Technical Thoughts on Brava

[olliestl]

Hi All,

Thinking about buying the following what do you all think?.

Fiat BRAVA 1.4 SX MOT March 07, No Tax

79K on clock, One previous owner (Lady), Full service history from new.

No Damage inside or out.


PRICE = £475.00

Need a cheap runabout and have owned 3 fiats in the past and loved them
:slayer:

 

[jug]

the 1.4 engine is, well for want of a better word its absolutely crap. its slow, uses loads of petrol, eats camshafts, basically its not worth buying.

post a thread in the bravo/a section asking people's opinions of the 1.4 and you'll soon see how bad it is, or buy it and find out the hard way.

 

[Steven]

The 1.4 12v engine in the Bravo and Brava is the worst Fiat engine in years. They discontinued it and replaced it with a 1.2 16v engine.

It's slow, thirsty, dislikes cold weather and has an inbuilt fault. The oil feed bar clogs up and blocks, starving the engine of oil and leading to camshaft damage. They don't all suffer from this, but it's fair to say that the majority do.

For £475 it might be worth a gamble. When starting from cold make sure there are no unexplained noises from the engine, any metallic sounds then leave quickly.

Don't expect to be impressed by it though, a 1.2 or a 1.6 would be a far better bet in every way.

 

[Steven]

the 1.4 engine is, well for want of a better word its absolutely crap. its slow, uses loads of petrol, eats camshafts, basically its not worth buying.

post a thread in the bravo/a section asking people's opinions of the 1.4 and you'll soon see how bad it is, or buy it and find out the hard way.

Beat me to it. I'll move this to the Bravo/a section.

 

[olliestl]

Cheers,

I think i will let this one go on them thoughts.

sorry i posted in wrong section

paul

 

[Hellcat]

No Damage inside or out.

That's cause it's all hidden under the cam cover

As already said - if its perfect everywhere else and doesn't make any worrying noises, could be worth a gamble.

 

[jug]

Cheers,

I think i will let this one go on them thoughts.

sorry i posted in wrong section

paul

at least you asked about it before you bought it, unlike most people

 

[Helz]

Never mind the damage, just think of the amount of petrol it uses, if you spend a bit more to get a 1.2 or 1.6 you'll make it back in petrol savings in no time.

 

[sammiboo]

the 1.4 has nothing appealing about it. i remember when i was considering getting one many years ago and the insurance was a lot higher on a bravo 1.4 than it was on a bravo 1.6???!!!!

 

[SamG_Brava]

the 1.4 has nothing appealing about it. i remember when i was considering getting one many years ago and the insurance was a lot higher on a bravo 1.4 than it was on a bravo 1.6???!!!!

Insurance on fiats is weird... For me to be insured on a 1.6 Fiat Marea Saloon is about a grand more expensive than being insured on a 1.6 Fiat Brava... they were bot exactly the same age (97/98) they have the same engine and practically same interior.. but your paying basically an extra grand for the boot... haha

Fiat Marea 1.6 Auto ELX 97-98 - Group 11
Fiat Brava 1.6 Auto 97-98 - Group 8

 

[Hellcat]

Marea drivers speed more... fact.

 

[Waderider]

"dislikes cold weather"

An exception to every rule. My 1.4 (touch wood) starts first time every time, and has lived in the highlands of Scotland most of it's life. Started first time two winters ago after a 3 day lay up, -12C at dawn when I cranked it on the shores of the River Orrin in Ross-shire. Was a bit worried, did take a while to defrost the screen though.

 

[fiat_-_bravo]

Thank you. Proves my point exactly. and I get 30 miles to the gallon as well.

 

[Hellcat]

Started first time two winters ago after a 3 day lay up, -12C at dawn when I cranked it on the shores of the River Orrin in Ross-shire.

Sounds like the narration at the start of a dodgy horror film

30mpg? It's got illusions of 20v 2.0!