Grande Punto - Your Opinions

daz said:
Would rather have an Alfa 147 than a Punto.

Running costs (i.e. maintenance, and fixing stuff when things go wrong) will be higher, mind. Something French is also a possiblity I suppose...
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I can't think of any £6k French newish car I'd rather have than a Punto.

147 is nice but bigger than a Punto and gonna be older and more expensive.
 
Maybe get another year or two no claims and get something *a lot* better than what you've currently got if nothing really strikes your fancy.
 
My GF has just picked up a Fiat Punto Evo GP. I was a little dubious and didn't really know what to expect when I headed to the garage with her, armed with some internet deals I'd found.

Got to say, for a new small car I was pretty impressed. Gadget wise theres a hell of a lot. Stop/start, Bluetooth, ipod/usb connectivity in the dash (browse using the steering wheel controls and dash display), upgraded hifi - subwoofer, cornering lights etc.

I know its a facelift of the Grande Punto so I'm not sure how much has actually changed as the Grande Punto wasn't something I never took any notice of. However Fiat are definately heading in the right direction IMO. We looked at a few cars but this one drives really well. It has no performance which is perfect for the GF. Average MPG so far has been 45mpg around town for the 1.4 petrol.

Not a lot of help but if not a lot has changed between the Grande and the Evo I'd say its a pretty good car compared to other hatchbacks of a similar price.

Yes you could get a 330ci sport and pussyfoot around getting 35mpg but if you want a small hatchback then get one. My GF wanted a small hatchback and wasn't interested in any powerful machinery that I wanted her to have, so I went there and found us the best deal I could, and the car that we both liked the most.
 
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Grande Punto ain't a bad car tbh, aesthetically pleasing and a good range of engines.

Pleasant drive, and sensible running costs.

If it must be a small hatch, then it's a good choice.
 
Stop/start is only available on the facelift, mostly down to it having the multi-air FIRE engine. In the 90s it used to be an OK engine (big help in making the cars cheap as it was always made entirely by robots), with a clear head gasket deficiency, but now with multi-air and a proper metal-teflon gasket I'd say it's the best small engine out there.

You'll need to wait a while to puck one up for £6k though.
 
Well, i've just put a deposit down on a 58 plate Phase2. Going to view the car tomorrow, if I don't like it i'll get my money back.

It's a bit over budget but a great looking car. I can't wait to go see it.
 
It's only so they don't sell it. It's fully refundable if i'm not happy with the car.

It comes with 8 months Manufacturers Warranty, 12 months Garage Warranty (proper Fiat garage).

And i'm borrowing the money off my dad and then slowly paying it back, so that's not a problem.
 
...and no room whatsoever for negotiation, because they already know you're going to buy it.

Why would you panic so much about such a decidedly ordinary car to waste money like that?
 
I'm not wasting my money. There is no reason for them to not negotiate. I will always negotiate. Personally for the age and the condition of the car, the price they have I think is very good. If I find anything wrong with the car then I will want money off otherwise I won't buy it.

Edit: Plus it was up for £7,500 last week when I saw it on autotrader.
 
Cripple said:
There is no reason for them to not negotiate.
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You've put a deposit down.

I will always negotiate.
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But you've indicated satisfaction with the current price by putting a deposit down. They wont move now, as there is no need.

If I find anything wrong with the car then I will want money off
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The idea is you get money off if its a good car, and you dont buy it if there is things wrong with it.
 
You miss the point. It's a Fiat Punto. A normal, everyday hatchback. This means it doesnt matter if somebody buys it because you can just buy another one. Therefore you dont leave deposits on things before youve even seen them as you compromise your bargaining position. You turn up without a deposit being placed and then you negotiate.
 
I'm not gonna get that much off it anyway. I'm quite happy with the price it is to be honest. I'll try to get some off, but if I don't, I don't. This particular one is quite difficult to come across for less than £7k for such a good example.
 
Cripple said:
I'm not gonna get that much off it anyway. I'm quite happy with the price it is to be honest. I'll try to get some off, but if I don't, I don't. This particular one is quite difficult to come across for less than £7k for such a good example.
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Such a good example :confused: Could be a lemon for all you know so far :D
 
Cripple said:
This particular one is quite difficult to come across for less than £7k for such a good example.
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a) You've never seen it, how do you know its a good example?
b) Its a 58 plate car. It's barely 2 years old. Unless somebody has dropped it off a lorry its hard not to be a good example, surely they all are.
 
Yeah alright alright fair enough.

I've been looking for ages though on autotrader and the fiat used website, and there aren't any cheaper ones that are the same spec or same mileage for me to haggle with. There is a pre facelift one for £500 less but it has higher mileage.

Unless there are any minor downsides to the car I think I may find it very difficult to haggle. Although i'm always willing to try.
 
hi Cripple

welcome to the Motors section :rolleyes:


guys, without wishing to sound patronising to the OP

you are all car enthusiasts, the OP wants a certain car, nobody has suggested any viable alternatives or given him any real guidance.

i know he is going off on his own bat a bit and wading in, but guidance rather than criticism and dismissal is required in my opinion

just my 2p
 
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