Comments on: 2008 Fiat Ritmo

By: stroker

stroker — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 13:33:22 +0000

I got one, 1.9L 16V Turbo Diesel, so far 30K km and no issues. Car has been serviced twice (every 15K km) – each time cost me circa $380 AUD;
B4 had corolla conquest hatch auto and b4 that VW GTI ’98..

- Cons: finish is better in Toyota cars (I’m talking about engine cavers and such), gearbox is better in VW (just gear 1 in Ritmo is definitely too short – apart from that no issues), visibility both Toyota and VW have better.
- Pros: economy (I’m filling up once very 10-14 days depends how I’m driving :> ), acceleration, breaks, suspension, interior, safety, space (except for toll people in back seats), impressions from driving it \m/, Bluetooth hands free

The 1.9 Diesel is perfect peace of work (Suzuki is using it in their cars), overseas Fiat has in offer 2.0 turbo diesel which delivers more power (180HP) and more torque (375 Nm) and use one litre LESS fuel on average, unfortunately OZ fiat dealers do not have plans to import it at this time

VW Golf is a legend but also legendary is its interior, nothing changed for the last 10 years and is bit outdated now, if you will not get the top version (50K) then it’s pointless getting it at all.
Toyota Corolla, especially the new version is just full of cheap plastic inside and got the same boring 1.8L engine (moreover in some of them there is a problem with leaking gearbox and engine belt tensioner).
Ritmo diesel 16V has guts (2.5L lexux couldn’t catch up..) and is relatively cheap considering what you’re getting in standard equipment/package. Fuel efficient (800 km in city cycle on one fill – $50), nice looking car.

By: FrugalOne

FrugalOne — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 22:10:04 +0000

STEVE^^^^

Just go to another dealer, or make a complaint to FIAT Australia

Cheers

F-0

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:39:15 +0000

I just tried to buy the $19990 dynamic and the dealer wasn’t really interested. Also he said that there won’t be any more imports this year 09 either. Doesn’t bode well for the future of fiat here in OZ.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:22:55 +0000

The Fiat Ritmo looks nice & although I havnt driven it yet if it has enough room in the back for a small child I might consider it. It really looks fantastic.

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:56:17 +0000

I thought these were a touch pricey when they first came out, even if they are a good looking car that seem to be well finished.

But the drive-away deals on offer now make them far more attractive. The 1.4L Emotion is $28k drive away, and this makes it more than competetive with the likes of Peugeot 308, the new Impreza and the Lancer hatch. I’d even argue they’re better put together than any of those.

The cost and availability of after-sales service and parts is still a bit of an issue for Australian buyers though I think.

By: Maca

Maca — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 03:36:07 +0000

Hmm i’m not too fond of the larger engines.. But the 1.4 turbocharged is a zippy little thing.. 0-100 in only 8.2 seconds.

And it’s well priced also, from $32,990.

By: Anthraxx66

Anthraxx66 — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 04:22:49 +0000

I just came back from a trip to Europe and spent a few days travelling around Firenze (Florence) in one of these. I want one! I came back to Australia and the first thing I did when I got on the PC was to look the Bravo (Ritmo) up. My relative had the turbo diesel model and it hammered. Accelerated hard, sat on 160+ on the autostrada with 3 adults and 4 suitcases. The thing handled great, went hard and looks sensational… and the really good thing was that at 196cm, I fitted inside it!

By: benny

benny — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 08:20:08 +0000

Just took one for a test drive…seat was too short for me (194cm frame) and hard to see the speedo through the small steering wheel. Fiat are marketing this model against the golf gti…not even close!

By: Vince

Vince — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 21:37:20 +0000

F-O,

Having owned a fiat for quite some time, I can tell you ATECO are’nt as good as you may think. They need to lift their game on pricing and parts availablity. The day Fiat has its own dealership, servicing and supplying its own parts, instead of through independant boutique dealerships, it will be a better scenario.

Vince

By: Frugal One

Frugal One — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 23:10:16 +0000

VINCE -

Not competive on the price.I as a fellow italian would NOT buy one…

None the less -

ATECO are the most professional importers they have ever had, doing a FANTASTIC job really.

Cheers

F-0