Our Fiat Punto
Jul 9, 2016 23:19:24 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2016 23:19:24 GMT
Just a bit of a blog really. ..comments welcome...
I was able to buy a 2004 Fiat Punto 8v Active with only 10,200 miles for 500 notes. Owned by a now deceased elderly person who bought it new from the local dealer and it was MoT'd every year - not sure about servicing. My mechanic gave it the once over, serviced it, changed all the fluids and replaced the weeping oil breather pipe. Then pronounced the car 100% sound.
Internally we gave the car a good wipe down and vacuum. It has come up clean, if not brand new looking, but tidy and no defects to the trim, and the wear reflects the mileage. Everything works. Externally the car was power washed to remove moss and algae growth, the headlights polished with Autoglym to remove the frosted look and then given a once over. The paintwork has some minor scrapes which have been touched up and is a rather dull metallic black, but needs a polish for which I have been quoted £50. Might have that done.
The car is for my 18 year old son who passed his test in January. We have swapped out the old cassette radio for a Bluetooth device with media streaming (£120) inc other parts and we need to replace the front speakers for about £40+.
We have driven the car about 500 miles since we got it and it has performed well, with a good turn of speed and decent economy (50mpg) if driven smoothly (something my son is not yet capable of...). It's comfortable, with clear instruments although the lack of a 30mph indication on the speedo is quite annoying to us both. The gearbox is a little notchy, but easy to use and my only real complaint is the road noise from the possibly original tyres ( Dunlop).
I haven't ever owned a car this old, so it is an experience I am enjoying. I frequently take it instead of my E350CDi estate if the situation is suitable simply to enjoy driving a small nippy car and saving 20mpg. Can't imagine doing more than 50 miles in it though in one go.
By contrast, I have just driven a brand new Polo rental car. It is a whole class of quality higher then i expected and I wonder how a 2004 Polo compares with the Punto. My ex-wife bought a Polo in 1995 and if I recall, it was a sophisticated piece then. Not sure I can call the Punto sophisticated, but for £500 who's complaining.........
Updates provided if anything occurs.
I was able to buy a 2004 Fiat Punto 8v Active with only 10,200 miles for 500 notes. Owned by a now deceased elderly person who bought it new from the local dealer and it was MoT'd every year - not sure about servicing. My mechanic gave it the once over, serviced it, changed all the fluids and replaced the weeping oil breather pipe. Then pronounced the car 100% sound.
Internally we gave the car a good wipe down and vacuum. It has come up clean, if not brand new looking, but tidy and no defects to the trim, and the wear reflects the mileage. Everything works. Externally the car was power washed to remove moss and algae growth, the headlights polished with Autoglym to remove the frosted look and then given a once over. The paintwork has some minor scrapes which have been touched up and is a rather dull metallic black, but needs a polish for which I have been quoted £50. Might have that done.
The car is for my 18 year old son who passed his test in January. We have swapped out the old cassette radio for a Bluetooth device with media streaming (£120) inc other parts and we need to replace the front speakers for about £40+.
We have driven the car about 500 miles since we got it and it has performed well, with a good turn of speed and decent economy (50mpg) if driven smoothly (something my son is not yet capable of...). It's comfortable, with clear instruments although the lack of a 30mph indication on the speedo is quite annoying to us both. The gearbox is a little notchy, but easy to use and my only real complaint is the road noise from the possibly original tyres ( Dunlop).
I haven't ever owned a car this old, so it is an experience I am enjoying. I frequently take it instead of my E350CDi estate if the situation is suitable simply to enjoy driving a small nippy car and saving 20mpg. Can't imagine doing more than 50 miles in it though in one go.
By contrast, I have just driven a brand new Polo rental car. It is a whole class of quality higher then i expected and I wonder how a 2004 Polo compares with the Punto. My ex-wife bought a Polo in 1995 and if I recall, it was a sophisticated piece then. Not sure I can call the Punto sophisticated, but for £500 who's complaining.........
Updates provided if anything occurs.
