SecondHandSense:A LOT of people have understandably painful memories of Fiats. Once, when the car market was more barren, Fiat was an interesting choice. Buyers were often rewarded with unreliability and lousy second-hand values. The memory of trying to dry out the distributor cap of a Fiat 127 with a hairdryer so you could get to work on time is still a cause of irritation for some.
Many believe Fiat turned the corner three years ago with the launch of the Grande Punto. Relentless purchasing deals made it a pretty worthless investment for many buyers, especially the young. Residual values continue to be a problem.
Fiat makes some superb small cars and the Grande Punto is not a bad option, particularly given the asking prices on the second-hand market. Neither, however is it great.
It has a small boot, basic models don’t have split rear folding, limited rear space for passengers, a dull interior, a notchy gear change and driving characteristics are not exciting. But it’s reliable and cheap as chips.
The engine range is quite extensive, starting with the basic 1.2 petrol with 65 horse power.
A 1.3 diesel with 75 horse power has found some favour but Fiat’s excellent 1.9 multijet diesel is a step too far – a car like this does not justify a 1.9 engine.
Despite its limitations, the Grande Punto is actually four metres long, something that will become evident when you go to park it in town and you discover the design of the car is something of a hybrid.
The car got a maximum five star rating in the EuroNCAP crash tests. There have been problems with some cars with brake hoses, crankshaft pulleys, door handles, head gaskets on diesels and steering shafts. A shock absorber fault has caused thumping.
A 2006 diesel model with 28,000km on the clock is on offer for €8,350. A 2006 1.2 petrol has an asking price of €7,950 and a similar 2008 petrol is on offer at one garage for €9,995. With a substantial discount these cars offer good value. But caveat emptor and make sure to get the car checked thoroughly.
STAR RATING:4/10