USED Fiat Stilo Hatchback (01 - 07)

My car

This is actually the XBox limited edition version. I really love this car, it is fun to drive and looks a bit different from all the other generic hot hatches.

In the last week or so though, I have had problems with the steering. The car is a year old next week and it has already been back to the dealer three times for the steering. The battery light comes on and then the power steering fails. This has happened in traffic jams, waiting to turn corners, and at 80mph on the motorway - a bit scary.

Fiat replaced the steering system in the first instance, but within two days it had failed again.

It is back in the garage at the moment, they've ordered another part - but still can't pinpoint what the problem is. Has anybody else had this problem?? All I can say is, thank god it's on warranty!

My car

My model is a three-door, 1.6-litre model with"Actual air-con" (as it is sold here in Finland). Here, it is fairly cheap, and depreciation is high. In the local press, the range has been highly underrated. The 3-door looks fantastic, the engine is fine, other than being slightly low in torque (though you get used to this).

The interior at least has a lot of personal style, if some of the materials are poor (the driver door plastic, for instance, is badly scratched). The steering is notorious for a lack of feel, but to me this matters surprisingly little. I think the car is fun to drive; there is no engine or transmission noise (the Brava I had was awful in this respect). When the engine can be heard, it sounds great to me!

The suspension is quite comfortable, and seems to cope well with rougher surfaces, too. I also like the seats - they have been criticised for poor comfort (though the three-door might be better here than five-door). The CD-radio is adequate and the speakers OK.

However, many parts have come off, such as the left foot rest, and the plastic panel on the dash doesn't quite fit in its place. Substandard headlight washers have been fitted. But none of the feared electrical faults (touch wood!) have occurred, nor has there been anything wrong with the engine or suspension in these 15 months and 24,000 kilometres.

Warranty service, and other service matters, can be miserable here too. But it's a nice car to see first thing in the morning.

My car

I own an early 1.2 Active. I have covered 90k to date and the car has performed brilliantly.

Most of this was covered over motorway driving and apart from the very lack lustre fan, even on full it doesn't clear the screen, the car is comfortable, zippy, and had more acceleration beyond 70mph when needed.

I will be buying another when the time is righjt.

My car

Haven't owned, have only driven.