I have a 1994 Punto 90 ELX Cabriolet which has just clocked up 85K. It has been very reliable during my 5 years of ownership. I believe this reliability comes from good servicing and never going near a Fiat dealership. In ny experience they are a bunch of crooks! I learnt this when I had a brand new Uno which I had dealer serviced for warrenty purposes. The handbrake never worked (they put it down to a design fault)and at every service an expensive part neede replacing. The service bill was always littered with various consumables such as brake cleaner and screenwash. I caught them out once by submitting the car for service with a full screenwash bottle - I was still charged, and when challenged they offered a free sachet of screenwash, but no apology. I eventually took the car to a small independent engineer for its annual service and MOT. It passed with no worn out parts identified and felt like a different car. The handbrake worked for the first time on the gentle slope of our garage. Talking to the engineer later he remarked that the rear brake hubs looked as if they had never been removed from the car (necessary for adjusting the handbrake) and that the previous adjustment of the handbrake had consisted of attaching a clamp to the cable. Whereas you may get bad cars, don't necessarily give up on your Punto, but do give up on your Fiat dealer, or get them checked out by Trading Standards. Good luck fellow Punto owners.
HELP HELP HELP HELP HELP! Got a 1996 punto sx. Now getting a whining noise when the engine is cold. It does go away after a while. Thought it might be something to do with the timing belt (changeD about 8k ago) , but still makes noise after investigating it. Suspect it is something to do with a bearing somewhere. Any ideas anyone?
My (P)1996 Fiat Punto s55 1.1i goes about 100mph, 125mph with a 20+bhp mod in it. Drives well against other little engined cars!
Has a nice zZzZzZzZzZ sound from the engine.
Have experienced some similar faults with others, like knocking in the back, cam belt making a F1 car pitched sound, slow of the mark, dipped headlights dont work, bears off to the left of the road, leak in my window washing water, tracking (left tire bald), battery is dying out, as motor starts tents to conk back out (usually in cold and mild mornings), thats about it for errors.
Anyone couldnt sum up a price for me could they in order to replace these errors.
now with 86k miles can anyone tell me if its worth kittin up, with a nice new exhaust and a new intake system thingy? and a nice set of wheels?
My (P)1996 Fiat Punto s55 1.1i goes about 100mph, 125mph with a 20+bhp mod in it. Drives well against other little engined cars!
Has a nice zZzZzZzZzZ sound from the engine.
Have experienced some similar faults with others, like knocking in the back, cam belt making a F1 car pitched sound, slow of the mark, dipped headlights dont work, bears off to the left of the road, leak in my window washing water, tracking (left tire bald), battery is dying out, as motor starts tents to conk back out (usually in cold and mild mornings), thats about it for errors.
Anyone couldnt sum up a price for me could they in order to replace these errors.
now with 86k miles can anyone tell me if its worth kittin up, with a nice new exhaust and a new intake system thingy? and a nice set of wheels?
I've had 3 Puntos, all from new, mostly because other dealers give poor trade-in prices. That could be a clue to what the future will bring... My last Punto was OK, but only that. The 3 big dealers in the North-East are absolutely appalling. Their customer service is non existant, they say that they have carried out work (always under warranty), but don't do it. Could it be that they are charging FIAT for their "work" and then charging again to put right the first job? Obviously that would be fraud, so it can't be happening. My last Punto went to the Gateshead dealer to have the rear seat belt changed but it took over half a dozen visits to get it fixed. I ended up marking the original belt, so I could prove to the service chimp that he had not changed it. He didn't even apologise when he had been caught out. The Punto tends not to rust much as it is galvanised, except the hatch door. Guess where mine started rusting! The dealer said it was caused by my keys when I opened the hatch, even though the rust was bubbling below the paint surface. After about 3 months, they grudgingly agreed to respray the hatch. I checked it had gone through quality control and was told it had been cared for by the manager himself. I asked for his resignation, since there was overspray on the tail lights and the drips from the lower edge made me think the hatch had been dunked in a paint vat. One good thing was that I got their loan car for another day or so and found that 70mph in 3rd is possible and it slows down far better if you use the handbrake. There are many other gripes, but if you are thinking of buying one and you aren't a mechanic, DON'T DO IT. Shortly after the respray fiasco, I took a fair loss on trade-in and got a far better car with after sales service. FIAT still rang me up to do a "how was your ownership experience" survey. It was a short conversation, two words, one being "off".
I have an 02 registration Fiat Punto 1.2 8 Valve. Let me tell you about the problems - most of them annoying! Well, bearing in mind the car is 1 1/2 years old the following has gone wrong: The dim-dip failed to work and the switch-gear on the steering-wheel had to be replaced (under warranty). I had to get it fixed anyway because when using the Full Beam this cancelled out ALL of the lights!!!!!!! I found this out while driving down a 60 MPH A-Road where there are no street lights. Then the windscreen wiper (off-side) began to drag a lot. That too was fixed under warranty - Apparently this is a known fault (per say the dealer). Then, last week the car left me stranded at work due to the ECU packing up and the car only firing on 2 cylinders as a result. The engine light came on, obviously and I got home from work in a hire car at 8:30pm instead of 4:30pm!!! The AA man was a good laugh though! Other annoying things I have had are: a squeaky brake pedal (somewhere in the engine compartment) and a door seal which is starting to peel off at the top - I have stuck it with Superglue. I like the look of the Punto - I think the design is pleasing on the eye - However, the reliability is very poor and the overall build quality is, in my opinion, JUNK!!! I should have bought a Toyota Yaris or something else Japanese. In summary, nice looking car but DON'T BUY ONE unless you live near a Fiat dealer and don't travel far to work.
Bought a brand new Punto 60s in 1998. All was well for 3 years, then after only 23,000 miles major disaster - broken valve spring led to valve hitting piston, valve stem penetrating piston, end of valve wacked head, taking a lump out of the casting around the valve spring area. £950 later (not in a Fiat garage), new head and new sump to cure incurable oil leak). I did manage to get £650 back of Fiat UK though, after much wrangling.
When I called the 0800 Fiat Customer Service line, I got someone in Italy who barely spoke English - no help whatsoever.
Now after 5 1/2 years, and 40,000, head gasket blown (no temperature gauge, just an orange light to let you know). Estimate of £320, assuming the head does not need skimming.
If you're thinking of getting one don't - Pay an extra bit and get a Yaris or something else with quality Japanese build.
I had a '95 75SX (from new) and was so impressed I bought an 85 16v ELX.
Engine is terrific - I had the full dealer service at 72,000 miles when the can belt was changed.
Front Tyres last about 28-30K miles, rears nearer 60K miles.
Rear suspension bearings fail at about 70K miles and the frint discs were replaced at the same time. Bateery failed after about 4½ years.
The brakes have sprung a leak at 80K, but it's only a rear hose. £13 + labour and fluid, but the dealer did a fiddle, bundling it up with a recall to replace the rear pipes which are hidden by the fuel tank and prone to corrosion but are out of view from inpsection/MOT.
Fuel consumption is around 10mi/litre, say 45 mph. Keeping the speed down to 70 on the motorway can increase this.
The dealer fitted alarm went beresk at about 50K miles, but disconnecting the interior detectors cureed that.
The major complaint was Fiat delivered the car, new, with no fuel. It ran out within about ½ mile. RAC man did not believe no petrol and 6 miles on the clock - but I lost my RAC no claims and Fiat refused to re-imburse me.
Other wise the car has been boringly fine - radio's OK, nothing has fallen off and the electric windows and sunroof work fine. Stowage space is all but non-existent, a rear interior courtesy light should be standard and rear seat belt buckle tidies are useless.
Yes, I'd have another, especially if the diesel had more oomph.
HAD 3 PUNTOS I WORK IN CREWE (BENTLEY MOTOR CARS) SO DO NO A LITTLE BIT ABOUT QUALITY MOTOR CARS ALL MY CARS DONE 90K PLUS WITH AVERAGE MAINTANACE BRAKES/EXHAUST/TYRES AND 1LOT OF REAR RADIUS ARMS I'V HAD 4 COMPANY VW'SAND A SEAT CAR ALL OF WHICH HAVE HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS AND THESE CARS COST A MINT. PUNTO'S ARE LOW COST RELIABLE CHEAPS CARS TO RUN I DO 30K AYEAR I MINE AND HAVE NEVER BEEN LET DOWN THERE MY LOW COST BENTLEY..AND PS YOU DON'T GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR EG VW'S SEAT'S
You want to know about shite dealership, how about this! A large (multi-brand)dealership in Yorkshire have had a brand new punto for one day, had the paint protection on but they have messed it up so that there is a faded spot on the bonnet! Is going back tomorrow to get fixed. Also have a 97p 55sx no major problems really, has just flown through its MOT.
You want to know about shite dealership, how about this! A large (multi-brand)dealership in Yorkshire have had a brand new punto for one day, had the paint protection on but they have messed it up so that there is a faded spot on the bonnet! Is going back tomorrow to get fixed. Also have a 97p 55sx no major problems really, has just flown through its MOT.
I had a problem with my Punto same as Marcus, it just died, it would start and drive for a couple of miles and then stop. Turned out to be the fuel pump fuse being cracked, not blown just cracked. Now I need new bushes front and rear
1996 55s - Bought this second hand only about 3 months ago, and at first appeared to be an amazing car, and only had 30000 miles on the clock. In the last three weeks ive had to replace (bearing in mind I had this car checked over by a qualified mechanic before I bought it!!) brake pads, side lights, front right tyre (when i bought it - but i knew about this) and then again front right tyre (complete balding on the inside) The tracking has had to be done and today had the recall brake pipes done. They have now told me there is some knocking (radius arm needs looking at - and i dont know what the hell that is - if anyone can help me - please email!) and the door strap needs checking cos it is making a bloody loud noise every time i open the door. I want to get rid of it but I cant be bothered, it just seems easier to deal with the problems as they turn up!!
I own a 1996 punto 55s and as it is my first car i cant really compare with anything, but i would say it is an average car, which starts to go rapidly downhill after a while. the car is at least still roadworthy, which is always a good sign, but there have been a few problems: the tracking goes out so quickly that last time i took it to the garage both front wheels were bald down the inside edge! as i drive it quite hard and the car is not used to being pushed to its limits, it has started complaining a lot more- i.e. the exhaust corroded and fell off a month ago, the rear suspension bushes are badly worn and cause an annoying constant knocking (this problem is common with almost all puntos i hear). also, because of the age of the car, small things are constantly going wrong now: brake lights & sidelights needing replaced often, radio aerial needs replaced, rear wiper has failed, interior light is leaking during rain occasionally, passenger door seal causes wind noise, the list goes on! but i wouldnt say this is a terrible car- absolutely no signs of rust, and the engine is as good as new! good points- a nice little runaround with good fuel economy and the engine sounds nice and racy at high revs! dont go for this car if you want something to modify as there is too much to do- gearstick is ridiculously large, would suit a truck better i think, and personally i dont like the feel of the steering wheel either. contrary to what i've said, this isnt a bad car by any means and if you're prepared to put up with regular trips to the garage this is an affordable little motor. if you do own one, i wish you good luck for the next MOT...
Hi, does anybody have any comments on the new fiat punto 1.2 elx 16v (2001)? I'm considering buying one, but was wondering whether it is plagued by the same problems as the older versions?? Any help would be much appreciated, thanks
happily driving to work today and.....oh look the steering wheel has popped off in my hands! joy!dont buy a fiat punto if your reading this and you dont already have one. if you have one fill it with fresh meat and buckets of fish blood, then drive it into an amozon lake infested with piranah...
3 years ago I bought a 97 Punto 70 TDSX. Very nice! Sun roof, steering mounted radio controls, decided to buy the warranty 3yrs). The first year was a dream! Lovely runner, family happy at new car; spacious, economic, great performance. Year 2 Needed its service and the dealership started to notice a few problems. Brake pipes/ tyres/ Boot lock!Suspension. Problems sorted: Quite costly. Year 3: EVRYTHINGS GOING WRONG!!! Suspension, head gasket, cracked radiator, brake discs (recalled pipes) Suspension mounts? Each time I visit the dea;ership, they seem to find another more expensive item that miraculously is not covered by the extended warranty. REALLY difficult to get in touch with them at any time. Cant get a courtesy car for love nor money. Costing me a fortune. THinking of giving up on cars and buying a ... BICYCLE!!
1996 punto 55s. After reading most of the comments on this page it seems we are all in the same boat. I've had the car for two years with 18 months of cheap, reliable motoring but 6 months ago things went tits up. Heater matrix, brake pipe recall, cylinder head gasket, coolant pump and new bake discs. After forking out for this lot I thought I'd keep the car, but last week its developed a loud knocking noise from the top end. The garage told me they have to strip the engine to find the problem which isn't cheap. The cars worthless as it is but how much more money am I going to spend putting it right? The cars very cheap on insurance, tax, petrol and good around town but when things start going wrong there a money pit.
1998 Punto 60s bought at one year old, 9,000 miles (now 53,000) from a Fiat main dealer. So far its not cost me too much and is very economical with plenty of room inside. Its had one or two little faults like an odd oil leak from somewhere, the drivers door needs a good slam, the courtesy light fills up with water sometimes and drenches the passenger and rough idling. The one worrying thing about it is that when I bought the car from the Fiat dealer I didn't know anything about the all important Red Key. The dealer and Fiat themselves are not in the slightest bit interested that I didn't get one with the car. I just hope it hasn't knackered its resale value too much. I've found getting repairs done has been quite cheap as long as you avoid the dealer. New tyre(£40), Cam belt change (£60), new discs (£30 fitted, Plugs and leads (£38). Nothing else really apart from a few bulbs. Never failed to start or let me down. The handling isn't great and it has no power steering so it can be really difficult to park - it was a cheap car though so I can't complain. The key issue makes me very nervous - fingers crossed it won't fail.
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