Want a Fiat Brava

helimachoptor

Firstly I had a 98 punto a few years back. Drove it solid for 2.5 years and only put on new tyres and a few bulbs! Then got myself a 2001 baby blue brava.

Really loved this car, alloys and a sun roof and I put in a CD palyer that had a USB port. 6 months later and 4NCT tests failed I got told it needed a new engine So I traded it in.

But I still miss it. I have a vectra currently but the OH uses it as I'm only around the corner from work. 1 car has pros (less tax/insurance/fuel/repairs)
but has its cons ( more expensive having 2 cars)

So am I utterly crazy to think about buying it!

Here is the car I was looking at

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/Fiat/Brava/HSX/1219531/

Biro

The 1.2 in those is usually good, unusual that you had no problems with (presumaly) an 8v Punto and lots of problems with a 16v Brava, it's usually the other way around! Anyhoo... go for it, they're sound apart from getting a bit rattly inside with prolonged rough roads.

macroman

1.2 is a fat obese Punto and is pretty gutless, go for 1.4 100SX with a recently done T/Belt and check for signs of Head Gasket failure (common problem). Also, wait for engine to get hot and check heater, if it blows cold Heater Matrix is knackered - another sign of this is a wet patch in passenger footwell.

Mailman

the 1.4 litre Brava engine was very thirsty and was replaced by the 1.2 litre 16V. I'm not aware of a 1.4 litre 100bhp brava. I do know there was a 1.6 litre 100bhp engine.

That 1.2ltre brava looks very nice at the price. Last time I was in Tractamotors they were stuffed to the gills with cars so go with hard cash and wave it in front of their face to secure a decent discount or a belt change.

Biro

Mailman wrote: »

the 1.4 litre Brava engine was very thirsty and was replaced by the 1.2 litre 16V. I'm not aware of a 1.4 litre 100bhp brava. I do know there was a 1.6 litre 100bhp engine.

That 1.2ltre brava looks very nice at the price. Last time I was in Tractamotors they were stuffed to the gills with cars so go with hard cash and wave it in front of their face to secure a decent discount or a belt change.

I think you're right, I've never seen a 100bhp 1.4. The old 1.4 was pure muck. The 1.2 16v was way better. If you're talking about the 1.6 100 then that's a different story.

L-M

I drove one a few times before, and i think it was one of the very few cars i have cut out when trying to take off, maybe it was just that one, but i found the clutch/accelerator very weird. It had heated seats, oddly enough.

On the other hand. Nice car, low miles, 1 years tax, two years NCT and for 2 grand? How can you go wrong. It's a dealer too, so should give warranty.