• Summary

    3 out of 5 3.0

    What does this car say about you?

    Not really sure. That I can't afford a more premium car?

    What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

    People like the look of it and think it's fairly pokey.

    Would you buy this car again and why?

    No. I'm moving away from Fiat's all together after this car and want something more premium feeling and more fun.

    What are you likely to buy next?

    Mini Cooper JCW VW Polo GTi RS Clio 200.

  • Buying experience

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Type of dealer you bought from?

    Franchised

    Did you buy this car new?

    No

    What price did you pay?

    £6,995

    When did you buy the car?

    August 2010

    Did you get a good deal and why?

    I think I got a pretty good deal.

    Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

    I bought this car because I loved the look of it. I liked the fact that it had a turbo. It was also the next step from my previous Fiat Punto MK2b.

    What was the dealer like?

    Seemed OK. Usual style of once you have the car and you're gone they don't need to have anything to do with you any more.

  • Driving it

    2 out of 5 2.0

    What's it like to drive?

    Pretty uninspiring. The driving position is pants (steering wheel too far away and pedals too close). There is NO steering feel (doesn't even feel connected). The seats are firm and uncomfortable. There is no power above 5k RPM. The ride is firm and crashy. The gearbox is notchy. It does have a decent amount of poke however and can surprise other road users.

    What's it like to park?

    Surprisingly difficult. There is very little rear visibility due to small back windows and huge C pillars. Doesn't inspire me with confidence when parking at all. Difficult to tell where the wheels/corners of the car are.

  • Living with it

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Have you had any problems with the car?

    Electric Window stopped working (replaced under warranty). Boot light stopped working (sensor replaced under warranty). Brakes are are a bit noisy and the Blue and Me stereo interface intermittent.

    What's most practical about your car?

    The space in the front. However the boot is impractical because of the very high boot lip and the fact that there is a step between the boot floor and the back of the rear seats once folded. Also storage in the front is minimal.

    Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

    I liked the armrest at first, but the I realised it gets in the way of the gear stick, handbrake and seatbelt buckles. There isn't really any particular part of the car that stands out as being 'my favourite'.