Fiat Punto!

[BigSi]

Thinking about getting a cheep MK1 as a basic run-around. Any views or tips?  :-k :-k :-k :-k :-k :-k

[J B]

great idea, i got one from ebay, cost me £271, 55k miles L reg 5 door in white, it had a oil leak from tthe rocker box which was spilling onto the exhaust, a quik clean up with brake cleaner, remove rocker cover(4 bolts ) bit of silicone and back on 

i even serviced it for £40 oil/oil filter/ air filter/ plugs and leads

it does nearly 50mpg and £120 to tax

[ben_haynes]

your choosing the best of the punto range

all i can say is go for a Mk1 (55 or 60), they have the FIRE (Fully Integrated Robotised Engine) engine it is safe, ie the cambelt snaps, valve to piston contact will not happen and the can be re-timed and running in 15 - 20 minutes, check for Headgaskets, they are very common failure, rocker cover gaskets, clutch, rare but possible 5th gear failure (the detent ring fails causing the gear to fall off the shaft), rear radius arms and rear subframe cups, also check it has had the brake pipe recall done (done free at any Fiat garage) (material the brake pipes was made from was cheap and corroded because they rubbed in the plastic clips that held them, causing fractures in the lines resulting in loss of brakes) we had a few come in with fractures line,

if you need any advice on them i am a fully qualified FIAT mechanic  :oops: :oops: (worked for fiat for 4 years, and my boss has 20+ years Fiat experience)

[Bush Tucker Man]

I know it's a slightly different viewpoint

We bought a brand new 'M' plated Punto TD back in 1994.

It was a cracking little car, comfy, very economical (exept when SWMBO was bouncing it off the 'governer' & complaining to the dealer that it was cutting out in 5th on the motorway :roll:)
Insurance was good too! (from what I recall)

Build quality?, superb for an Italian car

[Range Rover Blues]

There are loads for sale round here, covered in little round dents where people have touched them with barge poles :lol:

At one point I could count 4 people I knew who were hunting for a second hand engine for the damn things, they are famous for letting go.

Hateful, ugly buz-boxs in my opinion.  Built cheap and it shows.

[land-def-90]

we had an m reg punto a few years ago, cheap to buy cheap to run , loved it they are great little cars ;)

[laser_jock99]

Colleague at work has re-built the engine on his twice. When he get's it running again it's up for sale to fund something more reliable (MK2 Golf).........

[discowoman]

and make sure it has the RED key

[ben_haynes]

and make sure it has the RED key

its a good idea to have it but if it doesnt the keys can be cloned, and the electronic units are so easy to change over f you want one with a red key, i usd to have a few sets

[Jamin]

Good little cars, mine ran forever on £20 petrol, surrived a ditching and the cranckshaft pully falling off!

if you need any advice on them i am a fully qualified FIAT mechanic  :oops: :oops: (worked for fiat for 4 years, and my boss has 20+ years Fiat experience)

how easy is it to replace the clutch as mine has sat on the drive for about two years waiting to be done. never had the time, equipment or money for garage to do. Also after the puntos temporary replacement was written off by an idiot, insurance money = Discovery

[ben_haynes]

Good little cars, mine ran forever on £20 petrol, surrived a ditching and the cranckshaft pully falling off!

if you need any advice on them i am a fully qualified FIAT mechanic  :oops: :oops: (worked for fiat for 4 years, and my boss has 20+ years Fiat experience)

how easy is it to replace the clutch as mine has sat on the drive for about two years waiting to be done. never had the time, equipment or money for garage to do. Also after the puntos temporary replacement was written off by an idiot, insurance money = Discovery

ben they are very easy to do can be done on the floor or on a ramp, can be done in a couple of hours on the floor, if you want help just give use a shout, am only down the road after all