[.anshuman]

Originally Posted by Mr_Bean

Your statement is indeed assuring for prospective buyers, a lot has been spoken about the quality of interiors, uneven panel gaps, how are they holding up after 2 years of running?

Interiors have poor fit and finish for a premium hatchback. Quality of certain plastics and most rubber parts is worst in segment but they seem to be bolted well, i have no issues with rattling except the rear seats, where the bolts need to tightened regularly.

The best part is build strength, the car has held itself well despite being regularly subjected to bad roads.

For more detail go through the thread.

[nkapoor777]

Originally Posted by anonymous

I am planning to buy a second hand 2009 Model Punto Emotion 1.3 which has clocked 39k KM for 4.5 Lakhs and I like to know if the deal is worth spending such amount?

The price is definitely on the higher side IMHO. The Emotion was costing approx 6 lakhs in 2009 at launch. With depreciation and the usual notorious resale for Fiats, it should be much closer to 4 lakhs. I'd suggest look around for a 2009 Emotion pack though which you may get in a similar or slightly higher price range.

My Punto Emotion pack is July 2009 and has done 42k kms now. Pretty happy with the car but the service and parts availability are sour points.

[.anshuman]

Last week my car was due for the 45000kms service. Since the car is no longer covered under warranty, i am not bound to get the car serviced at Tata Fiat ASC. But finding genuine spares for a Fiat car is almost impossible task, especially in my hometown- Hisar. A friend helped me source the spares needed for service from a Tata Fiat ASC, another friend recommended me some ex-fiat mechanics in Hisar, who now have setup their own workshop for Fiat Palio/Siena/Petra cars. With the Fiat sourced spares and Oil sourced from Auto Market, i got my car services under my own supervision.

45k kms service is a normal service where all the filters and engine oil need to be changed. 60k service is a major service, apart from Oil and filters, Timing belt, gearbox oil, coolant etc also will have to be changed.



^ Invoice for the spares


^ This filter alone costs 1700 bucks. No mention of Fiat anywhere on the filter, the earlier filter which was replaced was exactly the same. A sensor is connected at bottom of this sensor to warn if it gets filled with water. Air needs to be drained post install by loosening the screw on top.


^ Even this filter has no mention of Fiat/Tata anywhere.


^ This one again has no mention of Fiat.


^ Only this AC Pollen filter had mention of Fiat on the packaging.

[.anshuman]

After the service got the car a real good wash for just 50 bucks. Pics after waxing the car with Formula 1.











Without any doubt, one of the best looking automobile on sale today.

[sukrit7]

Man, how is your car scratch less after 45k? looks right out of the showroom in the last picture

Anshuman, are you sure the timing belt is changed at the 60k service interval? Isn't that a little early?

[.anshuman]

Originally Posted by sukrit7

Man, how is your car scratch less after 45k? looks right out of the showroom in the last picture

Anshuman, are you sure the timing belt is changed at the 60k service interval? Isn't that a little early?

The car has its share of scars from traffic battles, its just that none of them are large enough to be visible from a distance.

Let me check in the manual, AFAIK Multijet engine is chain driven. I posted about timing belt change because i saw a mention service schedule, maybe it was for Petrol engine.

[sukrit7]

Thank god. I was wondering how you've kept it scar free. I felt a little ashamed since my car has quite a few scratches.

Ya. It's chain driven. I think 60k is check and around the 1 lakh mark is change.

[ms001]

The car looks brand new.
anyone who saw this beauty on the road will believe it is a brand new car not a 2 year old 45k driven.
cheers !!

[nanduchitnis]

Congrats, you have maintained this car so well. This thread is a joy to read for fellow motorists. Have learned a few things after reading your posts!

Rgds

[gopikb]

anshuman, unbelievable how you have maintained your car. Looks better than a show room piece. Mine is also red, but i have so many scars around.

[.anshuman]

Back from a major service, washed and waxed at home. Got the 60k kms service done at 55k kms

[.McLaren]

Mate, I was recently going to ask you for an update but refrained from bumping up an 8 month old thread. Thanks for yet another unbiased & detailed long term report. Details on any issues, costs, etc would be appreciated.

Looks like our taste in cars is very similar! After following up your white Laura DSG with a white Laura DSG, I'm now considering following up your Italian beaut with an identical (darker red) one too!

Personally I feel the Punto, with it's several flaws (including the thorn in it's crown i.e. TASS), has a certain "character" I've only experienced in Alfa Romeos before. It truly has a heart, no?

[.anshuman]

Originally Posted by .McLaren

Mate, I was recently going to ask you for an update but refrained from bumping up an 8 month old thread. Thanks for yet another unbiased & detailed long term report. Details on any issues, costs, etc would be appreciated.

You can see all previous service updates on this thread, the recent service was a major service which costed 9k Rupees.

Looks like our taste in cars is very similar! After following up your white Laura DSG with a white Laura DSG, I'm now considering following up your Italian beaut with an identical (darker red) one too!

Buy it only if you have a good Tata Fiat Dealer in your area.

Personally I feel the Punto, with it's several flaws (including the thorn in it's crown i.e. TASS), has a certain "character" I've only experienced in Alfa Romeos before. It truly has a heart, no?

With the recent tweaks to suspension and GC, the new Punto reportedly has lost some of the handling finesse but has gained few more mm of GC. The Armor protected underbody is excellent, can take abuse(but rims are weak).

If you love to Revv buy the 90hp version, though the overall performance is neither excellent nor a big step over 75hp as the hp figure might suggest but it feels more eager after 3k RPM and is considerably more fun to drive flatout. Overall performance for both variants is WEAK, weirdly tweaked for India gear ratios rob it of acceleration figures.

Ride, Handling and Steering are A grade, no other car in the segment has such a good balance of these 3. Even some much more expensive cars like Verna and Corolla have much inferior setup. Brake are awesome with just the right calibration and feel through pedal, on road braking performance can easily shame a most cars with rear discs.

Looks though long in tooth are still are good enough, but i feel it is time to give is Evo upgrade instead of the dated and discontinued current look.

Rubber and Plastic quality suck big time, just plain terrible.

[gopikb]

Originally Posted by .anshuman

Back from a major service, washed and waxed at home. Got the 60k kms service done at 55k kms

Anshuman, you continue to amaze us with the impeccable look of your Punto after running 55K kms. I am tempted to go for a 3M car detailing in Bangalore hoping to get the same look in my car. The thread on the tires look brand new in your car. Did you change your tires recently?

Your review was one of the prime reason why I chose the Punto 3 years ago. It has been a exhilarating experience so far. We don't have service issues in Bangalore and the ownership experience has been top class.

[krreddy]

Originally Posted by .anshuman

Back from a major service, washed and waxed at home. Got the 60k kms service done at 55k kms

I'm nearing 60K as well. Should drop the car by next week. Care to elaborate the service bill with us.

BTW got the following parts replaced under warranty till now.

1. Master Cylinder - Clutch as it was replaced on my car @ 29K.
2. Window buttons and the motor were replaced.
3. Racket pin steering rod was replaced @ 55K.
4. Shocks and struts were replaced @ 15,000 & 45K.
5. AC Evaporator coil & AC Pipe were replaced @ 55K.


I have found a good Service Center in Malik Cars and more importantly we enjoy a good relationship with the mechanic, service advisor(s), the service Manager & the General Manager. Luckily for me, only one mechanic has serviced my car till date. When i gave my car for the first service, he was the only mechanic who had FIAT training, so i always insist on him servicing my car whenever i go to Malik Cars. He's now the head mechanic.

Big props to Malik Cars though, they have been really great over the years. The only reason i'm still clinging on to my car is because of them. Although they take time to get parts approved (warranty), they atleast do it right.

I cringe the though of FIAT moving away from TATA. I have faced independent FIAT horrors from 1995 - 2001 and they were down right horrible (Surekha Motors to be precise).