Fiat Stilo Hatchback (2002 - 2007) 1.6 16V Dynamic 5d (2003/03) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Not interested at all in brand, just wanted a good car and as young a car as possible for little money

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

Got laughed at for buying a Fiat, but everyone who travelled in it thought it was a very fair car for the money

Would you buy this car again and why?

No, really didnt trust it to be reliable toward the end and the economy wasn't great, started panicking over every creak or noise, no way to own a motor car. If your desperate and the mileage is good, its probably worth getting one for around a grand if you can, especially if you get service history, niggles are a pain but Fiat tend to be one of the cheapest main dealers to get things fixed

What are you likely to buy next?

Went Japanese, if the car spent any more time in the garage, Id have to add the mechanic as a named driver on my insurance! This time Im going for reliability

Type of dealer you bought from?

Independent

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£3,300

When did you buy the car?

April 2007

Did you get a good deal and why?

Fair enough, 3k for a car with 30,000 on the clock, electric everything, air con and alloys, 6 months tax and a year's MOT seemed sound

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

A lot of car for the price, with good equipment levels and low mileage

What was the dealer like?

decent bloke trading as a sideline from his company premises

What's it like to drive?

ok and powerful enough for what you need. Must say after 6-12 months car just didnt feel the same, constantly thought exhuast was on the wobble but apparently not

What's it like to park?

Its wider than you think although steering is light enough with city mode activated

Have you had any problems with the car?

few weeks after purchase revealed a garage in Bolton had replaced a rear seat belt with a punto one, this had broken and gone into retract only mode, £90 new and fitted, ball joint at first MOT £160 all in, front wheel bolts wore out (I know, never heard of this either) £20, coil pack failed when car standing for a week, Im told this can be a £200 job but got a second hand one and sorted for £30 from a breaker, then another £30 to reset the warning light. Exhaust flexi box split, £80 appx, nearside front spring broke off at top, £100, bodywork fuel flap broke off at hinge, got rid, exhaust never felt very good and car would struggle to start in slightly sub zero winter temperatures

What's most practical about your car?

5 doors, although the boot is only average, this is a massive car inside and is very comfortable for 5 adults to travel in, city mode button makes steering very light for easy parking

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

city mode, fog lights within main lamps