Fiat reliability?

Seanachai

Hello , just wondering if anybody owns/has owned a Fiat Grande Punto diesel and could tell me if they are reliable. I'm worried about the bad reputation attached to Fiat or is that long gone now?.

bazz26

This thread should be fun. :pac:

The Fiat Grande Punto and current Opel Corsa share the same platform and diesel engine. They are as reliable as each other but lots of people won't buy the Fiat because of Fiat's rep.

bear1

These threads (Alfa and Fiat) should be made into stickys.
I'm going to go from our current experience on the GP JTD.
I bought my wife a Fiat GP Sporting JTD - so 1.9 and 130bhp, back at the end of August.
Has all the equipment we need, climate control, ASR, rear tinted windows and nice sporty exhaust. It's the 3 door version.
We were lucky in the sense that the previous owner was in love with the car and treated it to the best care he could so we got a well minded car.
In the near 3 months that we have it nothing has gone wrong. Changed 2 tyres only.
The spanner light has come on now so it needs a service and the timing belt is due soon.
It's a good engine with good economy and good acceleration.
So for now my verdict would be to buy one.

Seanachai

Did you buy it from new? , I hope it goes well for you but it's early days yet.

Seanachai

Sorry just realised you mentioned it had a previous owner , brain fog from not eating anything yet today.

bear1

Seanachai wrote: »

Did you buy it from new? , I hope it goes well for you but it's early days yet.

No, it's a 2006 model. We're the 2nd owners on it.
The GP was replaced with the EVO model, uglier I think than the GP.
It is early days (Don't bloody jinx it!) but the Volvo I have has caused more stress in the first 3 months I've owned it than the Punto so even now it's off on a better start.
You need to check reviews for the particular model you are interested in.
I'm assuming it's the 1.3 JTD?
Do you have a link for the car?

jadun

I have a 03 1.2L punto and been driving around 400 km a week on the motorway for three years. It cruises grand at 120 km/h and never has giving me one bit of trouble. Fiat are not a bad make. For some reason on the motor forum someone always has something bad about any car brand. It's also a miser on petrol

Seanachai

I don't have a particular one in mind , I like the design when I see them on the road. I was wondering if anybody had experience with them , thanks for the info , I'll check out some reviews when I have full internet access later on.

bear1

When I'm interested in buying a car I always take these reviews into account:

http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/fiat/grande_punto/

General consensus is that it is a good car.
If you want only good economy and with normal power then the 1.3JTD is your friend, if you want good power and a bit less economy then the 1.9 is much better.

JohnBoy26

bazz26 wrote: »

This thread should be fun. :pac:

The Fiat Grande Punto and current Opel Corsa share the same platform and diesel engine. They are as reliable as each other but lots of people won't buy the Fiat because of Fiat's rep.

And lots of people won't buy a corsa because of their because of it's previous rep. :pac:

Seanachai

I remember seeing my uncle's Ritmo dismatled for scrap , I used to play with the dashboard and steering wheel when it was on a bench as a kid. I also had a Fiat 500 for driving in the fields , this was before the whole insurance claim fear came in. I'll check out the reviews.

Alfa Quadrifoglio

Autocar had a new version FIAT Panda Twin Air on long term test and it had zero faults, think it would be a better bet than the Grande Punto

Scortho

Seanachai wrote: »

I remember seeing my uncle's Ritmo dismatled for scrap , I used to play with the dashboard and steering wheel when it was on a bench as a kid. I also had a Fiat 500 for driving in the fields , this was before the whole insurance claim fear came in. I'll check out the reviews.

Abarth ritmo?

johnayo

Scortho wrote: »

Abarth ritmo?

Or was that Rotmo:D

bear1

Alfa Quadrifoglio wrote: »

Autocar had a new version FIAT Panda Twin Air on long term test and it had zero faults, think it would be a better bet than the Grande Punto

Why would it?

Supergurrier

FIX IT AGAIN TOMORROW

HA
HA
HA
HA

(Adjusts monocle)

road_high

Fiat are supposedly doing a major relaunch in Ireland. I can see one pretty major flaw I'm afraid; lack of new product. Hyundai/Kia seem to have a new model or other every second week. Poor old Fiat are battling through with the 2007 500 and newly launched 500L variants. I just can't see them recovering to anywhere near where they were without further new innovative product, and lots of it. And don't get me started on Alfa...

dgt

Supergurrier wrote: »

FIX IT AGAIN TOMORROW

HA
HA
HA
HA

(Adjusts monocle)

FOUND
ON
ROAD
DEAD

FIX
OR
REPAIR
DAILY



Do you really want to see me in a bad mood..... :pac::pac::pac:

Supergurrier

dgt wrote: »

FOUND
ON
ROAD
DEAD

FIX
OR
REPAIR
DAILY



Do you really want to see me in a bad mood..... :pac::pac::pac:

Ahh Heyor...

Shurre ya are only in a bad mood because all yer cars are french/italian and its costing you a fortune in gaffer tape

Alfa Quadrifoglio

road_high wrote: »

Fiat are supposedly doing a major relaunch in Ireland. I can see one pretty major flaw I'm afraid; lack of new product. Hyundai/Kia seem to have a new model or other every second week. Poor old Fiat are battling through with the 2007 500 and newly launched 500L variants. I just can't see them recovering to anywhere near where they were without further new innovative product, and lots of it. And don't get me started on Alfa...

Panda launched in '11, but agree need a replacement for Punto

dgt

Supergurrier wrote: »

Ahh Heyor...

Shurre ya are only in a bad mood because all yer cars are french/italian and its costing you a fortune in gaffer tape

Jaypers that yoke is makin ya senile, forgot the Germans there. Must be horrid dull to be in :pac: I use the finest of baling twine I'll have you know :cool:

Mech1

My view is tainted as im a mechanic, the best way to get a overall view on the situation is to make a point of looking at the make / model of cars stuck with hazzards on at the side of motorways and also watch out for breakdown trucks, checkout whats on the way to a recovery bill.

After 6 months of this I bet you wont want a French / Italian make.

Try it.

Supergurrier

dgt wrote: »

Jaypers that yoke is makin ya senile, forgot the Germans there. Must be horrid dull to be in :pac: I use the finest of baling twine I'll have you know :cool:

The blue shtuff ???

Well jaypers theres money there

dgt

Mech1 wrote: »

My view is tainted as im a mechanic, the best way to get a overall view on the situation is to make a point of looking at the make / model of cars stuck with hazzards on at the side of motorways and also watch out for breakdown trucks, checkout whats on the way to a recovery bill.

After 6 months of this I bet you wont want a French / Italian make.

Try it.

My view is biased the other way. You can't speak for cars you haven't worked on or driven.

How is it I can manage to keep these cars going with minimal fuss? What am I doing that others can't do?

Supergurrier

dgt wrote: »

My view is biased the other way. You can't speak for cars you haven't worked on or driven.

How is it I can manage to keep these cars going with minimal fuss? What am I doing that others can't do?

Hows the 406 running ?:p

(runs away) :pac::pac::pac:

road_high

Alfa Quadrifoglio wrote: »

Panda launched in '11, but agree need a replacement for Punto

Oh yea that's really underwhelmed compared to the previous model. Has gotten good reviews and appears a much better, grown up car but not selling well, here at least.
A few reasons I suspect are;
1. Lack of marketing
2. Pricing - rose a far bit from the old model I think
3. Fierce competition; The VW UP! and various Hyundais/Kias down at the mini/supermini class are possibly offering more in terms of warranty, finance and resales etc.

I note Fiat are now offfering a 5 year Warranty here which is a good move for them, and basically essential to compete with the above.

Read the Punto may be replaced with some other variant of the 500 "family" too. It sorely needs to be.

Mech1

dgt wrote: »

My view is biased the other way. You can't speak for cars you haven't worked on or driven.

How is it I can manage to keep these cars going with minimal fuss? What am I doing that others can't do?

Oh I have driven and worked on many many many of those cars in the past 30 years, even today.

Try my test, watch breakdown trucks and record your findings.

dgt

Supergurrier wrote: »

Hows the 406 running ?:p

(runs away) :pac::pac::pac:

Very well I'll have you know.... Go back to your Sanitary Towel :pac::pac::pac:

GTDolanator

Alfa Quadrifoglio wrote: »

Autocar had a new version FIAT Panda Twin Air on long term test and it had zero faults, think it would be a better bet than the Grande Punto

Absolutley pointless comment,go back to bed

dgt

Mech1 wrote: »

Oh I have driven and worked on many many many of those cars in the past 30 years, even today.

Try my test, watch breakdown trucks and record your findings.

Tested. The in house resident with over 40 years experience says otherwise.

Most breakdowns I see are German cars

road_high

dgt wrote: »

Tested. The in house resident with over 40 years experience says otherwise.

Most breakdowns I see are German cars

Audi A4 is my no.1. completely unscientific tow truck regular

Supergurrier

dgt wrote: »

Very well I'll have you know.... Go back to your Sanitary Towel :pac::pac::pac:

Mech1

dgt wrote: »

Tested. The in house resident with over 40 years experience says otherwise.

Most breakdowns I see are German cars

Where are you living / working as in County, because im amazed at your reply.

JohnBoy26

This will end well:pac:

cabb8ge

dgt wrote: »

My view is biased the other way. You can't speak for cars you haven't worked on or driven.

How is it I can manage to keep these cars going with minimal fuss? What am I doing that others can't do?

I think it more most people don't want to do what you do, many of them also cannot but I remember a post of yours describing daily checks you do. Over th top is phrase that come to mind., not minumal fuss.

dgt

Mech1 wrote: »

Where are you living / working as in County, because im amazed at your reply.

Meath. Not me btw. Why do you want to know that?

This disagreement of matter isn't going to get anywhere

dgt

cabb8ge wrote: »

I think it more most people don't want to do what you do, many of them also cannot but I remember a post of yours describing daily checks you do. Over th top is phrase that come to mind., not minumal fuss.

Of course, a lot of people wouldn't know how to check certain things. Maybe I do things a little different but how often do I end up at the side of the road? In so called unreliable tat?

Describe to me exactly what these checks were. Link it

Mech1

dgt wrote: »

Meath. Not me btw. Why do you want to know that?

This disagreement of matter isn't going to get anywhere

I was just wondering if there are Fiat / Peugeot / Citroen / Alfa Dealerships in your local town / area.

OH I totally agree with your second point.

RoscommonTom

The diesels are grand, wouldnt go near the peterls though

dgt

Mech1 wrote: »

I was just wondering if there are Fiat / Peugeot / Citroen / Alfa Dealerships in your local town / area.

OH I totally agree with your second point.

Long gone. Royal cars went in the early 00's, Fortune motors went about 3 years ago. BBC went in 05, Navan Nissan still do a tiny amount of Fiat bits. Riverside didn't last long but that's Drogheda. More than likely have forgotten a few too

We shall agree to disagree

bear1

dgt wrote: »

Tested. The in house resident with over 40 years experience says otherwise.

Most breakdowns I see are German cars

I'd agree here. I always see more Mercs or Beemers at the side of the road than a French/Italian car.
By this logic I should therefore assume that I should never ever buy a German car?

Cedrus

Seanachai wrote: »

Hello , just wondering if anybody owns/has owned a Fiat Grande Punto diesel and could tell me if they are reliable. I'm worried about the bad reputation attached to Fiat or is that long gone now?.

I have the 1.4 Petrol Grande Punto, (not quite your question, but...)
70,000 km in the last year. Water pump went at 58,000 but got in to the garage under own power, with a bit of care.

Only found out last week that there's no spare wheel, just a compressor and gunge bomb, didn't need it just cleaning the boot.
I've had the odd dodgy fault light (usually "stop/start not available")but they always reset themselves. Had a few lifesaver fault lights too (see pump above & "Check Running Lights"). My biggest worry is that all the electronic gizmos will become a reliability burden as they get older.

It's a nice enough car, but small boot & cabin. Not very steady at motorway speeds compared to most I've driven, but a lot better after I found the "City" button (gives you extra steering lock at low speeds and 'dancing on ice' at high speed).

I'd have another one no problem.

cabb8ge

dgt wrote: »

---

Describe to me exactly what these checks were. Link it

I did not add post to my bookmarks at the time and I not going to search your posts to find it.

Why not tell us now what are your daily / pre drive checks

dgt

cabb8ge wrote: »

Why not tell us now what are your daily / pre drive checks

Of course....

• Oil
• Coolant
• Bake fluid
• PS

Tyres every few days, every journey if there is a slow puncture. Washer fluid is kept topped up to max.

Now aren't those simple checks any decent motorist should be doing before a journey in the morning....?

cabb8ge

I not think it necessary, I check under bonnet once a week maybe once every two weeks if I not use car much. I like to check at service station under cover when I stop for petrol. Even than I not dip oil as I know my car not use oil at rate that need check that often.

Under bonnet check every morning not needed. Lot of decent motorist not do them. Less than one in thousand do I think.

also my memery tell me you also claim to check all lights every day.

dgt

cabb8ge wrote: »

I not think it necessary, I check under bonnet once a week maybe once every two weeks if I not use car much. I like to check at service station under cover when I stop for petrol. Even than I not dip oil as I know my car not use oil at rate that need check that often.
.

How many miles a week, roughly. Would you use public transport more often...

cabb8ge wrote: »

Under bonnet check every morning not needed. Lot of decent motorist not do them. Less than one in thousand do I think.

The way I see it is you do what works for you. I'm only describing what I do. Are you saying I'm not a decent motorist? Are you ridiculing my routine?

In fact where did that figure come from? Was it just thought up or is it an actual piece I can sit down and read

cabb8ge wrote: »

also my memery tell me you also claim to check all lights every day.

That's some memory you have, I used to check the lights too. Time moves on and some things change

cabb8ge

How many miles a week, roughly. Would you use public transport more often...

I do 16k kms per annum, I not do same miles every week, I have look under bonnet when I buy petrol, so not every week


The way I see it is you do what works for you. I'm only describing what I do. Are you saying I'm not a decent motorist? Are you ridiculing my routine?
No where I say you not a decent motorist, I say many people not check under bonnet daily, they still decent motorist.
I think your routine unnecessary and over the top but if you not have confidence in your car than I suppose it might be necessary.

In fact where did that figure come from? Was it just thought up or is it an actual piece I can sit down and read
As I said, it what I think. If no document exist opinion not valid? :rolleyes:



That's some memory you have, I used to check the lights too. Time moves on and some things change
maybe in time you stop checking under bonnet every day, things change as you mention.

dgt

cabb8ge wrote: »

I do 16k kms per annum, I not do same miles every week, I have look under bonnet when I buy petrol, so not every week

There's a big difference there already. I'd average about 60k kms a year. Between 800 - 1600kms a week. I need my car for what I do

cabb8ge wrote: »

No where I say you not a decent motorist, I say many people not check under bonnet daily, they still decent motorist.
I think your routine unnecessary and over the top but if you not have confidence in your car than I suppose it might be necessary.

That's why I do these checks, if I see anything out of the ordinary I can act upon it quickly. I have confidence in my car as a result

cabb8ge wrote: »

As I said, it what I think. If no document exist opinion not valid? :rolleyes:

True, but was a very specific amount of people mentioned....

cabb8ge wrote: »

maybe in time you stop checking under bonnet every day, things change as you mention.

It's a natural habit, I don't think so for a long time

Seanachai

Scortho wrote: »

Abarth ritmo?

No it was standard , my friend had a 124 for the fields , it was a 1.8 petrol back wheel drive , crazy a bit too much for young fellas , granted there wasn't much you could crash into.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

martyc5674

I drive a fiat...it has been the most unrelaible car ive had to date, however i absolutely love it.

I think a lot of the problems seen with Fiats/renos/citroens is that they are a bit cheaper day one...so they attract bargain hunters who subsequently skip on maintenance.

Ive had to do a lot of work to my Fiat...but its work previous owners omitted doing and it amassed over the years...It has overall been the most unreliable car ive ever had but the last few months its been trouble free because i did all the catch up work.

Ive had it 2 years... this is what ive done.
Its finally relaible now!!...Drove it to the south of france loaded to the gills last summer...pulling a trailer and family on tow.
Marty.

Washer bottle clean and descale/unblock pump

New Clutch and full service
Rear drivers rear wheel bearing
Repaired faulty Key
Repaired loose wiring at rear lights
New Crank shaft pulley
New aux belt
New aux idler and tensioner
New timing belt
New timing belt tensioner and idler
New water pump
Full Engine service
New front wishbones
New front anti roll bar bushes
New front droplinks
New engine Mount(gearbox side)
Repaired leaking injector, and flushed/purged fuel system
New rear drums
New rear cylinders
New rear adjusters
New rear spring kits
New rear shoes
oil change
New gas struts in tailgate


Complete Rebuild of rear subframe(all 6 bushings) de rust and paint
New door straps(L&r front)
New drivers wishbone
2 new front tyres and tracking
Handbrake cables(all 3)
New windscreen
Replaced drivers side electric window switch
Passenger side airbag light squib reset
New Windscreen