Fiat Punto Cabriolet (1994 - 1999) ELX 16V 2d Owner Review

I couldn't really recommend the car to most people as it's quite unrefined (road noise, transmission noise, wind noise, primary ride) and doesn't handle all that well (it tends to understeer too much and the over-assisted power steering doesn't offer any feedback at all). However...it's surprisingly roomy inside (I'm over 6' tall and could comfortably sit behind myself for a short journey) and the seats are reasonably comfortable on a long journey. I once got 46mpg on a long motorway drive, too, which I was more than happy with. Furthermore, it's a very easy car to work on (I changed the timing belt, auxiliary belts and water pump myself last summer, and was amazed how accessible everything was). Most of all though, the engine and the roof really make the car. The 16-valve engine is a joy to drive - it makes 85bhp from only 1,242cc and revs to over 7,000rpm. It makes enough low down torque that town driving and hill climbing can be achieved relatively calmly, but it revs very freely with great throttle response and really sings at the top end. Drive it like that, in the higher rpms, with the roof and windows down on a smooth country road and it certainly puts a grin on your face such that you forget about the downsides. As an occasional/summer car it's great fun but if refinement is more important than a raw driving experience, I'd be looking at a bigger cabriolet (I considered a SAAB 900/9-3, for instance).