No Budget Reviews: 1994 Fiat Punto Mark I 1.1 55 SX - Lloyd Vehicle Consulting

[@tealdreams]

How beautiful! My all time favorite car since 1995. It’s a real pleasure to see one in such great condition. Thank you for sharing! 💛

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting, glad you enjoyed the video!

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Mk 1 Punto! A fantastic car. I owned a rare 55EL 6 Speed - bought at 18 months old. It was great - looked brilliant, and had a really well designed interior. It wasn’t fast, but the 6 speed gearbox made it fun to drive. Trim and equipment was halfway between the S and SX - body coloured bumpers, remote stereo controls, but no central locking or electric windows. Sadly I managed to blow the head gasket (apparently quite common), and realised that for the miles I was doing cross country, I needed something with more power.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, the cylinder heads did tend to be a problem on these earlier FIRE engines. The six speed cars were quite rare, the 55 ELs must have been ever rarer! Funny how you got the remote stereo controls, but no electric windows or central locking... Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@frazzleface753]

A huge success for Fiat, showing their continuing expertise in small cars. I was very taken with the Punto and almost got one in 1999, but Fiat were offering a good deal on the Bravo 80 SX at the time, so I went for that instead. Did I make the right decision? Debatable! But hindsight is 20/20, and if I could do it over again I would have bought a second hand Fiat Coupe or Alfa 164. Thank you, sir, for bringing us this 30 YEAR OLD (!) time-warp in excellent condition. Is there still an 'Emergency on Planet Earth'?, Mr. Lloyd?!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Sir, you could argue there is still an emergency on Planet Earth... Very popular car, up there with the Micra K11 and Corsa B when new as one of the best in the class, as the Mark III Fiesta and Rover Metro were quite outdated by 1994. The Brava/Bravo 1.2 80s were remarkably willing for such a small engine.

[@mattw8332]

Fiat had to sell Mareas at a bit of a discount too around this time.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@mattw8332 , you are absolutely correct, sir!

[@stevenjervis1184]

My wife and I had a punto mk 2 3door great little car and we we had many fun tours in that car purchased it brand new can still remember the reg sc51ukg

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I would actually like to try a Mark II Punto, as I have had two Mark Is and two Mark IIIs on the channel already. Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting!

[@markonmotoring]

My Aunti had three punto's, the first of which was a MK1 base model three door 55 S. That SX actually looks like a really nice spec for the time. Front fog lamps integrated into those grey bumpers and a review counter and electric windows were all very nice things to have in your 1990's hatchback. I remember a big deal being made about the Punto being the only car in its class available with a six speed gearbox at the time even though you never actually saw them in the wild.

[@David_H-73]

Definitely a reg for you Mark. The Punto EL 6 speed and later SX 6 speed sold in very small numbers in UK (around 650 in total) and sadly none are currently registered.

[@markonmotoring]

@@David_H-73 yes I spotted the plate. 😅

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

That's right, the six speed Puntos were very rare, sir. The SX is a surprisingly good specification for the second one up the trim structure, as something like a Metro 1.1 L was pretty basic.

[@seancooke7332]

I remember driving a 55S in Tenerife in 1995 and being amazed at its spaciousness and comfort. Also the build was much better that the Uno that the Punto replaced. My Brother owned a 1995 55SX which he really loved sadly it was written off. Had it not been badly damaged he was in no hurry to part with it. It is true to say that the facelift model was no better than the original but it did have that famous claim that its headlights were donated to the fabulous MG X Power SV Supercar. Incidentally the latest models of the Fiat Uno were sold with fuel injection on their FIRE engines and a catalytic converter. You will find one of the later Fiat Unos to be a surprisingly good car to drive also Sir. Lovely steering, good rear head and legroom, amazing cornering grip and good brakes. Generally cars in this class did not come with power steering as standard. It was not until 1995 when the Rover 200, the facelift Vauxhall Astra G and I think the Seat Ibiza made power steering standard across the range. Following this all manufacturers started to follow suit making power steering a standard fit.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Sir, unfortunately, it was the Mark II Punto headlamps which were used on the MG XPower SV, not the Mark I facelift. The Mark II was not just a heavy facelift, the body was completely new. The Astra you are referring to is the Mark III/Astra F, not the Astra G. I think power steering was standard on the R8 200s a bit earlier than that, but certainly with the R3 200, they certainly all had it on launch in 1995.

[@darrenwilson8042]

My Mrs had an Uno 45 loved it. Then a Punto 60s koved it. Then got a go in a Matiz with PAS and never looked back. Heavy steering around the crossover time from non-PAS to PAS as standard was a game changer

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, I didn't like the unassisted steering in this car, although I have driven much heavier cars than this. The 60 S would have had a bit more power. Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting!

[@frothe42]

An excellent low mileage Fiat Punto! Plenty of vents, especially in the centre, for fresh air ventilation. Excellent review as always Joseph!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

We aim to please, sir! Thank you very much indeed again for watching.

[@colinsmith3729]

Great car....Bought a 55sx in white N447DBK, and did 44,000 miles in the first 3 years with no issues! loved it.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

That must have been a local car to the same area I filmed this one!

[@colinsmith3729]

It was purchased in portsmouth... @@lloydvehicleconsulting

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

That's right, or somewhere in the surrounding area. The Portsmouth registration area is massive,

[@mattw8332]

Certainly worth taking a Punt on, I'd say. 😁 Fiat did some great colours like this yellow and the metallic copper or burnt orange that was available on the 1997 facelift and mark 2 Punto. I like a bit of Jamiroquai. Emergency On Planet Earth was their debut album.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, the vibrant colours on these were all part of the fun, I think. Many car colours these days are quite sombre by comparison. The facelift was extremely subtle indeed...

[@mfitzy100]

They were brilliant little cars and great value. They were everywhere here in Ireland. Sadly all gone now

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I can't imagine that they lasted particularly well if they were known for rust issues. This car is in excellent condition in that respect. Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting!

[@jamesspeytebroodt7237]

was a top seller regularly in ireland. yeah indeed hardly see any. I m in belgium. ditto. completly gone

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting!

[@Andy-eo3mq]

That superb styling makes the state of modern cars truly bloody depressing! 🙁 Back in 2007, a mk1 Punto was originally what I wanted when I was looking for my 1st car. Even then, cars with price tags around the £1500 were a bit tatty, so at my Dads' recommendation, I upped my budget; and I ended up getting a 2001 Daewoo Matiz to learn to drive in.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, £1500 was a fair bit more money in 2007. There would have been about a million Matizes for sale at the time, all with very cheap insurance, so not necessarily a bad option, although I imagine these Puntos drive better.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

These were fun and youthful when new, compared to the competition.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

They were similar to the Corsa B and K11 Micra, which came out just before the Punto, in that they moved the game along for small cars significantly. The Mark III Polo, which came out a bit later, was also instrumental in this.

[@carstenweiland7896]

I loved my 60SX comfy on long trips, nothing went wrong, sold it with 230tkm after 12 years.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting!

[@leightonrawlings3971]

I had a 1998 Sreg Punto 1.2 60 SX 5 door in blue, it took me everywhere and then the gasket blew!!!!!!! I got rid of it in the end as it was falling apart!!!!!!!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Oh yes, the cylinder head issues on these earlier FIRE engines were a real thing... Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting.

[@user-xz4kq3oh5g]

I love my Punto. I have a 95 N reg 75elx in the same lovely exploit yellow. Can’t wait to tax it in the next couple of months for the summer

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The 75 ELX is quite a rare variant, actually. I am surprised how cheaply that you can still buy these, given they aren't that common any more.

[@user-xz4kq3oh5g]

According to how many left, only 6 remain. I bought mine for £800 ten years ago, and have rebuilt it from scratch. Still probably only worth about £800 now though 😂

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, not exactly a common specification...

[@aslandama]

I still love this Mk1 model, in fact I've had six of them, two 60s models two Sporting 16v models a a 55s. I think the 1.1 had a much better sounding engine than the 1.2 but that could just be my imagination as you would think they should sound the same. I've had my eye out for another 1.1 for some time but it's got to be a three door in the right colour and in very good condition, I may never find one , this example does look to be immaculate really.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, superb condition, unbelievable, really. Steering was a bit too heavy for my liking, and at faster speeds I found the last one I drove did not have a lot of steering feel either, despite lacking power assistance. Very strange! Engine sounded fine to me, the 1.2 Brava I drove last year also sounded great.

[@davidrumming4734]

In remarkable condition for age. Very modern looking for its age. And, Fiat employed the less is more methodology for the design in & out….and it looks great.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

This was one of the biggest surprises so far this year. Having driven another, more powerful and better specified Mark I Punto of this era in 2022, I was expecting to not be particularly impressed. In the context of 2024, however, it still seems relatively modern and user friendly for a 30 year old car.

[@jefferysmith3930]

Love the color….an actual color! And the color splashes in the seats. Hard to believe that car is 30 years old

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, 30 years old, which makes me feel a bit strange given I remember when these came out!

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

This little Punto still looks good today, as per yourself I remember these in What Car Magazine at Launch. A excellent little review as always Sir.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

We aim to please, Mr Watters! The weather was terrible on the day of filming, but it did not hamper my enjoyment too much.

[@Andy-eo3mq]

On perusing your videos, it doesn't look like you've reviewed a mk2 Punto: I hope somebody offers you 1 to test, as I would be interested to see a Joseph Lloyd road test of a mk2. 🤞🏻🙂

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

As always, it depends if I get offered one, and so far that has not happened.

[@richardhowlett7398]

I think of these Puntos as being modern cars ! I must be old .

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I had a conversation with a friend about that very subject around the time of that I filmed this video, sir....

[@teamJJontour]

Good Afternoon Sir!!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Sir, I do hope that you enjoyed this video!

[@michaeloreilly657]

Cinquecento Sporting best iteration of that engine.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

The lightest car with the 1.1 53 bhp engine, from memory.

[@zzhughesd]

Furious has his oldest left in UKstill believe ???

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I drove that very car in 2022 (as mentioned in the video).

[@zzhughesd]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting aha. Due watch this tonight. Held in play list.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@zzhughesd , sir, maybe watch the video before commenting next time to avoid potential embarrassment?

[@zzhughesd]

@@lloydvehicleconsultingfor sure.

[@zzhughesd]

Look how fresh the the grain on the steering wheel is and the lovely dash. Nice

[@classics144sportscarschannel]

they are very cheapy all round

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

They were cheap, sir, but still very enjoyable.