| My wife curently has an Uno due for replacement soon, so I'd be
interested as well. In fact she has an invite for a test drive from the
agent (Cloverleaf in Basingstoke) from which we got the Uno. I'll try
and get her to take it up, but if anyone else is in the Basingstoke
area it might be worth calling in cos they've definitely got a couple
of demos.
Derek
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| Well, I have now driven a 1.4 SX Bravo and a 1.8 HLX Bravo. I have been
to the dealership over the weekend.
Heres a mini review :-
1.4 Bravo,
Although I wanted to drive a 1.8, the first dealership only had a
1.4 as a demonstrator so they suggested I drive that and to get a feel
for the car and they would try some of their other dealerships to see
if they could get one for a test.
The 1.4 is a bit sluggish - not as quick as my 1.2 Punto, but it pulls
well throughout the rev range and never sounds strained. The ride is
fairly good - no crashes or thumps over rough roads, very very quiet at
motorway speeds, its also fun to drive quickly.
Build quality - from the outside - panel gaps are excellent, the door
handles are like the Volkswagon pull type and really add to the feeling
of quality - the doors slam with an Germanesque thunk, so far so good.
Unfortunately, this one has 400 miles on the clock and there where
rattles from the dashboard so minus big points there.
When I got back to the dealership I was presented with the 1.8HLX to
drive ( dont know where they found it ) This model is really very good
looking - what with the 15inch alloy wheels and coloured keyed
everything. It also had a specification far better than its competition
(i.e. Ford Escort 1.8SI), this included the following :-
Alloy Wheels, Fog Lights, third breaklight, rear head rests, heated
front seats, ABS, Electric Windows+mirrors+sunroof, sports interior, 6
speaker RDS stereo, headlight washers, height adjustable seats and
steering wheel.
The engine was very torquey, pulling very well throughout the range,
this was not as quiet as the 1.4, because the engine has a sporty
note which you can hear as the revs rise, although it never becomes
intrusive. The seats are comfortable and the seating position is good,
but again there was a slight buzzing from the dashboard.
overall both cars I would recommend - even more so since at the end of
my drive of the 1.8 HLX I pointed out the rattles and was told that the
demonstrators they had where pre-production and quality should be much
better on the finished vehicles.
I have ordered the 1.8HLX, I should have it in the first batch from
Italy - so shouldn't be more than a fortnight allegedly.
Prices - 13,200 on the road with metallic paint for the 1.8HLX Although
I managed to spend 13,600 and got an alarm with remote central locking,
mats metallic paint and Air conditioning on mine.
Still worried about the rattles though.
Rick
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| Hello,
Does anyone know of any good Fiat dealerships, or indeed anywhere that
has Bravos?
My sister's boyfriend is trying to get hold of a Bravo 1.8HLX.
He has tried the auctions, but when the HLX's come up (not very often),
they seem to be going for much more than the others, i.e. 11,000 as
opposed to 8,500.
Ideally he is looking for dealers that offer any discounts/extras/0%
finance, but knowing any is a start!
I would be very grateful if anyone could drop some pearls of wisdom
into this note.
Jamie
|
| While I was looking for a Fiat Punto I phoned FIAT U.K and was told that all fiat
garages had access to a computerised car-search system showing them which garages
had which cars. I used FIAT places in Reading, Newbury, Oxford, Wantage, Evesham,
Windsor. Unfortunately, I've binned all the numbers, but Yellow Pages and
Directory Enquiries got me started.
To be honest I didn't find FIAT in general to be much good, the Customer Department
didn't have access to the car-search thing because all the car dealerships did,
and when I phoned their fleet department my call was never returned.
Good Luck,
Phil.
|
| Jamie,
They will go for about 11,000 as opposed to 8000ish for the others -
the 1.8 HLX is over 13,000 new - has only been available for 4 - 5
months really so there aren't very many of them.
In case your interested - you could try Caledonia Fiat in Warrington
they should have one in Metallic Ink Black, with air con at a
reasonable price ( reg N650 YVR ) - I know its my old car !!
try them on - 01925 416516 - they always treated me quite well.
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