Grande Punto Si-Punto's Grande Punto Sporting M-Jet

[punto_matt]

Hehe, Eibachs FTW Sportlines are the ones to go for. I catch my undertray on a few things but nothing major really, improves the handling of the car alot and makes it actually feel quite sporty round corners. Good decision to not go for a panda aswell

 

[Si - Punto]

Cheers mate A nice shiny set of Sportlines arrived at my doorstep this morning Will be fitted in a week or two (not got much free time at the mo).

Look forward to seeing how it handles once fully dropped, should be worth the hundred quid or so that the kit cost.

I absolutely loved the test drive in the Panda and if the market wasn't so bad at the moment I would probably still be selling up, mainly because I struggle keeping interest in my cars and therefore sell them after a very short period of ownership (usually leaving me seriously out of pocket)

Once the credit crunch settles down then I may well look at selling up again but for the time being (probably at least 6 months) the GP is staying. I dont intend to do many mods, just the suspension and a few cheap tweaks (grille, bulbs, etc). Should be enough to keep my interest for a while longer lol.

Never know, maybe in 6 months time I will be in a situation where I can get a non-compromise hot hatch but until then I need convenience as well as fun.

 

[punto_matt]

AGP AGP AGP AGP AGP AGP AGP AGP AGP hint hint

 

[Si - Punto]

TBH mate I've already lost thousands of pounds on this GP, dont fancy doing the same on another one lol even if it is as sexy and special as the Abarth

Probably look at going for something a couple of years old that's already taken it's intial hit in the market - RS Clio 182/197 Cup or something similar

Although a 1 year old AGP might be looking a bit more attractive at sub £10k :chin:

 

[punto_matt]

I want a 197 cup next or an evo lol

 

[Thewitt]

Another one soon to be leaving the Fiat marque then! The clio sounds like a good plan mate, have always had a bit of a soft spot for the 182's!!!
Someone has a trophy at work and it really is teh sex!!!

 

[Si - Punto]

To be honest guys I was meant to have left the Fiat fold after the Punto GT. I was never planning on buying the GP, I was looking more at Clio 182's and EP3 Civic Type R's but insurance was just a bit too high at the time and I was about to start doing a lot of motorway miles.

Since then my mileage has dropped back down to what I was doing in the Bravo HGT and Punto GT so a hot hatch isn't totally out of the question any more and come insurance renewal time (4 months to go) I will have had the GP for a year and can maybe justify changing cars again (can't really justify it just yet).

Diesel seemed like a good idea on paper however in reality it's not proving that much more cost effective than a petrol.

The GP has kept me in the fold for a little while and depending on the situation the Panda may keep me a while longer (we shall see).

At the end of the day 2000/01 plate 172's are starting at less than £2k these days and 04 plate 182's can be had for less than £4k so they've pretty much seen the worst of their depreciation for a while I'd say.......... Bargain

 

[Si - Punto]

Well I figured it was about time I updated this thread so here goes.

The GP is still here because I'm still struggling to pick it's replacement. No mods have been done to it since the last update although I've still got the Sportlines waiting to go on should I choose to keep the car any longer.

Given the beautiful weather this weekend I decided to give it a quick wash, grab my camera and go on the hunt for some good photo locations.

I shot about 100 pictures but these are a few of my favourites. All pictures were shot by a complete novice (me) freehand using a Nikon D40 with the kit lense and none of them have been touched up in PhotoShop (just pulled them off the camera):

She still scrubs up pretty well for an old girl

Cheers,

Si

 

[punto_matt]

Looking good mate Get the sportlines on though

 

[Ffoxy]

Very nice lookin motor still Si... know exactly what you mean about struggling to find a better replacement too!

 

[Si - Punto]

Cheers fellers

Might get those springs fitted while I decide what to do with it. Am starting to put some spare cash away so might buy a cheap hot hatch in the coming months and then sell the GP to fill the savings back up.

 

[dannygp]

Are you mad! You've had them for like 5 months!

 

[Si - Punto]

Ah dude you've got no idea, every time I think about fitting them I end up wanting to sell the car Diesel just doesnt do it for me.

Oh and it's been more like 7 months lol

 

[1.8Stilo]

looking good mate! Know what you mean is hard loving a diesel, much prefer a petrol :/ though my mjet ain't going no were... Get the springs on, make all the difference easy job to fit yourself

 

[Si - Punto]

Finally lowered (and in need of a clean)

This picture was taken just after putting it back on the ground, will get better pictures soon.

 

[1.8Stilo]

looks much better mate

ull need to get ur tracking sorted now as mine was way out... cant remember the adjustments, but had to have a 4 wheel alignment - dont think the backs need much if any tweeking

 

[punto_matt]

My tracking was fine after lowering! Looks much better dropped

 

[Si - Punto]

Cheers guys, will be getting tracking checked this weekend

The passenger drop link died a few days later but thats the side which suffered the buckled wheel so I'm guessing the lower ride height was the final straw. A trip to Unipart and £12.50 later saw a new drop link which was fitted pretty sharpish.

Since then the springs have settled nicely and so far so good

Hopefully give it a wash this weekend, grab the camera and get some updated snaps.

The handling has improved dramatically, it's no track weapon but it's definately flatter through the corners and inspires more confindence. In return the ride quality and comfort remain very civilised.

 

[punto_matt]

Its the height sportings should of been as standard.

 

[Tris Harris]

Its the height sportings should of been as standard.

I agree with that... Fiat obviously like arch gap!

Car looks great