Agreed, but if you're going to change the dash, and put different wheels on it, what's the point of buying a "limited edition"........????.......methinks you either keep it original or don't bother.....
I am still not sure what to do
I am hoping to get very intimate with it in Geneva on Thursday
To see how viable a retro fit reat seat kit is & speakers
If I hadn't just spent £9k on a new motorbike I would have tried to get a GP though. Looks like I will wait for a new model JCW instead.....
That and Shylock Porsche want me to give them £3k before they will talk to be about a 911....
As requested by Mr Rake ...
Firstly the Punto, its the new model and this was a 1.9D Sport.
Exterior wise, its nicely finished paint and panel fit are all average to good, it looks nice but it had 16" wheels which looked a bit lost in the wheel arches.
Interior seems much better than Fiat of the past at first glance but when you really look at it the cheapmess starts to become apparent, a few 1000 miles would probably start to show some tiredness and I'd imagine things might fall off or become loose. Seats are ok, not particularly supportive but would stand a longish drive without any problems. Instruments and controls are all pretty standard adaptions of Fiat parts bin, again I'm not sure how they would fare in a year or so of driving and use.
On the road, its a diesel, and quite a big one at that for a smallish car, but its a little wheezy and noisy both outside and inside when pushed. Suspension brakes and steering are not bad, but its not anywhere like as good as a Focus or Fiesta and don't even come close to a MINI. It is quite competitively priced for what it is, but I'd be concerned about residuals. 5/10
Now the Barchetta, apart from the Left Hand Drive, this is a great little car for the money. Its willing engine pulls well in all the gears, handling is fairly neutral and it sits nicely into bends without any nasty habits when pushed quite hard. With the roof up its warm and cozy inside, instruments and controls are retro aluminium look and are nicely grouped. I'd like a fatter smaller steering wheel, but apart from that it was a fun drive. Roof down, no scuttle shake to speak off, and the exhaust barks in italian style when you wind it up towards the red line in 2nd and 3rd. The interior trim was leather on this car and it looked nice quallity. Its about £11,000 in the UK dependent on spec. The LHD will put people off, but for a fun 2 seater for not much money I think its a good alternative to ....... well theres not much out there to compare really, Mazda, Toyota, MG all cost more. If you want to drive with the roof off and dont mind LHD, a good and well put together little boat which is what Barchetta means. 7.5/10
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The fact that it is limited in number is irrelevant to me. 
Test drive report on Punto and Barchetta 
