Motors Opinions on the FIAT Stilo and alternatives

I will be lookng to change my car in the next few months, currently a 1.2 Clio Dynamique. Its too small for me and my mates to fit in (5 peeps in total) and its to small for me too, my knees hit the steering wheel all the time which makes for an uncomfortable drive.

So im looking for something a bit bigger. Things like golf's are too small, it needs to be say the size of a ford focus but not a focus because there far too common

So far nobodys said anything bad about the Fiat Stilo, some even say its a VW beater as far as the performance goes.

The two models im interested in are the 1.9 JTD Diesel & the 2.4 Abarth models. Both 3door models as they are smaller and much more stylish than the bigger 5 door.

Economy wise the 1.9 does twice the mpg of the abarth so thats a major consideration but the abarth is the abarth
Also id like to try a diesel as ive heard great things about new diesel engines being quieter and much better at overtaking at speed etc.


So any views on either of the above welcome or maybe a similar sized/similar powered alternative car welcome

This is a stilo btw:
http://www.stilo.org/fiatstilo/Gallery/Shows/show_3t_07.jpg


Cheers
Rich T

 

Now I guess I cannot give an objective view as I have never owned a car before, but the build quality (or lack of if rather) of Italian cars is legendary. You'll probably but it and it will fall apart in a few months. Japanese cars I believe have the best record.

 

I don't like that 'line' that runs down the length of the car from the headlights... reminds me of a passat too?

 

This is a suggestion from an italian.
Think twice before buying a Fiat. Its quality, as JADS said, is not good. Engines are pretty reliable but the rest is not. Furthermore Fiat is in a bad
economic situation and this doesn't help improving their products.
If you are going to buy an italian car, which i don't recommend, look at a Alfa Romeo or Lancia. Both were bought by Fiat but they are separate productive industries.

 

How tall are you, Rich? And is that mainly back or legs? (dont worry, no more measurements )

I was looking at the newest model clio for my next car because of the relatively low insurance, but I'd want a car that fits! (I'm 6'1")

I currently drive an old renault 5, which despite having no room in the back has enough head and foot room for me to drive comfortably. That could be due to the lack of safety shell; I wouldnt be surprised!

 

Im also 6'1 ish, headroom and arm room is perfectly fine, just my long legs mean my knees are slightly elevated above the rest of my legs. This means my knees do most of the work when accelerating, braking, shifting gear, making them quite sore after a long drive. Dont get me wrong they are really nice cars especially in the dynamique trim level, excellent to drive and even the 1.2l is perky if a little slow.


Ive been browsing a stilo dedicated forum and there dont seem to be any build quality issues with the stilo range just the odd leaky boot, hell even mercs leak !

Personally I like the big line running down the sides, its the back end which im a little put off by, but theres a really nice replacement rear bumper which is much better than the stock one.


If I could afford a new alpha, I wouldnt be looking at fiats

List price for anabarth is 16000, they canbehad for £14000 with lots of the optional extras included, the 1.9jtd is 13000 list and can be found with lots of optional extras for just over 13000

Thats the kind of money ive got to play with.

 

my sister's boyfriend works at a fiat garage, so he knows how often and quickly they fall apart. it's very often, and very quickly. some of the cars i've seen round the garage or heard about are quite scary. they do alfas at the same garage, and if anything they're worse. i wouldn't have either.

 

my ex's parents own a diesel stilo and are pleased with them

if you need a big diesel car look at a 406 2ltr HDI, good car and the engine is the same in my dads 206 and it is fantastic


who here guessed iwould have said peugot?

 

The 147 uses the same 1.9JTD diesel engine as the stilo and in my opinion the fiat is the better looking car!!! I really dislike the front grills on alfas, they look like an edsel !!!
(Google if you dont know what an edsel is)

Anyway isnt it part of the fun of owning an alfa that it breaks down all the time


As for pugs, the only current pug I like is the 307cc (convertible) looks miles better than the standard 307. I would like one but there too pricey by a few grand


Im still yet to find a nicer more powerful car for the same price, others ive considered are the MG ZR 2.0TD, Seat Leon/Ibiza but they just dont have the same equipment levels

Any more suggestions ?

 

put it this way there is a reason why lots of pug 406 hdi's are used as taxis and there are plently knockign about on the 2nd hand market (its the only new pug i like, i cant stand the 307 or the 206, they should have stopped fiddling at the 3066 and 205 stage)

 

I personally own a FIAT Stilo 1.6 Dynamic, it's without a doubt the best car I've driven (IMHO). build quality is good as far as I'm concerned. your gonna get build problems with any car thats not hand build to order. I've got a heavy right foot and I get just over 30mpg. but thats with my heavy right foot. It's got good brakes and good steering. Lots of gadgets and buttons to press too.

check out my site for pics of the car

MiniG

 

Actually its your pictures that I saw on bit tech which made me find out what a stilo was

What other cars have you driven ?

Dont spose youve got a pic from the inside with the roof open have you ?
Whats the roof like in winter with all the rain and frost ? I would imagine it puts a great strain on the glass with the frost expanding and retracting in the gaps ?

 

You missed a pic when obscuring the reg plates, MiniG! Keyslashing in order!

I agree with Rich T - this is a reasonably attractive car let down by the arse-end. But i think that's a commen problem nowadays...

 

I've driven a bit of everything really, from big pickups and 4x4's (jeep grand cherokee and L200 etc), My other half drives a 2.5 V6 vectra, I've had a shot of the golfs and the focus, I've driven the obvious Nova's escorts fiesta's and mini's. I've driven a BIG turbo SAAB 95, various hire cars, a couple of different hondas, Numerous Vans and oh yeah..... a couple of forklifts.

I don't have a picture of that but if you wait till monday night I'll go take a picture. It's been good in the winter casue it's got the automatic cover screen you'd forgot you actually have the "skywindow" not noticed any cracking or anything on it. the city mode and the ABS are fairly handy on the snow and that.

MiniG

 

I've just recently bought myself a Seat Ibiza, it's a well built car in my opinion if a bit small for your needs. I'd recommend a Seat Leon if they're anything like my ibiza and they're certainly within your price range.

philth

 

My current two favourites are the Fiat Stilo 1.9JTD & the Seat Leon 1.9TDI SE (130)


The stilo works out cheaper are far superior spec wise (sat nav, massive sunroof, leather interior, bodykit) than the leon which I dont think has any of the above. But the Leon is nicer looking than the stilo.

Opinions ?

 

I don't see that there is as large of a difference in price as you are making out. I'd still recommend the Leon, as owning an SE spec Ibiza myself i think there are plenty of toys to play with (my friends still can't get over the cup holder in the dash).
I think the build quality of the Seat is superior to the Fiat; my sister owning a 'tinny', as my mother puts it, punto herself. The engine, apart from being more powerful, is made by volkswagen. Pop over to www.seatenthusiasts.co.uk and have a look round their forums to see what people think.

philth

 

Price of a Leon 1.9TDI SE 130 - £15265
Usual features like electric windows, spoiler etc.
Top Speed 127 0-60 9.8s

Price of a Stilo 1.9JTD - £13769
Skyroof, Rear Airbags, Leather Wheel, 17" Alloys, Alarm, Side Skirst & Spoiler, Sat Nav! 8 speakers & subwoofer package
Top Speed 119 0-60 10.2


Ok so the stilo is a little slower than the leon
Its £1496 cheaper than the leon even with all of the optional extras.....now I think thats a bargain !


But of course ive never seen or been in either of the two cars so a bargain may not turn out to be that good up close

 

Seat = VAG = teh win.

*n