General Stilo - the Positive Stuff

[french bean]

Bought my MW from a dealer almost 3 years ago with 13k on the clock, it's now up to 63k. Had the usual springs and the rear beam was out of true as per early Stilos, but once that was replaced and 4 wheel alignment done it's been fab. Front and rear discs replaced because the car was sat at the dealer for something like 8 months and did only 70 miles in a year hence the discs were a bit corroded. Front tyres lasted 40k, had a kamikaze pheasent that tried to take out the intercooler on the A14 and failed so the front bumper is cracked. Just had the 60k service with cambelt change done at Rockingham Fiat, the very nice people there changed all the aux belts, water pump and the pulleys for £650 including the service. From a main dealer that's not bad at all and as Harry said, it's cheaper than a new engine.

The only car I found to be better is Mrs Beans Doblo, eats up luggage, comfortable, easier to drive but not as economical.

I've been thinking of changing it but when I look round there is nothing out there that has the same appeal. So there it is, another satisfied customer.

 

[Steve148]

I rolled my first JTD and climbed out uninjured, impressive shell integrity & air bags etc. Went straight out and bought another one, never regretted it. They're an undervalued gem, especially the JTD.

 

[matt black]

had my jtd since 2005 not 1 thing has gone wrong

 

[wotnowarninglight]

I miss mine

:yeahthat:

 

[Stilogirl]

I have a stilo abarth - and its mechanically sound and i love her.. the look, the way she drivers - everything!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mbangoza]

I'm a new Stilo owner and it was rather intimidating when I first started reading the posts here.

I've had my Abarth for two weeks now and it's the sickest car you can buy for value on second hand.

Insane speed, easy handling and enough balls to blow a gti out the way. Perfect. I'm in South Africa and it handle the roads impeccably! I drive 220 km a day with about 8 litres to a 100kms!

Fiat Stilo Abarth 2.4 20valve 5 cylinder keyless entry etc etc...
Will drive it untill either one of us dies!
:slayer:

 

[StevenkSengwayo]

I haven't added my 2 pennies worth so here goes. Some like Argo, PNL etc will know that I've had 2 stilos both 1.2s for the simple fact that they're cheap to run about town and still look hot as fook.

Coming from a brava into a stilo:yum: I was greatly impressed that I spent months just looking for either one of them. Again like all of you have said it's a lovely motor. I test drove a golf 1.4 before I bought my 1.2 it was considerably more expensive with more miles (the golf that is) but lacked in terms of equipment and ofcourse the stilo had a little bit more power @ 80bhp over 75bhp and she just looked stunning. I understand that each car has it's faults but god damn the stilo doesn't deserve to be slated for exmaple my parents mondeo they've forked out a great deal of cash in just repairs and faults. Couple of faults but nothing major and I've always had you guys to help:worship:.

stilo all the way BOOOOOOYAAAAHHH

 

[StiloBoy]

I think we'll see an increase of unreliable Stilo owners flocking to this site in the next year or so. Stilo's are so cheap now, i've seen 1.2 models going for barely over a grand, and people who buy cheap cars often skimp on essential maintenance.

Yet all of us owners of reliable Stilo's will likely remain so because we know that looking after your car means it will look after you.

 

[StevenkSengwayo]

I think we'll see an increase of unreliable Stilo owners flocking to this site in the next year or so. Stilo's are so cheap now, i've seen 1.2 models going for barely over a grand, and people who buy cheap cars often skimp on essential maintenance.

Yet all of us owners of reliable Stilo's will likely remain so because we know that looking after your car means it will look after you.

Preach brother preach......That is so true if only they were like ei Abarths aren't even going for any more expensive than that as well

 

[brocherboy]

I bought my 2002 abarth 6 or so month ago some 600 miles from where i live and after reading motor reviews on google thought there were many good points to outway the bad ,,and with all the toys for 2k you cant go wrong
I nearly booked a transport company to take the car up the road for me and i am really glad i did,nt ,the drive was AMAZING ,comfortable, great sound system from standard a 7hr drive and i did,nt want to stop drivin
I did take out break down cover just incase i needed it (after reading some of you doom an gloom merchants)
I totally agree that a car is only as good as the person looking after it ,,my 21 year old only ever maintains his car when it FAILS its mot
And i find the stilo so querky ,good lookin ,it stands its self out from all the rest
AM 44 and my son says i am tooooooo old for the abarth (he just wants it for himself cos i can kick his butt in his golf td gti

 

[ioannidis]

I own mine almost 3 yars now. It got me 6 to be able to buy one and when i got to the dealership they informed me that the production shut off and that no Skywindow was available anymore. So i got a used one!

Despite all the failures (1 skywindow main frame -1500euros, 1 throttle body - 400euros, 1 MAP sensor - 170euros, 1 oil pressure sensor, 1 OCS Sensor soon to be changed - 150euros), despite all the hours spent on it to be repaired, i 've run 68000 Km so far and I LOVE IT!.

Actually i'm in love with this car. I 'm certain that there are many better and more relaible cars out there but i don't care... None of them can make me feel what i'm feeling every day when i see mine.

And the positive list:

• Stability (by that i mean excellent grip on cornering or in straight)
• Plenty of room (for 3D)
• Exterior / Interior design :worship:
• Good and reliable brakes (even before my modifications)
• Descent engine power (1.6)
• Plenty of extras
• A big whole in the roof!!!

Sorry for the "drama" but i had to get it out of me!!

 

[brocherboy]

Is it just me or does anyone else look at skilfully photographed and presented new car ads and find that in almost every case you can earnestly add the final line...

"Should've bought a Stilo, Sucker!!"​

can the ff make this into a car sticker cos i want one !!!!!

 

[french bean]

:yeahthat:

 

[lil miss saund]

i love my stilo, had her 4 months now and ive never looked back!!! so many ppl tried to talk me out of it but i just laugh in their faces now as there stuck with sh!tty run of the mill every day cars and ive got my little gem!!
not long back from about a 1000 mile round trip on a holiday and to visit friends and it was the most amazing driving ecperience of my life!! i wouldnt have wanted to be in any other car
i still look at her and get butterfiles and cant believe shes mine!!
i knew the second i laid eyes on the car on the ramps in the garage i had to have the car and i would habe stopped at nothing to get her!

 

[Muppet1]

I think we'll see an increase of unreliable Stilo owners flocking to this site in the next year or so. Stilo's are so cheap now, i've seen 1.2 models going for barely over a grand, and people who buy cheap cars often skimp on essential maintenance.

Yet all of us owners of reliable Stilo's will likely remain so because we know that looking after your car means it will look after you.

, Cant really see that, If my stilo's anything togo by, Have just done 3000 miles in the last 7 days, Never checked nowt, Tell you something i think i have only pulled the dipstick a handfull of times in all the time i have owned it. It also did acording to the trip 43mpg 4up and 3 dogs in the boot and box on the roof.

Cant think of any car that has taken as much stick and neglect as this one and still goes, roll on next 80,000 miles.:worship:

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

, Cant really see that, If my stilo's anything togo by, Have just done 3000 miles in the last 7 days, Never checked nowt, Tell you something i think i have only pulled the dipstick a handfull of times in all the time i have owned it. It also did acording to the trip 43mpg 4up and 3 dogs in the boot and box on the roof.

Cant think of any car that has taken as much stick and neglect as this one and still goes, roll on next 80,000 miles.:worship:

How many miles do you do a year lol.

 

[ROWENA]

Put my 02 1.8 3dr 103k miles in for MoT friday and it passed without even an advisory :slayer: more beer tokens for me

 

[Steve148]

Ive had mine for over a year, and I also heard the doom and gloom, but its a brilliant little car I do 110 miles a day the only thing ive had to do is a speed sensor ( and a few things just lately that are my fault).
The question is what would I swap it for? another one should it be stolen or blow up!!

There's only one sensible answer to that - go buy another one. That's what I did when my 02 fell over (https://www.fiatforum.com/stilo/108616-stilo-cull-continues.html) and if my current 04 is lost for any reason I'll be straight out looking for an end-of-line low-mileage bargain.

 

[osher]

Had my Schumacher for 9 months now. It has both good and bad points, as I see it. The engine, and the noise from it, the gearbox, clutch, etc are really nice. The handling of the Schumacher, with GP, is fantastic. The car is comfortable, with nice seats (I'm a BIG man, so, seats are important!), good headroom, etc. The interior is plasticky, not to the level of a Golf say, but, there again, it's also a lot cheaper. Had some reliability issues, but, Palmers Watford have sorted everything out under warranty. The only major issue was the clutch slave cylinder breaking. There was another issue, but it was traced back to some dodgy fuel (from a main chain garage near Milnthorpe, Westmorland - but I won't say which one for legal reasons, as I can't prove it, and they're not admitting it).

The 3 door looks great, the 5 door looks awful, and the estate is reasonable. The car is cheap to buy, has plenty of cubby holes (including the hidden one above the glovebox - a mate who used to work for FIAT showed it to me, very useful!), and is that bit different.

The only major thing I don't like is that I get cramp on long journeys. I'm guessing it's due to the pedal height. The central box would have been better as a slider, than with a pivot, as it does get in the way, when down. Still, a minor issue.

Would I buy another one? For the right price, yes. I'm putting my Stilo back on the market soon, once the finance is paid off (people dislike having to pay part to FIAT Finance, understandably), and might go for another one.

 

[Argonought]

The interior is plasticky, not to the level of a Golf say, but, there again, it's also a lot cheaper.

I drove a Golf TDi recently (much newer than mine) and I was particularly struck at how plastically it looked (at least compared to my 02 model 5 door JTD) The dash display was absolutely dreadful too

The 3 door looks great, the 5 door looks awful, and the estate is reasonable.

You might want to keep those comments to yourself on this Forum as it caters for ALL Stilo owners

I'm putting my Stilo back on the market soon, once the finance is paid off (people dislike having to pay part to FIAT Finance, understandably), and might go for another one.

Are you a banker who's desperate to lose that easy earned bonus or something If you like a car, which is no longer in production, and you already own it (and most importantly have paid for it) then you have me more than a little confused