Fiat Punto 1.2 ELX Reviews

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Fiat Punto 1.2 ELX
★★★☆☆
3.1
52.0% of users recommend this
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Latest Reviews

“salut”

★★★★☆

written by on 06/08/2012

am o problema cu un fiat punto....a suferit un accident frontal...si acum nu mai porneste dupa ce lam facut ....am inteles ca au un buton antisoc pcare trebuie apasat iara......unde il gasesc ascuns? :)

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“Forever fiat”

★★★★★

written by on 21/08/2011

I have always owned a Fiat at some time or other, parts a cheap ( if you know where to look }, I currently own a punto 1.2 sporting automatic in broom yellow. I defence of Fiat, I have owned many different makes of car over the past 40 years, can anyone say they have never had problems at sometime or other with their car, I know I have, especially a Ford, and British Leyland. In my opinion, it`s price of parts and labour that people are really complaining about, not the cars.

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“F I A T...Definition: Fix It Again Tomorrow ”

★★★☆☆

written by mel5888888888 on 30/04/2011

F I A T...Definition: Fix It Again Tomorrow
i t g o
x a m
i o
n r
r
o
w

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“Only owned my punto 1.2 elx for 4 mths (70,000 miles...”

★★☆☆☆

written by Ladysaphire on 01/02/2011

Only owned my punto 1.2 elx for 4 mths (70,000 miles on the clock). Already had to renew the gearbox and clutch. Now the power steering is beginning to fail! Apparently the gearbox and power steering failure are common problems. Owned my last punto (55sx 1995) for 3.5 years and had no problems with it. Thought I'd treat myself to a younger model! Won't be buying any more fiats.

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Guest's Response to Ladysaphire's Review

Written on: 22/05/2012

I feel your pain, I also own an elx, had it for a year, already have replaced a headlight, some rod in the steering cllum, handbrake , brand new exhaust three days ago and today my power steering is gone

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“Summary: it's noisy, thirsty, and costly to fix and...”

★★☆☆☆

written by on 26/11/2010

Summary: it's noisy, thirsty, and costly to fix and buy parts.

I bought this vehicle as a used Japanese import. It came with just one key, the first shock was trying to get a spare key made in NZ, you can get one anywhere other than through a Fiat dealer, cost of the blank key nearly NZ $600. At that price, I could get one made from solid gold from a jewler.

Reason I chose this car was for it economy, well, I was disappointed, a tank of 40litre will do about 500km, not bad, but not great neither. Compare this to my Honda Fit (Jazz), 35litres can do about 600km.

The noise, let's just say you can hear the engine clearly, and the road noise even more loud and clear especially on the motorway (Highway). The radio and the conversation in the car just fades away.

Another issue for the short time I had it, the battery went flat. That's fine battery do go flat with age. However, the warning light came on and won't reset and needed to be taken to the mechanic with the fancy computer scanner to reset it. A few guys quoted me $100 odd dollars just to reset the light. It seem like a small issue, but it's enough to fail the Warrant of Fitness in NZ (equiv of the MOT in the UK). Compare this to a Japanese vehicle, the mechanic said Japanese vehicle usually don't need a reset for such trivial matter, just disconnect from battery for 10 seconds and warning light will be reset.

As for the spare key problem I mentioned earlier. Well, I did a DIY solution on it. Consider the car is worth about $4500, a spare key cost over $600. What I did instead was I took the transponder chip out of the original key and glued it near the sensor under the steering column. And made a spare for $8. Now, I have a spare key!

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“I just bough a 2000 punto elx for my first car, a...”

★★★★★

written by on 09/02/2009

I just bough a 2000 punto elx for my first car, a steal at 800 quid for the condition its in. It took some getting used to but i love it now. A fiat punto was my last choice of car of the options i had, but when i got it on my driveway i was very suprised with it and it has changed my view on fiat altogether.

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“The Fiat Punto 1.2 ELX has plenty of room, eco...”

★★★★★

written by danaldo1992 on 09/02/2009

The Fiat Punto 1.2 ELX has plenty of room, eco friendly, stylish, great runner, quick. good little run about, would recommend

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“Nothing but trouble since day one, first and last...”

★★☆☆☆

written by on 13/07/2008

Nothing but trouble since day one, first and last fiat, couldnt wait to see it off my driveway, loads of money wasted problem after problem.

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“I would never buy a fiat again........nice car to look...”

★★☆☆☆

written by on 12/02/2008

I would never buy a fiat again........nice car to look at and to drive but that's when it's running.
I've had my Fiat (2001 1.2ELX) for 1 year now and it's spent more time off the road than on it.
Definetely not a car i would recommend.

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“I purchased my Fiat in April of this year its a 1.2...”

★★★★★

written by Silvester07 on 05/11/2007

I purchased my Fiat in April of this year its a 1.2 elx model, when i first got the car i was over the moon with it then i was to find out the rear speakers didn't work and that the airbag light just wouldn't go off and then the lighting fault light sometimes comes one but its not really a fault... its really comfortable, i do a hours commute to where i go to college and it great, all the switches and dial are user friendly and the car look very stylish. i payed 1800 for mine with 49,000 on the clock since owning it i have put in a CD player and new speakers, all so replaced all 4 tires ( 135 Premium tires) and had to replace windscreen wipers and tax it ( 115) and thats only in 2,500miles so not bad at all.

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Tata White Sht Head's Response to 322258_Silvester07's Review

Written on: 03/09/2010

I found this review very helpful because... i got one this week and its working fine but the speedo dont work on it, and they have some problem like you have to get it servised every 6 months to keep it perfect.

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C.kazibwe's Response to 322258_Silvester07's Review

Written on: 26/02/2013

trust me i bought a fiat punto at £1850 but never again, buying a 2006
model was like buying problems for my self. power steering failure nearly had an accident

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“Bought the car in April. 01 plate. It had only done...”

★★★★☆

written by liam2210 on 17/08/2007

Bought the car in April. 01 plate. It had only done 12000 miles!!! Loved the style and colour (spearmint). I now travel around 400 miles a week in it. Not had a problem yet.
Rubbish on corners, slides everywhere. Love the height though. I am now a Punto fanatic!!

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“I've had very few problems with this Punto. The...”

★★★★☆

written by lionelritchie on 17/07/2007

I've had very few problems with this Punto. The exhaust broke off one night just above the silencer, which I've seen happen to the very best of cars. 20 bucks for a spot weld put that right.
Overall I'm happy with it, my mechanic says if there's a car out there that doesn't deserve its bad reputation it's Fiat.

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“My first Punto was an L reg 55s, I bought the car for...”

★★★★☆

written by beanqueen on 18/05/2006

My first Punto was an L reg 55s, I bought the car for £80 as it had some damage to it and 125,000 miles on the clock! I had the car from May 2005 to Dec 2005 and made numerous trips back and to from North Wales to Manchester, clocking up around 6,000 miles on her. Unfortunatly I had the car through winter and the car didn't have a heater in it which pushed for a newer Punto as I'm a Punto nut!!! A week before I got my new car my old Punto got written off by some business woman in a BMW!! tut! I got the new Punto and on the first day noticed the warning light on the dash for one of the head lamps, I went to Halfords for a new bulb but no one could fit it because the fusebox was in the way! So I took it to a garage who took the whole cluster out to put the bulb in. What a pain for a new bulb! Then the door bracket was broken which meant the door wouldn't stay open, it either swung open or slowly closed. Luckly I had that done under the warranty. I then questioned the tracking as the steering wheel isn't straight if you're driving in a straight line, the garage just swapped the tyres over but this hasn't solved the problem!! Next on my list was a vibration when I was braking off the motorway. This came down to the brakes and I had to have new disks and pads on the front. Then came the bombshell! I could hear a ticking noise in first and second and took it back to the garage. On inspection of the car they told me the gearbox was on it's way out along with the clutch. In total to have them replaced as new I was looking at nearly £800-900 with labour. Luckly I managed to find a 2nd hand one and put a new clutch in and got a friend to do the work which meant it only cos me £500. At the moment there's a suspicion of the bearings going. I'm looking for a new car as I'm deeply saddened as my trust and love for Puntos has been seriously damaged. I love my car to bits but I can't keep spending money on things that just keep going wrong! Brilliant car Fiat, Just use some common sense and better parts!!!

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Ieuanfawr's Response to beanqueen's Review

Written on: 16/06/2006

There should be a courtesy light in the boot of the ELX. Has it failed?

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Ebonygpg's Response to beanqueen's Review

Written on: 06/07/2006

I agree with most of the comments on this review regarding the repair issues, a couple of months after purchasing my Punto the head gasket went, there was also a hole in the tank, the clutch needed replacing & one side of the hand brake had gone so to be on the safe side I just replaced the whole engine....my boot has a light in it and my seats slide which does make it alot easier for getting into the back!! It is an enigma though as to why even the models from 2000 have cassettes players instead of a CD?

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“I did my research on a few different cars and the Fiat...”

★★☆☆☆

written by Ebonygpg on 16/05/2006

I did my research on a few different cars and the Fiat Punto had mixed reviews there is no such thing as a perfect car! But as it's spent more time off the road than on I don't think I would purchase a Punto again!!

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Ebonygpg's Response to Ebonygpg's Review

Written on: 05/07/2006

Well I've had my car back on the Rd for 2mths now and she drives like a dream, the previous owner did not look after her properly(the next car I purchase will be from a woman)so maybe I was a bit hasty in my previous review but I was speaking from experience. They need to use better material for the seats though they stain too easily.

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“I had my 98 85ELX 16v from new, and have just sold it...”

★★★★★

written by Ieuanfawr on 15/03/2006

I had my 98 85ELX 16v from new, and have just sold it after 8 years almost 120,000miles.

The only failure which needed the RAC was a battery failure after 5 years.

Most things just wore out. The rear windscreen wiper motor failed at about 60K, the front disks and rear suspension bearings were replaced about 70K, and clutch at about 95K. There was leak from a rear brake pipe at about 80K, but this was replaced while under recall for replacement pipes hidden by the fuel tank. At the 99K service, the NSF strut was and an engine mounting were replaced and the radiator fan repaired. The service at 72K was expensive, but included a new timing belt and change of brake fluid.

The central locking on the NSR door failed but I think a passenger caused that by messing about with the plunger. At 117K a new set of HT leads cured a misfire. The hinges of the glove box broke (which lacks a light).

Tyre life was good, with the fronts doing about 30K and the rears lasting much longer. Brake pad life OK - changed at services.

The only rust was over the windscreen, and there were no electrical faults. In fact most the light bulbs were original. All five doors still shut as new.

At the last MOT it needed a new driver's seat belt, rear dampers, OSF strut and a new steering column (worn bearings).

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Ivan1890's Response to Ieuanfawr's Review

Written on: 16/03/2006

I think that you have done very well with this car and it has paid for itself. Most of the things which wore out you would expect to wear out at the mileages you have indicated. (Had you purchased ANY small car in the 1960's you would have expected major repairs before 70k!) I purchased the 2005 version four months ago as my daughter's first car, and as a city car for the family, and we have all been delighted with it. It replaced a Ford 'Ka' (reviewed on this site) which we purchased new and sold a few months later as Ford were unable to to stop it 'pinking.' The Fiat is a lovely little car which we regularly run at 70-75 mph for long periods and the car's timing has remained spot on for over 5k miles to date. We have not noticed any faults (not even minor ones) and I will change the oil and filter in 1k miles even though I think that the service interval is 12k miles. I hope that our little car serves us as well as yours did. Thank you for an informative review.

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Ebonygpg's Response to Ieuanfawr's Review

Written on: 06/07/2006

The mileage on my vehicle was very high when I purchased it and I didn't associate this with the amount of repairs that it needed after I purchased it, so alot of it was due to wear & tear. I just automatically assumed that the Punto was a useless car!!

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Ieuanfawr's Response to Ieuanfawr's Review

Written on: 20/03/2006

Hi, ivan1890,
The 85ELX was my second Punto. I previously had a '95M 8v 75SX from new for three years. I was so impressed I moved up to the much higher spec'd 85ELX. It has been very good, reliable and free from any unexpected failures.
I currently have an '02 plate basic 3dr MkII 1.2, which seems to be just as reliable, but oh! how I miss the free revving twin cam engine with a surge at 4k revs, the electric sun roof, full instruments and the footrest to the left of the clutch pedal! The MkII has a bigger turning circle - I can just make the turn into my drive without reversing whereas the it was no problem in the MkI.
The other issue is that the Fiat dealers seem to have improved considerably in the last few years. In the late 90s, Fiat dealers seemed to be closing and opening every week.
The Punto Grande looks good and is selling well, but I'm looking a new diesel Citroën C4 or a diesel VW Golf if my funds will stretch.
All the best with your Punto.

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“I have a Fiat Punto 55 S, just recently bought it &...”

☆☆☆☆☆

written by Niczta on 04/01/2006

I have a Fiat Punto 55 S, just recently bought it & already the exhaust has blown, head gasket blown, clutch has gone, having hydraulic problems. I'll never buy another Fiat again, I was warned but love Puntos, well I'll know for the next time.

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“I've got a 54 Fiat Punto 1.2 ELX with less than 5k...”

★★☆☆☆

written by rob1979 on 13/08/2005

I've got a 54 Fiat Punto 1.2 ELX with less than 5k miles on the clock. The brakes keep failing, and making a banging noise. The dealership from which I bought it doesn't seem bothered that this is a serious fault and keep telling me that this is normal for Punto's. The brake pedal goes rock solid, I get a banging noise and then the pedal dissapears under my foot and I have no brakes. Can this seriously be the norm?

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“I've had 3 Puntos, no trouble at all with the earlier...”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Brazen on 07/03/2005

I've had 3 Puntos, no trouble at all with the earlier models but this latest one, the Fiat Punto 1.2 ELX, has been a living nightmare. The thermostat malfunctioned when it was 6 months old, the head gasket went when it was 18 months old at a cost of £900 to be repaired, the exhaust fell off just 2 months later. The power steering column has gone and will cost well over £600 to be replaced. This car is still only 3 years old and to my mind, any new car should never have had these problems. I would never buy another one, nor would I recommend them to anyone. Now I know why FIAT cars are known as Fix It Again Tomorrow!

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“When I looked at Fiats, I was a little hesitant about...”

★★★★★

written by chrisc0203 on 25/01/2005

When I looked at Fiats, I was a little hesitant about them, but after the test drive I was very impressed. This Fiat Punto 1.2 ELX 8v City Car is very nippy, but on motorways it is pretty hopless. I live near the M67 and this car starts off at the bottom of hill at about 95 - 100 but dies to 70 and you get builders overtaking in there 2 litre diesel white vans. But in and around town its great.

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“My mother decided to buy this Fiat Punto 1.2 ELX City...”

★★★★★

written by 19realfast on 17/11/2004

My mother decided to buy this Fiat Punto 1.2 ELX City Car at the last minute, she went for a test drive and fell in love with the car straight away.

The change from a 2y/old ford fiesta 1.3 16v to a 1.2 8v punto was a great decision! Although the punto has a smaller engine you would hardly notice. The acceleration is second to none, it's easy to beat a bmw or mercedes from the lights and its very funny to see the embarrassment spread over their face.

On a more serious note there can be minor faults, a common one is the window wipers draging across the windowscreen, we thought replacing the wiper blades might fix this but unfortunately not. The cabin steams up something shocking in the winter but I guess if the noise of the heater doesn't annoy you then that wouldn't be a problem for you.

The interior is exellent, our car has a lovely shade of blue but it also comes in red and normal grey. The seats are very good too.. they seem to give great support while ur driving but are also quite comfortable. The inside is roomey for a small city car both front and back, the boot is definiatly one of the biggest of all its rival cars. The factory Blaupunkt stereo is brilliant you get 4 speakers and a subwoofer, but if you want a cd player you will normaly have to buy it as an extra.

Over all I think the only bad problem we had was dealing with the fiat dealership staff after the car was purchased but sure most places are like that.

This was are first fiat and im sure it wont be are last... no matter what some peoples views are on them. (just think as it as the poor mans ferrari)

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