Fiat Stilo

What year? Very important. Needs to be 53 or later to have most of the niggles sorted out. Main niggle is rear axles on the early ones are out somewhat and cause uneven tyre wear - rear tyres can be worn after anything from 5k to 25k, depending. 4 wheel laser tracking can help, a modification does exist but dealerships were so reluctant.

The selespeed gearbox is very good but like most complicated gearbox can go wrong - often the actuator. If in warranty, not a problem however. Only seen a few problems but worth knowing.

It is onjly 170bhp at the end of the day so don't expect fireworks and the stilo interior is more German than Italian. Selespeed was ended during 04, the manual replacing it. The manual lost connect+ which is a simply brilliant in-car computer system including sat nav etc. which was standard on all abarth selespeeds. About 04 they lost the multicolour LCD screen on the dash - reminded you of sat nav direction, very nice touch but replaced by a monochromatic screen.

Alloys range from 17" black multispokes at the beginning to 16" silver multispokes, 17" claws (an acquired taste) and 17" multispokes, depending on model year and buyers desire and wallet :smile:

Depreciation as expected is absolutely awful on all but the JTD models, 2.4 should manage about 35 mpg overall. The 5-cyl engine is very nice at the end of the day - however, cambelt needs to be done at 5 years or 60k, whichever is sooner, and will be a £400 job (fiat independent specialist like powerfiat), double most cars. Fiat will happily charge you £800 however! Coils go, fairly common problem.

I am pretty sure you will love it - it's actually a very nice experience. Consider it to be a tourer rather than a semi-performance car however IMO.

My advice is to get yourself to www.fiatforem.com where you replace the word forem with forum :wink:

- I have no idea why but TSR blocks forum links but they know 20x more about the stilo than people on here do. All dates in this are approximate and from my head, not from checking :smile:

Reply 3

OMGWTF

1

Colour in dash screen? Nice.

Is it the same engine block as the Coupe? That made a lovely 5 pot roar, different, but nice all the same

Reply 4

Yep, same 5-pot used in Fiats:

Bravo (147/155)
Marea (147/155)
Coupé (16v, 20v, 16vt, 20vt)

Might be more just not off the top of my head. The 155 has VVT, 147bhp ended in about 1999 or something as far as I know though no expert. Nice engines but hard to work on due to physical size.

Reply 5

2.4litre 20v 5-pot with 170hp and weighing 1250kg.

They are still selling new off the forecourts now.

Anyway, I have a review on one which might interest you:

I can't find it - I'll get it up later :smile:

edit: Okay, cannot find it. I have gone through all of my reviews, and cannot find one with the Stilo altthough I'm sure I read it. Basic story was that it was pitched against other hatches in its class and got properly done hard. In fact I think it was Evo that done the review. Stilo is nice with a good looking interior, and is aestheically okay. If thats your pitch, then go for it. If you want a sports hatch, I strongly advise against.

I have reviews on the following if anyone wants:
- Alfa 145
- Audi 1.8T Quattro
- Audo S3 (1.8t 210)
- BMW M3
- BMW M5
- Citreon Saxo VTS
- Fiat Brava
- Fiat Punto Sporting
- Fiat Punto HGT
- Ford Fiesta Zetec S
- Ford Racing Puma
- Honda Civiv Type R
- Honda Civic Jordan (old hot hatch)
- Lotus Esprit
- Nissan Almera Gti
- Nissan Skyline R33
- Mercedes A190
- Porsche Boxter
- Porsche GT3
- Proton GTi
- Pug 106 gti
- Pug 206 gti (138)
- Pug 306 gti6 :p:

- Pug 306 gti6 Rallye
- Renault Clio 172
- Renault Clio Williams
- Rover 25 GTi
- Rover 200 BRM (143hp)
- Seat Ibiza Turbo
- Subaru Impreza P1
- Toyota MR2 Convertible
- Vauxhall Astra 2.2 SRi
- VW Golf 150hp Gti Turbo

EVO CAR OF THE YEAR 1999
Containing the Fiat Sporting, 306 Rallye, GT3, 360, Sccoby P1, A6, Skyline, Arnage, Esprit, DB7, M5

EVO THE BEST DRIVERS CARS 2000
NSX, Boxter, Gti6, William Clio, R33 Skyline, Elise, M5, Integra Type R, Racing Puma, M3, Caterham, Quattro 20v, 968cc, MR2,

ALL HOT HATCHES
172, gti6, 306 rallye, Zetec S, Lupo Gti, VTS, Seat Leon 180 Turbo, Proton Gti, Punto HGT, Rover 25 Gti, VW 150 Gti Turbs,

Reply 6

Found an interesting thread on the Stilo Abarth:

http://www.fiatforem.com/stilo/69402-looking-buy-stilo-abarth.html

Note - change the forem to forum! TSR getting jealous!

It basically states that the performance is crap, with everything going wrong with it, but they liek the looks. Pretty much identical to the review I read on the magazine.

Reply 7

AT82

Is that site in the filter? If so I don't think it should be as its a genuine resource and is useful to have it linked.

Reply 8

Also AlexGS is a liked member on FF, he is only a member and not a motoring journalist or anything, as I stated in my post, go on to FF and get a more rounded view, the performance isn't crap it's just it's not a hot hatch when compared to the competition of Focus, Megane, Astra and Golf etc. which it was initially unfairly compared with. It is more of a midway point between a hot hatch and your average 1.8 hatchback.

I have always thought the JTD (remappable to 170bhp) or the 1.8 (133bhp) are pretty good buys but forget the selespeed and all the goodies unfortunately. Connect+ really is good as suggested by most.

Reply 9

AT82

Is that site in the filter? If so I don't think it should be as its a genuine resource and is useful to have it linked.

TSR doesn't allow forum links, it's in the FAQs too when I checked, no explanation why though.

Reply 10

AT82

pghstochaj

TSR doesn't allow forum links, it's in the FAQs too when I checked, no explanation why though.

The reason is simple, other forums are a threat to TSR, and if its linked here it will increase their google rating. However I don't see there is a problem with posting highly technical forums.

E.g posting a technology forum is wrong because we already have one, posting a specifc AMD forum should be fine because that goes well beyond the scope of TSR.

I am not admin though :mad:

Reply 11

Well personally I see that as silly - forums are an important source on the internet these days and hardly represent a general risk. Of course if people always came on and put adverts for their own forum to steal members that's different but TSR is fairly unique. No offence to TSR members but each of the sections be it motoring, technology etc. are a long way behind specific forums on those areas hence it is important to use those at times.

IMO at least and this is OT.

Reply 12

pghstochaj

Also AlexGS is a liked member on FF, he is only a member and not a motoring journalist or anything, as I stated in my post, go on to FF and get a more rounded view, the performance isn't crap it's just it's not a hot hatch when compared to the competition of Focus, Megane, Astra and Golf etc. which it was initially unfairly compared with. It is more of a midway point between a hot hatch and your average 1.8 hatchback.

Okay, so this AlexGS isn't a motoring journalist. But the responses in the thread are quite helpful and do explain the major downside to the Stilo. They all pretty much say the same thing: it looks good. That's a great reason to buy a 'hot hatch. After all, that is what the Stilo Abarth is supposed to be. There are also other threads like it. I have been on it for the last 2 hours sifting through endless threads on the JTD which is undoubtedly Fiat's strength.

How can you say that it is unfairly compared to the Focus, Megane, Astra etc? I don't get that.

The punto is a class below and is compared to the 206, Corsa etc.
The Stilo is in 306/307 territory, Focus, Astra, Megane, Golf, Leon, 1 Series etc. The price and size warrants that class.

Every hot hatch from that class is better at its job. The 307 doesn't even have one.
What was the point of having a 2.4 litre engined car which only has 170hp? Its unexplainable already. It shouldn't be a mid-range car between a 1.8 and a hot hatch for the money and status. That of course if common sense, rather than knowing or having driven the car.

Reply 13

Erm, plenty of manufacturers have low-ish power 2.5 litres, including VAG, so not really an argument! I have long argued the abarth is underpowered and doesn't at all deserve the abarth label, now used nearly as much as the once famous ghia name. However, at the end of the day, it's simply not supposed to be a hot hatch.
e.g. Audi A6 from 2004 still made 2.4 is 174 bhp a 6-cylinder 24v engine, Omega 2.5 is 164 odd, omega 2.6 is 175bhp odd. You find that a lot of 2.5 litre engines are not particularly up on the BHP, have a fair torquey punch across the whole profile and aren't awful in terms of economy. If Fiat wanted it to be a 2.0T with 220bhp+ I am sure they would have done it, but they didn't simply because it would approach their Alfa sector. A big company like fiat has to be ever considering such things.

It was unfairly compared to the Megane 225, the Golf MkV Gti, Astra VXR, Civic type R etc. because it is not in the same league, as most say, it's more of a tourer than a performance car. However, initially the motoring press tried to put it up against such models and wondered why it did so poorly - simply because it is in a different market. 170bhp now in a 1250kg+ car is does not get you into "hot hatch" when the bench mark is so high right now.

As a second hand buy, a used abarth is one of the best buys out there if you want a mixture of kit, looks and performance without breaking the bank, I however, wouldn't own one. Saying however that it shouldn't be in between a 1.8 hatch and hot hatch terrirtory is quite wrong - as a pre-regged car you could pick it up for pennies when compared to other marque's 1.8 hence why it was never a bad buy apart from the depreciation. I know lots of happy owners. Unfortunately, you are failing to see that a technical forum like FF mainly gets people with problems, looking for solutions and help and future support, it's not a particularly subjective viewpoint. Other forums are different of course, especially enthusiasts forums regarding more special cars.

Reply 14

pghstochaj

Erm, plenty of manufacturers have low-ish power 2.5 litres, including VAG, so not really an argument! I have long argued the abarth is underpowered and doesn't at all deserve the abarth label, now used nearly as much as the once famous ghia name. However, at the end of the day, it's simply not supposed to be a hot hatch.

Thats all you needed to say. You even worked it out by logic. So I'm asking the question whether this guy wants to purchase the car for aesthetics or because its a hot hatch - the latter will be a bad mistake.

pghstochaj

e.g. Audi A6 from 2004 still made 2.4 is 174 bhp a 6-cylinder 24v engine, Omega 2.5 is 164 odd, omega 2.6 is 175bhp odd. You find that a lot of 2.5 litre engines are not particularly up on the BHP, have a fair torquey punch across the whole profile and aren't awful in terms of economy. If Fiat wanted it to be a 2.0T with 220bhp+ I am sure they would have done it, but they didn't simply because it would approach their Alfa sector. A big company like fiat has to be ever considering such things.

The Audi A6 2.5 isn't a hot hatch, neither is the Omega. They are most defintiely 2 classes above at least. Not really comparable in any sense.

As for Fiat and Alfa being the same company and not intruding on ones own space, they're not as big as VAG and they put their identical engines into all of their cars: Skoda, VW, Audi, Seat. Doesn't seem to be a problem. Alfa is like the VW and Seat is like the Fiat so to speak. You could compare.

pghstochaj

It was unfairly compared to the Megane 225, the Golf MkV Gti, Astra VXR, Civic type R etc. because it is not in the same league, as most say, it's more of a tourer than a performance car. However, initially the motoring press tried to put it up against such models and wondered why it did so poorly - simply because it is in a different market. 170bhp now in a 1250kg+ car is does not get you into "hot hatch" when the bench mark is so high right now.

As a second hand buy, a used abarth is one of the best buys out there if you want a mixture of kit, looks and performance without breaking the bank, I however, wouldn't own one. Saying however that it shouldn't be in between a 1.8 hatch and hot hatch terrirtory is quite wrong - as a pre-regged car you could pick it up for pennies when compared to other marque's 1.8 hence why it was never a bad buy apart from the depreciation. I know lots of happy owners. Unfortunately, you are failing to see that a technical forum like FF mainly gets people with problems, looking for solutions and help and future support, it's not a particularly subjective viewpoint. Other forums are different of course, especially enthusiasts forums regarding more special cars.

Of course forums are going to try and help others out with problems, even mine Paul, but even by some of their own admission, they are clearly stating what is wrong with the car.

The problem is, the Stilo Abarth is in that market. You coudl ask people what else they pondered when considering a Stilo. Yes its cheap (although not at full list price), at just reasearch at £13,000 for a recently registered Stilo. You claim its not a hot hatch. Okay - lets purchase the 225bhp Cupra R for only £2,000 more.

See my point? Or we could even get the 1.8t Seat Cupra for far less with a bit of mileage as they don't make them anymore.

Reply 15

OMGWTF

1

As for Fiat and Alfa being the same company and not intruding on ones own space, they're not as big as VAG and they put their identical engines into all of their cars: Skoda, VW, Audi, Seat. Doesn't seem to be a problem. Alfa is like the VW and Seat is like the Fiat so to speak. You could compare.

The same blocks are common. For example, the diesel block in my Dad's Multipla is the same as the diesel blocks in the 159. The 159 is a different market and therefore obviously is set up for more power and less economy

Reply 16

OMGWTF

The same blocks are common. For example, the diesel block in my Dad's Multipla is the same as the diesel blocks in the 159. The 159 is a different market and therefore obviously is set up for more power and less economy

Ah - but then the A4 has a 1.8t as does the A3.
Skoda has it in the Octavia, Superb,
VW has a 1.8t in the Golf, Bora, Passat, Beetle, Sharan
Seat has the Ibiza, Leon, Alhambra,

So if VW can do, so should Fiat.

The Alhambra is very different to the Ibiza for example. Same scenario.

Reply 17

As for Fiat and Alfa being the same company and not intruding on ones own space, they're not as big as VAG and they put their identical engines into all of their cars: Skoda, VW, Audi, Seat. Doesn't seem to be a problem. Alfa is like the VW and Seat is like the Fiat so to speak. You could compare.

lol, funnily enough, yes there is a problem, VAG are in serious trouble over it hence the expected sale of Seat :wink:

The other points leave nothing really to be said :smile:

Reply 18

pghstochaj

lol, funnily enough, yes there is a problem, VAG are in serious trouble over it hence the expected sale of Seat :wink:

The other points leave nothing really to be said :smile:

What - and you think thats to do with sharing engines? :toofunny:

The whole market is in decline - not heard of GM or Ford?

Practically every manufacturer is finding it tough. Again, if VAG can do it, so should Fiat. And we all know what Fiat's finances are like!

Reply 19