[parimal_g]

Its better to be late than never..!
Ownership experience of my 2012 Grande Punto 1.3 Sports.

The decision making : My Palio 1.9 was almost eight years old, she was a pre owned vehicle brought in 2007 when odo was 19/20 k kms. I used it till 1.2 L kms and then sold it off. Tthe car had very basic equipment levels, but it was a excellent work horse. Where as initially servicing was good day by day servicing was getting painful and after driving friends Punto/Linea I stared feeling that my car was generation behind in terms of mechanical and ease of use. So finally decided to say a good bye to my 1.9 D, Engine was still amazing as good as new but clutch was getting way too hard for city driving. Finally I sold my 1.9 D for Rs1.1 L. The car was listed on Teambhp classified as well currently, the car is in Hyderabad and has done more than 1.5 L kms.
After owning a Palio the next obvious choice was a Punto and I had already driven most of the cars in the segment. So didn't even bother to take TD of other cars. As I wanted a car with good steering feedback, good handling, ride and built quality, so it was Punto which was ticking all the boxes which I was looking for. But, then confusion was between 75 and 90 HP version, and one thought of going for a T jet due to lucrative discounts. At the same time there was a team-bhp meet at Sunny Da Dhaba on 16 June 2012 and during the meet I asked GTO which car for 8 L budget ..? his immediate answer was T jet , but I knew my running will be high so it was ruled out and after lots of discussions with other members during the meet Finally decided to go for 90 HP version.

Buying Process:
Dealer Balaji Kalyan : Paid the initial booking amount on 17th June 2012 and applied for the loan through HDFC bank, got the discount of 11k rupees only as I was buying a new/recently Launched model. I saved some 9 k on insurance as it was done from outside, so on road price was Rs 8,47,000/-!!!!. Yes! a lot for the hatch and that too for a Fiat!! This was the exact reaction which I had received from my friends and relatives. Many of them suggested that you will get better sedan at this price.

Delivery:
On 20th July 2012 took the delivery of the car, a small puja was performed at the dealership, over all dealership experienced was good, I did PDI 3/4 days before the delivery, after taking delivery first thing I did was, changed the tyres to Michelin Primacy LC. The stock tyres were of Good Year, paid the difference of 2 k for each tyre. After another 3 days went to 3M shop at Nerul. And got the following things done:
• Paint sealant treatment
• Under-body coating for 5 years and
• 3M nomad mats (superb Quality)

About the Car:

1>Looks: She is just beautiful. You look at her from any angle and you find her dead gorgeous. But, my most fav angle is side profile, simple lines.

2>Ride, Handling and Dynamics: The ride quality is simply amazing, the car feels stable at any speed. Max speed that I have done is 185 km/hr on Mumbai Pune expressway and even at 185 the car feels very stable. I usually drive between 100 to 120 km/hr on 2/3 Lane roads and 80 to 100 km/hr on two lane Roads without divider. Handling is superb and unmatched but on tight corners, I like the Figo steering it feels more direct and also Figo has much less GC compare to GP. But on fast sweeping corners GP is brilliant, hardly requires any steering correction, Post 2012 Cars have much lighter Steering system, so car feels light compare to older cars.

3> Engine, Gearbox and Clutch: The Engine is 1.3Lt which Produces 93 Ps of power@4000RPM With max Torque rating is 207 NM. There is a bit of turbo lag compare to 75 HP Engine, as every engine has its positive and negatives. Fiat MJD is not that great in low end torque delivery but it’s awesome and very rev friendly engine. It revs all the way till 5200 RPM. The turbo lag is bit more in 90HP compared to 75 HP engine. But, then after you drive it for few hundred kms you get used to it. Gear box is light the throws are little long, it’s not best in the class but its good. It requires very less effort for the shifts. Frankly speaking to me the best gearbox is VW. Its light and precise. Figo gear box is precise but it’s very hard or requires much efforts. Clutch is by far the lightest in the class even after driving it for more than 77 k kms the clutch is holding still strong and no signs of wear and tear. Thought the Clutch throw is long, this is a boon for controlling car in bumper to bumper city traffic. First two gear ratios are bit short but very helpful in climbing. From third gear onwards cars pulls very well, 100 km/hr is done at bit high around 2500 RPM. In-gear acceleration is superb no complaints here. I am not big fan of 0 to 100 figures, so I am very happy with the performance. I can understand the car is heavy compared to competition so off the block it’s slow compared to others in the class.

4> Blue and Me and Music System: Blue and me is excellent, Voice commands it recognizes 70 % of the time, and the hand-free calling and dialing is really good. Music system is strictly avg, lacks punch but was better compared to pre 2012 Models. Later in Feb 2014 I have upgraded the speakers to Polk components in front and Polk coax in Rear and added a Hertz amp. Sound quality has improved lot after that, most annoying part of the sound system is for the songs playing from the pen drive is that only driver can change the songs from the steering mounted controls, no remote control, you can't directly change the folders. Steering mounted controls are excellent and very easy to use and the back lit looks good at night.

5> Interiors and Space Inside: The Dashboard design is very simple but the depth of the dash board is too much and very less storage space compared to the size. About the quality its built to last and very strong but it has same texture and no beige. Quite a many people feels that quality is bad, but to me it’s well put together and rattle free. Glove box size is also not great thanks to the placement of the Blue and Me box inside. No bottle holders on the door!!!! Pockets are there but not deep enough to hold 1 Lit bottle. So one can keep bottle just behind the hand brake lever or seat pockets. Boot-space is good enough for weekend luggage for 4, has a light inside. They could have easily placed the tool kit under the spare wheel to create more space as VW have done it in Polo. Seats are very good. Wide and firm, front seats lacks bit of under thigh support. But fabric and stitching is excellent. Front leg room is excellent whereas rear legroom is limited. It’s not as bad as Polo or Swift but not in the league of Liva and Tata. Seat offers excellent support for long drives. Leg room for the co passenger is excellent, but seat is bit low there, leg room at rear is just adequate, but seats are good but not like Linea, Linea has best rear sets.
I never faced any issues in seat height adjuster. The quality of power window switches are excellent has Led backlight. The door handles inside feels solid to hold and is sturdy.


6> Windshield wipers are excellent first set last for almost two years and the quality of wipe is too good, but funny thing is the right side wiper while returning to its original position throws water on left side. Depth of the dashboard is little more compared to other cars, but that’s due to the large bar for protection which sits under the dashboard.

7> Safety : No compromises here, right from front bumper to rear bumper everything feels safe. Even the engine guard sheet is thick. Just remove the front bumper to understand the size and thickness of the front impact bar, which protects the radiator. It has metal sheet behind the rear seats too.

8> Braking: Braking is best in class, the efforts required. The stopping distance and the stability under hard braking one has to use it to feel how perfectly these things are integrated. Even the ABS!! it’s so well calibrated. But brake pads are soft my first two pads lasted only 25 k kms each I am already on my third set. It’s doing good, may be it will last 30/35 k kms, but for some of my friends it lasted for 40 k kms.

9> AC : AC is excellent tested even in 47 Degree, and Climate Control works like a charm, no issues here.

10 > Lights: Stock headlight throw for both beam is good, for first two years i have used the Phillips extreme vision and recently upgraded to 90/100 Setup with Osram bulbs and Finolex relay, which is giving me excellent result.

11 > My Car menu is very good , you can switch off passenger side Air bag if not required. You can programm what kind of auto locking you like, you can program the speed warning, change the units language. Even the MID shows many important data like, Instant fuel consumption, avg fuel consumption from last reset point, avg speed, time traveled, and this data is available for the both Trip Meters A and B. Even it shows imp warning msgs, it gives information of if any bulb gets fused, exact door open indicator with beep.

12> Fuel Efficiency: Worst mileage I have got is 9 km/lit and best mileage of 33 km/lit on Pune Panvel stretch winters no AC speeds between 70 to 90 km/hr, overall mileage is 16 km/lit. On highways if one driven around 90/100 km/hr it gives 20 km/lit. 110/120 it gives 18 km/lit, I never got below 16 km/lit on highways.

13> At 185 MM it has class leading ground clearance and hardly changes the dynamics of the car, slight body roll is there but its very negligible you have to drive an older version to understand this.

14> About After Sales : Am very happy with Balaji and Pandit Pune, very good service by them, most of the parts are in stock, even heard good reviews about R.S motors, Mumbai.

15>Many complaint about the glove box of Fiat cars, but mine is holding well till now with very rough usage. But size of the glove box is not great, and mainly due to the blue and me box ,which just sits inside.

16> My overall running is 70:30 ( 70 % Highway and 30 % City) but getting out from the city itself is pain here, even most of the highways in Maharashtra are in sorry state.
.
17> Steering is brilliant, leather wrapped, contours to keep your thumb, even the buttons are perfect and easy to operate, good horn, now few people even cry about the gap between horn pad and steering wheel, but nothing wrong there.

18> The strong bumpers helps in small accidents, like other car banging on slow speeds, bikes banging on bumpers, bumpers absorbs such indecent without getting out of the place.

19> Warranty : The car comes with 2 Years standard warranty for 1 L kms and extended warranty of additional 26 Months so total 50 Months and 1.5 L kms total , but now new car comes with 3 + 2 Years of warranty.

20> Best part is driving this car on bad roads, good roads, rains whatever it may be it will always put smile on your face. You just feel that the car is extension of your body and soul it a simply brilliant machine.

21> Roof insulation is also top class, which is evident during the rainy season, you hardy here any sound of rain drops falling on the roofs.

What I don't like :

1> Very limited storage space inside cabin, thanks to seat pockets at least there i can keep the water bottle.
2> Finding the perfect driving position is really a difficult task. I still need to do adjustments to the seat.
3> Rear leg room could have been better but its better than swift and polo but not in the League of Tata or Liva.
45> Gap between the brake and clutch paddle is bit less, and they have accommodated dead pedal as well there, so those uses wide shoes will face bit cramped, but its okay for me.
6> Reverse parking sensors are missing, it should be standard fitment.
7> The Air noise coming from the gap between side mirrors and door is bit irritating if one is not playing music particularly at 90/100 km/hr ka speed.

Insurance:

1> First Year : HDFC Argo : No Claims.
2> Oriental Insurance: Zero Dep: No Claims.
3> Royal Sundaram: Zero Dep: Claimed my Front Windshield Glass which broke in Dec 2013, and Did Denting and painting for rear Right door at Balaji as it was slightly damaged.

Ownership experienced: Service Details

For Every Service Fiat changes following parts (One Year or 15000 kms)
1> Engine Oil Quantity: 3.3 Lit
2> Oil Filter.
3> Oil Filter.
4> AC Pollen filter.
5> Fuel Filter.

After every Two Years or 60 k kms following things are changed.
1> Gearbox Oil.
2> Power steering Oil.
3> Brake fluid.

For 90 HP engines timing belt is replaced at 60k kms. Don’t know if the same is advised for the Tata and Maruti cars.

Fiat uses Selenia brand products for Oil and Lubricants which is owned by Pertonas if am correct.

The current Odo reading is 77200 kms in 2 Years 5 months approx.
I will share the service experience here :

1> First Free Service at 5000k kms on 4th Sept 2012
Place : At Balaji Motors Thane:
Its basic inspection service, i voluntary opted for the oil change.
Problems : Nil.
Service Cost : 3075 , Oil and Oil Filter change.

2> Second Service : 22 Nov 2012, Odo reading 15025 kms
Place: Balaji Motors Thane:
Problems : Nil.
Cost : 5900 Rs

Major trips done before service :
HVK Monsoon drive to Thamhini ghats and back
Went to Delhi to watch Formula 1, Close to 3500kms trip and that was the time when she showed her true colors, brilliant dynamics gem of an engine, amazing cruising ability. We did Dombivli-Delhi in 22 hrs flat close to 1500 kms, it was amazing experience.

3> Brake Pad change :at 26147 Kms
Cost 3600 Rs Including labor.

4> Third Free Service: 7 Jun 2013 at 31010 kms
Balaji Motors
Service Cost Rs.5250.00
Problems: Nil.

- Most of the trips to Mumbai, Pune, Nasik and a Trip to Solapur Akkalkot.
- one trip in January to Bardoli, Gujrat and
- one trip to Ambejogai, Maharashtra, what horrible roads.

5> Tyre Change : 07 Nov 2013
The tyres were good for at least 5k kms more but front right tyre got busted during Nasik trip. So changed all four to Michelin 3St, cost around Rs24k.

6 > 4th Paid Service 17 Dec 2013 : Odo : 46195
Balaji Motors, Thane
Service Cost : Rs :6529.00
Problems: Nil.
During the Inspection SA found that both front Shock absorbers are showing leakage, and to my surprise he changed both of them under warranty along with Elastic pads.

Many trips happened during this period :
1> HVK Monsoon drive 2013 Final destination was Javhar through Daman, Gujarat border, some tribal route then back to Mumbai vai NH3.
2> Mumbai -Toranmal - Sardar Sarovar - Mumbai
3> Mumbai -Wilson hills - Saputara - Nasik - Mumbai.
4> Mumbai -Ahmdabad - Modera Sun temple - Rani ki wav - Mumbai.
5> Mumbai Indore - Ujjain - Mumbai
The car behave excellent during all the trips the avg was around 19km/lit.
Super ride quality, very good NVH, excellent brakes.

7 > Brake Pad change : 18 Jan 2014 Odo was 51300 km
Balaji Motors

Brake pads : 3290
Brake disk set of 2 : 2246
Labor : 800 for both
Damping material in side bonnet : Rs407.00 thanks to Rats.
Total bill Rs 7040.00

8 > Fifth Paid Service on 12 May 2014 :Odo Reading 61240
Pandit Auto, Pune
Problems : Glow Plug warning Sign :
Action: Changed two glow plugs under warranty.
This Service is very IMP service for MJD 90 HP Engine as Timing chain is to be replaced.
So Timing chain and Kit
Alternator belt change
AC belt Change
Power Steering Oil change
Coolant change
Gearbox oil change
Brake fluid change
The Final bill was Rs. 21100.00

Major Trips :
1> HVK all india Meet to Small Rann of kutch in Dec 2013.
2> Mumbai - Bangalore -Mumbai in Feb 2014
3> Mumbai - Pune - Goa- Pune - Mumbai April 2014

9> 6th Paid Service : 10 Dec 2014 : Odo Reading : 75706 :
Problems : Glow Plug Light was coming.
No major issues to report.
Alignment of my rear bumper as it got out of the place when right side of the rear bumper hit the gate, got it fixed.
Regular Service : Rs. 7200.00

In June 2014 Before the rains replaced the wiper blades : Rs.1200.00 Original Fiat one.
and in the month of July did EGR cleaning as car was feeling low on Mileage as well as pickup, reading was around 66/67 k kms cost was Rs 2500.00

1> Mumbai - Harihareshwar - Ganapatipule - Goa - Blegaum Vai Chorla ghat- Mumbai
2> HVK monsoon drive to Goa and karnataka.
3> Went to Sach pass in Friends Punto that was an awesome experience in Sept end.
4> Mumbai Bardoli - Pune - Mumbai .
5> Mumbai Goa - Pune - Ambejogai - Pune - Mumbai .

Till now no drop in mileage or no change in Engine sound the car is amazing and ageing so well.

Tyre Alignment I used to do earlier one in 15 k kms till I replace my first set of tyres, with tyre rotation at 7,500 kms and balancing as required mostly after 20 k
Where as on the second set of tyre am doing alignment and rotation at every 7.5 k kms and did balancing only once, usually balancing easily lasts for 20k kms.

Apart from regular 15k kms Service schedules, i regularly inspect the Air filter quality at every 6/7 k kms for the dust as am living in Dombivli most dusty area and horrible roads.

Changed the rear wipers twice, thanks for the kids and few morons!
-
- Today on 25th Jan 2015 Car has Just completed 79000 Km and its still as good as new, no rattle no Drop in power, no drop in performance, AC also as good as new. The car is pure joy to ride, I feel happy every time I am on the driver seat, she is fantastic, I must say FIAT is a love affair, one must experience it.

Any questions on the ownership the maintenance cost of the car please feel free to ask.

Pictures to follow :

[Eddy]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing.

[mchanna]

Thanks Parimal ,

Detailed review with amazing pics. Your ride is still looking young.

I admit with fiat it is love or hate affair always. Either you love to the core and care like baby or just hate it.


Enjoy the ride and hope it covers many many miles with ought any issues.

[parimal_g]

Originally Posted by mchanna

Thanks Parimal ,

Detailed review with amazing pics. Your ride is still looking young.

I admit with fiat it is love or hate affair always. Either you love to the core and care like baby or just hate it.


Enjoy the ride and hope it covers many many miles with ought any issues.

Thanks a lot mchanna for your kind words . Yes the car is as good as new. absolutely no change in engine note, power delivery, even the plastics are holding good. Its looking good in pictures but there are now small dents on bonnet and on some other body parts, even i have scrapped bumper many times thanks to the strong built as its still holding good.

[Autocop]

Parimal - Belated congrats for your wonderful ride, Wish you many many happy miles!

Howz suspension components (shocks, mountings, etc) holding up?, apart from some elastic pads change, any replacements/maintenance done/due in this area?

[parimal_g]

Originally Posted by Autocop

Parimal - Belated congrats for your wonderful ride, Wish you many many happy miles!

Howz suspension components (shocks, mountings, etc) holding up?, apart from some elastic pads change, any replacements/maintenance done/due in this area?

Thanks a lot. As i mentioned in my report Front Suspensions(Struts) and strut pads replaced during 45k kms service under warranty, apart from that no changes at front or rear and they are holding good, no squeak or rattles, even am surprised knowing the road conditions around my area..
But need to check the thrust ring and suspension bush wear at rear, will get it checked during my next visit probably during brake pad change.

[GrayBerry]

Dear Parimal,
Cannot agree more, Fiat Punto is the best hatch around. I got mine on Nov 2012, two year of fun. I have covered 39779 KM. My car is going strong.
Questions: Have is remapped to improve performance?
I am asking you as there are few differences, my car RPM is at 2000 at 80 Km/hr and 2300 at 100 Km/hr. My mileage is about 24 Km/lt when driven at 80 Km/hr and 22 Km/lt at 100 Km/hr.
By the way - my care is Sports in BNW too .

[ghodlur]

Parimal,

Isnt that one nice looking hatch you have there? Glad to see a happy owner (just finished reading the Fiat bashing happening in other threads on the forum). Are those Aluminium pedals, look quite flashy IMO. If you remember we had met at Balaji Fiat when you had come for the windshield replacement and the Insurance guy was playing hard. How did you conclude that wheel balancing lasts for 20K, is it a thumb rule or mentioned by Michelin?

Looking at the miles crunched it seems you have going all across the state and outside too. Keep up the mile crunching and have a safe drive.

[parimal_g]

Originally Posted by GrayBerry

Dear Parimal,
Cannot agree more, Fiat Punto is the best hatch around. I got mine on Nov 2012, two year of fun. I have covered 39779 KM. My car is going strong.
Questions: Have is remapped to improve performance?
I am asking you as there are few differences, my car RPM is at 2000 at 80 Km/hr and 2300 at 100 Km/hr. My mileage is about 24 Km/lt when driven at 80 Km/hr and 22 Km/lt at 100 Km/hr.
By the way - my care is Sports in BNW too .

Yes Certainly its best hatch.Good to know that you have same hatch with same edition. I have not remapped my car but heard a lot about wolf guys, as they have best maps. About the RPM and mileage my car is around 2400 RPM at 100 km/hr and i get 20 km/lit, mileage sometimes i have even got above 30 km/lit but that is strictly 70/80 km/hr pune to panvel stretch.
MJD is brilliant just keep doing regular maintenance.

Originally Posted by ghodlur

Parimal,

Isnt that one nice looking hatch you have there? Glad to see a happy owner (just finished reading the Fiat bashing happening in other threads on the forum). Are those Aluminium pedals, look quite flashy IMO. If you remember we had met at Balaji Fiat when you had come for the windshield replacement and the Insurance guy was playing hard. How did you conclude that wheel balancing lasts for 20K, is it a thumb rule or mentioned by Michelin?

Looking at the miles crunched it seems you have going all across the state and outside too. Keep up the mile crunching and have a safe drive.

Thanks a lot Girish Right ..? Yes we have meet at Balaji twice if am correct. Actually i have seen people don't own Fiat bash more about Fiat, they see problem with everything, gear ratio, parts availability, plastics, leg room, ergonomics i can go on and on. I can understand if someone don't have a service station in his/her town ow FASS is competent and parts availability is absolutely blown out of proportion. Are many of my friends have Honda and Hundai faces issues more than me about parts availability but they don't cry on forums, anyways that's a different debate.
About balancing thumb rule is if you feel vibrations in the steering at high speeds like in the range of 90 to 120 km/hr, then its required, otherwise no need.
Yes about that windshield episode what i did next year i changed the insurance to Royal Sundaram and got it fixed under insurance along with rear right door dent, had much better experience with them than Oriental .
And how your GP is doing, whats the ODO any plan to visit Balaji .?

[ghodlur]

Originally Posted by parimal_g

Thanks a lot Girish Right ..? Yes we have meet at Balaji twice if am correct.
About balancing thumb rule is if you feel vibrations in the steering at high speeds like in the range of 90 to 120 km/hr, then its required, otherwise no need.
And how your GP is doing, whats the ODO any plan to visit Balaji .?

Yes thats correct. We did meet twice.
I was under the impression that Wheel alignment is always preceded by the Wheel balancing. I get it done every 6K kms or 6 months whichever is earlier. Actually I get it done twice a year - once pre monsoon and one post monsoon.
My GP is doing good, no issues. Haven't visited the FASS for a long time, the next due is in June 2015 for the scheduled checks. Happy to keep it that way. Did have some issues regarding the door locks, Horns but those were resolved quick and satisfactorily by FASS (Balaji Fiat, Thane). No complaints.

By any chance in your ownership of 79K kms, did you replace the engine guard i.e the plate below the engine. I am planning to do so since I found the plate to be heavily corroded and lost its paint.

[parimal_g]

Originally Posted by ghodlur

Yes thats correct. We did meet twice.
I was under the impression that Wheel alignment is always preceded by the Wheel balancing. I get it done every 6K kms or 6 months whichever is earlier. Actually I get it done twice a year - once pre monsoon and one post monsoon.
My GP is doing good, no issues. Haven't visited the FASS for a long time, the next due is in June 2015 for the scheduled checks. Happy to keep it that way. Did have some issues regarding the door locks, Horns but those were resolved quick and satisfactorily by FASS (Balaji Fiat, Thane). No complaints.

By any chance in your ownership of 79K kms, did you replace the engine guard i.e the plate below the engine. I am planning to do so since I found the plate to be heavily corroded and lost its paint.

Even i have faced door locked issue during monsoon once as doors were not opening from outside, Took Car to Balaji they promptly solved the issue by spraying some solution like WD40 and Lubricating it afterwords. Problem is i don't have covered parking for my car so its always standing in rains.

Even my sump guard plate is heavily corroded just leave it no harm. As same thing will happen even to new one, ow get is painted from any local paint shop.

[me@fiat]

So finally it makes it !!! Congrats Parimal. Have seen your car from 0km to 70K+kms in this short span. Truly worthy machine. Enjoy the beast!!

Still feel jealous, as i find your car all together different than my 2009 Punto.

[TheG2]

Wonderful PG. Finally the car makes it to the ownership section. Congratulations on the wonderful car! Shines like a day old..

[parimal_g]

Originally Posted by me@fiat

So finally it makes it !!! Congrats Parimal. Have seen your car from 0km to 70K+kms in this short span. Truly worthy machine. Enjoy the beast!!

Still feel jealous, as i find your car all together different than my 2009 Punto.

Thanks a lot Tinesh..it was a great help. Yes Punto is awesome, so as your punto and we need to tell that this is 2009 Model, you have kept her in showroom condition.

Originally Posted by TheG2

Wonderful PG. Finally the car makes it to the ownership section. Congratulations on the wonderful car! Shines like a day old..

Thanks a lot Jetu, you know much i love to do detailing.

[parimal_g]

Pune Mumbai is best place to extract Mileage from this beauty, in one of the drives sticking to Km/hr , this is what the result was.

I can proudly say itana deti hai, but to be frank there is no fun in driving this beast at this speed on expressway, as its very difficult to keep the car at this speed.