2002 FIAT Punto HGT Review: A Cool Car for Young People

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Today I drive an often overlooked little car from Italy - the FIAT Punto HGT. The sportiest variant of the second generation Punto, this today is a bit of a bargain.
Thanks to @Project40Cars for coming out
#Abarth #FIAT #fiatpunto
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[@JayEmmOnCars]

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[@Project40Cars]

Thanks for filming James, glad you enjoyed the Punto! I’ll be sorting the woeful gear change in the coming weeks 🎉

[@MrGwaldo]

Just wondering what size wheels and tyres it has fitted vs standard?

[@Project40Cars]

@@MrGwaldo15 inch wheels which are the same size as standard. It propbably needs some suspension refreshing.

[@Quattro_Joe]

That short shifter will Be a game changer.

[@MrGwaldo]

@@Project40Cars it’s a nice little car mate. I have the Speedline Turinis on my 182 Trophy.

[@Project40Cars]

@@MrGwaldo thanks! I love the simplicity compared to my other project cars 😂

[@jochem1986]

As someone in the process of T-Jet swapping my Panda 100HP, this fast Fiat content is really keeping the motivation high! It's a 595 Turismo Euro 6 engine for those who care. 165 PS.

[@jazzventura]

I miss my 100HP dearly, I'm gonna buy one again for sure.

[@edward1591]

As someone who had a Panda 100hp, that was a swap I always wanted. Great little car, good luck.

[@bennp2000]

Nice. I had a 595 Comp and thought the chassis really couldn't deal very well with the extra power over the Turismo.

[@kenshilcock7198]

Had a 1.2 from near new as the family shopping cart. Low power but the trad Fiat foursquare engine had a wonderful Scrappy-Doo 'let me at 'em' feel to it. Really enjoyable

[@InfiniteForces]

It may not be a powerhouse in Europe anymore,but it's because they shift their focus over to their most profitable market: Brazil,my country. Here it's quite the opposite,everyone but a few forget about the 500,but it's because they have more popular alternatives(before it was the Palio family with the Palio hatchback,Siena sedan,Strada compact pickup and the SW Palio Weekend,nowadays it's the Argo hatchback with the Cronos sedan,the 2nd gen Strada pickup,the Pulse compact crossover,and the Fastback coupe SUV,with the latter 2 ones having both Abarth versions with a peppy 1.3 Turbo making around 185hp and 240nm of torque),they're considered here one of the "big 4" alongside VW,Chevy and Hyundai(which took Ford's place after they left Brazil in 2022). You see Fiats everywhere here,and from time to time,you get to see a Fiat Marea or a Brava,which was so ahead of the time that barely any mechanics touch them,then call them a ticking time bomb due to how outlandish their mechanics are,but it paved the way for electronics to invade the cars here in my country.

[@Рашка-у8й]

Bravo/a were built on the super conservative Tipo platform iirc. Nothing outlandish.

[@dogblessamerica]

I had a Bravo HLX - I adored it. Can't remember it being problematic mechanically.

[@dookieday1]

This month ive owned and daily driven my hgt ,21 years now. Thanks for posting James,and giving us an insight on project 40 's lovely hgt.

[@lptomtom]

How many miles does yours have? Has it been reliable?

[@dookieday1]

@@lptomtom 320 km, has a few issues due to age now , but never broken down, super reliable , I run on on lpg last 10 years no problem.

[@renatoblazina8273]

Owned Punto Sporting 1.2 16v yellow like this one...had Remus,K&N intake and adjustable suspension, so good that car was

[@ca9968]

I`d love to see what you thought of the Fiat Uno Turbo... Those things were mental!

[@panpaletkalg2550]

my driving school had uno turbo as students car around 1995, sadly i never drove it

[@jt-hb8lh]

​@@panpaletkalg2550Uno turbo as a driving school car??Were they training lads for Group N rallying 😂😂?

[@edombre4637]

I had 2 uno turbos, the first and second series. They were fantastic cars; I especially loved my first series, white with red interior, drove beautifully and never let me down.

[@ca9968]

@@jt-hb8lh 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ca9968]

@@edombre4637 I grew up in South Africa and they were incredibly popular, they still are over there...there are a few modded examples that push crazy power that get used in the drag racing scene...

[@aja4191]

I had a first gen punto 85 sx. 1.2 16v engine & great fun to drive with a lot of character.

[@Snarl616]

As a proud Piat Punto 188 owner, thank you. The hot version MUST become a classic.

[@JK061996]

I've always liked the pre-facelift Mk2 Punto with its futuristic headlights and subtly aggressive styling. My aunt had a 3dr like this but with the 1.2, unfortunately it got totaled in a fender bender with a minivan

[@Kacpa2]

Yeah, facelift was quite awful.

[@bonofrancou2]

@@Kacpa2bit dodgy in the back

[@c9ckl]

HGT. Had one, just loved it. Now got a Barchetta. Love that.

[@TheMarsMarine]

Pleasantly surprised to see Project40s Punto HGT on the Jayemmm channel 😊 been following the Puntos progress. Being a massive Fiat fan, and my first car being a 1.2 8 valve version of the Mk2b Punto, I've got an itch to get an HGT😅 Thank you guys😊

[@ChrisFEJackson]

Nice content, always nice to see these older cars get the review they and their owners deserve. Thanks Jay!

[@brucechappell9961]

I had one of these also in yellow. Absolutely loved it. Was my first 'good' car. Cambelt snapped, bent all the valves, but I still adored it. Ah, memories.....

[@dwarfshortage244]

Gorgeous car, always been on my list. Wanted one for my first car but ended up with an Uno 45 due to the ridiculous insurance costs, then moved on to a Seicento Sporting that was modded to hell and back. Love me a small hot Italian.

[@Project40Cars]

Thank you!

[@hvacrwrld1402]

My sis had a seicento abarth. I flipping loved that thing. Had a 12inch sub aswell😂😂😂 #maxpower

[@Project40Cars]

@@hvacrwrld1402 thats a big sub, must have vibrated the doors off the Seicento 🤣

[@p0m1gr]

I own the facelifted 1.2 version (with the 60hp motor unfortunately) and it's a lovely little thing. It is the perfect little city car, and I got it for a good amount less than 2000£. That being said, it is nothing to write home about on the highway, if anything, it can be quite scary at times. But hey, it's a good car overall.

[@dusankocisevic6823]

I had my Punto 2FL 60hp for 13 years, been across half Europe with it…. 💚🤍❤️

[@p0m1gr]

@@dusankocisevic6823 mate, you are a hero haha! What is your cruising speed like on the highway? Mine seems to be struggling to reach 120-130kms and it doesn't go any further than that so I'm thinking there's some underlying issue with it

[@dusankocisevic6823]

@@p0m1gr definitely something wrong. I got it brand new in 2007… three of us inside with full-packed booth, plus AC on, with good petrol 140 is no big deal! It just neeeeds some time to get there😂😂

[@L888-z6j]

Great video Jay! Please do one with a Bravo HGT as well, it's a 5cylinder masterpiece with beautiful sound!

[@306hdipug]

I had the bravo hgt 155 in that yellow the engine sound was one I’ll never forget 👍

[@NenadTrajkovic]

I bought my punto mk2 to have a car during some of my hard times, but now I can openly say that I'm in love with it...small, cheap, durable, stylish, frugal, easy to drive, manageable...and much more ! 🇮🇹🚗💨💨💨🇮🇹

[@simonh870]

I always liked these but never got around to buying one. A proper old school hot hatch with a nice (for a 4 cylinder) exhaust note. The engine is closely related to the Alfa 1.8 Twin spark. It has the same bottom end but a different cylinder head.

[@tileng.5186]

Yes, but only 1.8 16v TS. 1.8 8v TS is completely different.

[@simonh870]

@@tileng.5186 Yes that is the old Nord engine with aluminium block and timing chain.

[@Frenchesco1]

Great to see Project40 featured on the channel!

[@steerj07]

Good throwback. My first car was that shape Punto, think the HGT would've bankrupted me to insure at 17

[@fatman5799]

Also my first car, was brilliant other than liked to eat headgaskets, lovely little car, always wanted a hgt

[@lucasherrington7567]

Currently my first car, typical electrical problems but I wouldn't have anything else

[@fatman5799]

@@lucasherrington7567 check fusebox, mine was full of leaves and standing water

[@PeterComber]

For many years I zoomed around in a Punto 1.9 Multijet diesel. "Only" 101 hp compared to the 131 hp of the HGT however it had 260 Nm at 1750 revs compared to 164 Nm a 4.300 giri. Fun, frugal and reliable.

[@markos8400]

We didn't get that one in Croatia. I had 1.9JTD with 80hp, but 200Nm at 1500rpm (IHI turbo). Great daily!

[@miralemnermina142]

@@markos8400 we had hgt diesels in Croatia, what are you talking about

[@markos8400]

@@miralemnermina142 Maybe they came after I bought mine (2002), at that time it was only 1.9D and 1.9JTD(59kW) - Autocommerce Zagreb.

[@ilpatongi]

@mnermina142 The HGT is purely petrol, you just had a glorified trim

[@miralemnermina142]

@@ilpatongi there were hgt jtd for sale, stock trim

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

I've driven the 1.2 Sporting model and was surprised in its performance. And knowing the tax and costs are gonna be low due to engine size. Cant go wrong !

[@jo05dk]

I used to walk past a Punto Sporting in that yellow. The sporty versions of this generation of Punto doesn't speak to me, they shout. They're charm defined, good looking, fun. To me a mix of a Sporting with its 6 speed gearbox, and this engine, would be the perfect setup.

[@eddiej1980]

I’ve had 2 x 1.9JTDs and they were the most enjoyable cars I have ever had. The styling still looks good 25 years later

[@robertpinkney4778]

Good to see Project40’s HGT on the channel. I had a Punto HGT back in the day. It was a good car, mine was immaculate, but it was a shame that it was more of a ‘mild’ hatch compared to a hot hatch. Maybe the 2.0 from an Alfa would’ve been a better option and some chassis mods. Great review!

[@Birmingham_racing]

Get the gt turbo on the channel and watch the views

[@pizzamad3334]

find one... been looking for years

[@philipgreensmith1694]

You couldn't find one 30 years ago that hadn't been abused to within an inch of its life or totally boy racered out or crashed!

[@autosportivobedford]

We just filmed a Gt turbo against the abarth punto evo.

[@tomk8729]

Not a patch on the Fiat Uno Turbo. Took one from Glasgow to Avignon for a long weekend once, back in the early 90s. Utter hooligan wagon. Not that quick to 60 (about 8 sec if I recall correcty) but fierce turbo made it fast enough overtaking to frighten much more exotic machinery.

[@roysoutdoorlife]

Yay! I had an HGT in 2004. Loved it - in its day it was pretty nippy. The handling was great too, they had passive rear steer and you set it up right on corner entry it was on rails. Ace car!

[@bluwusky5167]

Loved seeing one of these, a HGT is something I'm considering buying in the future. My first car was a much more basic Punto, a 54-plate 1.2 Active in metallic black. A proper little ball of fun that was also a practical shopping car, a mature and comfy motorway mile-muncher, and supremely economical- I would have had to really try to get less than 50mpg. What got me down about it though, was that my particular car was a bit of a lemon and had constant electrical issues- power steering cutting out, injectors not firing if it got wet- and I dared not use City mode for fear of the whole system self-destructing. Still, I wouldn't mind a better-sorted example

[@iancharlton678]

Nice one James 🎉 Love a Fiat…… and I think I lived through the best times…… left school in 1980 into the valeting dept of an Essex multi franchise dealers. Mercedes (stodgy), Toyota (worthy but dull - save the Celica GT) and Fiat 🙂 We ran a Mirafiori 131S at home and Mums 126 🥳 The lineup back then was awesome, 126 was hilarious (I’ve owned them myself), 127, 128, the bonkers 130 and the brilliant 131 Mirafiori Sport (in Orange❤️) - what a car !! Then we had the X19 and the Strada, including a heated up version…… they were magnificent, quirky and fun. In my youth we had a pair of 850 rear engined weapons, for our nightly rallying around the Essex Greenbelt…… Fiats were fun, faintly exotic…… different. Now, they’re just a generic platform with vaguely reminiscent styling, to hook the nostalgic…..😢

[@PenryMMJ]

My girlfriend had that shape Punto. It wasn't an HGT but it was quite a nippy little car, good cheap fun. Unfortunately it did rust and is no more. Now she's driving a Panda, which I think is the only car Fiat make that isn't a 500.

[@Stanley88845]

Very very cool car, love the colour and the exhaust is a nice touch!

[@lawrencehooper4341]

I used to have a Bravo HGT and I miss that car to this day. It was fantastic fun even though i also had an Elise 111R around the same time. Had both for 10 years and never had any problems at all with either. Almost forgot to mention that the 5 cylinder HGT made a great sound. Also, the brake pedal on the Bravo was rock hard e.g. almost no movement and a firm press required, which felt fantastic. By comparison, the Elise brake pedal was like stepping on a wet sponge.

[@haikorudigr3818]

The most interesting thing form me view is: Would you go out and buy one? Or would you go and get something different like a cooper or let’s say a swift sport. In terms of reliability, fuel economy, maintenance cost, and so on. Cause what’s it’s one thing to have money to buy a car, but being able to keep it on the road is where the expenses really start.

[@Gazshadows]

Youre right, you just dont see them anymore. I had a MK1 as my first car for 3 and a half years. Served me well.

[@fatwalletboy2]

Theres a few Fiats about worth looking at...... 130TC Strada Abarth UNO Turbo Mk1 1301 or Mk2 1372 ie PUNTO Mk1 16v Sporting or GT 1372 CINQUECENTO Sporting (huge fun and was a roaraway success for Fiat who just could not make enough of them) Bravo Mk1 150 sport

[@Snarl616]

Fiats are actually good cars and surprisingly reliable. Don't listen to prejudices, they are about much older models.

[@GeordieAmanda]

I've owned the 130TC (boot rusted through by it was 3 years old!! and an Uno Turbo ie (II). 130TC was a brilliant car in its day :) Also owned the X1/9, a brilliant little car.

[@karllelliott681]

@@GeordieAmanda I had a dark grey one (130TC) in the early 90s. Loved the 8v twin cam engine and lack of power steering, but it just got too expensive finding the parts to maintain it. Did you always have issues with the clutch cable breaking?

[@GeordieAmanda]

@@karllelliott681 Hahahaha. Yes! Every 10k miles the cable snapped! I learnt how to replace it myself and once had to ring the AA as I need a second 10mm spanner. I felt so proud of myself for learning to fix the cable, but made the rookie mistake of having 2 x10mm nuts (one as a lock nut) on the clutch cable and only having one spanner for it. Still, I got credit for doing all the donkey work and the AA man got to right up that he fixed a snapped clutch in about 10 minutes (this included me having a quick test hoon around the service station I have pulled into). Woman can fix cars, but perhaps we need more spanners is my take on it :D

[@karllelliott681]

@@GeordieAmanda Nice one Amanda! your a better fixer than me and yes, every year or so it would go due to the RHD routing! I used to work at a bank with a lady called Karen who always did her own car work too (American stuff normally). I always admired her for that!

[@roysoutdoorlife]

Commenting as I'm listening. The City button was famously known as the Girly Button (it was in their adverts at the time) - probably can't get away with that these days! If I remember correctly, City mode automatically turned off once you hit 40mph.

[@cooperSpartan117]

Pleasant watch, nice to see you enjoying the punto. Had a facelift sporting as my second car back when I was 18. Nice car apart from the gearbox exploding (literally) two weeks after I bought it. Tonnes of space for a little car and had enough power for a young lad. Was good on fuel as well

[@nakoma5]

Was it the M32 6 speed? That's what that transmission is known for, self destruction.

[@janstaes2172]

nice vid. i would love to see you do a test of the 1gen from the '90 punto GT turbo. This was a hand full, turbo lag and all very old skool.

[@The_BenboBaggins]

Little Fiats of that era (and the Uno/Panda before) were really underrated for practicality! My 5 door Uno was cavernous with the seats down! 🤓

[@stewartturner814]

Great film on a great little car 😊. Love the shirt too 👍. I am a big fan of checked shirts . Supprising that I am not wearing one today 😂

[@TheMildperil]

I know a guy who bought HGT Punto for £400, took it to a track day and let anyone who wanted take it for a few laps. The consensus was that it was really rather good, and very easy and confidence inspiring to drive hard. I had way more fun in it that the MG TF I drove on the same day.

[@jaysmartin]

Lovely looking little hatch and i really like the rasp 😍

[@bavelnaard]

Brilliant sound this car makes. I believe this is the Fiat/Alfa/Lancia 1750cc engine (1747 actually) and they are indeed a hoot in any guise, even in the heavier carmodels like an Alfa 156 or Lancia Delta/Dedra. One can easily rev the valves through the bonnet and it won't complain. It's cars and engines like these that can put a big smile on your face, everytime you drive it.

[@djones1304]

I had a silver version. loved it. crazy small satnav! CD changer.

[@kristianspencer1978]

The punto gt was always a car I liked back in the day, and I wanted a mk2 uno turbo ie but never had the wedge to buy one unfortunately .. great cars..👍

[@cookingupbeats]

Had a HGT when I going for my license. Then had it for maybe 2 more years. Liked it but not the rust and the electrical problems, was becoming a money pit so in the end I scrapped it. Thought about getting another miht just do that one day.

[@williammillard687]

'Never mind' - top advice! 👍👌

[@spavatch]

I, too, just turned 40 and my first car was also a Punto but one with no H and with a lot more T 😉 1.4 turbo made it go like a bullet - very fast and in a straight line. It gave me so many great memories I’ve decided to keep it, especially seeing how other GT owners I knew regretted selling them and sometimes even bought them back. And owning it for 20+ years straight comes with a bonus - I don’t need to buy another medicine for mid-life crisis 😅

[@johndavies7282]

There was a Punto 1.4 16v sporting of this gen, with 95bhp which was a sweet little car 😍

[@dobo2232]

I wish Australia had cool and strange hot hatches like this one which I had no idea existed thanks James for sharing this epic car with us

[@knightofcydonia07]

Crikey, that sounds sensational. A proper Italian sound.

[@mikadavies660]

Love these quirky cars. 👍 I have fond memories of a Fiat Coupe Turbo, that was considerably modified. Then you could take a car a double its output. These days they would throw a rod if you tried.

[@Jo3man96]

The induction noise from those front mounted cameras sounds like someone making the engine noises. I want one now.

[@podio_km4g532]

3:38 i see a fiat punto sporting parked where I leave the car to go to school every single day. Never realized how "rare" they were

[@m.p.509]

Hope you feel better soon, James!

[@DarkCrusader157]

I had two Punto HGTs both the Same year ‘99s. I unfortunately had to sell one but still have one which I had to take off the road due to failing valve stems and possibly a bearing. I’m currently retro restoring it on an ad-hoc basis. Can’t wait to fully restore it before I’m told I can’t drive it in ULEZ zones 😂😂😂 I’m determined to get it done, with more days on the open road! It’s interesting you said only two running ! Last time I checked there were according to DVLA 129 SORN and now there’s only 45 SORN including mine. So they’re dropping like flies! 🫢 spoiler for you, y’know what’s rarer than finding a HGT? Finding an original one in WHITE… There’s probably one sitting in a barn somewhere though I’m sure…😅 Great video 👍🏽😎

[@motosnape]

Not long after I started driving in 1999, I had a Mk1 MR2 (AW11). When the MR2 (such a brilliant car) had to go, I bought a nearly new Mk1 Punto Sporting 16V. After the MR2, the Punto had big shoes to fill. Unsurprisingly, the Punto wasn't the pure, unadulterated fun of the MR2, but it still makes it into the top 5 of the many cars (some of them interesting) that I've owned.

[@michaelleaver1766]

I'm not young but after decades of motorcycles and change of personal circumstances,I swapped from 2 wheels to 4.I looked at warm/hot hatches but running costs insurance especially with no NCB being fierce,I looked at Ford Focus but just a standard 1.6 mk3,upon research I found that insuring a Zetec S 1.6 Ecoboost 180bhp was cheaper!!! So a Fiesta ST motor in a more practical car,win win,get over 40mpg unless its very cold or I'm too heavy with the right foot! On my 2nd one now as 1st one written off whilst I wasn't present.Stronger than the 1.0 Ecoboom/Weakoboost plus went to a Ford Main Dealer to compare costs of Timing Belt change £555 for the 1.6 or £1200+ for the 1.0! So it seems what you save in fuel you'll spend on maintenance instead.Not saying its a perfect car,but at least the supply of parts new/used or pattern is freely available in comparison to most.......

[@thegees]

as a current young person i like this shape

[@TenderNick]

Mk 2 Punto was briefly produced in Serbia as a Zastava 10 under licence feom Fiat.

[@Mrcento]

Had one, Very similar to this one, really did have a surprising turn of pace to it when the VVT kicked in, but my god was it thirsty for what it was... Wasn't unusual to be pulling low 20's in mixed driving. Agree on the gearbox too, it's quite 'commercial vehicle' feeling.

[@markopetrunic7598]

A car i owned 20 years ago. Still miss my punto.

[@jimmyfarley5581]

Awesome video as always. Im curious to know what HGT stands for?

[@dang9059]

My friends wife had a crash in one of these and it was surprisingly well made and thankfully everyone was ok

[@theun-personing5674]

Always wanted an Abarth punto evo but the prices are mental.

[@melaniezimmermann-jv7th]

Yes but they hold their value. 👍

[@ilpatongi]

@@melaniezimmermann-jv7th No they don't

[@SturbokSensei]

Could immediately tell the owner cares for this car from seeing the more expensive Yuasa battery in the engine bay. Abarth body kit suits the car very well and that colour is just spot on for a sportier example. I suspect the steering has gained a relative improvement over time. When this car came out you could still find a lot of 90's cars with hydraulic racks that had fabulously natural feedback and centering (not all hydraulic racks were great feeling i remember that too) where as now 99% of modern/newish vehicles have absolutely no feedback coming through the wheel and everything from the weighting to the centering of the steering feels artificial. So if you now jump into the same car the experience relative to other cars on the road has improved. Other thing is tyre technology has improved massively from the late 90's. Thanks for documenting this forgotten gem of a car!

[@philipmulville8218]

By accident or design, nice to see Punto & Panda on left as James drives by at 05.35.

[@asciimation]

There is a 2004 HGT Abarth for sale in NZ with 232000km for $NZ3200. About 1600 quid. No idea if that's good or not, not my kind of car. But it's always interesting to see if cars James talks about are even available here and how much they cost so I often look.

[@deanlaunder4133]

The hgt came in a few colours I have owned a burnt orange, silver and red mk2/a punto hgt over the years

[@shingosshojiopoulos6608]

I am actually searching for one to buy right now. I prefer it over the GT

[@jonathanberglind4589]

I do think the pre-facelift just like that car you’re reviewing looks much better and sportier than the facelifted model that was just like a post facelift multipla

[@Jam3sA]

I've had two instances of driving MK2 Puntos. The first was a base 1.2 hire car that was so slow it was dangerous. The rear springs felt like wooden chicks & dashboard also came adrift. The 2nd was a 1.2 Sporting that I nearly bought. It handled well (though still had poor rear suspension), there were just a few issues. The six speed felt like it ate into the turning circle, it still felt underpowered (especially with a "Sporting" moniker), and a similar age Fiesta 1.6 was cheaper.

[@josefgordon7712]

Looks so refreshingly funky 😝

[@Illuminacent]

Owned a Sporting version back then which only had 80 hp. Still we used it as a camera car since was the only car which could keep up with 400+ hp drift cars in the corners. Plus once lent to my bro n he called me that the cops caught him doin 145 kmh in a 60 kmh bend. The whole county's police officers got there just to have a good laugh. The car got crashed, rolled over but still kept going, stirdy little bugger. Good old memories :)

[@Quattro_Joe]

The HGT is also available in silver blue and green. I’ve got silver. And if you’re living in Ireland and under 30 you have zero chance of getting one of these insured for under €2000 I had to get a classic policy due to Being quoted €2300 🤮🤮. Great little car, far better than most modern stuff for me due to the engine being an absolute gem to rev out.

[@LoftechUK]

The on;y Fiat I’ve driven is a 126 when I was a chap. Long long time ago.

[@mmjackk667]

You should try the Abarth Ducato Turbo Cabriolet.

[@Ramcharger85]

That car in that color my grandmother would approve. Me I just want one. 😊❤

[@princesssolace4337]

i really luv this hot hatch ... especially the Punto GT turbo

[@zzhughesd]

Rare ish in day. Loved them in motor trade to sell … even 05-10 you didn’t see them used

[@bennp2000]

So my wife and i had two Punto HGT but the JTD engine (we did 25k miles a year at the time). They were amazing. The first one clearly had a remap on it as i never found another with the same grunt. Also, we had a crash in the first (someone turned on red across a dual carriageway so we hit their b pillar at 70mph) so i can attest to the effectiveness of the additional airbags not found in lower spec models. Neither of mine were the colours you suggest either. One was a dark grey and the other (earlier) was blue. Was this limited to the JTD versions? Basic tasks like changing headlight bulbs are quite challenging when the owner's manual show a 1.2 engine with plenty of space underneath the bonnet. The sporting was available as a 1.4 16v wasn't it?

[@gtommy0258]

I had a Fiat Marea Weekend with the 1.9 JTD 110 engine, it was unstoppable. But I think it could be a little bit heavy on a light car like Punto

[@bennp2000]

@@gtommy0258 it was a little heavy from memory but I followed a path of 1.9TDIs in relatively small hatchbacks with a Fabia vRS afterward. Do you think there's a big difference between the 1.8 petrol and 1.9 JTD in weight? Edit: only looks to be 35kg according to Parkers (1040kg vs 1075kg).

[@gtommy0258]

@@bennp2000 I don't know exactly, currently I have a mk2 Punto with the 1.2 8v engine, and it's very light. The Marea with the JTD on wet used to understeer more then the Punto, but they have different chassis so, I was asking because I neved drove a Punto with the JTD engine ;)

[@bennp2000]

I've got fond memories of both examples we owned although the second which was actually an earlier model was never quite as good. It's only recently with a vast reduction in mileage that I've returned to petrol cars and I'm increasingly of the opinion is small and light is the key to an enjoyable drive.

[@aslee3312]

The facelift Sporting was 1.4, this shape Sporting was 1.2.

[@g.w.customcreations3534]

A mate of mine had a black abarth many years ago, with an all black, half leather interior. Lovely little thing, very cool car at the time. Unfortunately the 1.9l nasp diesel lump was asthmatic at best. 😂😂😂

[@martinclapton2724]

Comes from a great era of Fiat cars.

[@100const]

Curious comments about steering weight. Before assistance steering always gets lighter when speeding up not "firmer".

[@jeremywentworth1833]

Always quite liked the MK1 Punto GT Turbo which the little 1.4 Turbo did 0-60 in just under 8 seconds. The owner of the car is diluded if he thinks 40 is middle aged , it's possibly 45 at a push I'm definitely at 54.

[@DannyRhym3z]

Underrated car

[@MezMan37]

Sold these when I was 19 in the 2000s...im sure they came in blue and silver also? Great hot hatches at the time, better than the ford's of that era by far

[@eric-wb7gj]

TY J 🙏🙏

[@jamesengland7461]

I had forgotten you'd had the Cayenne! What happened to it? Don't remember seeing a video about getting rid of it.

[@craigemblem3562]

I loved my HGT (non abarth) but it was blue.. I'm sure there was silver, blue, black and yellow.

[@t1agosantos]

There's the Tipo, witch around here is seen a lot. Impossible to go to the street and not seeing one.

[@lasskinn474]

was in the passenger seat when a geezer cut through 3 lanes in front of us with a lada in this era punto. so anyway long story short the punto got totaled and the lada had a dent.

[@DjNikGnashers]

You didn't got to Maccies in it ? That is it's natural habitat.

[@paulmichael3844]

Was never going to be as good as the fiat punto GT mk1 I had 2 of them

[@BReal-10EC]

Sadly, it seems many budget front wheel drive car manual transmission linkages do not age well. After some time all the rubbers shrink and it becomes a vague experience- and it was not brilliant when brand new. That's one reason why old Miatas always made me smile- shifter directly bolted the the tranny.

[@Inazuma68]

I liked that car a lot but a real blast is the Uno turbo. I prefer the first gen, which I think looks stunning. I miss that kind of car, remember in the 80s the Uno turbo and the R5 turbo 👌 real lightweights with enough power to scare you