General The Jump from Punto JTD to Stilo Abarth ;)

[Bren J]

Hello all

Thanks to everyone for all the information you've given here. I was about to ask a similar question, but rather than start a whole new topic, questions have been answered here!

I haven't posted for a long time on the forum, but some may remember wintry pictures of my 1.2 Active last winter:

Anyhow, it's time for me to upgrade, and I'm making the move to either a 1.9 JTd or the 2.4 Abarth (non selespeed). Can't really make my mind up - do I want the extra grunt and features of the Abarth, or should I go with more fuel economy with the diesel.

Either way, I'm sure I'll notice the difference compared to my Active. That said, the Active 1.2 has been a superb car, and shifts surprisingly well for such a small engine.

I'm also going to discuss with the dealer whether I can transfer my old claw alloys to the new car, and let him put the new wheels on the old 1.2 for sale! Think that'll work?

Cheers

Bren

 

[Stu DemonD]

Hi Bren

First question is - why the non-selespeed Abarth? You get a whole lot of toys with the selespeed, and once you get used to the gearbox, you will never want to use any other system ever again, imo [although I am sure I will at some stage, lol].

Also, are you aware that the 1.9JTD can be remapped up to 155/170bhp?

Choices choices?! I had the choice, and went Abarth route - I am a gadget man, plus preferred the petrol option [I already have a 165bhp JTD Ulysse!]

 

[Bren J]

Hi Stuart

Well, I was simply thinking of cost really. From what I've seen, the Selespeed seems to be a couple of grand more than the normal Abarth, and that posed the problem for me.

As for re-mapping, what sort of costs are involved? My friend has a Seat Ibiza TD, and he's had that re-mapped to a staggering 215bhp.

The idea of a JTd Stilo, and a spot of re-mapping, quite appeals to me. Is there anyone here who has done the same?

Cheers

 

[Stu DemonD]

Cost is all dependent on where you are sourcing the car from surely? Or even get a second-hand example - I did, and worked for me.

Remaps - speak to Alfanige from Angel Tuning [ad at top of page] - around the £300 mark, say. If you do the 170 remap, be aware that you need a new exhaust, which is why a lot of guys do the 155 only.

Both my cars are remapped i.e. the 2.2JTD Ulysse and the 2.4 petrol Abarth

 

[Bren J]

Thanks Stuart

It's actually rather bizarre why I'm changing. My local (or ex-local more like) dealership has opened a new showroom and to celebrate have contacted all Fiat owners in the area. They're offering a "swap" from my current car, to a brand new car of any range. The deal, is that I'll keep on paying the same as I already am, and the deal is only available for one week.

Obviously I'm delving deep for any catches, but it seems there aren't any really. I've checked out their offering prices, and the selespeed is indeed more. However, I'm really warming to the diesel option now, not least because of the remapping options

Thanks for you help

Cheers

 

[Stanley_Cooper]

Hi Bren,

you can't go wrong with to jtd, I got my Stilo two months ago now and loving it. If you can get the dynamic version as it has a few extras included. Decent fuel economy and plenty plenty of power under the bonnet.

Go and get one!

Stan..

 

[Bren J]

Hi Stan

Based on your advice, I've just checked out the official Fiat website, and it looks like only the Dynamic is available from new now. Is that correct?

Certainly does come with extra toys!

Cheers

 

[pjp]

Hello all
I'm also going to discuss with the dealer whether I can transfer my old claw alloys to the new car, and let him put the new wheels on the old 1.2 for sale! Think that'll work?

Or you could buy my old set of 16" Abarth alloys (complete with tyres) to go on the 1.2

Paul

 

[Bren J]

LOL Paul!

I'll get back to you when I'm feeling rich

Out of interest, and I realise this is probably a topic for discussion elsewhere, I saw an Abarth in the local dealership a few months ago. The paintwork was a very dark blue, but in certain lights it seemed to have a tinge of dark purple to it.

Is this the standard dark blue (known as vitality blue) or do you reckon it had a special paint job? The purple tinge wasn't that apparent really, but I just really liked the colour, and would probably plum for that given the choice!

Cheers

EDIT - just looked on his website, and I'm pretty sure the colour I'm talking about is the same as Koarang's Abarth!

 

[Stu DemonD]

Bren, what deal is it exactly?

It sounds fine saying you 'will pay the same as you are now', but for how long extra and what interest rates?

 

[Bren J]

Bren, what deal is it exactly?

It sounds fine saying you 'will pay the same as you are now', but for how long extra and what interest rates?

This is exactly what I'm going to clarify before I dive into anything. I've been communicating with the dealership from 200 miles away on the phone today which makes things difficult. :s

Bascially, the deal is to effectively "swap" the car I have now. In other words, take what I've already paid for my current car off the cost of the new one, and then pay exactly the same on finance as I am now until summer 2006. The interest will be the same for this period, so it'll ultimately be similar to me having purchased the new car 18 months ago (when I bought the 1.2 Active). Of course, monthly repayments will increase after this period, and it's by how much that I need to clarify.

If this increase is ok, it would actually work out better than selling my 1.2 now, scraping what I sell it for to pay off the rest of the finance, and then buying a new car from scratch

I'm doing my sums though to make doubly sure, and not planning on doing anything until I'm happy that's the way it works

Cheers

 

[Stu DemonD]

Hmmm, interesting deal?! You got any figures we can play with?

What other options are you getting, aside from the Sky window?

 

[Bren J]

Hmmm, interesting deal?! You got any figures we can play with?

What other options are you getting, aside from the Sky window?

I've got the deal details now.

Sadly, it's an offer restricted by invitation only (through the post), and is limited to Fiat owners in the Wrexham area.

The basic deal is this: Bring your current Fiat to us, and we'll take it off you, repaying any outstanding finance you owe. Then choose a new car, and for the first year continue to pay the same each month for the new car, as you did for the old car.

This deal works out far better for some, than for others. For instance, I'm still heavily in negative equity - ie, I still owe much more for my car than I could actually sell it for. By taking the car off me, and paying the outstanding finance, it starts a clean slate for me, and good start at a new car.

However, the deal was looking good until now..... try as hard as I might, then b*ggers aren't calling me back. Every time I ring them, they tell me that so-and-so will get back to me in 5 minutes, then 2 hours later I still hear nothing. Fiat customer service eh?! They assure me they have my figures and are willing to make me an offer on a new car. The offer only lasts for next week, and being down in London at the moment I'd have to make plans in advance to get home.

So, in a little over an hour when the garage closes, it'll be too late as far as I'm concerned, so no new car

Cheers

 

[Stu DemonD]

Ah, so for first year only do you pay the same - but I imagine after this period, the repayments will increase up a fair whack, plus because of lower payments [and thus lower capital being paid], the interest paid overall will therefore be greater.....

As you said, suits some more than others - I own my Stilo outright [25 months old when I bought it, paid £7.5k cash], and the Ulysse only has about 7 months of HP left on it.

Also, what about discounts of list? Or are these harder to come by if you use this deal.

 

[Bren J]

Hi Stuart

Well, as for the monthly payments after the first year, yes they will increase. However, by settling my current finance for me on my current car, they'd be saving me a good few grand. If that few grand ends up going back on extra interest, I'm not too bothered as I've got a much better car. The deal suits me very well, which is why I went for it.

As for as discounts off list price - these apply as well, as I'm basically just buying a car from scratch once they take my current car off me.

However, I've had nothing but bother from Fiat UK (maintenance-wise) since having my Stilo, and this complete hash up of customer service from their new Wrexham dealership is rapidly putting me off going for another Fiat

 

[Stu DemonD]

Maybe that is why they are stalling - they must know about the negative equity, possibly, if done through Fiat Auto Finance....

 

[Bren J]

Maybe that is why they are stalling - they must know about the negative equity, possibly, if done through Fiat Auto Finance....

Perhaps, but I quote this from the letter...

"We will GUARANTEE you a new car, and we welcome those with large outstanding repayments and negative equity"

Seems like an odd guarantee given their performance

At the end of the day, they're losing custom.

 

[StiloBoy]

No point in ever taking garage finance, its only on offer to fleece unexperienced buyers!

Always pay your own saved cash, or get an unsecured personal loan, that way your re-payments never change, and its not secured on anything! I went the personal loan route, and payed £1500 of the car out my pocket.

 

[Stu DemonD]

Depends on circumstances, and other borrowings you may have - and nothing wrong having a car secured on an HP agreement [but be aware of GAP insurance].

On Ulysse, dealership originally offered 6% flat - a bit of haggling and this came down to 4.5% [only a two year term as well].

 

[Bren J]

Garage finance (associated with Capital Bank) was the only real option for me. Fresh from uni, there was no way I'd be able to create any savings. The interest rates and repayment options were just about as good as most banks etc were offering me for a loan too.