General I've just ordered a new Tipo

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General I've just ordered a new Tipo

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So, after almost 2 years away from the brand (and this great forum :)), I've ordered another Fiat.

I had a Punto Easy Plus, but due to circumstances at the time, I changed it for a diesel repmobile due to the mileage I was covering. As my mileage has now eased and as I missed the Punto, I went in search of another Fiat.

As the Punto is no longer made and the Panda is maybe a little small for my needs, I focused my attention on the Tipo. I was really impressed by it on the test drive but remain baffled by the somewhat negative reviews of it in the motoring press! Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the dealer to locate a car in the spec I chose (a 1.4 Easy), there were no unallocated cars within the Dealer Network at all. I have therefore settled on a factory order which already has a confirmed build date of Week 40. The dealer is hoping it will be here by early November, so not too long to wait.

Looking forward to actually getting it now (and hoping there isint a delay). I dare say I will be spending some time reading throught the various Tipo threads on here to get up to speed and getting reacquainted with the brand.
 
Nothing like that new car smell,enjoy !,the Tipo does get a knocking for some reason,but that's people not understanding it,i've had mine for 4 months and still finding things on it ,it's well specced,comfy and if you look in the right place really cheap !
 
I had a 1.4 Easy as a courtesy car whilst my Alfa Giulietta diesel was in for warranty work recently and was also pleasantly surprised. I'd want the T-Jet 120 or the 1.6 diesel engine as I found the lower powered 1.4 a bit too much of a compromise after the Alfa, but considering it was a base model Tipo currently available for £10,000 new, I was impressed. I think the problem with the press reviews is that they were writing them on the basis of the list prices, which can get a bit too close to some genuinely competitive rivals if you head further up the Tipo range. If Fiat had set list prices at the current offer prices then the reviews would probably be better. Plus it's a big Fiat and the press always like to bash them :rolleyes:
 
Hi all, I too are new here. Same reason just bought a new Tipo Easy + hatch back. I was not intending to buy this car from our local dealership,we went there to look at a citroen, but when my wife and I walked past 3 of them in a row on the same forecourt we did't even make it any further. Got the keys tried it and bought it on the spot. What a bargain price. I just hope it proves some of the critics wrong.
All to often the "reviewers" are given the cars and have no cash invested,so the reviews are not always accurate or true at all and are based more an the reviewers charactor and image rather than a genuine users apraisal. All the reviews I have seen end the same way with "Would I buy one?" And I always say "Buy it, try it then make an true evaluation. your more likley to emphasise the good points. Just before I leave, a few reviews say the door coverings are a bit "Scratchy" if scratching the doors interior surface is a deciding factor on buying a car, then in a shop licking a tin to see whats inside would save thousands on labeling.....Keep up!
 
Hi all, I too are new here. Same reason just bought a new Tipo Easy + hatch back. I was not intending to buy this car from our local dealership,we went there to look at a citroen, but when my wife and I walked past 3 of them in a row on the same forecourt we did't even make it any further. Got the keys tried it and bought it on the spot. What a bargain price. I just hope it proves some of the critics wrong.
All to often the "reviewers" are given the cars and have no cash invested,so the reviews are not always accurate or true at all and are based more an the reviewers charactor and image rather than a genuine users apraisal. All the reviews I have seen end the same way with "Would I buy one?" And I always say "Buy it, try it then make an true evaluation. your more likley to emphasise the good points. Just before I leave, a few reviews say the door coverings are a bit "Scratchy" if scratching the doors interior surface is a deciding factor on buying a car, then in a shop licking a tin to see whats inside would save thousands on labeling.....Keep up!


The reviews probably get at least 1 star deducted because of it being a Fiat. That seems to usually be the way with our motoring press. Granted the plastics don't feel amazing, but like you say, do people really go round scratching door interior plastics? It's hardly the be-all and end-all on a car priced as the Tipo is. I'd prefer it to be well screwed together from 'plasticky' plastics than have a load of plush materials that rattle like a bag of nails, as i've had with some cars.

What engine have you gone for on the Easy Plus? It looks like the sweet spot of the range in terms of pricing and kit. Did you get brand new or pre-reg/ex-demo? There looks to be some deals on those, but I do see a few brand new ones driving around so I think a few people are going brand new as well, which is good :)
 
Hi, its a 1.3 diesel, was ex demo and, here how about this! Just completed one of my regular 100 mile trips from Norfolk to North Lincs the trip summery shows an average of 75.1mpg average speed of 47mph so how much better can it be? drives exceedingly well and even in the high winds we are experiencing at the moment,it holds the road fine...... I think we should develop a reviewers review.There seems to be too much variation from one to another. I recon there ought to be a list of at least 30 important points about a car and each should merit a score with varying values, with value for money among the highest scoring point,etc......Lets get going!
 
So, after almost 2 years away from the brand (and this great forum :)), I've ordered another Fiat.

I had a Punto Easy Plus, but due to circumstances at the time, I changed it for a diesel repmobile due to the mileage I was covering. As my mileage has now eased and as I missed the Punto, I went in search of another Fiat.

As the Punto is no longer made and the Panda is maybe a little small for my needs, I focused my attention on the Tipo. I was really impressed by it on the test drive but remain baffled by the somewhat negative reviews of it in the motoring press! Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the dealer to locate a car in the spec I chose (a 1.4 Easy), there were no unallocated cars within the Dealer Network at all. I have therefore settled on a factory order which already has a confirmed build date of Week 40. The dealer is hoping it will be here by early November, so not too long to wait.


Looking forward to actually getting it now (and hoping there isint a delay). I dare say I will be spending some time reading throught the various Tipo threads on here to get up to speed and getting reacquainted with the brand.

The press slated the Bravo too. I have just found I like this car more and more, the more I drive it. (1.6D105HP) Its astoundingly economical capable of over 85mpg at sensible speeds on a run. It has performed pretty well faultlessly for nearly 100,000 mile and is running better than ever. I have looked after it and it looks virtually as good as the day it rolled out of the showroom. I had a company Focus that I left in the road outside the Fiat garage 5 years ago and I don't really think the difference in handling is something I am bothered about. The Bravo is possibly the most misrepresented car ever. Its exceptionally quiet and comfortable and eats big journeys. Tyres last nearly 50k miles and brakes the same. It is possibly the most reliable car I have ever owned in 40 years and it does get driven fast and hard too often. I tow a caravan and it does this with ease. I expect the Tipo is similar. The only downside is depreciation which is disastrous but as I intend to keep the car for another 5 or 6 years this doesn't bother me. If I were to buy another similar sized car Tipo would be seriously considered. I cannot see that a FOcus Astra or Golf are worth 1.5 time or double the cost of a Fiat and I have had them all. I hope you enjoy the new motor.
 
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Hi, its a 1.3 diesel, was ex demo and, here how about this! Just completed one of my regular 100 mile trips from Norfolk to North Lincs the trip summery shows an average of 75.1mpg average speed of 47mph so how much better can it be? drives exceedingly well and even in the high winds we are experiencing at the moment,it holds the road fine...... I think we should develop a reviewers review.There seems to be too much variation from one to another. I recon there ought to be a list of at least 30 important points about a car and each should merit a score with varying values, with value for money among the highest scoring point,etc......Lets get going!

That's brilliant MPG. Looking at Fiat's latest price list it looks like they've dropped the 1.3 diesel from the UK Tipo, so you've got yourself a rare beast now!

The 1.6 e-Torq petrol auto has gone too. It's the 1.4 95bhp 1.4 T-Jet 120bhp & 1.6 Multijet 120 diesel (manual and DDCT auto) that are available now. Looks like Easy Plus & Lounge trim get the bigger 7" UConnect screen from the S-Design now too :)
 
I drive a 1.4 t-jet lounge sw and compared to my sons M140i the interior build quality/plastic quality is very similar. The price of the Tipo is generally £3000 less than same spec cars from Ford and Vauxhall and alot more when talking VW and Audi.You have to read between the lines with modern press reviews as some seem to priorotise the positives of certain manufacturers they get alot of advertising revenue from!
 
I have a vast backlog of magazines, and I was recently reading an Auto Express, and the blatant emphasis on VAG products was ridiculous! At one point, it mentioned the mk3 Seat Leon, and they claimed it "Oozes style". Had they never seen an Alfa Romeo Giulietta...
 
I have a vast backlog of magazines, and I was recently reading an Auto Express, and the blatant emphasis on VAG products was ridiculous! At one point, it mentioned the mk3 Seat Leon, and they claimed it "Oozes style". Had they never seen an Alfa Romeo Giulietta...

Probably paid for reviews by the manufacturers
 
That's brilliant MPG. Looking at Fiat's latest price list it looks like they've dropped the 1.3 diesel from the UK Tipo, so you've got yourself a rare beast now!

The 1.6 e-Torq petrol auto has gone too. It's the 1.4 95bhp 1.4 T-Jet 120bhp & 1.6 Multijet 120 diesel (manual and DDCT auto) that are available now. Looks like Easy Plus & Lounge trim get the bigger 7" UConnect screen from the S-Design now too :)

And there is the issue imo; I have a Bravo, I will not buy a Tipo, simply because of the lack of a range topping engine - the 150 bhp TJets and mJets, the engines that were most useful for long (especially non-motorway) drives, have gone.


No matter how "capable" the 120BHP variants are, the 25% power-loss over the previous model is going to be noticeable and frustrating as soon as you step off the motorway/dual carriageway. Meanwhile, you can buy the latest Focus with 150 BHP without even venturing into the "sports" range. Combine that with inferior handling and I ask myself, "why would I buy a Tipo?"

I will run my current Bravo into the ground, then assess the market, but my gut instinct is I'll either be buying an Alfa or a Ford, which is sad, as a Fiat fan.
 
The Tipo is pitched as a budget model & not a like for like replacement of the Bravo, hence the lack of more powerful engines. I think Fiat have done it to create more of a difference between their mid-size hatchback and Alfa's Giulietta. VW Group seem to manage to have similar cars from Seat, VW & Audi all competing in the same class (Leon, Golf & A3) without too much trouble, but this didn't work very well with Fiat & Alfa with the Bravo & Giulietta. Fiat don't seem to be able to shake-off the reputation for mediocricity for larger cars and they were probably greedy with list prices for the Bravo, when for a couple of grand more you could get into a Giulietta.

With the Tipo, even my top spec S-Design is cheaper than the entry level Giulietta, despite having the same 1.4 Turbo 120 engine, so they've created a defined boundary which might be more acceptable for customers, given the difference in brand perception. They could probably add more powerful engines to the Tipo but would anyone buy one new if the price crossed into Alfa territory?
 
The Tipo is pitched as a budget model & not a like for like replacement of the Bravo, hence the lack of more powerful engines. I think Fiat have done it to create more of a difference between their mid-size hatchback and Alfa's Giulietta. VW Group seem to manage to have similar cars from Seat, VW & Audi all competing in the same class (Leon, Golf & A3) without too much trouble, but this didn't work very well with Fiat & Alfa with the Bravo & Giulietta. Fiat don't seem to be able to shake-off the reputation for mediocricity for larger cars and they were probably greedy with list prices for the Bravo, when for a couple of grand more you could get into a Giulietta.

With the Tipo, even my top spec S-Design is cheaper than the entry level Giulietta, despite having the same 1.4 Turbo 120 engine, so they've created a defined boundary which might be more acceptable for customers, given the difference in brand perception. They could probably add more powerful engines to the Tipo but would anyone buy one new if the price crossed into Alfa territory?

Interesting point; I imagine it would depend on the spec available, and the price - i'd sooner have a top spec Tipo over an economy spec alfa, and I doubt i'm alone. Further, an estate with a reasonably powerful engine is very appealing. But there we go, it's not going to happen.
 
My S-Design has got more kit than the top spec Giulietta, but that might be to do with the Giulietta being an older model that makes do without new tech like the 7" UConnect with Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Rear Parking Camera, Adaptive Cruise Control & Autonomous Braking - these aren't even available as options on the Alfa.

The S-Design also has standard xenons, plus rain & light sensors & auto-dipping rear view mirror, which are optional on all but the highest level of Giulietta's. I must admit the level of kit (especially for the price) is what appealed for me with the Tipo. The drive is not as polished as the Giulietta - Tipo rides on the older SCCS (Punto/500L/MiTo) platform with torsion beam rear suspension rather than Giulietta's Compact platform - but it's nowhere near as bad as the reviews make out. You might be suprised by the engines too - the 1.4 16v 95 bhp engine I had in a Tipo courtesy car was too much of a compromise for me, but the T-Jet 120 engine in my S-Design is comparable in performance to the 1.6 JTDm 120 I had in my 2016 Giulietta. A friend with a Mk7 Golf GTI said 'what's this engine, about 150bhp?' - he said it goes much better than he'd imagine for a 120bhp. If they did the S-Design with the 1.6 diesel I'd have probably had that though, as I reckon it's a brilliant engine.

That all said, I'd not have bought a new Tipo if it was priced only a couple of grand less than the Alfa - the closest you can get to equivalent spec Giulietta is at least £5k more than the Fiat and that's based on list prices. The gap may close slightly after discounts as I imagine, since the Giulietta can get quite heavy discounts now (being an old model), but there's still a defined price gap. For example I paid £16000 brand new for the Tipo - I doubt I'd get change out of £21k for a Giulietta other than the base model.
 
So after regular updates from the dealer on the build progress of my new Tipo, the latest update is that it is finally built and is now currently on the boat heading for England...…….via Poland (presumably to collect a batch of newly built 500's also coming to the UK).

The dealer reckons it'll probably be another 2 - 3 weeks before it lands and then gets delivered to them so not much longer to wait.
 
My S-Design has got more kit than the top spec Giulietta, but that might be to do with the Giulietta being an older model that makes do without new tech like the 7" UConnect with Apple Carplay/Android Auto, Rear Parking Camera, Adaptive Cruise Control & Autonomous Braking - these aren't even available as options on the Alfa.

The S-Design also has standard xenons, plus rain & light sensors & auto-dipping rear view mirror, which are optional on all but the highest level of Giulietta's. I must admit the level of kit (especially for the price) is what appealed for me with the Tipo. The drive is not as polished as the Giulietta - Tipo rides on the older SCCS (Punto/500L/MiTo) platform with torsion beam rear suspension rather than Giulietta's Compact platform - but it's nowhere near as bad as the reviews make out. You might be suprised by the engines too - the 1.4 16v 95 bhp engine I had in a Tipo courtesy car was too much of a compromise for me, but the T-Jet 120 engine in my S-Design is comparable in performance to the 1.6 JTDm 120 I had in my 2016 Giulietta. A friend with a Mk7 Golf GTI said 'what's this engine, about 150bhp?' - he said it goes much better than he'd imagine for a 120bhp. If they did the S-Design with the 1.6 diesel I'd have probably had that though, as I reckon it's a brilliant engine.

That all said, I'd not have bought a new Tipo if it was priced only a couple of grand less than the Alfa - the closest you can get to equivalent spec Giulietta is at least £5k more than the Fiat and that's based on list prices. The gap may close slightly after discounts as I imagine, since the Giulietta can get quite heavy discounts now (being an old model), but there's still a defined price gap. For example I paid £16000 brand new for the Tipo - I doubt I'd get change out of £21k for a Giulietta other than the base model.

I drove both the 120 and 150 tJets when picking a bravo - low down performance is similar, but in the mid-range you really notice the difference. I think the quoted Figures put the 120 about a second and a half behind to 62 - you're going to notice that overtaking a lorry on a Scottish mountain pass, and not in a good way.


The Giulietta must be due for a refresh in that case - I shall keep my eyes peeled.


No surprise that the Fiat engines impress those who suffer through VW offerings :D.
 
VW Group seem to manage to have similar cars from Seat, VW & Audi all competing in the same class (Leon, Golf & A3) without too much trouble, but this didn't work very well with Fiat & Alfa with the Bravo & Giulietta. Fiat don't seem to be able to shake-off the reputation for mediocricity for larger cars and they were probably greedy with list prices for the Bravo, when for a couple of grand more you could get into a Giulietta.

I think with the Bravo, Fiat bravely attempted to tackle the Astra and the German blandmobiles head on, which didn't work, hence the Tipo being offered as a cheaper alternative for intelligent people.
 
That's brilliant MPG. Looking at Fiat's latest price list it looks like they've dropped the 1.3 diesel from the UK Tipo, so you've got yourself a rare beast now!

The 1.6 e-Torq petrol auto has gone too. It's the 1.4 95bhp 1.4 T-Jet 120bhp & 1.6 Multijet 120 diesel (manual and DDCT auto) that are available now. Looks like Easy Plus & Lounge trim get the bigger 7" UConnect screen from the S-Design now too :)
Hi there, I bought my Tipo a Lounge E torq auto in June 2017 and am most impressed by the car. It's done two trips to Spain via France without a hiccup and is a nice smooth car to drive. Such a shame that this combination is no longer available, as I am not a fan of diesels and the DCT transmission can be awkward to use. I'd certainly buy another Tipo without hesitation and am of the mind that the motoring press do not like Fiats for whatever reason.
 
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