Fiat Punto I - a car for a good start

They always write about cool cars that are fast, expensive and weird looking. However, young drivers need to start somewhere, and since finding a working "Baby" these days is as likely as finding dinosaur remains while weeding in your own garden, you'll have to look elsewhere for "first time" models. . Or would you still start your automotive adventure with Fiat?

There is nothing to deceive - a few dozen hours with a "train" on the roof will not make anyone a driver. At best, this reprograms the brain for a strange new experience, namely to move in a metal box twenty times faster than on one's own legs. So what kind of car does a young driver need? It is best to find out who the young driver is first. He usually goes to high school, because then you can get a "license". In addition, he checks his abilities and the car, so it would be nice if there were no scratches on the car body when he “thumps” into something. Finally, he goes to parties with his "homies" because not everyone has their own carts, so it would be nice to have a big salon to fit them all. Oh, and it would be better if such a car cost no more than the alcohol you bought for your eighteenth birthday. Punto first generation like nothing.

This inconspicuous car entered the market in 1993 - that is, in ancient times, and it must be admitted that it does not look like a car that is closer to a historical monument than a “new” car from a car dealership. And this is thanks to the careful hand of Fiat designers. Not only does the car look good visually, it is also difficult to confuse it with any other. There is no radiator grille, the rear lights are huge and set high, so they don’t get dirty, and the body is so tightly closed with bumpers that usually don’t paint that other cars should even tremble before Punto. Especially when he plays a major role during parking maneuvers with a young driver inside. But that's not all.

One of the best things about this car is the interior. Big for this class and square - it can fit a lot. Even in the back seat it will be quite comfortable, because the passengers sit very upright, so there is not much legroom. Trunk - 275l enough for shopping. You still drive a different car for the holidays, although it's nice to know that the Punto Cabrio was also built for summer boulevards. But if this car is so cool, what's the catch? It's simple - it's incredibly sweet. One has only to look at the “plastics” inside the cabin to make them creak, and they are so hard and artificial that even the dust in the air attracts them. And these accessories - a tachometer, all sorts of electrical appliances or a power steering - are rarities made for measuring caviar in an ordinary milk bar. But he has his good points.

The newest Punto I comes from 1999 - so this is not the first freshness, which means there can be small problems from time to time. However, with such a simple design and, as a rule, no equipment, there is hardly a mechanic who would not fix it. In any case, the less complex things in the car, the more pocket money will remain in the wallet. What causes the most problems in Punto I? Electronics - if any. Power windows work intermittently, sometimes not, sometimes the central locking is faulty, and engine control ECU failures are almost standard. As for the mechanics, there are several flagship glitches. Synchronizers in the gearbox are probably Chinese work of art, because shifting gears is a nightmare at high mileage. The front suspension is pretty solid, but the rear suspension is a god bless you. Silent blocks of levers usually barely withstand 20. km on our roads. The shocks and rocker arms are slightly better, but that doesn't mean they're more durable. In addition, the body of the generator often breaks, since the generator is in the wrong place, various liquids flow out of the car, especially oil, sometimes the clutch “fails” ... However, one thing is certain - with a relatively small amount of cash, everything can be controlled, after all, spare parts, and repairs are cheap. But it’s better to check the car well before buying, so as not to “float”.

Driving a car gives the impression that Fiat did something by accident and something not. Even such a steering system - the steering wheel can be turned and turned, and the car continues to go straight. This is mainly due to the lack of power steering, so the sensitivity of the entire system is negligible, and every sharper maneuver, except for horror in the eyes of the driver, is literally nothing. In turn, the suspension of a car is an interesting topic because it works very well. Yes, it's a bit heavy and loud, but it's flexible and, contrary to appearances, allows for a lot. However, you need to be careful not to fall out of the seats during such fun, because in their case there is practically no such thing as lateral body support.

On the other hand, engines are very different and you have to keep in mind that some versions tend to blow out the head gasket and installing a new one is not very cheap. Parents who do not want to kill their child should consider buying 1.1l 55km gasoline. It is not expensive and for such low power it copes well with the cart, although the truth is that this engine does not give rise to the will to live - it behaves like a hangover. An interesting topic 8-valve 1.2l. It has 60 km, a post-glacial design and two behaviors. The first is urban. It rides great at low speeds - it's agile, lively and dynamic. And so it is up to about 100 km / h. Above this magical boundary, a second pattern speaks to him, and from a dynamic personality ready to work, he turns into a phlegmatic martyr who, with his groans, tries to force the driver to let go of the gas pedal. But there is a cure for this - just take the enhanced version for more than 70 km. There are two other petrol units, a 1.6L 88km and a 1.4L GT Turbo 133km, but the former isn't very profitable to run, and the latter is, well, owning a Punto I GT is as fun as keeping a Ferrari at home. Only the expressions of other drivers when overtaking are better.

The Punto can also be purchased with a prehistoric 1.7D diesel. It has different power - from 57 to 70 km in the supercharged version, and although it is not particularly dynamic in any of them, it has a number of advantages. It has a simple design, is quite flexible at low speeds, and with proper maintenance it is reliable and immortal. However, is it worth trying the first generation Punto? Instances from the beginning of production slowly begin to rust, after purchase, most of them will need repairs, and operation often turns out to be a lottery. However, I will tell you one thing - I started with a raspberry Punto I myself and despite having its ups and downs, it was invaluable when pushing in the parking lot, stuffing friends inside and scaring with the roar of the engine during acceleration - it was priceless. And there's something else to it - young people now don't want to drive a Fiat 126p because it's "colostrum". And Punto? Well, it's a good car.

This article was created thanks to the courtesy of TopCar, who provided a car from the current offer for a test and photo session.

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