Punto 1.8 HGT - anyone own/drive?

Interceptor

I'm looking for something small and fast and this has caught my eye. I can VRT it for €1600 or buy either of the non-Abarth ones on Carzone.ie for around six grand. Anyone any experience of them? 130bhp in a Punto could be interesting but it might be impossible to sell on in the long run. Opinions/experences? Yes, I know its a FIAT and anyone pointing out that they once had an aunt with a 127 which didn't start in the damp will be mercilessly flamed.

Muchos gracias,

'cptr

Anan1

I remember reading a few reviews of it years ago, and they were generally pretty positive. Those Puntos do have a reputation for electrical problems, though some seem to be completely trouble-free. On the other hand, you could probably get a good Alfa 156 for that sort of money - more expensive to maintain, but probably a much more sophisticated drive.

Anan1

Or what about this, for similar money:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-Y-VW-POLO-16v-1-6-GTI-FULL-VW-SH-59K-MILES_W0QQitemZ4625773654QQcategoryZ9873QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Interceptor

Anan1 wrote:

probably get a good Alfa 156 for that sort of money.

Hmmm, I could get a lot of stuff for that sort of money but I got rid of my Alfa 155 2.0TS a few months back and don't want another for a while. The only 156 I'd bother with is the 2.5V6 and I might as well go the whole hog and get a 20V Fiat coupe if I'm off down that road. No, I need a hot hatch and can't abide Saxos, Corsas, Fiest... that list is going to get very long but you get the idea.

I know all about Punto electrics(MagnettiMarelli ECU = rubbish), head gaskets and poor interiors but if the 1.8 Abarth is a wolf in sheeps clothing, I want one...

'cptr

Interceptor

Anan1 wrote:

Or what about this, for similar money:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-Y-VW-POLO-16v-1-6-GTI-FULL-VW-SH-59K-MILES_W0QQitemZ4625773654QQcategoryZ9873QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Didn't know such a thing existed and I can't find how much it weights but they appear to come with 125bhp unfortunately it misses out on looks - apart from the front fogs and the GTI badge it might as well have two old dears going to the bingo in it. I must have a look on Carzone and see if they exist over here in any quantity.

'c

Anan1

How about a 306GTI?

Anan1

Interceptor wrote:

apart from the front fogs and the GTI badge it might as well have two old dears going to the bingo in it. I must have a look on Carzone and see if they exist over here in any quantity.

This is a good thing if you're planning on driving the balls off it. (and why else would you buy such a car!)

There is a really good sounding one on eBay Ireland at the moment:

http://http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-VW-Polo-GTi-125-Bhp-1-owner_W0QQitemZ4622844249QQcategoryZ9873QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It's a bit expensive, IMO, and it's got no a/c, but it looks like a good one for all that. The guy had it advertised here a couple of weeks back.

cargrouch

Dunno bout the alfa being more expensive to maintain - I would reckon that any work in a punto engine bay with a 1.8 would be tricky and time consuming. Clutch and belt changes could be "engine-out" jobs? Worth checking out the cost of these kinda services...

Anan1

Correct link:

http://http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2001-VW-Polo-GTi-125-Bhp-1-owner_W0QQitemZ4622844249QQcategoryZ9873QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

maidhc

130bhp in a Punto sounds like fun. I'm sure selling it on wont be a massive problem, tiny market obviosuly, but now insurance is such that the kind of person who might buy that car can can afford to insure it.

Personally I wouldnt be a fan of canary yellow at all, although it doesnt look as vile on punto as it does on some other cars.

fletch

Here's a nice VW Polo Gti for sale....looks a beauty IMO...a lot classier than that HGT....very well kitted too....Xenons,sat nav etc

Anan1

fletch wrote:

Here's a nice VW Polo Gti for sale....looks a beauty IMO...a lot classier than that HGT....very well kitted too....Xenons,sat nav etc

That's the same car, except that my link doesn't work...

5500

How about a punto 1.4 Gt?135bhp/150 torque with lots more tuning potential than the hgt,they go for fairly cheap but the downside being they were only produced untill 95.

In saying that if you want something small light and nippy Gt starlets would probably be the weapon of choice!They go for extortionate money tho

fletch

Anan1 wrote:

That's the same car, except that my link doesn't work...

lol sorry

colm_mcm

eireal wrote:

How about a punto 1.4 Gt?135bhp/150 torque with lots more tuning potential than the hgt,they

Jaysus, Turbo lag!

The HGT is far more sophisticated, drove one 6 years ago, and at the time had never driven anything as quick. Made an impression on me

Interceptor

Thanks for all the replies - colm mcm's 'never driven anything as quick' comment is the sort if thing I'm looking for. I'm probably not going to bother tuning it and I'm steering clear of turbos since my experiences with a Rover 800 Vitesse. I didn't even realise puntos came with 1.8 litre engines until I saw one in Borris-on-Ossory last weekend. I'll try and get a spin in one and see what happens.

'cptr

yellow012

Try posting your question over on Octane.ie, theres a member there Eoin who used to own one, i'm sure he could fill you in on what you need to know/look out for.

colm_mcm

I'd prefer a Punto JTD now!

Anan1

Have a look at this one


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4628858995&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

colm_mcm

Anan1 wrote:

Have a look at this one


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4628858995&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

He's not willing to sent it by post though

Anan1

The Brits can be quare awkward sometimes.

Interceptor

That is one of the nicest I've seen - the mileage alone is amazingly low. I'm currently selling everything I own on eBay to try and raise the money to buy something like this. I can insure it fully comp for.......477 euro. I must try and get a spin in one first though and I don't want to buy one without trying it. I wouldn't blame his decision for not posting it on being an awkward English person - where would he put the stamps?

'cptr

bazz26

An Post would still probably manage to loose it at their sorting office.:D

4-age

cargrouch wrote:

Dunno bout the alfa being more expensive to maintain - I would reckon that any work in a punto engine bay with a 1.8 would be tricky and time consuming. Clutch and belt changes could be "engine-out" jobs? Worth checking out the cost of these kinda services...

the clutch is hydraulic so no masive problems there ant the timing belt according to fiat take 3hrs and ten mins so not a gigantic job either.Big service 3hrs little on 1 and a half.seems prettyh sound.dont know if its been metioned but what about a 106 GTi 120 bhp

colm_mcm

The 106 is tiny inside compared to the Punto, but more of a drivers car. Punto far more sophisticated.

Magown3

Have a look at this. They're 100bhp and weight nothin.

There's a good review here.

colm_mcm wrote:

The 106 is tiny inside compared to the Punto

The OP actually specified something small and fast!

colm_mcm

Magown3 wrote:

Have a look at this. They're 100bhp and weight nothin.

Would prefer the equivelant Lupo! never liked the styling on the Arosa