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Fiat Bravo

With distinctive styling and good driving characteristics, the Bravo and Brava are the most convincing family Fiats on the used car scene

August 2002

The earliest examples are now more than six years old, so there are plenty to choose from. Performance and handling are excellent within the class, although the 1.2 feels a little breathless at motorway speeds.
Reliability is much better than the Tipo that the range replaced, which makes them a tempting second-hand choice, especially when you factor in Fiat's steep early depreciation.
Bravo/Brava checklist
* Some cars, especially early ones, have loose-fitting trim. Check electric windows are straight on their runners.
* Mechanical faults are rare, as engines are tough. Check for evidence of oil and coolant leaks.
* Lots of ex-fleet machines have covered more than 100,000 miles, but that shouldn't put you off if there's a comprehensive service record.
* Some electrical faults have been reported. Check switches, dials and electrical equipment.
Glass's View
The Bravo and Brava have put up a greater fight against depreciation than their predecessors, but they're still cheaper than rivals, says Glass's Consumer Values. Diesels have a good reputation. The Stilo has yet to affect resale values, but when used examples appear, Bravo and Brava prices will fall.
My Bravo...
Chris Foulds bought his Bravo because he wanted something different from the more common Ford Focus or Vauxhall Astra.
The 25-year old software engineer from Woking, Surrey, opted for the HGT model because he was after an inexpensive car with good performance. "I do like the power, but I found the handling to be a bit wallowy so I had a sports suspension upgrade, which transformed the handling."
His only complaint is the cost of servicing. A 24,000-mile check recently cost more than GBP250, while other faults have included rusty brake discs and cracked foglamps. But, overall, Chris is happy with the car.

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Go for one of two extremes. The 1.2 is both lively and efficient if most of your driving is urban. Posher HLX and ELX models lose value steeply and make good buys at three years old and less than £6,000. Unusually for a hatchback, the three-door Bravo holds its value better than the five-door Brava, as it has a more desirable and youthful image.

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VERDICT

    Go for one of two extremes. The 1.2 is both lively and efficient if most of your driving is urban. Posher HLX and ELX models lose value steeply and make good buys at three years old and less than £6,000. Unusually for a hatchback, the three-door Bravo holds its value better than the five-door Brava, as it has a more desirable and youthful image.
 

OTHER EXPENSES

Depreciation:3
Running costs (ppm):38-49p
Insurance groups:6-14

HISTORY

    1995: Three-door Bravo and five-door Brava launch with 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8-litre petrol engines. 1996: Turbodiesels arrive in UK. 1.9-litre TD offers 75 or 100bhp. 1997: Sporting flagship HGT appears, with 147bhp twin cam 2.0-litre engine. Automatic gearbox is an option on 1.6-litre cars. 1999: Mid-term facelift sees revisions to trim and new engines. 1.4 petrol is replaced by 16-valve 80bhp 1.2, while 1.9 JTD turbodiesels launch. 2002: Production stops to make way for Stilo, although cars remain at dealers well into summer.
 
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