Fiat Punto

[FB.]

With a baby coming in a few months, we think we need to get a second car (current car is a 2006-model VW Polo 1.2/65HP).

For various reasons we've been having trouble finding a car that both of us can get along with.

I (we) have been offered (verbally, not in writing) a new low-end-model Fiat Punto "Pop" (1.2L/69HP engine), from a well-known car dealership for a bit under £8k. The Fiat website lists them for a bit over £10k.
To sit in, it was a very nice car and the layout suited me and my wife's quite different body size/shapes. It's not bad to look at too. I haven't yet asked for a test drive, but might be able to find time next week.

So given the apparent discount on offer, either I'm a very good haggler or Fiat have a lot of Punto cars to get rid of.

So I'd appreciate your views are on this car. Are Fiat having trouble shifting their Punto because of problems with the car?

Cheers,
F

[Jeanied]

You both really need to drive one, FB. I normally drive a Peugeot and was not impressed with the Punto I had as a hire car- I just didn't like the way it performed - a lot vaguer than I was used to.

[lottie dolly]

have you looked at the reviews on line,i love my Peugeot,i nearly had a punto myself,yes it's nice to sit in,feels cosy,i was sad to say no to it,but a few weeks later was pleased that i did,apparently all models of 1 particular name have good and bad points,so would be wiser to goggle,

[Hazel at the Hill]

The most definitive, comprehensive and unbiased peer-reviewed car website I know is the one run by Honest John, the telegraph's car correspondent (you'll have to google). It lists pluses and minuses for each model as well as 'real' fuel economy figures, as opposed to those the manufacturers are obliged to publish.

I have a punto but it's a 2002 model, so older than what you're considering, so my opinion won't be of much good to you.

[FB.]

have you looked at the reviews on line

The problem with reviews is that the happy owners often don't say much at all while the unhappy owners shout very loudly. Most of us only go online when we have a problem. If we don't have a problem we spend our time dealing with all the other problems in life!

We tried Citroen and the Peugeot over the weekend but in some cases the cars were too cramped for me to fit (often my knee is wedged under the steering wheel when trying to reach the brake pedal, even with steering wheel fully adjusted upwards and towards me; at other times my head is touching the ceiling; yet other times, being quite tall, I bump my head or my shoulder getting into the car).
In other cases the layout of the instruments relative to the steering wheel made the speedo difficult for my wife to see.
In my case, I didn't like the feel of the gearshift - I can see me missing or grinding the gears in a Citroen or a Peugeot.

So Citroen and Peugeot isn't an option for us.

[FB.]

I have a punto but it's a 2002 model, so older than what you're considering, so my opinion won't be of much good to you.

I would still be interested to hear what you think of your car - especially any problems it has given you.

[Fleurisa]

I have a 2003 punto and I love it. But I think with you having a baby you need a bigger car than punto sized. Think about getting the baby seat in it. You definitely need a 4 door model too

[redser]

I drove a 95 Punto for 17 years I loved that car but to be honest I put a lot of money into it with repairs. They say FIAT stands for fix it again tomorrow. Their reputation for robustness is not great. I also drove a 2003 on and off which was my sisters and she has had problems too.
When It came to replacing the Punto I did a lot of research and time and again the family car with good space and great economy that was recommended was the Toyota Yaris. We got one last year and its great. 2007 model. Has tons of space. Ideal for kids' seats as the back seat can slide forward and backwards like a front seat. So you can choose between tons of leg space for adults in the back or tons of boot space if you need it. Nice to drive. We got a 1 litre and it has lots of poke and feels more like 1.2. They come in more expensive than a Punto but with good reason. They have a great reputation for reliability and economy. Maybe take a look at this car?

[redser]

I have a 2003 punto and I love it. But I think with you having a baby you need a bigger car than punto sized. Think about getting the baby seat in it. You definitely need a 4 door model too

You absolutely need 4 doors if you have child seats. Had a 3 door Fiesta for a couple of months between the Punto and Yaris and it nearly drove me and the kids insane

[FB.]

I have a 2003 punto and I love it. But I think with you having a baby you need a bigger car than punto sized. Think about getting the baby seat in it. You definitely need a 4 door model too

For the next couple of years we intend to run two Polo-sized cars (one each), but we intend to get a big car in a couple of years time, as replacement for our ageing Polo (which is 5-door and judging by the cars other people use it has enough space unless/until we have another child).

We are also considering our options for buying a big car straight away, but we'll still have to replace the Polo in a few years time with a Polo/Punto sized car for nipping into town. Cambridge traffic is awful and so is parking, so we will need a compact, maneouvrable car for when we (reluctantly) have to go into the city.

[FB.]

Toyota Yaris........Maybe take a look at this car?

We hope to get a chance tomorrow to visit the Toyota garage. A friend of mine has one and likes it, but they seem very "tricked-up" with gadgets, widgets and electrics which we either don't need or which will probably go wrong in the longer term.

[Madasafish]

If you want a small car with LOTS of internal space - there is NO competition to a Honda Jazz. Folding seats - one finger job - huge flat space- takes a wheelchair/buggy /pram and shopping with ease. Very relaible.

Offer on 1.2 New Jazz 2014 | Price, Deals & Offers | Honda UK

We have one and it is by far and away the best spacious small car we have ever driven. (We also have a Yaris Mark1 as well)

[Glutton4...]

I'd also recommend the 'Honest John' website. I've never visited it, but my Father-in-Law swears by it.

There are a few Puntos around, but I don't actually know anyone that runs one. All I will say, is that after the 'robustness' of a VW, any other small car will seem really light and 'tinny.' My Folks have had Nissan Micras as hire cars and courtesy cars, and rate them highly, but I don't like them - we're all different. Unfortunately, you could end up with a monday morning/friday afternoon car, whatever make you go for!

[FB.]

If you want a small car with LOTS of internal space - there is NO competition to a Honda Jazz.

We tried a Honda Jazz and found it to be outstanding - way ahead of the competition, especially for the price.
The downside - and deal-breaker - was that even though the car was awarded five stars (they nearly all get five stars nowadays) the NCAP crash test showed the Jazz to be much inferior to the competition when it had to withstand frontal impacts.

[Hazel at the Hill]

I've found the punto to be exactly what I need, and comfy enough (although we'd all have different opinions on that). It's a 1.2 16v 6speed (model is 'sporting activ' which I don't thing they made that many of, and the 6 speed gearbox somewhat of a rarity, I think).

I only do about 5000 miles a year and I grudgingly pay for one small service a year and the MOT, which is has never failed. It's had the cam belt done, and I guess I get the garage to replace the brake discs/pads when needed.

In fact, given how little care I lavish on it, it's been outstanding! It's only vagracy is the battery has been known to go flat if it is left for too long in too cold a situation (although it is always garaged). I think I'm on my 3rd battery in 7/8 years.

Unfortunately, you could end up with a monday morning/friday afternoon car, whatever make you go for!

Not for Toyota, apparently - the chap I bought the Punto off had started a job at the Toyota factory on the A38 (hence him replacing the punto he'd bought new, at 3yrs old with a Toyota) and he was telling me about the quality practices there.

One of the things they were hot on was all jobs have to take the same proscribed time - jobs taking less or more time were both viewed equally as a no-no.