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-   -   Tu sei una stella...la mia stella - BNW Grande Punto MJD Emotion (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-drives-initial-ownership-reports/90766-tu-sei-una-stella-la-mia-stella-bnw-grande-punto-mjd-emotion.html)

After a few hiccups and fights with Concorde Motors, experience here (http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...g-reponse.html) I finally got my Grande Punto BNW MJD Emotion last week.

My first car was the cute Chevy Spark. My running kept increasing month on month with frequent trips to Visakhapatnam and it was time I thought about a Diesel car. My list had Indica Vista Aura ABS and Ford Figo. I read all the ownership reviews on the Figo and Vista. It was really a close call between the two cars for me. Since stability on the highway was my major requirement, I took both the cars on the highway, and that's where the Vista was out of my list. The steering was vague at higher speeds, and quick lane changes were not so confidence inspiring due to the body roll. Figo won on the handling with it's super responsive steering and nice highway manners. When the decision was almost made, I got a call from Concorde who wanted to know my decision. I told them my decision points, and they said the Punto would fit in. I was skeptical about the price as I wanted ABS in my next car. I thought I wouldn't lose anything over a test drive and asked the guy to come down to my place. I was waiting in the balcony directing the guy to my place. As soon as the car took a turn into my street, I bought it. I was sold on the looks. It was a Bossa Nova white GP Emotion with the FIAT stickering on it. Test drive was just a formality. The Punto won my heart once again when I took her out on the highway, precise and perfectly weighted steering, was like a train on track at triple digit speeds. Suspension was so good, that after sometime I stopped slowing down for the bad patches on the road. The decision was instantaneous. I was Punto'ed.

The Dynamic fit into my budget, and I booked one. I went around to have a look at the ICE options, seat covers and a few more accessories which I wanted from Day 1. After a few calculations the budget came to around 50k for the ICE and accessories, which again put a question in my mind. Why don't I put in the same money on the Punto and get myself an Emotion. I would get a Stock ICE (at least to listen to something, though I would rate it as 2/10), fog lamps, Keyless entry, Rear defogger + wash and wipe and above all ABS. I rushed to the showroom the next morning and changed my booking to the Punto Emotion.

I got my car after a lot of fuss, but the pain was all gone once I got my hands on the steering. I couldn't wait to drive this beauty on the highway to Vizag to show it to my parents. Any long drive is boring without nice audio. I had ordered a Blaupunkt THA 555 PnP amp for my Punto from Autosonics Mumbai. All I needed was a nice pair of speakers and the installation of the amp. Prices for the upgrade were as below.

Blaupunkt THA 555 PnP - 12.5k
Wiring 2.5 mtr - 2.5k
Polk db 6501 components - 6.5k
Polk db651 co axials - 3k
Installation - 1k
Sub - Pending for next month. Need suggestions here!

Now was the I love the most. DRIVE - on the highway! I ensured that I was under the 3k rpm rev range, by using the programmable speed limit at 120 kph. With so much information on the MID I was simply blown away. Considering I upgraded from Spark, I was so happy that the IC was right where it belonged - In front of me!

What I loved about this car -
1. Solid and heavy car in all aspects, right from the weight of the foldable key to the steering.
2. Meaty steering to hold, which responds to you at all speeds.
3. Confidence inspiring braking.
4. The Sweet turbo whistle (I love it)
5. Responsive engine in spite of the turbo lag, thanks to the low end torque. The kick of the turbo is a different story all together.
6. Excellent suspension setup which eats up anything to everything on the road.
7. Information on the MID.
8. Autodown on all windows. Auto Up on drivers window.

Things which I didn't like much -
1. Front Power window switches and the switches for fog lamps and headlight adjustment are too far to reach for me.
2. The stock lighting was poor. I upgraded to Philips extreme power and along with the fog lamps, the lighting was great in the dark nights.
3. Awkward high/low beam mechanism.
4. Stock ICE speakers.
5. Awful 165/80 R14 tyres even for an Emotion variant (cost cutting I think, It was 175/70 R14 rubber earlier).

The FE I got overall was 16.6 kmpl for the round trip from HYD-VIZAG.

Absolutely no parts falling off, no rattles, no issues with the plastics, but for the steering console cover. Overall a completely VFM car!

No Grande Punto post is complete without pics, so here are a few!

Congratulations on your new Grande Punto Bosa Nova White.
Truly an amazing car and also a nice detailed review on your part

Complimenti eagle on your latest Italian Love !! :)

Punto in White and Black always leave me drooling buddy. You know just as well as I do, your Punto needs some fat Rubber and 15" Alloys to complete the Look. [/COLOR]

Congrats and welcome to the FIAT family. 16 kmpl is descent for first few fill ups.

Welcome. You have got a very nice car for yourself. Just to make you a little happier, this car gives 21 kmpl on highways with AC on. Provided you keep it at 80 KMPH. But that is tough. I let mine go wild on Banglr-Hyd highway. Throughout the trip I was 90% driving at 100+ speeds with AC on. I got 18.5 Kmpl.

Congrats. The thread title was so confusing though :D

I drove a Punto (again) last week through some bad roads. I was in love with its ride quality and braking again!

Congrats Eagle! Welcome to Punters' Club!:thumbs up

Hope this thread stays Active with Emotions for ever with the updates!:)

Congrats Eagle and welcome to the Grande Punto club. As Vik0728 pointed out earlier, fat rubber and 15" alloys will not only improve the looks, but will bring the real beast from inside on highways runs given that you plan to travel very frequently. Have that as your first upgrade list.

Enjoy your beauty and drive safe

Thanks driving_smartly!

Very true. I'm looking out for 15 inch 98 PCD alloys for a good price. Will upgrade as soon as I get a nice deal.

Thanks neoonwheels. I think the FE would improve after a few thousand km's. I've done about 1700 in the first week :D.

Thanks much download2live. The Avg on the MID seemed accurate when I tanked up, the figures were almost similar. Will the FE increase after a few more kms on the ODO?

Thanks jkdas! The title is 'You are a star...my star' in Italian.
Thanks EARTHed. I would keep this thread as much Active with emotions as I can!

Thanks gopikb. Will upgrade the rubber the first chance I get!

Rather than the kms on odo, i feel its the driving style which makes a big difference. As you clock more kms, you will get to know the car more intimately. And that automatically translates to a better FE.

Eagle have 2 things in the form of a request:

1. When you do upgrade the footwear on your Italian Stud, ensure you choose a Darker shade on the Spokes buddy. A regular, Silver finish will just not do justice to those curves on a Punto. :)
2. More Urgently, Update your signature bro....YOUR PUNTO IS HERE!! :)

Will keep 1. in mind. I think you mean 'Black Machined finish'. Please correct me if I am wrong.

And Yes, Signature updated :thumbs up

Congrats on the BNW Punto. It was a wise decision to go for the Emotion variant instead of Dynamic.

Do enjoy many more happy miles with the BNW Punto MJD Emotion.

Actually eagle what I really meant was somthing like in this pic below. This is my Personal taste and just Oozes drool IMO! :D

I know, finding a similar design might be a tough ask, but take my word on this bro, even if you can get somthing close to it with may be a Chrome lip or somthing, it will completely transform an Amazing Car into a WONDER !! stupid:

Congratulations Eagle...
It's raining Punto's in TBHP.

And I'm sure ALL Punto owners would vouch for this statement:
Surely one of the most beautiful cars in India, if not in the World.