General Bravo, what should I look out for?

[twincamms]

Hello Everyone!

I am contemplating coming back into the FIAT fold. I've found some real deals to be had on the Bravo at last and unlike the Stilo, I'm gonna do some research first.

Are there any technical, mechanical or general issues with this car. I know FIAT claim it went from drawing board to production in 18 months and it's their first fully computer designed car, blah, blah, but is that necessarily a good thing?

Any advice or issues raised will be mostly apreciated.

Oh, by the way I'm looking at Bravo Diesel Active Sports, from a franchised dealer £9995, pre-registered 08 models.

Cheers.

 

[BRAV-OH!!]

Hello Everyone!

I am contemplating coming back into the FIAT fold. I've found some real deals to be had on the Bravo at last and unlike the Stilo, I'm gonna do some research first.

Are there any technical, mechanical or general issues with this car. I know FIAT claim it went from drawing board to production in 18 months and it's their first fully computer designed car, blah, blah, but is that necessarily a good thing?

Any advice or issues raised will be mostly apreciated.

Oh, by the way I'm looking at Bravo Diesel Active Sports, from a franchised dealer £9995, pre-registered 08 models.

Cheers.

There's a thread on here called 'any problems with your Bravo'. Check that out to see the sort of problems people have had with the new Bravo.

 

[Big Black Stilo]

i just got a 1.4 t-jet 150 for not much more than that, so if you look you could posibly get an Mjet 150 sport for same money.

my car was from a fiat dealer and i basically bought it at cost. it had 3500 miles on it and the only things missing are sunroof and leather seats

 

[twincamms]

Hi BBS

Yeah I know what you're saying but I don't want a petrol motor.

By the way, I haven't even sat in one yet, what's the build quality like? Is it ropey like the Stilo. I've been driving Astra Sports Hatch for a year now and I hate to say it but it's good, solid,built a lot better than I expected, I'm used to solid seats, doors, tight steering, good switchgear, etc, will the Bravo match up?

 

[Big Black Stilo]

i test drove the astra sports hatch and hated it- so did the mrs she thougt it looked cheap and nasty.

the mjet is the diesel version, i think hellcat has one

everything feels solid and nice. the only niggle i have is the arm rest isnt aligned properly in the front on mine, everything else so far so good

now is the time to buy

 

[BRAV-OH!!]

Hi BBS

Yeah I know what you're saying but I don't want a petrol motor.

By the way, I haven't even sat in one yet, what's the build quality like? Is it ropey like the Stilo. I've been driving Astra Sports Hatch for a year now and I hate to say it but it's good, solid,built a lot better than I expected, I'm used to solid seats, doors, tight steering, good switchgear, etc, will the Bravo match up?

It may be hard to convince you as you will feel we will always give a biased opinion on here.

But the Bravo is a really good, well built car. I hadn't even thought about the Bravo but took one out for a test drive one day when offered whilst in the dealership. All i need to say now is I have the Bravo

It's extremely well built, very 'expensive' looking inside regards finished materials etc (particularly the sport trim) and so far the mechanical side of things seems to be the same.

It really is a massive step up from the Stilo etc of the past

Take one out for a test drive and see for yourself.

 

[twincamms]

I don't need convincing, I've owned FIATs since I passed my test in 1988, I only moved away because the Stilo was so depressing. Other marques moved on while FIAT stayed still.

The Astra is passionless, no heart, but it's got a nice punchy, torquey 1.9 diesel engine, goes like stink, it's build is really solid, better than the Focus I tried, the doors are soooo heavy and you get a nice thud when you close them, it's real solid, I hate to say it but I'm impressed. It wasn't a buy with your heart purchase, I used my head, residual are definitely better.

I've always wanted an Alfa but could not justify the initial up front cost then the losses I'd stand over three years. In difficult financial times all these things need to be considered.

I'm looking around and I will test a Bravo, there's nothing else out there really that lights my fire, well at least not what I can afford......................................

 

[Pomp]

You can get a 150MJ for that money if you look (Yes its a diesel)

I have one and gaurantee you wont be dissapointed

 

[wing1200a]

I don't need convincing, I've owned FIATs since I passed my test in 1988, I only moved away because the Stilo was so depressing. Other marques moved on while FIAT stayed still.

The Astra is passionless, no heart, but it's got a nice punchy, torquey 1.9 diesel engine, goes like stink, ..............

It's the same engine! So don't be concerned there! Elsewhere the Bravo can't really be compared to the stilo, although it shares similar underpinnings the bravo is a lot tighter. The interior is far superior and those that have scoffed at my owning fiats (punto, bravo, stilo, grande punto) have all been, let's say, impressed when they've had to be a passenger.

Mine (150mj dynamic) has now covered 15k and not a single problem with it. My abarth by the same mileage had had a new wiper motor, new rear windscreen and selespeed pump (I still loved it and carried on with it to 48k and 5 years old).

Steve

 

[fenton_jd]

It's the same engine! So don't be concerned there! Elsewhere the Bravo can't really be compared to the stilo, although it shares similar underpinnings the bravo is a lot tighter. The interior is far superior and those that have scoffed at my owning fiats (punto, bravo, stilo, grande punto) have all been, let's say, impressed when they've had to be a passenger.

Mine (150mj dynamic) has now covered 15k and not a single problem with it. My abarth by the same mileage had had a new wiper motor, new rear windscreen and selespeed pump (I still loved it and carried on with it to 48k and 5 years old).

Steve

The fiat stilo's interior is horrible, im sickened that fiat allowed such an unimaginitive piece of shiete of a dashboard make it onto their car.

The BRAVO on the other hand, the dash board is just plain cool. Love the way the centre console is aimed towards the driver, and if you get it with dual zone climate control, the extra lil screen thing at the bottom really makes it look that bit more flashy.

 

[twincamms]

You can get a 150MJ for that money if you look (Yes its a diesel)

I have one and gaurantee you wont be dissapointed

Not a brand new model you can't in the Sports spec.................................

 

[Big Black Stilo]

thought you could? its on fiat.co.uk?

 

[Hellcat]

Hold on..

Mines a 150 diesel multijet Sport... (Note Sport and not Active Sport)

I think out of all the owners on here I've had the most niggles. Hardly suprising since I got mine almost as soon as they released the RHD. All fixed under warranty and it's been good to me since. Me and Prov have both driven to Italy and back without problem.

 

[jw02sky]

i test drove the astra sports hatch and hated it- so did the mrs she thougt it looked cheap and nasty.

the mjet is the diesel version, i think hellcat has one

everything feels solid and nice. the only niggle i have is the arm rest isnt aligned properly in the front on mine, everything else so far so good

now is the time to buy

I find it hard to get a comfy driving position in my dynamic, im 5`8" which is not tall, and feel the need for more thigh support. Anyone else think the same ?? or suggestions ??
Cheers

 

[Hellcat]

I find it hard to get a comfy driving position in my dynamic, im 5`8" which is not tall, and feel the need for more thigh support. Anyone else think the same ?? or suggestions ??
Cheers

I'm 5'7 and in the sport I can get super comfy.

 

[Big Black Stilo]

im used to bigger seats in the stilo coming up to more or less my knees, these dont. its not uncomfortable, just different.

im 6ft and its liveable, and i will get used to it.

it could be worse, it could be the saxo, now that is a pain and uncomfortable.

 

[Pomp]

im used to bigger seats in the stilo coming up to more or less my knees, these dont. its not uncomfortable, just different.

im 6ft and its liveable, and i will get used to it.

it could be worse, it could be the saxo, now that is a pain and uncomfortable.

Im surprised! Im also 6ft and i find it extremely comfortable!

 

[jim cooper]

The fiat stilo's interior is horrible, im sickened that fiat allowed such an unimaginitive piece of shiete of a dashboard make it onto their car.

The BRAVO on the other hand, the dash board is just plain cool. Love the way the centre console is aimed towards the driver, and if you get it with dual zone climate control, the extra lil screen thing at the bottom really makes it look that bit more flashy.

Sorry to disagree but my Stilo dash is rather classy and the car itself is faultless after 2 years.

 

[Big Black Stilo]

i too liked the stilo a lot.

just a shame it broke.

 

[wing1200a]

I think the stilo seats were more supportive/comfortable. I have posted before about the thigh support (or lack of it), I think for me it's mainly because of my leg/ankle problems that is the issue - no support for thigh so my ankle has to support itself more and consequently they both start aching. The sports seats may be better.