Goes from A - B. Can't say much else. (Fiat Punto 1.2 3dr)

Member Name: ulverston

Product:	Fiat Punto 1.2 3dr
Date:	09/09/09 (189 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: reliable starter, cheap to run

Disadvantages: handbrake fails mot every time

It works... but I'm afraid there isnt a whole lot more I'm happy with with this car...

I own a T reg ('99) 3dr 1.2 Punto, and i've had it now for 3 years. I picked it up second hand from a private sale for £1000, and at the time I was quite happy with this, although it was a bit of a fast decision as my last car was written off in an accident and had to quickly find an alternative.
I was quite shocked after the purchase of the car to go through the reciepts and MOT certificates the previous owner had kept, he had a new heater matrix installed which had cost him more than a pretty penny, and in the 3 years I've had it it hasn't once passed an MOT first time. It usually fails on the handbrake, which has been wholly replaced 3 times in 10 years, and still comes with a blummin advisory note every time.
I would prefer the 5 dr model as i now have a 6 month old daughter, and i can't fit her car seat in the back without having to curse the car several times first. i guess 3 doors aren't designed with families in mind, but unfortuantely i cant afford to replace this as i've just had to fork out £225 on yet another MOT failure. (Yep, handbrake advisory note yet again)
The punto has never let me down in the winters though, always a good starter and is pretty good with fuel consumption. When I first got the car there seemed to be a bit of a faff with getting the petrol cap off, although fear this might be a Fiat thing, as have had a lady in a petrol station notice I was driving a Fiat and called me over to get the petrol cap off her Fiat as it was being stubborn...
Boot space is fairly good, I have a fairly bulky pram whcih fits in no problem, and with the parcel shelf removed and guard put in, my retriever has plenty of room in there too. So not bad for shopping!
They're okay budget cars, but i wouldnt reccommend them for motorway usage or long commutes as they are very high revving and I find myself turning up the stereo volume to balance out the engine noise when doing anything over 50.
it's not all bad, but I wouldnt have another.

Summary: a good little runner, but get a 5 dr if you have kids.

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