Going up in the world, from cinq to gp :)

[Mikkey180]

Hey everyone! I have been a member of the forum for a month or so now when I acquired my little cinquecento, Unfortunately it turned out to be a bit of a problem car for me so is off the road at the moment as a non runner.

The day before it broke down I was driving the girlfriend to work and drove past the local SG Petch fiat/kia dealership, and a grande punto caught my eye, it was in the January sale and looked pretty nice I didn't think much into it as I didn't think I could get finance or anything like that.

The next morning the cinq wouldn't start and I lost my rag with it, Got sick of always buying cheap cars that broke down, went in to the dealership and arranged finance!

So she is now mine (although she isn't ready until tuesday )

Here are some pics (dealership ones only I am afraid)









Sorry for the life story I will get more pics up when shes home!

 

[Andy Monty]

Welcome to the GP section i will stick this in Members motors for you

 

[martwho]

Welcome to the GP section. Nice colour car mate.
I'm sure you'll love it.

 

[Mikkey180]

Welcome to the GP section i will stick this in Members motors for you

Cheers! Still getting the hang of this haha

 

[Mikkey180]

Welcome to the GP section. Nice colour car mate.
I'm sure you'll love it.

Thanks I think it was the colour that made it stand out from the others. Turns out one of my friends aunties owned it before it ended up at the dealership, small world!

It's a "Active 1.2" (surely that was meant to be a pun? haha) but has enough kit to keep me happy

 

[Andy Monty]

Dont worry thats what we are here for

Handy knowing the last owner ask her if there is anything wrong with it and get it sorted before you pick it up

You should get 2 keys with it one remote and another dumb basic key...

and check the blower works on all 4 speed settings

The 1.2 is no rocket ship but it will hold 70 on the motorway and will do about 40mpg on average


have a look at this

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/89495-recalls-known-fault-issues.html

Don't let it put you off don't know of any real major faults on the GP that stop it from working most are just niggles and silly design ideas from fiat

 

[Mikkey180]

Dont worry thats what we are here for

Handy knowing the last owner ask her if there is anything wrong with it and get it sorted before you pick it up

You should get 2 keys with it one remote and another dumb basic key...

and check the blower works on all 4 speed settings

The 1.2 is no rocket ship but it will hold 70 on the motorway and will do about 40mpg on average


have a look at this

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto/89495-recalls-known-fault-issues.html

Don't let it put you off don't know of any real major faults on the GP that stop it from working most are just niggles and silly design ideas from fiat

there are less parts on the whole of the cinquecento then there are that are common issues on these hope mine is going to be some what reliable and wish I had looked at this before hand!

 

[Wisey]

Welcome to the forum, and the GP section.

Beautiful little GP you have there. From the colour of the car, and the alloys i'd a say you have the Active 1.2 DUB edition. It came with those 15" (i think) alloys, and a slightly improved sound system (i believe?). Cracking little car regardless of what it has or doesn't have. You've done well, and chosen well i'm sure!

Be sure to keep us updated. Have you any plans for her? (or him?)

 

[jatkinson]

Looking at the wheels i agree with wisey , Looks likere there DUB alloys , Now get the Cinq Rebuilt Or Give me them Lancia Alloys now!!!

 

[Mikkey180]

Haha I had no idea, they just said it was a "Active 1.2 8v"

Is there any way I can check if it is a DUB? not sure what the entails other than the wheels and sound system?

Can't wait to get her and thanks for the compliments! Like I say it was the colour that did it for me!

As for the cinq, it will turn into a spring project I think once money is back on track

 

[Mikkey180]

Is there any way I can check if it is a DUB? not sure what the entails other than the wheels and sound system?

Done a quick search, does this mean I get a DAB radio?!

 

[Andy Monty]

there are less parts on the whole of the cinquecento then there are that are common issues on these hope mine is going to be some what reliable and wish I had looked at this before hand!

oh and 2008 its coming up to its 5 year cambelt interval :devil: if its not been done negotiate a price with your supplying dealer they might even do it if you threaten to walk away


Those common issues don't affect every gp but most are very cheap fixes......


Fault - Noise when turning
Cure - Top strut bearings

£25 ish per bearing about 45 mins labour

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-pu...-top-bearing-removal-service-replacement.html



Fault - Knock while driving
Cure - Drop link (check for movement)

£15 drop link and 30 mins absolute max easy DIY job

https://www.fiatforum.com/stilo-gui...ur-drop-links-anti-roll-bar-links-30mins.html

Fault - Smell of oil - breather hose/pipe (split)
Cure - modified hose & pipe

hose is about £12 off flea bay 2 jublie clips and 15 mins or so to sort at home

https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-guides/262269-breather-hose-replacement-1-2-1-4-8v.html

Fault -Tailgate not opening
Cure - water on connector at lock, clean connector @ fit new lock.

I blathered mine with waxoil when it was new only affects some


Fault - Power steering light on - sometimes with noise/creak from column area
Cure - Various causes (power supply,column,connections)

Often caused by a poor battery

Fault - Dashboard top vent trim - the long trim which directs air
to windscreen can distort & stick up at drivers side
Cure - fitment of new trim.

I ignored mine no real issue bar cosmetic


Fault -Drivers door - not opening from inside.
Cure - requires lock

Chances are it will have already been replaced mine went at just outside the 3rd year https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-guides/238842-drivers-door-lock-replacement-repair.html


Fault - Electric window(s) not working
Cure - poor/loose connection at drivers door switchbank.

5 min job use guide above to remove switch unit remove cable blast with contact cleaner and shove back together



Fault - Rear manual window not moving
Cure - Regulator seized, fit new regulator *TIP operate weekly to prevent seizure *

not an issue on 3 door


Fault - High coolant temperature warning,normally at start up.
Cure - software update

Been at a fiat dealer they should have already sorted this


Fault - Horn - requires a firm press to operate.
Cure - lubrication of horn contacts DANGER airbag - dealer only!

Check the horn works when you pick it up if its hard to press get them to sort it

Fault -Rear doors - sticking intermittently from outside
Cure - modified outer door handles available.

not on 3 door

Fault - Headlights staying on
Cure - water in engine bay fusebox/connections

Usually caused by someone meddling with the fuse box who lacks the ability to refit it or the little arch flap missing its fixings

Fault - Screeching noise from starter motor when starting
Cure - battery voltage low, get battery tested correctly and/or fit battery (360a)

fairly self explanatory dying battery = problem

Fault - Heater fan not working or only works on some speeds
Cure - depends on fault look here

doesnt affect every car see FAQ can be sorted cheaply





So enjoy your new car

 

[Mikkey180]

Good point, it is under warranty from the dealership so hopefully that will help if anything needs doing, luckily I know the previous owner and she says she never had any issues with it from new, so hopefully things will be ok, I can do allot of the things myself I reckon

 

[Mikkey180]

From the colour of the car, and the alloys i'd a say you have the Active 1.2 DUB edition.

Just checked insurance and compared itnwith another DUB, they say DUB in the model and mine just says "active" so guessing its just the wheels, ah well still looks nice

 

[Wisey]

I thought the colour of the car was also only a 'DUB' edition also, so? IDK, i think its DUB and the dealership just have no clue. I mean i was sold a pre-registered 2010 Grande Punto 1.2 8v. All the papework says 1.2, the lovely women at Research Fiat told me it was a 1.2....then i get home and the plate on the drivers door says 1.4 8v Sound.

Moral, you just never know!

IMO, i think its the 'DUB' edition

 

[Mikkey180]

I thought the colour of the car was also only a 'DUB' edition also, so? IDK, i think its DUB and the dealership just have no clue. I mean i was sold a pre-registered 2010 Grande Punto 1.2 8v. All the papework says 1.2, the lovely women at Research Fiat told me it was a 1.2....then i get home and the plate on the drivers door says 1.4 8v Sound.

Moral, you just never know!

IMO, i think its the 'DUB' edition

Does the logbook say 1.2? haha I would very much like it to be a DUB it would be tuebicing on the cake, either way its like Christmas all over again!

Edit: the icing on the cake even.... Haha

 

[Freebo]

Looked at the picture and knew exactly where that garage was

Enjoy the car

 

[Wisey]

Was a little unclear sorry lol. The car plate says 1.4, the logbook says 1.4. The woman who sold me the car told me 1.2, and her paperwork she typed in the info on says 1.2. :idea:

 

[Mikkey180]

Looked at the picture and knew exactly where that garage was

Enjoy the car

Are you local then? And thanks I plan to really hoping its ready this Friday when we do the rest of the paperwork but I don't think it will be

 

[Mikkey180]

Was a little unclear sorry lol. The car plate says 1.4, the logbook says 1.4. The woman who sold me the car told me 1.2, and her paperwork she typed in the info on says 1.2. :idea:

Haha that would have been interesting! Anyway looking at pics mine doesn't have the DUB stereo so it doesn't really matter if it is one or not, because it has the nice wheels and paint if anything the ones in the dub look a little tacky