How bad are Punto's?

D4VE · 8 Nov 2006 at 14:13

Check the CVs. Apparently, the inner CV boots hold in the gear oil so if it splits and you dont notice, the oil drains out the gearbox and then the box overheats and you need a new one.

tbz_ck · 8 Nov 2006 at 15:06

darko said:
whats the verdict on these? they are, without a doubt, the best looking small car for years!

hows their reliability compared to the tinny older models?

Second only to the new Clio's according to "What Car". They gave it a four out of five and the clio a 5 out of 5. In summary they said the "Grande Punto was a great car beat only by a truly exceptional one (the clio)"

Rich1988 · 8 Nov 2006 at 15:22

Sat in my friends punto 1.2, felt really really gutless, felt much slower even than my 214 16v its all plasticky and looks cheap inside and they just feel very cramped, as you can tell im not a great fan

quite like the look of the new ones though.

moss · 8 Nov 2006 at 15:26

D4VE said:
Check the CVs. Apparently, the inner CV boots hold in the gear oil so if it splits and you dont notice, the oil drains out the gearbox and then the box overheats and you need a new one.

Another common problem is the rear trailing arms going, they can be had for about £40-£60each exchange if you look around though.

gjc10212 · 8 Nov 2006 at 15:31

Nissan Micra

moss · 8 Nov 2006 at 15:34

gjc10212 said:
Nissan Micra

One of the best suggestions in the thread. The K11 Micra is probably one of the best superminis of the last 15years.

FireBIade · 8 Nov 2006 at 15:41

Quite a few mint looking Ford KA's on autotrader for under £2400. Don't expect your first car to be the nutz. Just make sure it's a reliable brand or model and it saves you money till you can take the plunge on something a bit fancy

D4VE · 8 Nov 2006 at 15:55

gjc10212 said:
Nissan Micra

True, if you dont mind being seen in one they are one of the few cars which I really class as "cheap to run".
Very reliable and parts are cheap too - on the rare occasion you need them.

moss · 8 Nov 2006 at 15:56

D4VE said:
Very reliable and parts are cheap too - on the rare occasion you need them.

Parts are cheap enough from motorfactors and scrap yards, and theres no shortage of micras in scrappys, just steer clear of the dealers, Nissan branded parts are a fortune.

richolmes72 · 8 Nov 2006 at 16:10

InsomniaCalls said:
Not sure how worried I should really be about mileage but was looking for cars with less than 40k on the clock.

Woah.... there's no need to go that low.

Don't worry that much about mileage, as long as its been maintained and has service history, its fine. Go higher mileage and get more for your money.

If you go for a punto, £2500 should see you a 2001 1.2 16v with 60-70k miles. Ignore the 8v engine, fuel consumption is pretty much the same, but the 8v is a lot slower.

Tesla · 8 Nov 2006 at 16:42

Kroegen said:
Its quite quick for what it is, and in 2nd and 3rd the car feels like a sports car

Which sports car is that?

Kroegen · 8 Nov 2006 at 16:49

Tesla said:
Which sports car is that?

BMW M3

Tesla · 8 Nov 2006 at 17:06

Kroegen said:
BMW M3

I wouldn't call an M3 a sports car.

Or was that your point, a Punto is a heap of fabricated, made-up rubbish?

I have been in a few Puntos, never felt safe in any which I feel is quite bad.

Draeger · 8 Nov 2006 at 17:19

Going back to the OP's original question, I'll just chuck my tuppence in.

The wife has had a 2001 ( New shape ) 1.2 ELX Punto from new.

We have never had a bit of bother with it. All its had done is regular servicing ( inexpensive ) and routine consumables replaced.

Its boring to drive, but it does what it says on the tin.......gets you from A to B.

I've heard other Punto owners recount horror stories about things going wrong, so maybe we are in the minority, but its been a cracking little car for us and we will be running it till it goes *bang* as a commuter for the missus.

Only niggle I have with it is we paid £6995 for it back in 2001 when it was brand new. With 50k on the clock and only one owner, its probably worth around £2k tops now on the private market, but meh.....we're keeping it anyway so residuals dont concern me.

Kroegen · 8 Nov 2006 at 17:20

Tesla said:
I wouldn't call an M3 a sports car.

Or was that your point, a Punto is a heap of fabricated, made-up rubbish?

I have been in a few Puntos, never felt safe in any which I feel is quite bad.

It is a sport car. M which is Motorsport, so i would logically come to the conclusion that its a sports car

Hate · 8 Nov 2006 at 17:29

an M3 is a GT car

a sports car is an MX5 or S2000

Firestar_3x · 8 Nov 2006 at 17:36

Kroegen said:
It is a sport car. M which is Motorsport, so i would logically come to the conclusion that its a sports car

ROFL!

Rich1988 · 8 Nov 2006 at 20:49

Kroegen said:
It is a sport car. M which is Motorsport, so i would logically come to the conclusion that its a sports car

Scania · 8 Nov 2006 at 20:58

Kroegen said:
It is a sport car. M which is Motorsport, so i would logically come to the conclusion that its a sports car

Like the M5? M6? M635?

Not even an e30 M3 Evo could or would be described as a sports car in the true sence of the word.

fonzee · 8 Nov 2006 at 21:52

Diesel said:
Plenty of 1.25 Zetec Fiestas around for that money, perhaps slightly more than 40k, but nothing to worry about.

quoted for the truth...

ditch the 106/saxos and puntos... no way

Clios, maybe. Fiesta yes. I really do think the 1.25 fez is probably the best typical first car you can get. for that money you could probably get the mk5 n all. They do a 1.4 aswell but they are more prone to bottom end failure.