Which one?

[Suicide_Jockey]

By the way, I saw some Fiats on the e-bay. Is it a good idea to buy there? Or is it better to buy from REAL people?

I've bought 3 FIATs to date via ebay over the past few years ... A Panda 1.3mjet @ 1,300 miles & an Idea 1.3mjet @ 28,000 miles & a Doblo 1.9JTD @ 700 miles ... Plus a Factory-Wheelchair conversion Renault Kangoo @ 15,000 miles for my dad (he would have had a Doblo IF they did an automatic version).

All were "fantastic bargain" buys (Seriously WAY cheaper than they should have been) ... and all have been GREAT cars (with the possible exception of the Idea, as the Jury's still out due to its "fussiness") ... I've still got the Idea (65k miles) & the Doblo (110k miles), but the poor Panda drowned young (20k miles) in a Flash-Flood (but the ins.co. still offered me more in settlement than I originally paid for it a year earlier).

You CAN get some real bargains on eBay, but there are also some real lemons & dodgy cars out there, so if you're considering a eBay purchase, please note the following tips for the best/safest deal :-

1) ... DON'T be afraid to badger & rebadger the seller with ANY & ALL queries you might have about the car or its history ... A good seller will generally recognise that you are a serious punter, whereas a bad/dodgy seller will usually let their true colours show.

2) ... DO ensure that you carry out the eBay/HPI "Vehicle Report" and get the Seller to provide the required document-numbers for Verification the moment you win (or have shortlisted) the car you want ... This will eliminate & insure against any problems from cloned/forged documents.

3) ... DO take a mech/expert with you when you go to collect, AND have them thoroughly check the car condition, etc.

4) ... DO carry out the VIN-to-Documents checks as per the eBay/HPI (tip 2) instructions to validate the HPI-warranty-requirements.


IF (repeat IF) all is well, complete the purchase and take the car home immediately ... whilst grinning like a cheshire cat at the hundreds/thousands of pounds you've saved.

Regards
Bob

 

[bellaelaine]

Thank you for an advice, Bob! I'll think about that. I am still have doubts. My thoughts are now on the Fiat Panda (pic 1) and Fiat Punto (similar that my dad has, shown in previous posts)

I also have a question not regarding me buying a Fiat, but still about Fiat. But maybe I'll post a new thread later upon that.

Regarding my choice - Panda or Punto - which one do you think is better (for me as girl as well)???

 

[fingers99]

They're completely different cars. Of the two, the Panda has more character, the Punto is likely to be newer. Neither tend to be owned by people who really care about cars. Given the choice of Panda or Punto, I'd buy a Cinq!

 

[ste]

get on to autotrader ,select fiat,smaller engine the cheaper to run/insure/fix ect ect

select the price range you want to pay and hey presto!!
youll be the proud owner of a broom yellow fiat sporting 1.2 16v......fsh low miles
for much cheapness

 

[PandaMark]

Of the two, the Panda has more character, the Punto is likely to be newer.
Neither tend to be owned by people who really care about cars.

To Fingers
I think you'll find most Panda owners love their cars! A lot of them are real 'petrol-heads' too
Would you care to visit the Classic Panda section and explain your comment?


To Elaine (if you're still reading!)
The Punto was introduced in early 1994, with the Mk2 coming out in '99; Panda production ended in 2003 (1996 for the UK market)
Buy the best car you can afford, or buy the one you fall in love with and then expect to pay for it's upkeep!

 

[bellaelaine]

PandaMark, you've really convinced to buy a Punto Dunno why.
Now looking for the best offer, but I already have some variants.
Good luck to me!
Fingers99, no, thank, I don't like Cinq

 

[fingers99]

To Fingers
I think you'll find most Panda owners love their cars! A lot of them are real 'petrol-heads' too
Would you care to visit the Classic Panda section and explain your comment?

Well, I did say they have character. Mind you, so does a 2CV and the original Beetle. I'd rate the Panda above the latter 2.

Fingers99, no, thank, I don't like Cinq

Well, that's not my problem! In defence of the Cinq, it handles much better than either of the others, can be absurdly fast, picked up for peanuts and seats 5 (unlike the new Mini).

Mine even has a better rear end than Beyonce!

 

[PandaMark]

PandaMark, you've really convinced [me] to buy a Punto
Now looking for the best offer, but I already have some variants
Good luck to me!

To Elaine:
Good Luck to you indeed!
Hope you find what you are looking for
(I'd favour a 3-door Mk2)

To Fingers:
Very Nice!

 

[bellaelaine]

Well, that's not my problem! In defence of the Cinq, it handles much better than either of the others, can be absurdly fast, picked up for peanuts and seats 5 (unlike the new Mini).

Mine even has a better rear end than Beyonce!

It surely has
Anyway, I had decided to buy a Punto Already have one as a potential car

If I buy one (Punto or whatever), let you all know with all images

 

[bellaelaine]

Hey everyone, I finally made my decision. This is my one and only love - Fiat Punto, 1996, 1.1, NOT diesel new parts (according to the previous owner). This is a present from my parents, so they don't tell HOW MUCH
I hope we will have a good time to spend together.

P.S.-how to close a thread?

 

[Hellcat]

The thread never closes! But it will be moved to the Punto or Newbie section...

Good luck with your punto! Make sure you treat her well and check her fluids regularly.

 

[bellaelaine]

The thread never closes! But it will be moved to the Punto or Newbie section...

Good luck with your punto! Make sure you treat her well and check her fluids regularly.

I will! Thanks!