What is the Fiat Stilo like - would be used for mainly urban driving, only covering around 6-7K a year max - do the job ok?

I notice these are getting very cheap - Which would be the best petrol to consider the 1.6?

Any plus or minus points welcome! and/or anything else to consider 2002 or newer, max engine size 1.8 & a budget of £1500

beware - they have a reputation for truly tragic electrics - they're cheap for a reason

Indeed. Their reputation persuaded me to get a newer Bravo instead.

I had an abarth one briefly, I must have had a different dash warning come up at least every 2 weeks. The only time one didn't go off was when the coolant hose burst and the temp went through the roof.

JLow don't believe everything you read. My wife had a 1.8 3-door with all the abarth kit / skirts and the 17" Claw Alloys.
We had it for several years and had no real issues with it. The Stilos are loaded with plenty of nice features - Follow me home lights / Rear wiper automatically comes on when you select reverse and the front wipers are on etc. The only really annoying thing was the air-bag light. The connection under the passenger seat is duff from the factory and being a 3-door - every time someone gets in the back the 'Airbag Fail - Stop Engine' message comes on which panics you a little the first time you see it.
I still think the 3-door with the kit and bigger wheels on looks excellent. This was the wifes:


Get a well looked after one with full yearly service history. I'd have a Schumacher tomorrow if it wasn't for the fuel/tax costs. The 1.8 is the Barchetta engine mated to the Punto HGT gearbox. Still not really quick and they're a bit top heavy handling wise but the 1.8 still returns 32MPG+

I did some work on one and wasn't impressed. It had done 30k miles and needed a water pump+had several electrical faults. The interior felt very cheap too, the owner kept it for around a year.

Thanks guys, but think I'll give it a miss

The type car I'm looking for is not for performance - getting Coupe back on the road for that

3 door - no good for me either

I'd have another punto, but I need something with 4 doors

I had the 2.4, despite it's thirst I had no problems with the electrics, only issue was cam phase senser.

I'd have one again if shell would sponsor me

I have a 3 door 1.2 stilo, quite nippy considering, very cheap to run and hasnt cost me very much in the 6 years ive owned it. Its a great looking car when paired up with the abath claw alloy wheels.

A great run around. The only issue in regards to electrics ive had is the airbag warning message. The reason for this is the cable under the passenger chair is very short, so when someone moves the chair back quite far it disslodges the cable hence the error. When i have time i will probably extend the cable.

Well worth a punt - not sure about the 1.6 engines.

I haven't noticed or heard of these before, is this a new way of dating?




What about considering an Alfa 147? Available with a 1.6 engine and 4 doors, as well as 2.

A quick search on Ebay shows that you can pick them up for under £1500 too:

Could be perfect for you, as long as it's cambelt has been done

The 1.6's are the worst for snapping their cambelts, so make sure it's been done in the last 36,000 miles.

Are the JTD's any good as a cheap runabout for doing a 60 mile round-trip commute?

Same engine as the bravos before and after isn't it? I'm really impressed with the 1.9/150bhp multijet - the only thing I've had to do in 10,000 miles is to change the EGR valve.

But don't buy a diesel with a particulate filter if you only do short journeys at low speed.

Mine averaged 15-18 mpg around town. Great engine but I could never see why the 20vt engine didn't get used instead - more power, better economy, cheaper to tax.

I've had a Stilo 115 JTD since 2008. It's been far more reliable than I expected! (and way better than the Seat Leon it replaced!)

I've had two front coil springs snap, and a seized rear caliper, and a few other wear and tear issues, but none of the scarey stories you read about!

We have a 2002 jtd..biggest problem with it is the gf bouncing of curbs and backs of buses plus the lack of maintenance.
We got 600 miles to the tank with an average of 48 to the gallon with a few high speed runs.

The engine is utter reliable.dashboard noises are annoying but they alert when bulbs are blown etc which accounts for that most of the time..

There are common issues just like the coupe but generally alot less detrimental.dont be put of,they are a cheap fairly modern and safe enough car.
We have swapped wishbones,links and track rods..due to bird smashing up kerbs..shock s out of precuation, hub as two wheels nuts got snapped in. thinks thats about it really.
She smashed it into yhe back of a bus.. And shes still going like a trooper.im not spending anymore on asthetics as she doesnt look afterit but cant conplain at all on the reliablity.

Not interested in a Diesel - I commute 4 miles to work & back daily - diesel won't even warm up

The vehicle I'm after will not be chosen for performance either - although Id like to avoid something that basically doesn't move! - I'd compensate a bit of economy for more power.

oh & 4/5 doors is a must

Yes but get the 3-door modern shape, 5 door requires pipe, slippers and flat hat

I get ca. 48 mpg (but only 500 mile per tank) from my jtd, but still better than Coupe. I have the impression that this is one tough car, drives like a fast tank. I have no electrical problems. Loads of grunt with re-map. Be aware the although running costs are low the cam belt costs same as Coupe and clutch is more

Agree slow to warm and no good for short runs.

Jlow the 1.2 is the one to have then. The 4 door is a different beast , softer and more wallowy but perfectly fine car

I'd second the Alfa 147 suggestion. Nice to drive with tidy handling and decent steering, good engines, adequate space, available in 5 dr version and they feel classy inside. Complete opposite of the Stilo, which is horrid to drive, wallowy, electric steering doesn't feel connected to anything, cheap interior - it's hard to understand how Fiat group could make 2 cars that tick the same boxes on paper, but drive so differently.

How about these..? pricewise

(although 2nd one is out my range, would need to drop some lol)


http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/...107ap?logcode=p


http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classified/...107ap?logcode=p

For the price I'd go for this one at the same garage.... reliability plus!!

Don't want a 2.0 - I'll have my coop back on road next month hopefully - thats all the 2.0 litering I need

remember this car will drive about 20 miles a day & rarely see 5th gear

1.2 6 Speed Stilo... Job done

If you look at the Civic you'll see it's cheaper, cheaper road tax, more economical, more power, etc etc.

The downside is isn't red!

Oh, and I suspect it'll be a lot easier to sell on....