Fiat Punto Hatchback 55 S 5d (1995/N) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
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Economy
Value
Doesn't get much more basic than this. Don't even have an resetable trip mileometer! Misers or what? No airbag is a bit disappointing too.
Costs
£10 = 100 miles about town and about 130 miles on the open road. Has cost a fortune in fixing, though.
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On the road
Driving
Lack of power steering is hard work sometimes. Unrefined engine and wind noise is terrible at 70+.
Performance
Quite nippy for a 1.1 - it's at least as 'fast' as Mum's newer Punto 03 1.2i 8v. Have been overtaken by disabled people on motorised wheelchairs.
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Living with it
Reliability
Typical Fiat. Since buying it, I've spent £500 on new starter motor, new timing belt and cambelt. Also needs new exhaust and new rear drums.
Image
Doesn't look as crap as a Clio, but looks a bit stupid and overweight on its little trolley wheels. A 1.1 5 door isn't a fashion statement, it's a declaration of poverty!
Comfort
So much as a squashed crisp packed on the road creates vibrations through the car. Very unrefined. Not helped by super thin tyres which give no traction at all. Tried to take a corner at 20mph and car went on two wheels momentarily! I'm not joking.
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Security and Service
Security
Ha! Very easy to break into and steal - infact, I think someone's tried it before on mine. But who'd want to nick a 1.1 Punto?
Service
No comment, I didn't buy it from a Fiat dealer.
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Problems and Ownership
Problems
Engine
Doesn't like starting, but when it fires up it's fine. Quite nippy and very economical.
Other
I don't like to think badly of some cars, but Fiats - especially the oldish ones - are generally crap cars.
Ownership
Did you buy the car new?
Used
Would you buy the same model again?
No
Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?
No