Here’s some interesting reader feedback from Gary, who enjoyed the piece on cockroach cars: “I was never a fan of Bangernomics (a bit of a snob) until my 20-year-old Punto went bang last year.”
If I can interject right there, surely keeping a Punto alive at that age is fairly impressive in itself. I always thought it was nice to drive, a popular first car with free insurance incentives. Head gaskets could go and a decade-old one a friend had recently needed a lot of persuasion to keep going because bits kept breaking. I think early ones without the grille will have a following, but try to find one that works. I saw a few from the early 2000s that had issues and no MOT, but below £200.
If you can stomach the stick-on moustache-like grille of the facelift cars, then there are loads to choose from. Fully operational ones from 2004 seem to start at £400, but I’d prefer a prettier Grande Punto from 2006 for very similar money, especially with an off-centre stripe.
Anyway, let’s get back to Gary. “Needing a car quickly, I took a punt on a 53-plate Vauxhall Astra SXi for £500 and with a year’s MOT,” he says. “The car was beautiful not only to look at but also to drive. It went like a rocket.”
Add your comment