Thinking of purchasing a Punto HGT Abarth. What are your honest opinion on them?

[jayburch]

Hi people,

Am new to this forum,

Thinking about purchasing one of these, as my sister is selling one and thought i'd do some research into them.

Firstly how much should I pay for 70k Y reg one?
Anything I should know or check?

How would you rate it compared to other cars in a similar price range?

Thanks for any advice !

James

[Mat]

I had an abarth HGT at the start of the year, i must say they hold up very well in a crash!!

I really liked it, was a good drive and quite comfy. They are reasonably fast but not with kick a turbo gives you. Thats y i now have a GT again!! I much prefer them to the facelift vts which i suppose would be the alternative.

[JAYHGT]

i've got a hgt, i love it, for the money u get an awful lot of kit and it is much fun to drive and very comfortable for long drives, ive just got back from a 660 mile round trip in mine and it was so comfortable and pulled very well on the motorway!

check for a diesel like knocking sound when you first start it, means the variator has gone, can be costly as theres other things that might need to be replaced at the same time. give the bodywork a bloody good look over, especially where the black seals run along the roof, had a couple of hidden rust spots there on mine. also usual niggle fiat electrics problems inc. airbag lights n issues with CD changer!

[richie]

They're not worth much cash. I wouldn't pay 2k for one.

Common problems :

- Gearboxes - change at high RPM and check for synchro grind
- Variators (as mentioned above)
- Bottom ends going - only if run low on oil and/or abused
- Water pumps failing (get it done with the belt and variator only cheapskates don't)
- CD changers failing

Sat nav is crap in them.

I wouldn't buy an HGT if the owner didn't know what oil it took or if the oil was low when you had a look at it; if it's run low it's a ticking time bomb ready to break. Check for rust in the above mentioned place (below roof seals) and check all the arches. Mk2's are known for rusting on the arch lips.

[JAYHGT]

Sat nav is crap in them.

ill second that, and its arsey about what cds it'll take if you burn your own, swap it for a decent aftermarket one!