I like the Micra, but I also like the punto, but which is better?

[Halifaxmum]

I've got a lovely old Micra R reg, had her 3 1/2 years and she's a beauty, had nothing wrong with her, but she's getting rusty and leaking water!

A local runabout car place has a 10 year old punto, 5 doors (which I would love!) and looks lovely!

Should I get rid of my old Betsy and get the Punto?

Seriously, the Micra is so reliable, is the Punto as good?

TIA x

[douglas9401]

No.

[Andyvon]

You can't really generalise with car makes and models Halifaxmum. It depends entirely on how that particular Punto has been treated. A 15-year old car that's been well serviced and lovingly maintained will be in much better condition than a 6-year old car that's never been looked after. Virtually all cars will be reliable if they are looked after and maintained. If you know this particular Punto has been looked after then it should be OK. If someone can accompany you who knows about cars then they should be able to identify any problems and tell you whether you are getting value for your money.

If your Micra is starting every day and not letting you down then it might be an idea to stick with that. If you aren't happy with the rust and leaks those are straightforward and cheap if you do know someone who knows what they are doing - or at least who can stop the leaks (seals or cooling system) and then stop the rust from spreading.

If you decide to consider the Punto it takes about a year of ownership to be able to fully trust a car. It helps if the car has a full service history and preferably bills for parts and work done. If you buy it then have the car well-serviced straightaway by someone you can trust - all new fluids, filters, belts, hoses etc so you know it's done. Don't trust the word of the seller!

Good luck.

[jd_here]

Micra over Punto every time.

[Noraq]

Micra.
10 year old Punto will break your heart.
Clutch cable, Wiper motors, front bushings, back suspension, one after the other in rapid succession.

[Hopkirk]

Fiat = Fix It Again Tomorrow

[Old_Geezer]

As Harry Hill would say: there's only one way to find out !

[jake-the-peg]

both have pretty good reliability indexes but the Micra is better

http://www.reliabilit...reliability/search/47 - Punto (70th best )scores 67
http://www.reliabilit...eliability/search/130 - Micra 31 (17th best)
lowest is better


To put it in context the worst scores are Mercedes SL and CL scoring nearly 350!


It's not quite fair because the scores come from both the reliability and cost of repairs.

So if you've two cars equally reliable but one is a presiege car that costs an arm and a leg to fix it scores much worse

[EvianBaby]

Damn OG, you beat me to it! :)

[gingejbee]

In general, Fiat has an unenviable reputation for unreliability and terrible after-care. Always at, or near, bottom of customer satisfaction tables.

[johnk]

A 10 year old fiat!! It should have rusted away by now! No thanks

[Baldric]

Bought a new Fiat Bravo in 1998, ran it up to Aug this year, first as Main car for 4 years, then as 2nd car 'til Aug. 128000mls and not so much as a misfire in that time. It's still going strong as a teenagers first car!
It's been replaced with a Passat Est, we'll see how that does.

[gingejbee]

Baldric: congratulations! You were the chosen one in 1998.

[gingejbee]

Oh, and I disagree with Andyvon's comment; you *can* generalise about the reliability of makes and models. Look at the tables from J.D.Power and Which? for example - the same makes/ models appear at the top each year and the same makes/models appear at the bottom. Fiat is *always* at or near the bottom. Baldric was very lucky.

[Halifaxmum]

Thank you all so much - your replies are, as always, helpful and reliable! :)

OG - I wondered if anyone would! lol ;)