Been a while since I've been on here, but just doing a bit of research ahead of getting my cambelt changed, and was warmed by this thread.
I bet I'm the nuttiest Stilo fan out there. After they first came out, seeing them on the road was always a special moment. Like with the Bravo/Brava, you knew the Italians had arrived in the Focus class. And there was something about the proportions of the *five door* from the front three-quarters which I just loved. Better than the three door for me (too wide and low) - though I'm fully prepared to be in the minority on that one! Anyway, test drove an 02 Abarth 5-door in Sassi Grey (fab colour) which I loved apart from the Selespeed (I now think it was just a case of getting used to it)... When I learnt later that post-04 they did a *manual* 5-door 2.4 then that was it. About four years ago now I got myself a pre-registered (reportedly ex-demo) Prestigio with 100 miles on the clock for 6 grand under list. With two-tone leather, Sky Window, 17 inch blade alloys and in Vitality Blue.
For me the Prestigio is such a complete motor - I'm a family man, so need practicality (it's basically like a 5-seat MPV), yet it also has toys (great stereo), leather, comfort, a superbly charismatic motor, decent pace and, when you get used to the roll (!), surprisingly good handling (although it rolls, you have a job unsticking it). Sure, fast point-to-point driving needs concentration, but if "good" cars are ones you can drive without any effort, then where's the fun in that? I also love the relative rarity of Stilos - seeing another is an occasion. (I reckon the Prestigio, specifically, is one of the rarest modern Italian cars there is! I reckon there are 30 in the country, tops).
I'm looking forward to Spring because a great Stilo experience is burbling around with the excellent Skywindow open (mine is actually quieter (near silent) on the motorway with it open than when it is closed....!)
Oh, and despite the 233 g/km CO2 output (which I just don't believe is that high given how other similarly-powered and mpg-rated cars are classed), I've averaged 29 mpg over all kinds of driving. Which I don't think is too bad at all. Not that I'm a fuel miser or anything.
So, a few words in support of the 5 door. Like a lot of supposedly challenging-looking Fiat group cars (I used to run Lancia Dedras...!), I think it's getting (even) better with age. Put it next to a Mk 6 Golf now and the Stilo looks positively petite and sophisticated. And although I toyed with a new Bravo, the looks of that are just too contrived as "Italian" (which seems to mean curves for the sake of it). I like the Stilo's honest, handsome, square-rigged look.
Problems? I needed a new washer bottle under warranty (?!). And when I had the front tyres replaced (at 18k - gulp!) I discovered the tracking was out. I currently think my radiator cap may be on the way out (it's an odd design, isn' it, with that funny catch?), but that's been it (touch wood, fingers crossed...)
Thanks for the thread, and happy Stilo-ing!
I bet I'm the nuttiest Stilo fan out there. After they first came out, seeing them on the road was always a special moment. Like with the Bravo/Brava, you knew the Italians had arrived in the Focus class. And there was something about the proportions of the *five door* from the front three-quarters which I just loved. Better than the three door for me (too wide and low) - though I'm fully prepared to be in the minority on that one! Anyway, test drove an 02 Abarth 5-door in Sassi Grey (fab colour) which I loved apart from the Selespeed (I now think it was just a case of getting used to it)... When I learnt later that post-04 they did a *manual* 5-door 2.4 then that was it. About four years ago now I got myself a pre-registered (reportedly ex-demo) Prestigio with 100 miles on the clock for 6 grand under list. With two-tone leather, Sky Window, 17 inch blade alloys and in Vitality Blue.
For me the Prestigio is such a complete motor - I'm a family man, so need practicality (it's basically like a 5-seat MPV), yet it also has toys (great stereo), leather, comfort, a superbly charismatic motor, decent pace and, when you get used to the roll (!), surprisingly good handling (although it rolls, you have a job unsticking it). Sure, fast point-to-point driving needs concentration, but if "good" cars are ones you can drive without any effort, then where's the fun in that? I also love the relative rarity of Stilos - seeing another is an occasion. (I reckon the Prestigio, specifically, is one of the rarest modern Italian cars there is! I reckon there are 30 in the country, tops).
I'm looking forward to Spring because a great Stilo experience is burbling around with the excellent Skywindow open (mine is actually quieter (near silent) on the motorway with it open than when it is closed....!)
Oh, and despite the 233 g/km CO2 output (which I just don't believe is that high given how other similarly-powered and mpg-rated cars are classed), I've averaged 29 mpg over all kinds of driving. Which I don't think is too bad at all. Not that I'm a fuel miser or anything.
So, a few words in support of the 5 door. Like a lot of supposedly challenging-looking Fiat group cars (I used to run Lancia Dedras...!), I think it's getting (even) better with age. Put it next to a Mk 6 Golf now and the Stilo looks positively petite and sophisticated. And although I toyed with a new Bravo, the looks of that are just too contrived as "Italian" (which seems to mean curves for the sake of it). I like the Stilo's honest, handsome, square-rigged look.
Problems? I needed a new washer bottle under warranty (?!). And when I had the front tyres replaced (at 18k - gulp!) I discovered the tracking was out. I currently think my radiator cap may be on the way out (it's an odd design, isn' it, with that funny catch?), but that's been it (touch wood, fingers crossed...)
Thanks for the thread, and happy Stilo-ing!
:worship::worship:
