Fiat Punto 2007/2008

[ajnluv69]

Hi everyone.. I'm planning to buy a used Fiat Punto 2007/2008 petrol tiptronic car. Despite that there is no second-hand value I just want to know the maintenance cost and any other issues.. Got to know that this is good on fuel and more comfortable than a Japanese vehicle. One person told me that there is a gearbox issue with tiptronic gearbox. Pls enlighten me with this issue. Thanx everyone.. :-)

[Crosswind]

Hi everyone.. I'm planning to buy a used Fiat Punto 2007/2008 petrol tiptronic car. Despite that there is no second-hand value I just want to know the maintenance cost and any other issues.. Got to know that this is good on fuel and more comfortable than a Japanese vehicle. One person told me that there is a gearbox issue with tiptronic gearbox. Pls enlighten me with this issue. Thanx everyone.. :-)

Please search the Forum. There are plenty of discussions about Puntos.

They are good on petrol. Does about 14km to the litre in Colombo. Diesel one can do around 16-17 to the litre.

Yes there is an issue with the duologic gearboxes in the petrol puntos (ironically, I heard this is not very common with the diesel one).

The remedy for the gearbox problem is not very expensive.

[Schiffer]

Actually saw a Punto broke down right in the middle of the road once

and i generously asked the owner if he wanted help to push the car out of the traffic and he replied "Gearbox is stuck in D and the whole car has sized" so we couldn't even push it until a recovery truck arrived

it had a very unique gear leaver arrangement though.

seems like a very common problem then.

But you could avoid this if you go for a manual variant. thought there is less second hand market for the car when you compare it with other japs in the range it is a far better car.

[YALA]

we had a manual 2005 punto never had a problem until we sold it except for the harness giving some issues. did roughly 15 per liter. amazing drive and very rev happy car. a good friend of mine had a 2006 grande punto and had constant gear problems to date who bought it from my friend is still having issues with the car. but having said that when the car ran it gave such a good ride shame my friend couldnt get a manual variant would have made so much of a difference in owning one.

Edited October 15, 2013 by YALA

[ajnluv69]

Well.. Thanks all the advices guys.. I'm particularly looking for a Auto one coz its been some time I've been deviated from manual and my wife is driving too.. If there is such problem, cannot be fixed? or its just a bad idea going for a Auto transmission?

[Crosswind]

There's only one Manual Grande punTo in the country. Rest are all duologics.

When the first signs of duologic gearbox problems come, its always best to repair it. Repair cost is only about 10000.

Been there. Done that.

[VVTi]

Been using a GP since 2010 from brand new, never heard of any of the issues mentioned, especially the gearbox issue. Have thrown it around the Meerigama race track till tyres smoked and still runs strong.

Parts are available,

What Crosswind says is true, just service and change the oils regularly and you will be fine, that applies to all vehicles. Sometimes for no reason the gearbox refuses to engage. Keeping the engine off and starting it again normally sorts the issue.

Also, your maka baas jonny down the road will not be able to fix many issues unless you take it to the 2 known Italian specialists in SL, Indika or Noel. I take mine to Noel. Both are equally good.

[Devinda_Z]

Have thrown it around the Meerigama race track till tyres smoked and still runs strong.

don't forget Pannala

[VVTi]

Sorry, what I meant was Pannala. Still running same tyres... ha ha ha ha.

[ajnluv69]

ha ha.. true.. it's a well balanced car. Far more better than the japs in that price range. That's why I'm planning to buy that. Only issue came up with the gear box. I checked the web also and its everywhere..

[Crosswind]

+1 to vvti

I once got a makabass down the road to change the brake pads of the punto and ended up having to replace the ABS sensor. Just dont let any average mechanic to touch a punto.

seriously, dont worry about the gearbox issue.

[ajnluv69]

+1 to vvti

I once got a makabass down the road to change the brake pads of the punto and ended up having to replace the ABS sensor. Just dont let any average mechanic to touch a punto.

seriously, dont worry about the gearbox issue

thanks for the help mate.. any recommended places or people to rectify that gearbox issue. Can contact me through [email protected] really appreciate the help given.

[VVTi]

thanks for the help mate.. any recommended places or people to rectify that gearbox issue. Can contact me through [email protected] really appreciate the help given.

If there is no problem with the GB of the car that you are thinking of buying then why are you worried about it now? Have you bought it yet? Buy one first, drive it, see what issues are there and then tackle them one at a time. Then we will help your sort out any issues. Aliyata issalla henduwa ganna epa machang...

Edited October 16, 2013 by VVTi

[ajnluv69]

I haven't bought it yet.. Still thinking.. There is bit of a problem coz the vehicle will be purchased through my staff vehicle loan and will be utilized to purchase this and will be stuck with it at least two years.. And the second hand value is scary.. Gotta do some research before buying.. :-)

[Crosswind]

I haven't bought it yet.. Still thinking.. There is bit of a problem coz the vehicle will be purchased through my staff vehicle loan and will be utilized to purchase this and will be stuck with it at least two years.. And the second hand value is scary.. Gotta do some research before buying.. :-)

You know what... lot of people come here and have lengthy discussions about Fiats, Alfas, KIAs etc and after wasting everyone's effort, they go buy Toyotas, because of 'Resale Value' or 'Fuel Efficiency' or some reason like that.

I suggest you stop wasting the time of people here and get yourself a March or Passo or Maruti or something.

[ajnluv69]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="Crosswind" data-cid="249623" data-time="1381914082"><p>

<br />

You know what... lot of people come here and have lengthy discussions about Fiats, Alfas, KIAs etc and after wasting everyone's effort, they go buy Toyotas, because of 'Resale Value' or 'Fuel Efficiency' or some reason like that.<br />

<br />

I suggest you stop wasting the time of people here and get yourself a March or Passo or Maruti or something.<br />

</p></blockquote>

[ajnluv69]

Ur right.. But I've settled my mind on a Punto and just wanted to know whether there is a GB problem. if there is the best place I should go to get it sorted. Now I know there is a possibility of facing that GB problem.. yet I don't know where to go and how to get it fixed.. Coz I had enough and more bad experiences.. if my doubts are cleared I would definitely buy the Punto.

[peugeot407]

Since you are buying a used vehicle it's price is already depreciated so the second hand market value want be an issue.

As a car Punto is far ahead than it's Japanese counterparts.when you consider maintenance costs if you use genuine parts both European and Jap parts will be same like.

[ajnluv69]

True.. I need a recommendation of a person or a place where I can trust and knows about the car very well. Just help me out there pls..

[VVTi]

True.. I need a recommendation of a person or a place where I can trust and knows about the car very well. Just help me out there pls..

A man who insists on complete clarity before deciding never decides, however here is Noel's and Indika's numbers, call them, give them the vehicle number, if they know about it you will get your answer. They have more knowledge on all Italians in this country than anyone I know. However, I must tell you now, you will not enjoy a Euro with this much paranoia.

You seems like a guy will be happy as shit in a Maruti. No offense.

Noel 0774044516

Indika 0771674675

Good luck, if you get it don't skimp on things and ruin a fairly nice car.

[VVTi]

You know what... lot of people come here and have lengthy discussions about Fiats, Alfas, KIAs etc and after wasting everyone's effort, they go buy Toyotas, because of 'Resale Value' or 'Fuel Efficiency' or some reason like that.

I suggest you stop wasting the time of people here and get yourself a March or Passo or Maruti or something.

A six pack of beer, I am willing to bet that he will buy a Jap or an Indian... Who is with me?

[ajnluv69]

A man who insists on complete clarity before deciding never decides, however here is Noel's and Indika's numbers, call them, give them the vehicle number, if they know about it you will get your answer. They have more knowledge on all Italians in this country than anyone I know. However, I must tell you now, you will not enjoy a Euro with this much paranoia.

You seems like a guy will be happy as shit in a Maruti. No offense.

Noel 0774044516

Indika 0771674675

Good luck, if you get it don't skimp on things and ruin a fairly nice car.

I was driving japs and only once I experienced the punto and it was awesome. The last jap gave me enough and more trouble and don't want to fall in the same problem. thanks for the advices guys and it helped me a lot and helped me to clear my doubts. didn't know from whom to ask and you guys helped me out a lot. When I called a person who has advertised a punto for sale, he told me that don't go for it and it will give trouble, where he has already sold the vehicle. That's why I wanted to clarify this.

will start looking for cars and will check with Noel and Indika.

BTW VVT-I aint gonna settle for a maruti .. It's NOT my type..

once again.. thanks for your advices..

[ajnluv69]

A six pack of beer, I am willing to bet that he will buy a Jap or an Indian... Who is with me?

oh really.. ok.. bet on.. come on guys..

[GTAm]

Hi everyone.. I'm planning to buy a used Fiat Punto 2007/2008 petrol tiptronic car. Despite that there is no second-hand value I just want to know the maintenance cost and any other issues.. Got to know that this is good on fuel and more comfortable than a Japanese vehicle. One person told me that there is a gearbox issue with tiptronic gearbox. Pls enlighten me with this issue. Thanx everyone.. :-)

Hi. Both petrol and the M-jet diesel have some gearbox issues. Not all cars have been affected. However with the petrol one the cost is quite lower than the diesel one if they do get these gear box problems. The diesel pump is expensive too I was told.That's a shame because the Diesel is much nicer to drive. And the added torque masks the gearchange "step". With these cars nearing 6-7 years now and six figure mileage it should not be such a big surprise that some cars have some problems. The other large outlay is if the IPS packs up. Has happened on 2 cars we know of only. Everything is a relatively easy fix especially the petrol cars. So far no diesel (or petrol) engine repairs have come in and there are cars nudging 130- 140k kms.

All other service and wear and tear parts are priced sub-Japanese if you discount the fake Chinese market out there (for Jap parts).

Very comfy and feels like a bigger car. Still looks great too. They are hovering around 2m and I think it's an absolute bargain when compared to the opposition.

[VVTi]

GTAm when you say IPS, you mean the electronic Power Steering?

[VVTi]

I was driving japs and only once I experienced the punto and it was awesome. The last jap gave me enough and more trouble and don't want to fall in the same problem. thanks for the advices guys and it helped me a lot and helped me to clear my doubts. didn't know from whom to ask and you guys helped me out a lot. When I called a person who has advertised a punto for sale, he told me that don't go for it and it will give trouble, where he has already sold the vehicle. That's why I wanted to clarify this.

will start looking for cars and will check with Noel and Indika.

BTW VVT-I aint gonna settle for a maruti .. It's NOT my type..

once again.. thanks for your advices..

My apologies for coming down harsh... must vet the new Italian buyers... Lost of posers here. You have to be a hardcore petrol-head to even consider an Italian as a daily runner...

Gtam is the resident Italian guru, think even his toilet seat is off an Alfa or a Fiat...

At one point I had 2 Italians as daily runners. sadly had to let one go, but there are some plans in the horizon, as soon as I sort out a small matter of parking space.