General Which Bravo

[Spotstilo]

Just seen this, arranging to go and see it as soon as I can.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151283122462

It's not a diesel and a little above my budget, (hopefully I'll knock them down a bit).

Does the price seem reasonable?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Just seen this, arranging to go and see it as soon as I can.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151283122462

It's not a diesel and a little above my budget, (hopefully I'll knock them down a bit).

Does the price seem reasonable?

Apart from the awful photography skills it looks ok. Perhaps a tad over priced, try and get them down to £3k

 

[Spotstilo]

Ha ha thanks..I think the photographs give it a nice glow

I don't buy a car very often and find dealing with dealers especially, a pain, do you really think they would go down to £3000?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Ha ha thanks..I think the photographs give it a nice glow

I don't buy a car very often and find dealing with dealers especially, a pain, do you really think they would go down to £3000?

Possibly. Always remember you've the upper hand. If they won't go down give them your number and walk away, tell them to call you when they've reconsidered, may take a week, but often that call will come

 

[Spotstilo]

I'll have a go.

Thanks again, your a gent

 

[Spotstilo]

Just another quick question?

If I was to get this car for say £3000, it would be a lot of car for the money: why are the Bravo's so cheap?

Is it just the old Fiat reputation at work?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Is it just the old Fiat reputation at work?

You hit the nail on the head

Most people seem to want a Golf or Focus for twice the price, less kit, and just as expensive repair bills.

 

[will0407]

You hit the nail on the head

Most people seem to want a Golf or Focus for twice the price, less kit, and just as expensive repair bills.

Agreed- a golf of similar age/mileage to my tjet150 dynamic with similar toys (climate control, cruise control, leathers- granted that last one's not a toy!) is double what I paid for my bravo, and most of the time the engine wasn't as good in terms of economy/power

 

[puntofan01]

You hit the nail on the head

Most people seem to want a Golf or Focus for twice the price, less kit, and just as expensive repair bills.

It's the same with Grande Puntos. I've just bought a 2008 1.4 Eleganza 5 door with 48k on the clock, in good condition, for 3995. The same dealer had a 54 plate fiesta 1.4 "flame", 50k on the clock for just 500 quid less!! My Grande was a bargain!!

 

[Gemok]

I'd go for the 1.9 120 Multijet Dynamic. As mentioned by some, the 1.4 90bhp will be ok but no ball of fire, and the T-Jets (definitely the 150, possibly 120 too) use the Vauxhall M32 gearbox which can have bearing failure problems. The 1.9 150 Multijet also uses this gearbox, so be wary.

The mjet 150 does not have the M32 gearbox. At least mine doesn't reverse is next to 6th .

 

[Spotstilo]

Ok, I'm off to look at the T-Jet http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151283122462 tomorrow.

Is there anything in particular I need to look/listen out for when inspecting, test driving it?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Ok, I'm off to look at the T-Jet http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151283122462 tomorrow.

Is there anything in particular I need to look/listen out for when inspecting, test driving it?

Check the climate works properly and changes vent direction ok

 

[Spotstilo]

Ok thanks..

I was also thinking of common faults i.e gearbox, mounts, bushes etc?

The Stilo had quite a few 'common' faults I had to sort after buying it; if only I had done the research

 

[MikeG20]

Climate check first as said-does air blows through section as you select them( windscreen, foot, side air wents, recirculation)
If you have chance, drive it on highway and check for noises from gearbox (whining) in 5th and 6th gear.
Check for steeringwheel wobble/shaking during hard acceleration

 

[Spotstilo]

Thanks again for all the info, it's been invaluable to me while I ponder which Bravo I want.

As you can tell, I'm still not decided; usually I just get something quickly and that's it, but I can't decide.

Is it a Petrol 1.4 T-jet 120?
Diesel 1.9 120?
Or…just a simple 1.4? With lower insurance, lower possible repairs- no turbo, simple clutch?. Downside with the simple 1.4 is the lack of power.

So to summarize: mainly around town driving with two adults and a 6 year old, the odd trip to the country and one to three big drives to Scotland every year (800 mile round trip): which one?

These are the three I'm looking at and will decide on one of them.
Petrol 1.4 I've driven it, seems OK, it's got history but nothing re cam belt, I'm assuming it's been done but nothing in history, front brakes will need doing too, MOT I would offer 2K http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201404073138579?atcide=emc-cars-EAF004

Diesel, said price negotiable, not viewed yet: Said cam belt done at 65K (nothing re water pump). FSH he says, MOT
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201405023869036?atcide=emc-cars-EAF004

T-Jet, Not viewed just yet, the slightly more expensive option: Cam/water service just done, MOT Oct: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-Brav...3122462?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item23392d411e

Insurance from 1.4 to 1.9 is almost £100 difference, and price between 1.4 and T-Jet is over 1K.

So one last time (and thanks for your patience ), which one would you choose?

:worship:

 

[davidbravo]

go for 1.9 with 120hp because it is simply bulletproof and if u are doing lot of millage then you have nothing to woory about, BUT if u have more city driving then i dont recommend it because it has hard clutch and visibilty is not so good... and on the other side i dont recommed bravo at all because u just cant feel the road/car. Thats one big minus.....maybe you sholud try with fiat stilo with same engine or some other car.

Overall bravo is god car for that money.

 

[MikeG20]

Agree for diesel.
If you just need car to travel from point A to point B, Bravo 1.4 for that price is good, but as said lack of power-fuel consumption same at t-jet, but seem like half of t-jet horses

 

[hitherematey]

I'm having a similar problem deciding. Originally I wanted a T-jet but after hearing about the gearbox problems I don't want anything to do with them. Also from what I've read on here the 1.9 M-jet (150) and 1.6 gearbox is quite weak too.

That leaves the 1.4, which is alright but it really struggles at higher speed especially on gradients and overtaking. I live in an area where there are lots of dual carriageways and hills so I don't think it would be suitable for me.

That leaves the 1.9 (120) with the 'stronger' 5 speed gearbox or the 2.0 diesel. I do enough miles and I would love the 2.0 but I need convincing first that's its reasonably reliable.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

I'm having a similar problem deciding. Originally I wanted a T-jet but after hearing about the gearbox problems I don't want anything to do with them. Also from what I've read on here the 1.9 M-jet (150) and 1.6 gearbox is quite weak too.

That leaves the 1.4, which is alright but it really struggles at higher speed especially on gradients and overtaking. I live in an area where there are lots of dual carriageways and hills so I don't think it would be suitable for me.

That leaves the 1.9 (120) with the 'stronger' 5 speed gearbox or the 2.0 diesel. I do enough miles and I would love the 2.0 but I need convincing first that's its reasonably reliable.

1.6 and 2.0 have the same gearbox I'd suspect, as other than bore, power and turbo they are identical engines

 

[Spotstilo]

Ok, thanks again for all the input.

Consensus seems to be with the diesel 120, and my own research seems to agree that it has less problems than the others. My old Stilo had a JTD engine and it never had a problem. But who knows eh? A 2 owner car at 96K with service history should be OK I guess.

So, so far it's the diesel

It'll all be over soon as we need a car sorting quickly now