New Ibiza or Fiat Bravo ?

[cstavaru]

Hi,

My sister is going to buy a new car for herself and right now the option seems to be the new Ibiza 1.4/85CP almost full option. The other option we found recently is a Fiat Bravo Sport 1.4 T-Jet 150CP in Ruby Red (almost full option too). The Bravo costs about 1800-2000 euro more than the new Ibiza, but as you know size-wise its a class above.

Here are some pictures of the Fiat Bravo:

http://www.channel4.com/4car/gl/fiat/bravo/5399/4

Here is a gallery with many pictures and colors on the new Ibiza:

http://www.automarket.ro/stiri/galerie-foto-noul-seat-ibiza-11439.html

What would you advise ?

 

[Mat]

Ibiza

Basically, I've never liked FIAT, and hate them more so now due to bad experience with mother's car.

SEAT FTW!!!!

 

[Tom B]

I wouldn't wish Fiats on my worst enemy, but the new Bravo has 5 years warranty...you can't sniff at that (as long as they pay up - check the smallprint!)

 

[skahigh]

A friend of mine has just bought a new diesel bravo and it is very very nice.

The interior is excellent with lots of nice touches and the engine is very smooth and refined, looks good too apart from the arse.

 

[Poverty]

it looks nice but id go for the ibiza.

 

[warren_cox]

At least the Ibiza will be worth more than a pool of piss after 5 years.

FIAT dealers are sh1t as a general rule so don't expect any aftercare either. At least there are a few decent SEAT ones.

SEAT all the way in my book.

Ironic we are comparing this when Fiat used to supply SEAT with the Panda and 127!! How the tables turn from where SEAT was a poor relation.

 

[BJM]

Find a 1 year old Fiat - job done!

 

[bobmcgod]

the bravo will be worth nothing in a few years when she goes to sell it on. Go with the ibiza.

 

[skahigh]

People on this forum are so biased its incredible.

I don't see how anyone can say with any certainty that the fiat won't be worth anything in a couple of years, you lot are basing this judgement on previous fiats but who says the new ones are not an entirely different kettle of fish?

It's not so long ago that Seat was seen as a much lesser brand but thanks to good direction and marketing they now have a very good image as we all know.

The new fiats are in my opinion very good looking and the 5 year unlimited miles warranty just goes to show that they are making efforts to improve reliability. In addition to this I can safely say that the build quality of the new bravo is miles ahead of the mk4 ibiza!

 

[warren_cox]

If I though Fiat's were good I'd think about owning one.

Only my personal opinion, but the thread writer is free to do as they please. No bias from me, just based on past experience of 20 odd years of Fiat cars / dealer performance fed back mostly from female friends who've been duped into buying them (for some bizarre reason as the old ones don't even look good).

I'll admit they've come a long way from 5-10yrs ago, and if the thread was Fiat 500 vs. a VW Fox I'd say go with the Fiat as it's fun, stylized and by all accounts likely to an acceptable car.

But if it were me I'd wait for the new Ibiza and go with that as the residuals are likely to be better, and I fancy you are likely to be able to find a better dealership. I struggle to even think of where I see Fiat dealerships these days. Maybe that says something in itself.

 

[cstavaru]

Many people are mentioning residual values. Ok, this will be valid after 5 years. But for five years I will drive a car and not residual values...

 

[Poverty]

cant compare mk4 ibiza to a bravo. Bravo is bigger and newer. Looked into getting a punto but the build quality and materials were rubbish.

 

[warren_cox]

But for five years I will drive a car and not residual values...

This is true, and after 5 years on both cars of that kind of value there shouldn't be much of a price difference. However 5 years is a long commitment so make sure you put your money where you think you will be looked after.

 

[bobmcgod]

I'll just go by mr brothers stilo losing 7k of its value in 2 years and only costing 10k to start with.

 

[cstavaru]

Case closed...Ordered the Fiat Bravo T-Jet 150 Sport In Maranello Red, of course (the color present in most pictures) It costs 17.500EUR tax included, after a 2000EUR discount. It has a 5-year warranty.

 

[bobmcgod]

It's not that i don't like the bravo i personally would just be scared of losing so much money. Congrats tho you've bought a stunningly good looking car. Hope it doesn't lose too much of its value!

 

[neil_s]

I test drove a Bravo (and Punto) recently and it had the knotchiest gearchange imagineable! Aside from that, the build quality was OK (i.e. not VAG standard but not, erm, Fiat either) and it drove OK. But is "OK" enough to warrant £x000 on?

 

[cstavaru]

I test drove a Bravo (and Punto) recently and it had the knotchiest gearchange imagineable! Aside from that, the build quality was OK (i.e. not VAG standard but not, erm, Fiat either) and it drove OK. But is "OK" enough to warrant £x000 on?

I tested both the T-Jet and MultiJet and the gearchange was one of the best things on the car (along with the awsome 150BHP turbo engine). Light and smooth (a little bit heavier on the Diesel than on the T-Jet). I drove a 2006 BMW 330i and the gearchange was heavier and more rubbery than Fiat's.

As for the build quality, the materials are only a bit worse than a VW but the interior design is miles ahead:

http://www.fiat.co.uk/uploadedImages/Fiatcouk/Showroom/Explore/Bravo/interior_ergonomics_00.jpg

(this trim is what you get for the same money as a basic 1.6FSI Golf with no optional extras)

 

[chris285]

interior is bound to be better as its a newer car, looks nice enough but i wouldn't myself but each to their own

 

[bobak]

i've owned 2 Fiat Puntos and 2 Seat Ibizas. The Ibizas are fantastic and the Fiats were ok. Build quality is not great on the Fiats, but they went well for the price. Thats the thing though... when I bought Fiat - I bought them for the cost. I wanted cheap. If you want a good car, buy SEAT (my opinion)