I went from old Minis and Land Rovers to thinking I wanted something a bit newer that didnt break down on the way to work.....How wrong I was I Bought a Fiat Punto from the local dealer A few months later there was a running water noise from behind the stereo and the pump for the window washer had stopped working. I also noticed that the speaker in the drivers’ door had stopped working. Oil seemed to be leaking from the rocker cover and the car was not running that well I Phoned up the dealer who said bring it in. I got the car back a few days later which was tuned worse than ever, the speaker only worked for a short while. The water pump had not been fixed, as they did not have one in stock. Over 100 Fiat Puntos on the forecourt and they did not have one! I was told that they would have one in a week’s time. I went off to work with the engine struggling to cope, when I arrived at work I rang the dealer who informed me that cars now run on almost thin air I asked if the whole car should be shaking violently when it was ticking over, again I was told to bring the car back. After leaving work that night I opened up the hatchback to put stuff in and as I leaned into the boot the door came crashing down on my head causing a big lump! The next morning I drove to the dealers armed with huge lump to complain A very snotty receptionist at the service department told me that it was not their fault as they had not been in the back of the car. After much shouting I left then followed 4 more days of struggling to work with dirty window & car which now kept overheating and cutting out On the way to work I had to stop and fill up with water 5 times. It was due to go in on Thursday but by Wednesday morning my partner had to take it into the garage for me. Later that day I got a phone call from the dealer telling me that the head gasket had gone. I spent nearly two weeks trying to tell the stupid folk in the service department that it was something serious I was never offered a courtesy car and although I complained to the manager I did not receive satisfactory service. They put a new timing belt on for me as they said that it would need doing soon anyway but they even tried to charge me a huge amount for labour when the top was already off the head gasket I am now planning on selling the Punto to buy a Mini Cooper that I am sure will be much more reliable. I did think of upgrading to a Fiat Stilo but after this bad experience they can shove it! |
