Team-BHP - Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Was a long, happy day for me today. Will post the detailed impressions tomorrow. Ownership log will come up in a month's time, after running about 3k kms.

Congrats buddy!

Wishing you a very safe, happy and satisfying ownership experience!

The 90HP is a great mile muncher and simply brilliant in the twisties!

Look forward to your future posts :)

I am happy to see more Fiats, and I will get my Fiat in about a weeks time :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR (Post 2709960)

Was a long, happy day for me today.

Congrats on your Punto. Enjoy your miles now!
And it's nice to see a convert here clap:

I took a test drive of a 2012 Punto y'day and I was bowled over by just the ride itself. It is truly a magic carpet.

Compared to my Palio SDX the cabin is well insulated and the Clutch is super light but I would take the foot well of a Palio any day since for a person with large feet like me the Punto's foot well is cramped.

Congrats Crazy Driver. The car looks fabulous in white! Is it a 90 bhp one?

Of all the hatches on India's roads, the Punto and Polo are the best-looking. In fact they look great from any angle.

Edit: Saw just now from prior posts that it is a 90 bhp model. Congrats once again. Do let us know if city-driving makes a difference on this version compared to the normal one. I did read the review long back which stated that it is only on highways that the extra horses show their presence.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lloydofcochin

I would take the foot well of a Palio any day since for a person with large feet like me the Punto's foot well is cramped.

I m wondering if the center console can be removed and the footrest sawn off (footrest projects from this).

I really dont mind doing this if the job can be finished well. Will drive around for a few weeks to see if I can get 'adjusted' to this and then decide.

This is the only fly in the ointment for me in an otherwise brilliant car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by akshay1234 (Post 2710277)

Guys what would be a good price for a 2010 1.3 Emo pack? Bought it in May 2010 and might be selling it soon. The car has done about 13k kms and visually is in 9.5/10 condition and mechanically the same condition too, spare some rattle from the rear which needs to be fixed. Its running Yoko C-drives, has Vkool sunfilm installed along with a slightly better music system.

Carwale quotes about 5L for an excellent car. CarValue | Used | CarWale CarValue - CarWale

Wait till March 16th and if the proposed diesel tax does come in, expect the resale of all diesel cars to soar...

Quote:

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious (Post 2709965)

Congrats on your car! The tint looks HOT! clap:

The tint was a mistake by the dealership. I had not asked for them, and those are pretty dark! They do look great on a white car, hence we decided to overlook that little goof-up in an otherwise fantastic dealership experience.

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Originally Posted by ThePunter (Post 2709990)

Congratulations for the new prized possession.

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Originally Posted by devil_klm (Post 2710096)

Congrats CrazyDriver for the punto.

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Originally Posted by autocrat (Post 2710104)

Congrats buddy!

Thanks guys! :thumbs up

Quote:

Originally Posted by akshay1234 (Post 2710277)

Guys what would be a good price for a 2010 1.3 Emo pack?

As fiat_tarun has rightly pointed out - wait for the budget. If the proposed taxes are implemented - prices for used diesel cars will go up as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vnabhi (Post 2710358)

Congrats Crazy Driver. Do let us know if city-driving makes a difference on this version compared to the normal one.

I have been trying to keep the rpm below 2000 till now, and it feels as slow/fast as the 75hp. I dont see any major difference from 75hp. But again, too early to comment authoritatively.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiren.mistry (Post 2710393)

I've taken delivery of my Tuscon Wine Punto last week

Congrats! clap:

Thats a beautiful colour! I had a very tough time deciding between Tusan Wine and BNW.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lloydofcochin (Post 2710270)

but I would take the foot well of a Palio any day since for a person with large feet like me the Punto's foot well is cramped.

Quote:

Originally Posted by autocrat (Post 2710494)

This is the only fly in the ointment for me in an otherwise brilliant car.

Day 1- Yesterday while taking delivery from the dealership- I just couldnt get the pedals correctly with the shoes on. Took it off, and had a tough time wearing shows whenever we stopped somewhere.

Day 2- I've driven around 60kms today with my size-10 Woodlands (The typical Woodlands design with huge sole underneath- It just can't get any bigger than this!). Its just a matter of getting used to - IMHO.

First impressions/ Doubts from Day 2-

I was expecting the stock music system to be absolute crap. I had even charted my Stage-I upgrade plan with the help of T-Bhp'ian and friend crazybiker46. However - the system has managed to surprise me. Although its not amazing, it feels good enough at the volumes i listen to, and for this segment of cars. Will check a few more days, and see if Stage I is really needed (Will go to Stage II directly bit later then!).
I thought Punto had a 4 speakers. I didnt expect tweeters to be included in the system. Something specific to 90HP?
Lack of underthigh support / Long travel clutch is a pain at times!
Delightful steering, suspension systems! Also, as gemithomas (IIRC) mentioned in some FIAT thread - you park the car, walk away - you'll have the itch to turn back and have a look at the car- and then - you can't help smiling - its a beauty! Reminds me of Linea's old tagline - Cause I'm stuck at the sight of you...
Bought Samsung Mobile Original Car charger today. Plugs in neatly - and mobile can be kept on the rubberised space provided below the handbrake lever. We have an S and an S2 , and hence went for Samsung original - instead of the usual multi pin type!
Planning to buy car covers (OE) + get reverse sensors (OE) installed tomorrow, IF white coloured sensors are available and IF they can be done at the dealership. If i need to take it to the service station - these will need to wait. Does the OE reverse sensor come with audio alert, or only visual alert on the mirror?

Mods: Sorry for back to back posts. Time limit is over.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR (Post 2710760)

Planning to buy car covers (OE) + get reverse sensors (OE) installed tomorrow, IF white coloured sensors are available and IF they can be done at the dealership. If i need to take it to the service station - these will need to wait. Does the OE reverse sensor come with audio alert, or only visual alert on the mirror?

The OE reverse sensors are cheap Minda or some chinese make. You WILL LOOSE DAY/NIGHT FACILITY of the OE RWM - Beware

Yes the reverse sensor comes with a audio alert with a sexy chinky voice telling you the distance and STOOOOPPPPP! :Frustrati along with the visual alert on the mirror!

And congrats on the FIAT.

Quote:

Originally Posted by headers (Post 2710792)

I read an earlier post from you yesterday, about losing day/night mirror functionality. That should be ok, since I have pretty dark tints anyways, so not much glare at night.

Other than that, any issues with the OE sensors? Chinky voice is really irritating? :D How is the add on mirror- does it look cheap?

Any other recommended brands? The car is bigger than what I had in mind, rear visibility is poor + I'll need to reverse into my parking lot (infested with bikes :D) at midnight. Hence sensors seem to be a necessity.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR (Post 2710824)

Other than that, any issues with the OE sensors? Chinky voice is really irritating? :D How is the add on mirror- does it look cheap?

Any other recommended brands? The car is bigger than what I had in mind, rear visibility is poor + I'll need to reverse into my parking lot (infested with bikes :D) at midnight. Hence sensors seem to be a necessity.

There are 2 brands from the dealer, one is MINDA and the other is Circuit I. I've got the latter in both our Puntos.

The functionality is fairly OK, but dont expect eyes in the rear!! They work for solid obstacles pretty well.

The car FYI is as wide as a MM540 Jeep with both door mirrors extended and in use.

[quote=CrAzY dRiVeR;2710760]First impressions/ Doubts from Day 2-
[list][*]I was expecting the stock music system to be absolute crap. I had even charted my Stage-I upgrade plan with the help of T-Bhp'ian and friend crazybiker46. However - the system has managed to surprise me. Although its not amazing, it feels good enough at the volumes i listen to, and for this segment of cars. Will check a few more days, and see if Stage I is really needed (Will go to Stage II directly bit later then!)

During my couple of visits to VST showroon, I had checked out the sound quality of 3 to 4 puntos , some of the felt really crappy, whereas some of them felt decently good. When asked about this to the SA, the brand of speakers may vary on some cars. You might be one of the lucky ones.