Item: Used Fiat Stilo 2001 - 2007
Author: Steve Huntingford

What is it like?

Ownership cost

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Hatchback

Modern Fiats fall into two categories: the retro models and those with more functional designs.

Cars in the first camp appeal to the heart and include the 124 Spider sports car and the 500 series: a hatchback, a convertible, an SUV and two MPVs.

By contrast, the remaining models rely on their practicality and attractive pricing, with the Panda city car, Tipo hatchback and Fullback pick-up truck all prime examples.

Fiat can trace its roots back to the 19th century but is now part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, along with Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Jeep and Maserati.

FIAT

STILO

Used Fiat Stilo 2001 - 2007

Insurance, fuel economy, servicing - all the main running costs look pretty reasonable.

Our favourite 1.2-litre model sits in an attractively low group 4, and most of the others fall within group 7 or lower. The only one to avoid on insurance grounds is the 2.4 Abarth and its group 14 rating.

Fuel economy, too, is good on most of the models in the range. The 1.2 should top 40mpg overall, the 1.9 diesel gets nearer 50mpg, and even the 1.6 petrol is pretty reasonable, with 38mpg.

You can cut your costs further because servicing is straightforward enough to trust a reliable independent garage, so saving on main-dealer charges. Spares are modestly priced, too, although some repairs take longer than they would on a Ford or Vauxhall, adding to the cost.

However, the worry comes because Stilos aren't that reliable. They get a pasting from the JD Power customer survey, suggesting that repairs may well be a regular feature of life with a Stilo.

The most basic model, the 1.2 Activ, has a punchy engine and plenty of kit, including remote locking, four airbags and anti-lock brakes. And, because buying a Stilo only makes sense if it's done cheaply, this is the best model to buy. Go for the five-door, though, because it rides more smoothly, as well as being roomier and much more practical.

The 1.9 turbodiesel Activ is also worth going for - the engine is smooth and very economical - but it will cost more to buy than the 1.2. It came in two states of tune, with 115 or 80bhp, but the more powerful one is the one to go for. For one thing, it uses less fuel.

Otherwise, go for the 1.6 petrol, which is keen and quick. There's also a 1.8, but it feels no quicker than the 1.6 and will cost more to fuel and insure. A 2.4 Abarth hot hatch tops the range, but it's an unruly beast to drive and is scarce on the used market.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of practical space </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>A comfortable ride </li> <li>A healthy equipment list </li> <li>Quality materials and thoughtful touches inside </li> <li>Rock-solid reliability</li></ul>

Family cars arguably have the toughest brief of all: they have to be good at pretty much everything. They’re used as the daily drive, on the school run or work commute (often both), and have to be able to cope with a family’s clutter on weekends and holidays.

The Skoda Scala is a relative newcomer, but it's&nbsp;already carved out a name for itself in this segment.&nbsp;If you're looking for a moderately priced car that combines a supple ride, neat handling, a spacious interior and a capacious boot&nbsp;it's well worth a look.&nbsp;Alternatively, if you're looking for entertaining handling then the&nbsp;BMW 1 Series may well be for you. It's great to drive, rides well&nbsp;and also comes with a top-notch interior, featuring one of our very favourite infotainment systems.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Toyota Corolla&nbsp;is another great choice. This latest version of one of the world's best-selling cars of all time can be had with a choice of two different petrol-electric hybrid engines, both of which should mean&nbsp;potentially lower fuel bills. It's comfortable, well equipped and should be very reliable, too.&nbsp;

Family

Just when you thought a used Stilo was looking attractive, you have to worry about its reliability. And, it is a worry, so make sure you give any car a really thorough check.

Look out for signs of water leaking into the boot, because it can be hard to work out the source of the problem and put it right. Then, check that the air-conditioning works, because faults are common and repairs can easily top £500. Minor electrical items such as window motors can fail, too.

Gearbox failures are the most expensive of the car's known problems, and head gaskets can blow on 1.2 engines, particularly if coolant changes are left longer than the recommended three years. So, check the service history with a fine-toothed comb.

Last, but not least, insist on a good test drive. Listen out for potential problems from the suspension, as faults are comon, and the only consolation is that shock absorbers are fairly priced, so repair bills shouldn't be too savage.

Watch, also, that the car tracks correctly, because Stilos can pull to one side and wear their tyres unevenly, scrubbing the tread away within just a few thousand miles.

There are two very different Stilos. The three-door is set up to be sporty, with less space inside and a stiffer ride. On the other hand, the five-door is more family-friendly. It's roomier, rides more softly, and even has trays on the front seat backs, where rear passengers can balance a picnic or a laptop.

Neither version handles with any great finesse, but at least they are safe, predictable and comfortable. And, the car's four-star occupant safety crash test rating from Euro NCAP is good. However, that's more than you can say for its disappointing one star for pedestrian safety.

Never mind all that, though. The biggest attraction of the Stilo is its price. Its value drops like a stone so that, by the time it's three years old, it's worth only a third of what its first owner paid. After that, things calm down, so buying a nearly new model is not terribly sensible, but a two- to three-year-old car is a bargain.

Used Fiat Stilo 2001 - 2007 review

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