What's Good
New models code named Project 192 replaced Bravo and Brava. Built on new 'C' platform with engines from a 1.2 litre four with 80bhp to a 2.4 litre five with 170bhp. Like the Bravo and Brava the 3-door and 5-door Stilo models are very different cars from each other. The 3-door is rakish and sporty, the driver sits lower down and the appeal is generally younger. The 5-door is more practical. Both models are 1,760mm wide, but the 3-door is 4,180mm (13' 9") long and 1,460mm high while the 5-door is 4,250mm (13' 11") long and 1,760mm high.
As with mini MPVs in the same market sector, the five-door Stilo has been designed to be easy to get into and out of with plenty of room inside and a high driving position that ensures a feeling of control. The front passenger seat tilts right forward, and the rear seats slide, recline and tilt independently enabling the interior to be adapted to changing individual needs. This basic versatility is complemented by a ski flap, various storage compartments with flaps, a child seat built into the rear seat, and a front seat that folds down to form a table to accommodate long loads or act as a work surface. Airline-type folding tables pull down from the front seat squab so that children can draw or adult passengers can write or work on a laptop. There are three roomy closed compartments on the facia (one of them is cooled on cars with air conditioning), and both front and rear armrests contain interior compartments. There's a roomy container under both front seats (if they are mechanically adjusted), generous pouches and five cup-holders. Both 3-door and 5-door Stilos share all the latest safety equipment, including up to eight airbags, six of which are standard equipment, three rear head restraints and three 3-point rear seatbelts There are disc brakes on all four wheels, and ABS anti-lock braking with EBD and ASR is standard.
The Stilo range went sale in February 2002 with four petrol engine options, together with two common rail direct injection turbodiesel (JTD) engines, ranging from 80-170 bhp, driving through 5 or 6-speed gearboxes, and a Selespeed sequential transmission.
Entry level Stilos are well equipped and come with ABS anti-lock braking with Brake Assist, remote control central locking, six airbags, built-in front fog lights and body coloured bumpers all as standard. Optional features will include sliding rear seats, adaptive cruise control, the CONNECT infotelematic system with voice commands for the phone, a voice memo and WAP internet access, rear side airbags, a louvred sunroof and an MP3 music player.
Pricing rationale is that for any engine capacity increment, say from 1.2 16v to 1.6 16v, a customer will be charged £500; for a trim level upgrade £1,000; and to go from a 3-door to a 5-door version will cost £500. Selespeed transmission costs £800. This simple building block approach means that customers will be able to assemble the cost of the car they want and, once in possession of the entry level price, it is a simple matter to arrive at the price of any Stilo version.
Prices and CO2 outputs of 3-door Stilo models are:
1.2 16v Active (80bhp; 149g/km CO2): £10,835 (Cut to £8,995 summer 02)
1.6 16v Active (103bhp; 173g/km CO2): £11,335
1.6 16v Dynamic (103bhp; 173g/km CO2): £12,335
1.8 16v Dynamic (133bhp; 190 g/km CO2): £12,835
2.4 20v Abarth Selaspeed (170bhp; 231g/km CO2): £15,635
1.9 JTD Dynamic (115bhp; 140g/km CO2): £13,335
Prices and CO2 outputs of 5-door Stilo models are:
1.2 16v Active (80bhp; 155g/km CO2): £11,335
1.6 16v Active (103bhp; 179g/km CO2): £11,835
1.6 16v Dynamic (103bhp; 179g/km CO2): £12,835
1.8 16v Dynamic (133bhp; 194 g/km CO2): £13,335
2.4 20v Abarth Selaspeed (170bhp; 233g/km CO2): £16,135
1.9 JTD Active (115bhp; 143g/km CO2): £13,835
1.9 JTD Dynamic (115bhp; 143g/km CO2): £13,835
Revised range from February 2004, 8 new versions, revised styling for 5-door, new colours, revised interiors, new 95bhp 1.4 16v FIRE engine and transmission in place of 80bhp 1.2 and ehhanced standard kit. Prices now £9,995 to £16,095. 4 Star NCAP occupant crash safety rating for revised model in 2005.
Very cheap nearly-new with 9 month old 03 reg 1.6 Actives with a/c selling at auction in Spring 2004 for just £5,500.
More at
www.fiat.co.uk
What's Bad
The market doesn't seem to be taking to it big-time, which might turn to the buyers advantage if FIAT is forced to discount or launder the cars into nearly-news via the rental fleets. Camber problem on front wheels causes uneven tyre wear. Stilo 6th bottom model in 2004 JD Power Customer Satisfaction Survey. Came 3rd = from bottom in 2005 JD Power/What Car Survey of 23,000 cars reg Sep 2002 to Aug 2003 with satisfaction score of 71.2%. Reader feedback tells me this is a disaster zone of a car with too many problems to list. Best stayed well away from. A/c con densor prone to holing.
What to Watch Out For
'Which?' subscribers report leaks into the boot and faulty gearboxes. Check a/c blows cold.
. Been looking for a reasonably sized first car, looked at a focus but its proving hard to find one decent enough for 4k been looking for quite a while, meanwhile these fiat's go rather cheap sub 3k round abouts which isnt to bad i seem to remember it being quite a nippy little thing, just wanted some views on the car it self?