Fiat Stilo???

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
View Threaded
Sun 9 Mar 2014 10:42
Fiat Stilo??? - agent.hunt

Hello fellow motor enthusiasts.

I am in the process of buying used car and stuck with options..as usual. Since I have a limited budget avaliable (1000-1500) due to other financial concerns, I will have to get the best one for that tight budget. Something fairly big (i am tall 6'3), economical and low insurance (not a student or anyhting, but still can't accord too much on insurance). I am steering towards Fiat Stilo atm after having gone through all the usual choices like focus, golf, leon, etc. I like the look of it and looks I will have good space to stretch my legs. Or may be Alfa Romeo 147. Although I wont get a decent motor for my budget, so i need to make some compromises.

Any suggestions?

thanks

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 9 Mar 2014 11:12
Fiat Stilo??? - oldroverboy.

you would be better going for a focus or astra, (the astra has bags of room) I am 6.2 and don't need the seat all the way back. other point is bits will be cheap.keep away from the italians at that budget. read the fiat forums about that before you do anything.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 9 Mar 2014 12:24
Fiat Stilo??? - agent.hunt

that sounds like a sensible idea. Focus and astra are super reliable. I realise i cant have too many options at this tiny budget, but any other options apart form astra and focus that i can look into?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 9 Mar 2014 14:30
Fiat Stilo??? - madf

Toyota Corolla.

Bullet proof if serviced, lots about. Unloved as replaced.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 9 Mar 2014 21:30
Fiat Stilo??? - agent.hunt

sounds good. What about a seat leon?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 9 Mar 2014 22:47
Fiat Stilo??? - The-Mechanic

I have a 2002 Leon 1.9tdi and can vouch for it. I'm 6'2" and fit comfortably without the seat all the way back. The driving position is good what with wheel reach/rake adjustment and good seat height adjustability.

Reliability is great (on my diesel anyways) and fuel economy is around 55~60 mpg on a run. If you can find a diesel one in your price range give it a test drive. Petrol ones are cheaper but don't have the same fuel economy, especially the 1.4's as it has to be worked harder.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 10 Mar 2014 07:56
Fiat Stilo??? - GHSAUNDERS40
I would not get too hung up on the size of the car. It's all about how you can configure the seat. I'm 6"2 and the guts of 19 stone (rugby player rather than pie eater ??) and to date find rarely and correlation between car size and how comfortable I am in said car. My 6'8 father for many years folded himself comfortably into a Mk1 Audi TT for his 150 mile commute. I even would say I'more comfortable in out 9 ft long Toyota iQ than my Toyota Auris, admittedly I swapping it for a DS5 next week.

I had two petrol Mk1 Renault Megane that I found very reliable. I know the MK1's have far superior electronics and components to the Mk2 ( which I unfortunately had one of). You could also look at a Mk1 scenic.

But as others have said, condition and service history is far more important than make and model as this end of the market.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 9 Mar 2014 23:23
Fiat Stilo??? - Avant

Ultimately, on a tight budget like yours, condition matters more than make or model. The advantage of Fords and Vauxhalls is that there are lots of them around to choose from; the advyatage of Japanese cars is that you have a better chance of getting a good reliable one. As well as the Corolla think about the Honda Civic: the 2001-07 model was in many ways a better car than its successor.

Avoid diesel.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 10 Mar 2014 00:03
Fiat Stilo??? - daveyK_UK

Why not buy a kia cerato?

just make sure the cam belt has been changed.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 10 Mar 2014 00:24
Fiat Stilo??? - agent.hunt

yes i used to have a honda civic. brilliant cars. i am looking for one, but i guess for my budget i can only get a decent one around 100000miles.

Kia cerato!!! havent heard of it to be honest. but isnt that a saloon! not sure if i can drive one being a young professional :)

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 10 Mar 2014 00:33
Fiat Stilo??? - agent.hunt

my bad, it's not a sloon :)

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 10 Mar 2014 09:10
Fiat Stilo??? - daveyK_UK

If you want space, you cant beat the van based MPV's.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 10 Mar 2014 17:32
Fiat Stilo??? - Bobbin Threadbare

My 6ft 7 friend drives a Honda Civic (07 plate). He had a Volvo S40 before that. He said both were nice and roomy.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 10 Mar 2014 19:30
Fiat Stilo??? - agent.hunt

I am thinking Honda Civic is the way forward, even if it means i will only be able to get a good one at over 100k miles for my budget.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 11 Mar 2014 11:38
Fiat Stilo??? - primeradriver

What specifically is wrong with a saloon car?

If you can look past that, the Mitsubishi Lancer saloon is an overlooked gem of a car... has twice been found to be the most reliable car of the last decade, and the parts are cheap enough on the 1.6 as the old 8v Orion engine has been around for donkey's years.

It's not exciting but it's probably as good as cheap reliable cars get really... £1500 should buy you an 07 plate with 50,000 miles.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 11 Mar 2014 12:53
Fiat Stilo??? - agent.hunt
that is an interesting choice. I've just had a look at lancers, looks like I will get a 06/07 plate with 100k miles around 2000, a bit of a strecth from my budget, but will keep the choice in mind :)
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

We give you the low down on how to save on insurance, little-known tricks and tips, what insurance groups mean and how to use insurance aggregators to beat insurers.

Insurance group finder and how to save on insurance