2nd hand Grande Punto

[Genes]

Hi ppl, am currently considering a few cars, one of which is a grande punto 1.4M. I have some questions I hope that can be answered by someone in the know.

 

-Any known problems with the car? Anything ranging from little niggles to a "die die must take note" kinda problem. Please share.

-How is the actual FC like. I know they advertise it as 16km/l is possible. Or is it really?

-Does its rear seats fold to extend the boot?

 

I hope someone who owns the car would also share the good and bad of living with this car. Many thanks.

[Genes]

Too add on, I would also like to ask if anyone has an idea of how much would it cost to insure for someone above 30? Many thanks.

[Jman888]

Hi ppl, am currently considering a few cars, one of which is a grande punto 1.4M. I have some questions I hope that can be answered by someone in the know.

 

-Any known problems with the car? Anything ranging from little niggles to a "die die must take note" kinda problem. Please share.

-How is the actual FC like. I know they advertise it as 16km/l is possible. Or is it really?

-Does its rear seats fold to extend the boot?

 

I hope someone who owns the car would also share the good and bad of living with this car. Many thanks.

 

1. no major problem, even better for manual

2. getting 14-15km/l should be no problem

3. think can (i am not driving one but a friend is), why not go and try it out.

4. insurance estimate in the range of $700-$900 (with 50% NCD)

 

[Thespark]

The manual version is really much better than the jerky semi auto, though the engine is sluggish at 2000 revs. Will need to rev a bit more to around 3000 before changing up.

[Quirky_ster]

I can say the Delta Platform I that it's using which shares with the Opel Corsa is very good. Very stable and hold tight around corners.

 

If you love driving, you'll enjoy the car.

 

Other request I have no info.. I own the Corsa so which have the same platform as this, so only shares this info.

 

Good Luck..

 

 

Why not go to Fiat showroom and check the car inside out and test drive it.. They will not put a gun on your head to buy it after test drive..

Edited September 16, 2009 by Quirky_ster

[Laserghia]

www.sgfiat.com

[Kangadrool]

Although the power output is only 77hp from 8V engine, it's quite spiritely surprisingly. It loves to be revved. You have to drive this machine hard and appreciate some Italian quirks - e.g. naughty rear door handle, bonnet release lever that is located at passenger side, etc, etc.

 

Was looking at this also and test drove one recently. Brakes bite very well. But, if you are >1.7M and need to carry passenger behind often, or child on child seat, this car might be too cramp for you.

 

Best to test physically personally as I read reviews that GP is spacious, but in reality I find it a chore to get in and out. My personal opinion again. It may fit you well though.

Edited September 16, 2009 by Kangadrool

[Liang]

No major problems. But have more "minor" quirks/problems (as compared to my Opel) - like blown bulbs, wind noise, small glove, etc. But the major benefits of having this car, the drive, the looks, outweighs all the minor problems.

I am getting ~14-15 km /l. This is from manual calculation of actual fuel and distance. The onboard computer will indicate slightly better, maybe 15.5 when I calc 15.

Rear seat can fold down, 40/60 split. To have a flatter space, you can "fold fwd" the bottom part so the upper part can fold down.

Brakes are very very good.

The semi-auto is jerky only if you expect it to behave like a full auto.

 

[Genes]

14-15Km/l sounds good. No major faults too. I guess modern italian cars still have some quirks which we need to live with.. Perhaps I should look closely at the available cars then.

 

Thanks for all the inputs. Hearing that nothing falls off when it shouldn't is good haha.

Oh ya, what does naughty door handle mean? Pull liao but door don't open?

[Kangadrool]

Oh ya, what does naughty door handle mean? Pull liao but door don't open?

 

Yup, seems like it affects the rear door for most.

[Genes]

How does one rectify that? Arm and disarm the alarm again? Or just keep pulling lol

[Kangadrool]

Both also can, but playing with the remote key is the easiest way out. Apparently, some are due to poor fitting and require some technique to open.

[Soya]

There seems to be many Punto appearing regularly on the GE Money repo auctions. Wonder why?

[RadX]

There seems to be many Punto appearing regularly on the GE Money repo auctions. Wonder why?

 

 

cheap car wat...CONTI feel

[Genes]

Wah lao... Haven buy tio curse liao... T_T

[Kangadrool]

cheap car wat...CONTI feel

 

New GP is not cheap and was never cheap. The "cheap" price advertised has strings attached. Guessed some bought and subsequently have problems servicing the loans. Even the smallest Panda was selling at 60K previously.

 

2nd hand GP are going cheap even by 2nd hand car dealers. 2-3 year-old ones are going at around half the new price. So imagine how much the original owners luji.

 

Although Fiat's reliability has improved, believed that it is still not a car for those not mechanically inclined.

[Porkerlover]

Hey dude have you checked out Sgcarmart for some cars? You should take a look at this Swift Sport....nice! http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.ph...854&DL=1000

[Kiadaw]

Hi Genes,

 

I am proud to say I used to have one. Still have fond memories of this little Italian cutie. I drove the 1.2L version Manual (patrol).

 

It has never give me any mayor or even minor issue other than some fitment issue. Since day one. It brought a smile to my face every morning when I start the car, & everytime I see one on SG road these day. Its not Megan fox of automotive, but its looks never get stale.

 

It's pretty amazing as I wreak average of 4000-4500k rpm on almost daily basis 40min-1 hour straight on the motorways yet it never ever drama mama. I even go 5000rpm for 2 hrs straight a few occasions when I need to my destination fast!

 

The FC is pretty good, about 42-27 mpg (which should be 16-17 km/L?) & should be expected for something this small. Although the lower ambient temperature & especially the sparely use of Air con probably helps alot (maybe 5% of the time, if only to cool it up abit on a hot afternoon).

 

Oh, by the way, it was in U.K. But I guess driving at SG speed (2500 rpm?) & with air con on, & less travel time, & our climate no less, the reliability should be more of less intact. Having said that, I still advice not to go overboard with the rev when travel to truly Asia. 30+ deg ambient we have here is no joke to any car for prolong period, IMO.

 

By the way, does the one you get have manual climate or auto (as in can set temperature)? The one complain I had for the car (mine is manual climate control) & its confusing & take forever to defrost (ice in cold morning) / or de-condense (when it rains) the front windscreen. Not that its applicable in Singapore, but that's about my only major complain.

 

Hope you enjoy your ride.