Just got my first car, Fiat Punto 1.2 ELX 2000

cpu-dude

As the title says, I just got my first car (I'm 22, town worker) and I'd like some input on it. I paid €1400 for the car and I'm happy with it because of it's condition. It's a Fiat Punto year 2000, 60HP, 1.2 ELX, 5-Door, 70K, CD player.

It's really spotless, 1 lady owner, full service history, 70K on the clock, NCT till 05-11 and taxed until the end of the month. My mechanic mate drove it around all day the other day and have a proper look over it and said it's mechanically perfect and very quiet (which it is). The car itself appealed to me because of the City Power Steering option which makes parking child's play.

I'd like your opinions on the car. Everyone I have talked to says the only thing to be worried about is the Catalytic Converter which my mate says is perfect (first thing he looked at). Is there any known specific problems with this car model / shape / type etc.

Cheers!

PS: It's warranted for 6 months, free labour as well and the below is what it looks like.

dudara

They're great cars for around town and pretty nippy at low speeds. I had a 99 (older body) for about 2 years and was quite happy with it. Light steering and small body makes them very easy to park (even without the girly button).

On the older Puntos, the head gasket was known to be troublesome, but I don't know if that is the case with your model.

cpu-dude

dudara wrote: »

They're great cars for around town and pretty nippy at low speeds. I had a 99 (older body) for about 2 years and was quite happy with it. Light steering and small body makes them very easy to park (even without the girly button).

On the older Puntos, the head gasket was known to be troublesome, but I don't know if that is the case with your model.

Yes I've also heard that too, thanks for your input. It does feel quite nippy and superb handling compared to a 106 I was considering buying.

Greenmachine

Congrats on buying your first car. All things considered I think you did okay for yourself. 6 months warranty including labor on a near 10 year old cars is excellent. Just one lady owner is a big plus and lowish mileage for it's age. Have fun.

Hotwheels

Had one, and they are a hoot to drive around town, cheap as chips to run too...
Head Gasket was a problem with the 8 valve, 16V didn't suffer from the same problem, as far as I know....

Happy motoring...

Lex Luthor

my wife had a 97 one...great little car. Hers was the 16V 75bhp one

Only problems we had were the coil packs used to give in...there are 2 in them. They used to last about 18 months.

You'll know its gone when it starts to jump and miss a cylinder and the ignition light comes on all of a sudden

I used to keep a spare one in the boot at all times. Cost about €50 and take 5 min to change once you get the plastic cover off.

CrowdedHouse

Best o' Luck with it - drive safe

ChristyCent

The elx doesnt have the head gasket problems as far as I know they have the 16v engines. I wouldnt recommend constantly switching the city steering on and off as it can wreck they power steering

Graham_B18C

ChristyCent wrote: »

The elx doesnt have the head gasket problems as far as I know they have the 16v engines. I wouldnt recommend constantly switching the city steering on and off as it can wreck they power steering

AFAIK tge ELX has the 8v, its one of the higher spec 8v models, I think the Sporting & the HLX are the only two with the 16v...open to correction though

The_Conductor

I had an 00 for a 3 years- nice car.
Its great for local driving- or driving around town- I'd be hesitant to use it for frequent long distant driving (which is why I got rid of mine eventually). Its got a surprising amount of boot space, and reasonable stereo speakers (I upgraded the radio to a Kenwood in Halfords- which was a good purchase).

Upkeep of the car is remarkable value- its very cheap to service and keep in good running condition. I am very surprised at how thirsty the 1.2 is on long distance motorway driving though- and if you're on a drive lasting several hours- get a cushion of some sort.......

For a car to use around the city/town- its a good buy, but its not the most comfortable or economical if you're planning long distance driving......

ChristyCent

Grahamo999 wrote: »

AFAIK tge ELX has the 8v, its one of the higher spec 8v models, I think the Sporting & the HLX are the only two with the 16v...open to correction though

It has the 1.2 16v in it
http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/cars/fiat-punto-1-2-16v-elx-5dr/324326/

Graham_B18C

But...

http://www.mobiya.co.uk/tjdptmw

ChristyCent

cant get that link to work but..

Shires

cpu-dude wrote: »

I'd like your opinions on the car.

Mrs Shires has one and I love it. It's a fantastic motor around town. I find it uncomfortable for very long trips and it won't win any races but that's not what the Punto is about as far as I can tell!

cpu-dude wrote: »

Everyone I have talked to says the only thing to be worried about is the Catalytic Converter which my mate says is perfect (first thing he looked at). Is there any known specific problems with this car model / shape / type etc.

Only problems we have had have been very minor and from looking on the interweb many of them seem to do this:

- The "punto judder" when engine is cold sometimes, annoying but rare and relieved by coming off the go pedal and depressing the clutch once. Seems like a hunthing throttle.

- Squeaky handbrake cable mounts. Every 6 months or so I need to grease them. It's very easy to do and the car doesn't even need to be lifted, just have to lie on your back and get your hands forward of the rear wheels. Google or PM me if you ever hear a dying mouse noise from the back and want to know what to do.

I recommend www . fiatforum . com. They have a Punto section with lots of knowledgeable folks.

Enjoy!

unkel

Nice car. Good to drive and in my experience the ELX are very quiet for a small car. Maybe there is more sound insulation in this model compared to the basic ones?

cpu-dude wrote: »

It's a Fiat Punto year 2000, 60HP, 1.2 ELX

60HP = 8V, 80HP = 16V in an '00 Punto 1.2 ELX I'm afraid. Keep an eye out for white smoke from the exhaust or water leaks from the engine area.

Shires

dudara wrote: »

They're great cars for around town and pretty nippy at low speeds. I had a 99 (older body) for about 2 years and was quite happy with it. Light steering and small body makes them very easy to park (even without the girly button).

Hehe, we have often though it should have this on the button and not "City":

galwaytt

this thread is a rash of positivity.

I'm going to report it to the Mods...........simply no call for that kind of thing around here...:D

Donnelly117

well ware

Graham_B18C

unkel wrote: »

60HP = 8V, 80HP = 16V in an '00 Punto 1.2 ELX I'm afraid.area.

We were both right so!!!

L1011

Lex Luthor wrote: »

my wife had a 97 one...great little car. Hers was the 16V 75bhp one

Only problems we had were the coil packs used to give in...there are 2 in them. They used to last about 18 months.

You'll know its gone when it starts to jump and miss a cylinder and the ignition light comes on all of a sudden

I used to keep a spare one in the boot at all times. Cost about €50 and take 5 min to change once you get the plastic cover off.

The "failing" coil packs is usually caused by a bad ECU, I've fitted an aftermarket rebuilt ECU to my brothers 01 poverty-spec for about 300 euro that stopped this entirely.

smash

out of 3 punto's my other half had

Car 1: Cat went
Car 2: Head Gasket went
Car 3: Gearbox went

mumblin deaf ro

cpu-dude wrote: »

As the title says, I just got my first car (I'm 22, town worker) and I'd like some input on it. I paid €1400 for the car and I'm happy with it because of it's condition. It's a Fiat Punto year 2000, 60HP, 1.2 ELX, 5-Door, 70K, CD player.

It's really spotless, 1 lady owner, full service history, 70K on the clock, NCT till 05-11 and taxed until the end of the month. My mechanic mate drove it around all day the other day and have a proper look over it and said it's mechanically perfect and very quiet (which it is). The car itself appealed to me because of the City Power Steering option which makes parking child's play.

I'd like your opinions on the car. Everyone I have talked to says the only thing to be worried about is the Catalytic Converter which my mate says is perfect (first thing he looked at). Is there any known specific problems with this car model / shape / type etc.

Cheers!

PS: It's warranted for 6 months, free labour as well and the below is what it looks like.

I learned in almost the exact same car (same spec, colour and mileage). It was great and very reliable for me. I gave it to my sister when we got our current car about a year ago and it's been great for her.

We had it for two years and just had to change the exhaust. Has the timing belt been changed? The clutch is the other thing to look out for, as the punto is a real learners car.

Good luck with it.

niceirishfella

I like the Punto.

I had about 150 of them.:D I used to work in the rental game. We had them from inception back in 1994 and served us and our clients well.

HGF's was an issue, as well as ECU's giving up the ghost in them, lambda's probes going,door skins creasing due to the incorporated check strap stopper on the 2dr mk 1 , handbrake cables seizing, stuff like that but I liked them and they could take a surprising amount of abuse for rentals. I belive all of the above is sorted now and you know, for €1400, its a lot of decent small car, for small money.
Comfy seats in them too:D

cpu-dude

mumblin deaf ro wrote: »

I learned in almost the exact same car (same spec, colour and mileage). It was great and very reliable for me. I gave it to my sister when we got our current car about a year ago and it's been great for her.

We had it for two years and just had to change the exhaust. Has the timing belt been changed? The clutch is the other thing to look out for, as the punto is a real learners car.

Good luck with it.

Wow great input in this thread, thanks alot. I'm really happy with the purchase, me auld Punty as I call it now

Yes timing belt was changed a few weeks ago because it got a full service. Me mate even chucked me €20 luck money to stick in the tank - never heard of that kind of thing before but fair play to him, half a tank of petrol for free.

If anything ever goes wrong with it, I sure no where to turn. I have always been under the impression that Fiats were terrible cars (fix it again tomorrow) but this is just a lovely car to drive and be in to be honest. The city button, never seen or heard of it before but its just a clever idea (god damn Italians haha).

Cheers again everyone and thanks for the well wishes!

Rylan

ChristyCent wrote: »

The elx doesnt have the head gasket problems as far as I know they have the 16v engines. I wouldnt recommend constantly switching the city steering on and off as it can wreck they power steering

Was also going to tell you this when I read your post.

cpu-dude

Rylan wrote: »

Was also going to tell you this when I read your post.

Will do. Noticed it's very sensative even while barely moving with City on. Best leave it for parking only. The steering is good anyway without it.

waraf

steve06 wrote: »

out of 3 punto's my other half had

Car 1: Cat went
Car 2: Head Gasket went
Car 3: Gearbox went

why did you keep buying them

The_Conductor

cpu-dude wrote: »

Will do. Noticed it's very sensative even while barely moving with City on. Best leave it for parking only. The steering is good anyway without it.

Its an incredibly light car anyway- you won't need it while driving. With a driver and 2 passengers- you're still under 1000kg. Compare this to the likes of an estate that needs power steering- such as a Volvo V40- you're up around 2,200kg with a driver and 2 passengers......

celica1994

the colour of that pic of the punto is the same colour green as a feast icecream lol

cpu-dude

celica1994 wrote: »

the colour of that pic of the punto is the same colour green as a feast icecream lol

Haha yes it is, it's my lunch time in work - I think I know what I'm getting for a treat

colm_mcm

ChristyCent wrote: »

It has the 1.2 16v in it
http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/cars/fiat-punto-1-2-16v-elx-5dr/324326/

The Irish ELX model didn't have the 16v, there was an ELX 16v in the UK though, but it was never offered here.

Things to look out for:

Crunching going into 2nd gear (syncromesh on the way out)
Rear wiper not working (could be wiper, or metal contacts on the bootlid)
Creaky rear suspension (normal enough, nothing to worry about)
Drivers seat height adjuster problems
Condensation in the headlights

cpu-dude

I do have another question, how do I open the bonnet on the Punto? I found a lever on the driver side (underneath the plastic ending of the dash) but it does nothing?

Also, does it open from the windscreen side or the bumper side?

Cheers!

The_Conductor

cpu-dude wrote: »

I do have another question, how do I open the bonnet on the Punto? I found a lever on the driver side (underneath the plastic ending of the dash) but it does nothing?

Also, does it open from the windscreen side or the bumper side?

Cheers!

Its the lever below the plastic ending of the dash- to the door side of the pedals. It releases the catch on the bonnet- you have to then open it manually and use the stick to keep it upright. It opens from the bumper side inwards.

colm_mcm

the lever has been known to break or to unhook the cable. most drivers just look for the steel cable behind the lever and pull that instead.

cpu-dude

colm_mcm wrote: »

the lever has been known to break or to unhook the cable. most drivers just look for the steel cable behind the lever and pull that instead.

Jasus I'd be lost without you's lads, cheers again. Will have a look later after work.

Dave.

cpu-dude wrote: »

It's really spotless, 1 lady owner, full service history, 70K on the clock, NCT till 05-11 and taxed until the end of the month.

I could be wrong but a '00 cars nct should run til 2010, 1st ncted in '04 til '06 then til '08 then til '10

cpu-dude

Dave. wrote: »

I could be wrong but a '00 cars nct should run til 2010, 1st ncted in '04 til '06 then til '08 then til '10

Your correct there, that was my mistake, it is 05-10.

fryup

Hey OP, you do know that FIAT stands for....Fix It Again Tomorrow

only kiddin;)

To be fair Fiat seem to have got there act together of late, and if i had the money i'd buy the 500 in a heartbeat its a honey.

smash

waraf wrote: »

why did you keep buying them

I didn't, she did...

ChristyCent

Grahamo999 wrote: »

We were both right so!!!

High five!

celica1994 wrote: »

the colour of that pic of the punto is the same colour green as a feast icecream lol

Now Im dyin for a feast thanks:(

fergiesfolly

Had the '00 ELX from new and only sold it 6 mths ago. Head gasket did go about 3 years ago, as did the front wiper motor about 18 mths ago. Other than that, she never let us down. Cheap to service and a tank of petrol seemed to last forever. People who have never driven one will tell you a million scare stories about them, but those of us who actually owned them were very happy. Good luck and well ware with yours.

road_high

steve06 wrote: »

I didn't, she did...

But why if they were that bad

road_high

The new Punto seems a fine lump of a machine. A bit bigger than the supermini norm. Giving good service are they?

ashdub

had 01 punto. steering went 2 times, not cheap. got rid second time it went. also wipers broke, seems to happen most 00 01 puntos

cpu-dude

Well I'm heading to Cavan in her this weekend so we'll see how she goes on the main and back roads (my parents live in Ballinagh). Will report back with my findings on the trip haha :-)

The_Conductor

cpu-dude wrote: »

Well I'm heading to Cavan in her this weekend so we'll see how she goes on the main and back roads (my parents live in Ballinagh). Will report back with my findings on the trip haha :-)

As long as you don't around corners at high speed- its actually got a remarkably good suspension. Do bring a cushion though- the seat just doesn't cut it for long distance driving.

the bolt

colm_mcm wrote: »

The Irish ELX model didn't have the 16v, there was an ELX 16v in the UK though, but it was never offered here.

Things to look out for:

Crunching going into 2nd gear (syncromesh on the way out)
Rear wiper not working (could be wiper, or metal contacts on the bootlid)
Creaky rear suspension (normal enough, nothing to worry about)
Drivers seat height adjuster problems
Condensation in the headlights

driving one these at the minute,hard to change down into first gear,headlights worse useless(dips),lot of blind spots,creaky rear suspension

Shires

the bolt wrote: »

creaky rear suspension

It's not the suspension, bet you a tenner it's the handbrake cable mounts just forward of the rear wheels.

- cut cable tie around cable guide tube and mount
- pull tube+bush out of mount
- clean mount and rubber bush around tube
- apply a hardy grease, copper grease will do, silicon/vaseline will last only weeks.
- re-insert cable into mount, put on new cable tie, not too tight or it will squeak again soon
- repeat other side

:pac: