasnt everything after 03/53 ironed out in terms of electrical problems?

Just by the fact youve hardly said anything about the punto suggests your mind is made up on the stilo, plus theyre arent many MW owners, youd be different, and different is good

Put it like this. When you go camping would you rather you went in comfort in the stilo MW? Or would you rather you, wife, kids, and camping equipment were all squashed up in the punto?

what about panda parts? Youll struggle to fit those in a grande punto boot

 

[Koa]

Ooh difficult choice Steve. Only you can rally decide because you know the what fors and the whys, but my input is this

The punto looks far nicer than the Stilo MW on the outside, and being new that would really tip it in the puntos direction.

But the Stilo is much nicer on the inside than the punto and has loads of room and if you need the room that's the one to go for.

So I say.... Bang your head against a wall :bang: till you knock yourself out and when you wake up maybe the other half has made the choice for you

 

[GhostWKD]

Grandee punto imo

one of a very very small selection that i'd consider binning turbo cinq for

 

[beau]

Entry level 1.2 Beau.

stilo then

 

[dave]

2 totaly diffrent cars, get the stilo now, and a better spec GP in a few years time