| Re: Growing up with a Fiat Linea T-Jet for 10 years
Just stumbled upon this thread, and could not help posting. I have the Linea 2011 TJet as well, in the exact same colour, and could not agree more with the sentiment of OP. My Jet too has retained its original paint sheen over the decade even with many years of exposure to sun, bird droppings, tree resin and lots of neighbourhood dogs. The leather seats are to this day so comfortable, and there is no fatigue after long non-stop journeys. Just at the new year, we drove from Kanyakumari to Bangalore with just two food breaks and with two small kids aged 7 and 4 in the rear. Zero fatigue and a massive boot that just takes up any amount of luggage makes all journeys a pleasure. I hate the fact that there is no Aux input for the stereo, and the Windows media player Voice control drives me up the wall at times. But I have not made any changes to the stock car. This car has spent more time in the highways than in the city, and has never ever failed me in all these years. I have come close to parting with it a few times when I could not take it out for months together, due to work situations, but then I've placed advertisements only to take them down a day later, after a sleepless night.
On the highway is where the car truly shines. There are many times when I just enjoy the hum of the motor and the scenery passing by. While I do not recommend or try high speed antics on the highway (been there done that, too old now), this car is very much capable of excellent highway speeds. Our highway conditions and nature of traffic do not allow safe driving at the car's full potential.
The steering wheel is a joy, with intricate feedback, for those who enjoy that, and the stability and confidence that the vehicle inspires is unmatched. At least in this price range! For a 12 year old vehicle, it has almost all creature comforts one might need, and the A/c is an absolute chiller to this day.
99rpm has served me well, with parts that I need, and a known mechanic has taken good care of the car when the Tata/Fiat/Jeep service has given up. There are of course unpredictable waits for parts, one tends to plan well knowing the situation. My observation is that the overall cost of maintenance of the Jet has been actually more or less same as my city beater car - the Alto 800, which I thought would be lower in maintenance costs. They have both run equal kilometers, but the Alto has more in replacement parts probably due to lower quality components. The Alto feels like a horrible rattling machine now, but the Jet has retained its finesse.
As someone who has more grey hairs than black, I do not floor the throttle often anymore, but on the rare occasion that I do the car never fails to please. The 4 disc brakes provide ample confidence to stop and the handling is very precise, for a car that has to tolerate Bangalore's non-existent roads.
The suspension has begun to show its age, and some of the plastics are a bit faded, but that is something I have made peace with. Mechanically, I do not see any issues with the car as long as one can source parts as needed. I have stocked some parts over the years, as I have done with other vehicles in my garage, and will stock more as the years go by. Right now I have ordered suspension kit from 99 RPM which is on the way - took about 20 days waiting - however this is well known and accepted by Fiat owners. My other vehicles - two old bullets - Std 350 and Electra 350 also have taught me patience among other things.
This car is a part of my life, from the early days, to now. It brought home my children from the hospital when they were born, and it has taken us to many destinations over the years. It took my mother to the hospital when she had a heart attack and brought her home safely. My cat sometimes lies in the car for the entire day, perhaps feeling safe and secure inside (I leave the windows down when I have to park for longer duration inside the garage). Her claws thankfully have not damaged the seats. Many times I have left the car idle for 2-3 months, and it never fails to start with a single crank. (Of course I trickle charge the battery among other precautions during a long break).
The only incident I had with the car was one when I was driving back from Chennai to Bangalore after my second child was born. Near Krishnagiri Ghats, I was wedged between a completely insane bus driver and a very slow moving truck. The bus brushed past the left hand side and while the damage was just skin deep, I replaced the entire panel rather than repaint it. Those days we still had parts!
It is perhaps true that more than the machine, it is the memories that we make with them that bonds us to our cars, and letting go is not an option. What struck me is the original post by the youngster who has grown up with the car, just as my children are currently doing, and has the memories that he treasures. I hope my children will cherish the time in mine, as they grow older in my Jet.
It is very sad that such a gem of a car did not make a good impression in India, and we do not see more of them on the roads.
Last edited by kirans : 23rd March 2022 at 22:02.
Reason: Spellings/Grammar
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13th January 2021, 10:41
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Thanks
