Fiat Punto Hatchback (2003 - 2006) 1.2 Active 5d (2004/53) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

That I don't earn much.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

That its ok.

Would you buy this car again and why?

No, too many problems! Fiat haven't mastered the art of reliable car building yet.

What are you likely to buy next?

VW Polo.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£1,100

When did you buy the car?

February 2013

Did you get a good deal and why?

Yes for the price.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

It was cheap, "supposedly economical" and a 04 plate at that price is hard to find.

What was the dealer like?

What's it like to drive?

The 12v takes a long time to get up to speed, but can sit comfortably at 80mph on the motorway. It corners well on the country roads.

What's it like to park?

Simple with the city mode.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Where to begin! The electrics are a joke. It's like a Christmas light display on the dash.The air bag and engine light stay on constantly. The hand brake light comes on when you corner. The oil light comes on when you brake firmly. The heater fan stopped working entirely, the resistor had burnt out. Was told this was a common problem. I had it replaced and then the actual fan speed dial started to play up, now it only works on speed 2 and has to stay on constantly because if switched off, wont come on again. Two of my friends one with a Punto and with a Panda have both experienced these same eletric problems. Must be a Fiat thing.

What's most practical about your car?

Problems with the car cont..The metal work that houses and holds the radiator in place has totally rusted through and now only cable ties holding it in place until I can scrape together the hundreds I've been quoted to weld and fix it! Finally the body paint should have had another coat, it rusts easily!The only thing practical would be the mpg, but even then its not great considering its a small engined light weight car.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

City mode steering is great for parking, otherwise everything else is bog standard on the car, no frills.