Fiat Punto Sporting 1.4T
- Thread starter Barks
- Start date
[TW]Fox;12293474 said:
I have thought about this very, very carefully and I am fairly sure living costs will not be a problem. I will still easily have enough money to pay bills, go out etc. I won't be able to squander money on crap though which I have a habit of doing.
I'd just like to hear some positive notes about the Cooper S. I don't know anything about repair bills or costs. Would I have to drive it extremely carefully? Any idea as to what sort of costs I might be hit with should, say, the clutch were to go?
Fiesta 1.6 zetec, leon, audi a3, mini cooper, fabia vrs...
I am about to start my second year of uni, I'm currently in the process of selling my car because it doesn't get used enough and I'm going to buy when I need one in a year or so's time for my placement, your honest bet bet is to spend ssay £4,000 on a car from around 2004 with less than 50,000 miles on it and in a couple of years time when you want a better one, the depreciation won't be that bad.
Yeh you're technically right it won't lose you much money but don't you feel bad to your parents who have completely wasted £5k on a car?
Buy older, more milage, depreciation percentage will be much less and in a couple of years time when you need a commuter you'll have some NCB and the rest of your £5,000 that you haven't spent to save up.
Not really worth using public transport that much, walking or cycling is usually better
have you seen british weather this summer? yeah...
doesnt stop you walking or cycling...
Yeh.... I have... I also go to uni and I'm currently enjoying the summer break.
Would you believe me if I said I've a bit of light sunburn on my back?
As for transport at uni.. There's nothing wrong with rain, I'd rather get a bit wet or have to walk 20 minutes than pay a couple of quid to get a bus every day because I'm lazy.. It soon add's up.
As for shopping I either walk 20 minutes to sainsburys or get a lift off my freind with a car to asda.. I only go shopping once a week and believe me If im walking it's a painful walk home as I consume 5 meals a day +
I forgot to mention theres a bus stop 30 meters from my house that goes straight to the supermarket and I still choose to save £2.30
Are you talking about the old shape ones or the new Grande Puntos.
To be fair I have not seen a bad review of them and the one I test drove was great.
I'll try to keep a low profile for obvious reasons. 
Just go with what ever you feel is right, only you know what you want and can afford. Listen to the people in this thread but make your own mind up and try not to be put off with the stereotypes some people in this thread have said.
I'm very happy with mine, had it nearly 2 years now and still puts a smile on my face. I have the 1.9 diesel sporting, if you have any questions just ask.
Just go with what ever you feel is right, only you know what you want and can afford. Listen to the people in this thread but make your own mind up and try not to be put off with the stereotypes some people in this thread have said.
I'm very happy with mine, had it nearly 2 years now and still puts a smile on my face. I have the 1.9 diesel sporting, if you have any questions just ask.
![[TW]Fox](/data/man-of-honor/2009.png){kind=avatar}
If only that were true, there wouldnt be so many people in this country with enormous debt.
Soldato
- Joined
- 18 Apr 2003
- Posts
- 2,684
- Location
- England
A first car AND parking in a dodgy street, come on dude what you thinking spending 10k on a nice new car?
8.6s to 60 is not that quick which probably explains the cheap insurance but only group 6 (the same as a 1.2 Fiesta) ? I'd expect this performance to be higher!
The trouble with older cars though is they're favoured amongst thieves as they're not alarmed or have chipped keys etc. Eg. an old Corsa/micra were stolen from my neighbours in the past 6 weeks but my VTS & neighbours VTR weren't touched (except for a local scrubber pinching my wheel arch lol).
Id take everyone’s advice on here & get something older (with good security) thats a bit bland like a mk4 Fiesta etc. unless you want a boy racer car then you'll get the stigma/vandalism/theft that comes for free
My VTS only cost 700 a year ago, so an old hot hatch can be got cheap, so when some jealous nob keys it then you have not lost much lol.
PLUS spending peanuts on a car will give you more money for cider lol
Ps. the Suzuki Swift looks a nice little hot hatch.
8.6s to 60 is not that quick which probably explains the cheap insurance but only group 6 (the same as a 1.2 Fiesta) ? I'd expect this performance to be higher!
The trouble with older cars though is they're favoured amongst thieves as they're not alarmed or have chipped keys etc. Eg. an old Corsa/micra were stolen from my neighbours in the past 6 weeks but my VTS & neighbours VTR weren't touched (except for a local scrubber pinching my wheel arch lol).
Id take everyone’s advice on here & get something older (with good security) thats a bit bland like a mk4 Fiesta etc. unless you want a boy racer car then you'll get the stigma/vandalism/theft that comes for free
My VTS only cost 700 a year ago, so an old hot hatch can be got cheap, so when some jealous nob keys it then you have not lost much lol.
PLUS spending peanuts on a car will give you more money for cider lol
Ps. the Suzuki Swift looks a nice little hot hatch.
Last edited:
Soldato
- Joined
- 4 Apr 2003
- Posts
- 8,121
1) Have you got a student loan?
2) Is the student loan paying towards running the car?
3) Appart from the 5k from relatives, is your 5k from a job / savings?
4) Do you have a job?
5) Is uni paid for by relatives / parents?
When I was at uni (in 1998), I had a 2 year old Daewoo Nexia GLXI 16v, put some alloys on it, chipped, new exhaust, decent stereo and alarm. Performance was average (but the mods did work
) insurance was cheap, running costs were low. It did me for the full 3 years. Bought for 5k from a dealer (12k miles on), sold for 2k 3 years later. I serviced it myself becuse I didn't have to worry about warranty etc (got 1 year warranty + 1st free service intially with it). The car did exactly what I needed to, it wasn't flashy etc. Girls loved it cause it was silver (ha ha but true) and the fact I had a car lol. In total it cost me 3k. Most students had old renault 5's or pug 205s, vx novas or even old fiestas.
Now things have moved on, you can get a lot more car for your money.
But spanking 9k on a Punto GT would be uber. Hell yea mate go for it.
. Nothing beats the feeling of having a new car and I have had a few. Even if you end up paying for it later (which it sounds like you won't), at least you will look back and think it was worth it. Which you will and thats not sarcasm. It is a good car, you can get cheaper options or buy second hand, but if you don't have to and you can afford to run it then why not.
You will have 3 years warranty and a nice car. enjoy it, appreciate it and enjoy your time at uni because you won't get it back.
Soldato
- Joined
- 18 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 5,060
- Location
- The remittance desk
How about: Buy a 51 plate Leon, about £2.5k. You'll have you pick, and can get one with full history etc. Spend £250 on a private plate if you must disguise that age. Tell whoever will lend you that £5k to keep it and save £80/month. Save the other £2.5k just in case, the most you'd have to spend will be a few hundred quid on tyres, pads & discs unless you are totally unlucky. Hell, even if it blows up, you'd get a grand back for it, stick another grand and a half from the £2.5k you have saved in and get another one. They are pretty much bottomed out and it'll still be £1200ish in 2 years time.
PLEASE do not assume that the car will be reliable because it's new or unreliable because it's old. I choose to commute a 60-mile round trip in a 21 year old MR2 and that has no problems at all.
Oh, don't spend £10k on a Punto either.
EDIT/ Something like this.
PLEASE do not assume that the car will be reliable because it's new or unreliable because it's old. I choose to commute a 60-mile round trip in a 21 year old MR2 and that has no problems at all.
Oh, don't spend £10k on a Punto either.
EDIT/ Something like this.
Last edited:
Soldato
- Joined
- 18 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 5,060
- Location
- The remittance desk
That is a good idea and I do like those cars but insurance...
£2600/12 months!!!
Baring in mind what the guy above you said, how about a Citroen Saxo VTS?
Thing is there's no doubt it's an extremely chavvy car
The Saxo is a chavvy car, there will have been plenty of scallies who have binned them and forced premiums up. Group 12? or something. The Xsara VTS maybe a bit of a minger but is a better bet, more for your money. Something like this would be cheap enough to maintain, 167bhp as well.
Not sure if this guy is troll or not,hard to decide, pretty dumb paying 10k or even 5k for a car whist at uni, how about answer some people in the thread? what do you need the car for at uni? if you buy a fiat im no longer your friend x
Soldato
- Joined
- 18 Apr 2003
- Posts
- 2,684
- Location
- England
Doubt you'll get insurance on a Saxo VTS at group 14 but VTR's are really common & group 7 I think (find a mk2 95bhp model!!). Beware previous boy-racer owners though who've thrashed them.
10k for a car at uni, only if you're rich or have rich considerate parents dude
10k for a car at uni, only if you're rich or have rich considerate parents dude