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

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  • čas přidán 23. 02. 2024
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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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Komentáře • 251

  • @JayEmmOnCars
    @JayEmmOnCars  Před 4 měsíci +8

    CarVertical: The History Checking Service
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  • @Project40Cars
    @Project40Cars Před 4 měsíci +142

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

    • @MrGwaldo
      @MrGwaldo Před 4 měsíci +1

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

    • @Project40Cars
      @Project40Cars Před 4 měsíci +2

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

    • @Quattro_Joe
      @Quattro_Joe Před 4 měsíci +5

      That short shifter will
      Be a game changer.

    • @MrGwaldo
      @MrGwaldo Před 4 měsíci +1

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

    • @Project40Cars
      @Project40Cars Před 4 měsíci +1

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

  • @jochem1986
    @jochem1986 Před 4 měsíci +69

    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
      @jazzventura Před 4 měsíci +12

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

    • @edward1591
      @edward1591 Před 4 měsíci +1

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

    • @bennp2000
      @bennp2000 Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @InfiniteForces
    @InfiniteForces Před 4 měsíci +33

    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.

    • @user-su5cm1kh9n
      @user-su5cm1kh9n Před 4 měsíci

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

    • @dogblessamerica
      @dogblessamerica Před 3 měsíci

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

  • @kenshilcock7198
    @kenshilcock7198 Před 4 měsíci +22

    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

  • @Birmingham_racing
    @Birmingham_racing Před 4 měsíci +40

    Get the gt turbo on the channel and watch the views

    • @pizzamad3334
      @pizzamad3334 Před 4 měsíci +3

      find one... been looking for years

    • @philipgreensmith1694
      @philipgreensmith1694 Před 4 měsíci +2

      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
      @autosportivobedford Před 4 měsíci +3

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

  • @Snarl616
    @Snarl616 Před 4 měsíci +3

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

  • @ca9968
    @ca9968 Před 4 měsíci +29

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

    • @panpaletkalg2550
      @panpaletkalg2550 Před 4 měsíci +3

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

    • @jt-hb8lh
      @jt-hb8lh Před 4 měsíci +17

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

    • @edombre4637
      @edombre4637 Před 4 měsíci +5

      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
      @ca9968 Před 4 měsíci

      @@jt-hb8lh 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

    • @ca9968
      @ca9968 Před 4 měsíci +1

      @@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...

  • @dookieday1
    @dookieday1 Před 4 měsíci +7

    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
      @lptomtom Před 4 měsíci

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

    • @dookieday1
      @dookieday1 Před 4 měsíci

      @@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.

  • @JK061996
    @JK061996 Před 4 měsíci +14

    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
      @Kacpa2 Před 4 měsíci +5

      Yeah, facelift was quite awful.

    • @bonofrancou2
      @bonofrancou2 Před 4 měsíci

      @@Kacpa2bit dodgy in the back

  • @renatoblazina8273
    @renatoblazina8273 Před 4 měsíci +2

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

  • @c9ckl
    @c9ckl Před 4 měsíci +4

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

  • @p0m1gr
    @p0m1gr Před 4 měsíci +11

    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
      @dusankocisevic6823 Před 4 měsíci +5

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

    • @p0m1gr
      @p0m1gr Před 4 měsíci +1

      @@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
      @dusankocisevic6823 Před 4 měsíci +2

      @@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😂😂

  • @PenryMMJ
    @PenryMMJ Před 4 měsíci +4

    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.

  • @aja4191
    @aja4191 Před 4 měsíci +1

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

  • @thegees
    @thegees Před 4 měsíci +2

    as a current young person i like this shape

  • @jo05dk
    @jo05dk Před 4 měsíci +1

    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.

  • @steerj07
    @steerj07 Před 4 měsíci +14

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

    • @fatman5799
      @fatman5799 Před 4 měsíci +1

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

    • @lucasherrington7567
      @lucasherrington7567 Před 4 měsíci

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

    • @fatman5799
      @fatman5799 Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @TheMarsMarine
    @TheMarsMarine Před 4 měsíci +3

    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
    @ChrisFEJackson Před 4 měsíci +2

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

  • @PeterComber
    @PeterComber Před 4 měsíci +10

    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
      @markos8400 Před 4 měsíci +2

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

    • @miralemnermina142
      @miralemnermina142 Před 4 měsíci

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

    • @markos8400
      @markos8400 Před 4 měsíci

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

    • @ilpatongi
      @ilpatongi Před 4 měsíci

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

    • @miralemnermina142
      @miralemnermina142 Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @Frenchesco1
    @Frenchesco1 Před 4 měsíci +1

    Great to see Project40 featured on the channel!

  • @dwarfshortage244
    @dwarfshortage244 Před 4 měsíci +8

    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
      @Project40Cars Před 4 měsíci

      Thank you!

    • @hvacrwrld1402
      @hvacrwrld1402 Před 3 měsíci +1

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

    • @Project40Cars
      @Project40Cars Před 3 měsíci

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

  • @simonh870
    @simonh870 Před 4 měsíci +6

    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
      @tileng.5186 Před 4 měsíci

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

    • @simonh870
      @simonh870 Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @306hdipug
    @306hdipug Před 4 měsíci +1

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

  • @NenadTrajkovic
    @NenadTrajkovic Před 4 měsíci

    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 !
    🇮🇹🚗💨💨💨🇮🇹

  • @brucechappell9961
    @brucechappell9961 Před 4 měsíci

    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.....

  • @roysoutdoorlife
    @roysoutdoorlife Před 4 měsíci +1

    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.

  • @lawrencehooper4341
    @lawrencehooper4341 Před 4 měsíci +1

    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.

  • @The_BenboBaggins
    @The_BenboBaggins Před 4 měsíci +1

    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! 🤓

  • @fatwalletboy2
    @fatwalletboy2 Před 4 měsíci +12

    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
      @Snarl616 Před 4 měsíci +1

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

    • @GeordieAmanda
      @GeordieAmanda Před 4 měsíci

      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
      @karllelliott681 Před 3 měsíci +1

      @@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
      @GeordieAmanda Před 3 měsíci

      @@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
      @karllelliott681 Před 3 měsíci +1

      @@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
    @roysoutdoorlife Před 4 měsíci

    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!

  • @user-ym5mw8ft6d
    @user-ym5mw8ft6d Před 4 měsíci +3

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

  • @iancharlton678
    @iancharlton678 Před 4 měsíci

    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…..😢

  • @martinclapton2724
    @martinclapton2724 Před 4 měsíci +1

    Comes from a great era of Fiat cars.

  • @williammillard687
    @williammillard687 Před 4 měsíci

    'Never mind' - top advice! 👍👌

  • @robertpinkney4778
    @robertpinkney4778 Před 4 měsíci +1

    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!

  • @clareydoll
    @clareydoll Před 4 měsíci

    Great video ! I bought thomas donor car which had all kit in it and i love it its 1.2 16v sporting mk2 2002 thanks for reviewing my fave car 🚗 😀

  • @markopetrunic7598
    @markopetrunic7598 Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @Jo3man96
    @Jo3man96 Před 4 měsíci +1

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

  • @cooperSpartan117
    @cooperSpartan117 Před 4 měsíci

    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
      @nakoma5 Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @djones1304
    @djones1304 Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @theun-personing5674
    @theun-personing5674 Před 4 měsíci +5

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

  • @Stanley88845
    @Stanley88845 Před 4 měsíci +1

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

  • @stewartturner814
    @stewartturner814 Před 4 měsíci

    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 😂

  • @jaysmartin
    @jaysmartin Před 4 měsíci

    Lovely looking little hatch and i really like the rasp 😍

  • @tomk8729
    @tomk8729 Před 4 měsíci +1

    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.

  • @bavelnaard
    @bavelnaard Před 4 měsíci +1

    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.

  • @dobo2232
    @dobo2232 Před 4 měsíci

    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

  • @bluwusky5167
    @bluwusky5167 Před 4 měsíci +1

    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

  • @eric-wb7gj
    @eric-wb7gj Před 4 měsíci

    TY J 🙏🙏

  • @m.p.509
    @m.p.509 Před 4 měsíci

    Hope you feel better soon, James!

  • @Gazshadows
    @Gazshadows Před 4 měsíci

    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.

  • @TheMildperil
    @TheMildperil Před 3 měsíci

    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.

  • @motosnape
    @motosnape Před 4 měsíci

    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.

  • @TenderNick
    @TenderNick Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @janstaes2172
    @janstaes2172 Před 4 měsíci

    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.

  • @jeremywentworth1833
    @jeremywentworth1833 Před 4 měsíci +1

    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.

  • @johndavies7282
    @johndavies7282 Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @mikadavies660
    @mikadavies660 Před 4 měsíci

    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.

  • @josefgordon7712
    @josefgordon7712 Před 4 měsíci +1

    Looks so refreshingly funky 😝

  • @kristianspencer1978
    @kristianspencer1978 Před 2 měsíci

    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
    @cookingupbeats Před 4 měsíci

    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.

  • @jimmyfarley5581
    @jimmyfarley5581 Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @spavatch
    @spavatch Před 4 měsíci

    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 😅

  • @princesssolace4337
    @princesssolace4337 Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @Ramcharger85
    @Ramcharger85 Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @lasskinn474
    @lasskinn474 Před 4 měsíci +1

    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.

  • @haikorudigr3818
    @haikorudigr3818 Před 4 měsíci +1

    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.

  • @dang9059
    @dang9059 Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @DarkCrusader157
    @DarkCrusader157 Před 4 měsíci

    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 👍🏽😎

  • @Mladjasmilic
    @Mladjasmilic Před 4 měsíci

    Bravo HGT inline 5 was mad

  • @zzhughesd
    @zzhughesd Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @DannyRhym3z
    @DannyRhym3z Před 3 měsíci

    Underrated car

  • @philipmulville8218
    @philipmulville8218 Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @SturbokSensei
    @SturbokSensei Před 4 měsíci

    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!

  • @DjNikGnashers
    @DjNikGnashers Před 4 měsíci +2

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

  • @LoftechUK
    @LoftechUK Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @Menda_Lerenda
    @Menda_Lerenda Před 4 měsíci +4

    Before The Punto HGT, FIAT Made A Better Hot Hatch: The Bravo HGT. 20v 5cyl from the Coupe in a lighter dress.

    • @RobinCapper
      @RobinCapper Před 4 měsíci +1

      I always liked that era Punto, back in 2008 was looking to buy one (or maybe stretch to a Fiat Coupé) when found a nice one owner Bravo HGT. Got that and still have it. Now it is semi-retired from daily duties, ~280,000km of fun mostly fairly trouble-free motoring and still going strong.

    • @edombre4637
      @edombre4637 Před 4 měsíci +1

      @@RobinCappernice!

  • @shingosshojiopoulos6608
    @shingosshojiopoulos6608 Před 4 měsíci +3

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

  • @Illuminacent
    @Illuminacent Před 4 měsíci

    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 :)

  • @Mrcento
    @Mrcento Před 4 měsíci

    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.

  • @deanlaunder4133
    @deanlaunder4133 Před 3 měsíci

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

  • @michaelleaver1766
    @michaelleaver1766 Před 4 měsíci

    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.......

  • @mmjackk667
    @mmjackk667 Před 4 měsíci

    You should try the Abarth Ducato Turbo Cabriolet.

  • @Jam3sA
    @Jam3sA Před 4 měsíci

    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.

  • @cardosera
    @cardosera Před 4 měsíci

    You should review the old Brazilian Fiat Uno

  • @Quattro_Joe
    @Quattro_Joe Před 4 měsíci

    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.

  • @Inazuma68
    @Inazuma68 Před 4 měsíci

    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

  • @craigemblem3562
    @craigemblem3562 Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @t1agosantos
    @t1agosantos Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @paulmichael3844
    @paulmichael3844 Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @100const
    @100const Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @christopherkelly577
    @christopherkelly577 Před 4 měsíci

    Used to consider one of these but ended up getting a cheap saxo VTS mk1 that I loved. Was thirsty but it was rapid and handled like nothing new and big can or will again sadly.

  • @jamesengland7461
    @jamesengland7461 Před 4 měsíci

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

  • @jonathanberglind4589
    @jonathanberglind4589 Před 4 měsíci

    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

  • @asciimation
    @asciimation Před 4 měsíci

    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.

  • @BReal-10EC
    @BReal-10EC Před 4 měsíci

    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.

  • @neilross6227
    @neilross6227 Před 4 měsíci

    had the sporting in that guise and colour.... blew the head on it on the motorway..... but for FWD it was great fun to drive...... replaced it with a 96 celica

  • @g.w.customcreations3534
    @g.w.customcreations3534 Před 3 měsíci

    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. 😂😂😂