I've got the 1.2 Stilo, and it's a really lovely engine- town or motorway driving. It's brilliant for in and around town, but it's still got the grunt to be thrashed around the lovely back lanes of Dorset.
I think you are seriously deluding yourself.....the motoring world and the public has warmed to the GP big style.....the Stilo was by and large a flop for Fiat. The GP has been described by most as a Maserati look hatchback and recieved excellent reviews and has excellent sales figures so far......and I would say that most people would agree. My 3 dr Stilo Abarth is a nice looking car but its nothing special.....but I dont get blinded by cars because I own them.
there you go...another example of personal opinion....if mine didnt have the 5 cylinder engine I wouldnt have bought it.
You seem to be describing my motor which is strange as I have little trouble picking it out in a car park. In my view it's invariable the best looking motor too (the rear view and perhaps 3 Doors Stilos excluded) And before you start shouting "delusional!" - just as bozzy has said - you're going to have to explain why other motorists will often make the comment "great looking motor!" I will grant you one thing, the original Stilo 5 door design has been copied to death - firstly by VW and now by a multitude of cheap imports....but as a 5dr in silver it would be invisible to all!
Would you like to expand on this .......preferably without quoting from motoring magazines?....the Stilo fell short in a lot of areas compared with the latest offerings from other manufacturers.
Of course comparison quotes would come from motor magazines, which granted arent always the ideal way of judging a car, but when they universally rate a car as average they are usually right.
The Stilo is just another modern car....its not extraordinary in any particular department and I would love to meet the people who come up and tell you your car is great looking! Perhaps you could point them to the local opticians!!!!In over 15 years of driving the only car that has ever had people coming up and saying such things as that was my Renault Alpine (but then it was a most unusual car in most departments).
On the handling front, I think you need to drive more cars....the Stilo has very numb responses compared to something like a Focus. Yes it grips the road quite well but the feedback from the chassis is poor. If you take a run out in something like a Tipo 16v you would see they are worlds apart.
What is great about the car is the technology, the engine (and I agree with you that the JTD is also a good engine....but I didnt want a diesel, hence why I wouldnt have bought a Stilo without the 5 cylinder) and the feeling of solidity that was lacking in all the earlier Fiats I owned. The theres the price......my 02 Abarth was £3200 with tax, full history, a private plate and unmarked paintwork.![]()
In answer to the original question posed as to whether the Stilo is better than the Golf, I would have to say both have relative strengths and weaknesses.
I owned a 3 door Stilo and replaced it with a 5 door Golf TDI. In terms of the feeling of quality I would honestly have to say the Stilo looks better built than the MkV Golf, particularly the interior of the Stilo which has relatively nice soft touch plastics on the dashboard, (I still consider it one of better dashboards in the class, possibly second only to the A3) compared to the rather nasty materials in the Golf cabin. However, in my experience at least, the Golf has had none of the little niggles I experienced with the Stilo-e.g no random electrical faults etc.
The JTD engines are undoubtedly more refined than the PD TDI's at initial start up, but I think the gap narrows once you are up and running.
I would however say that the Golf is light years ahead as a drivers car. The chassis is much more informative and you have more confidence to push on in the corners. At the same time you get a comfortable and refined ride which makes for a relxed cruiser.
For the second hand buyer, I would have to recommend the Stilo. The prices are literally £5K less on a 1 year old Stilo than for a 12 month old Golf which is too big to excuse. That £5k will pay for an awful lot of maintenance once the warranty expires (especially at the lower Fiat prices than VW prices). If buying new, the gap is narrower and I don't think there can be any argument that a new Golf is a much safer place for private money than a new Fiat.
The argument comes down to this as far as I can see - It is a matter of opinion. If you like a car with curves then it's gotta be the GP. If you like a car with lines then you want a Stilo.
Also if you want a generic small car = GP
If you want something a bit different = Stilo
To me the GP is a great looking car. I'd have one for sure. It has curves in all the right places, just like any beautiful woman.
But personally I prefer the lines of the Stilo (3dr). They make it look as though it's doing 100mph even when it's parked. And after all, I just wanna drive it - not shag it![]()
.....I don't think you would!..and I would love to meet the people who come up and tell you your car is great looking! Perhaps you could point them to the local opticians!!!!![]()
I've driven plenty of cars in what is now coming up to almost 30 years of car ownership and I don't need a lecture from you on what car I need to drive. I never said the Stilo was perfect, and I don't necessary disagree with your criticisms, but if you read my post you'll notice I simply said I enjoyed driving it because it takes a degree of skill to get the most from it (and it's also very uncommon which I find very appealing).On the handling front, I think you need to drive more cars....the Stilo has very numb responses compared to something like a Focus. Yes it grips the road quite well but the feedback from the chassis is poor.
Nice to know we agree on something thenWhat is great about the car is the technology, the engine (and I agree with you that the JTD is also a good engine....but I didnt want a diesel, hence why I wouldnt have bought a Stilo without the 5 cylinder) and the feeling of solidity that was lacking in all the earlier Fiats I owned. The theres the price......my 02 Abarth was £3200 with tax, full history, a private plate and unmarked paintwork.![]()
It looks pretty much like mine.....except for the wheels.....but yours will sound like a tractor!!!![]()
It does look good, its bright, 3 door, nice alloys and at a guess, lowered a little. I bet if theres someone out there with a pic of a GP thats had similar done it will also look the mutts nuts! Posting it on the Stilo section is hardly objective though is it!!?
I've driven plenty of cars in what is now coming up to almost 30 years of car ownership and I don't need a lecture from you on what car I need to drive. I never said the Stilo was perfect, and I don't necessary disagree with your criticisms, but if you read my post you'll notice I simply said I enjoyed driving it because it takes a degree of skill to get the most from it (and it's also very uncommon which I find very appealing).
But if you really do want to drive it I'm led to believe the GP is a better drive......as mbarrat2 points out the Stilo isnt a great drive.
Bozzy.....i dont actually think its any quicker unless youve had it chipped....but then again I dont suppose it turns in 15mpg on an enthusiastic run!!!!But then it wont howl like a banshee at 6000rpm either:slayer:
You're from Cumbria so there is a chance you may know what I'm on about.
Last year I was in Hawkshead and I took the Stilo from there to Newby Bridge. Had such a blast I kept finding any excuse to drive this route and back again. The Stilo handled it beautifully.
A couple of years ago I owned a new Saab 93 2.0TiD. This car was nowhere near as much fun. After that I was using a BMW X3 for about 6 months - again nowhere near as good as the Stilo. It's like Argonought says "challenging" makes it all the more fun.
My Stilo and that road - Heaven.