Eurobanger

[wiglaf]

I'm looking at getting a knocked-about '90s hatchback that I can use for hauling reenactment kit over long-ish distances, and not worry about it getting more knocked about... thus saving poor ol' Sleipnir for Sunday Best as it were, pottering about locally and so on.

Tomorrow, I'm going to look at a '95 Fiat Punto. Does anyone have any experience of/comments on them? Things to look out for? Tips on placating the owner after I insist on having it up on axle stands before paying a penny? Leads on other economical heaps in the Cambridge area for £500 or less?

Thanks!

[Peetee]

Punto's are good but parts are expensive. When i compared them a radiator was £130 from an independant while a Polo's could be had for £60.

£500 will get you a very nice 93'ish VW Passat estate.
Buy with wisdom and you will have no rust, reliability and 40mpg petrol.
nuff said.

[bmcecosse]

I have had two Punto's - both great and economical and parts are NOT expensive if you look around. However old Polo#s do seem to go on for ever. But why not just get an old and 'well used' Minor - and enjoy the free roadtax!

[dalebrignall]

and the fuel economy,petrols getting silly money now

[les]

I've always thought the Minor was a thirsty vehicle compared to modern stuff, but in saying that I have never tested the consumption scientifically.

[Mogwai]

make sure the brown master key is present not the end of the world if it isnt but if you get any key code problems it will cost more than the car is worth to put right without it (good bargaining point) headgaskets can go on the petrol engines but nearly as simple as a minor to change other than that check everything you would on any other car

[PSL184]

Isn't the master key red on Punt's?
I thrashed one around a few years ago and it never gave me any problems other than tyres cause I gave it so much stick. Fantastic engine - you'll love it I'm sure

[chickenjohn]

"I have had two Punto's - both great and economical and parts are NOT expensive if you look around. However old Polo#s do seem to go on for ever. But why not just get an old and 'well used' Minor - and enjoy the free roadtax!"

I would agree with this.

But not this statement:-
"I've always thought the Minor was a thirsty vehicle compared to modern stuff, but in saying that I have never tested the consumption scientifically."

My Traveller averages 38.8mpg and that includes stop-start driving around town and to work. On a decent run I have seen 44-45mpg. the Minor is a very economical petrol car only very small engined, light modern cars can beat the MPG or diesels.

I have done the same test in modern hire cars (vectra/mondeo/Focus etc) and been shocked by the MPG- mid 30's on a run, less if you boot it.
Best was a Skoda Oktavia- 50mpg on a long trip.

For a Punto- test for head gasket problems, let the engine idle in neutral- with clucth out whiny noise means input shaft bearing on the way out. Exhaust front pipe can go at the flexible section- and test all the electrics, these can give problems., rear shocks go making the rear suspension squeak and at 8 or 9 years old the Punto can rust in the lower wheel arches and sills. Sumps are prone to bad rusting on modern Fiats too. They arent bad to drive, parts can be cheap if you shop around and not too bad to work on (the 1.2 FIRE anyway), However, FIAT does stand for Fix It Again Tomorrow and the one I've been maintaining (girlfirends car) lives up to that name. I'd rather have a Mk2 Polo.

Punto does have a lot of space for its class of car though and has more character than many modern cars- its like and escort sized fiesta, if you know what I mean. The engine is very willing for a 1.2, certainly around town.

[chickenjohn]

make sure the brown master key is present not the end of the world if it isnt but if you get any key code problems it will cost more than the car is worth to put right without it (good bargaining point) headgaskets can go on the petrol engines but nearly as simple as a minor to change other than that check everything you would on any other car

You must have the red key or the car is effectively a write off and it will need new ECU, locks, ignition barrel to go with the replacement red and blue keys if something goes wrong and the codes need verifying or you need a new key.

[Peetee]

other economical heaps in the Cambridge area for £500 or less?

You don't have to buy a shed.
This is what £550 can buy you

[polo2k]

pm sent

[d_harris]

aah yes pete. But it is only the GL model. I thought you were better than that.......

[bmcecosse]

Looks great for the money. I seriously doubt any claims that exceed 40 mpg for any Minor.

[rayofleamington]

I seriously doubt any claims that exceed 40 mpg for any Minor.

It's more than possible, as long as you get it off the drive once in a while.
I managed 47mpg on last years LEO with a tired 1098. That was however far too lean and was accompanied by a missfire until it was riched up by 3 flats (which then gave 44mpg).

[Peetee]

aah yes pete. But it is only the GL model. I thought you were better than that

Oh yea of little knowledge. GL was the top model.

[wiglaf]

Hmm, not sure what happened to the reply I posted... anyway, yes, why not a "well used" minor? 'cause it's to spare one of them for more abuse that I want to get this... and something a bit nippier would be nice!

It drove nicely, has a recent new cylinder head gasket, and has had the exhaust done recently too - with receipts from a reputable local garage. Needs the front brakes renewing at some point soonish, as there was an advisory on the MOT (carried out just last week) for that, along with the back wiper blade... for £400ish all in, I should be able to drive it into the ground for a year without worrying too much.

Thanks guys!

[wiglaf]

The deed is done... £350. If it's too unreliable or otherwise crap, I should be able to get that back one way or another.

[chickenjohn]

I seriously doubt any claims that exceed 40 mpg for any Minor.

It's more than possible, as long as you get it off the drive once in a while.
I managed 47mpg on last years LEO with a tired 1098. That was however far too lean and was accompanied by a missfire until it was riched up by 3 flats (which then gave 44mpg).

Yes, I've managed 44-45mpg on a run. The key is to get the (standard spec) car tuned up just right and drive economically.

[dunketh]

£500 for a second hand modern box? The worlds your oyster.
These days you can have pretty much anything for that money.
I'd steer clear of italian or french stuff though, too many electrical faults for my liking.
Fiesta mk4 is a good buy but may be slightly over budget. I own an Escort mk4, cost half your budget and hasnt got a single thing wrong with it, bar an issue with the windscreen wipers.

As for MPG? Nothing is gonna do more than 40mpg realistically, unless you only drive long distances at 'old man' speeds around 50mph.
My moggy would return 35mpg pretty much all the time, my escort is no better despite being 20 years newer and having a supposed 'economy' engine. (book spec for the escort is 40mpg combined, 60 mpg on a run! - it's all lies)

[alex_holden]

My moggy would return 35mpg pretty much all the time

IIRC you put a 1275cc engine in it though.

The last time I worked it out, my fairly standard 1098cc Traveller was doing about 35mpg on the daily commute going up to 40+ on long runs.