Fiat Palio 1.6 - 5.5 years and 100,000 kms I have been a reader and follower of Team BHP almost since its inception and reading about the 1.6 kept me wanting to buy one the first chance I get. Well, that day was 11 October ’08.
Don’t really know where to begin in terms of this write-up. The car has been a pleasure to own and drive. I used to drive a Marina for the better part of 4 years so moving over to the Palio was a refreshing change.
Originally the car came with Goodyear GPS2 and just looking at them made the car look anemic. It just didn’t feel right. Changed the tyres on the car to Goodyear Eagle NCT 5 within the first week. Upgraded the contact patch a tad bit to 185/65 R14. Added audio equipment as well and was a happy camper for about 3 months. Then was in Bangalore when I got a K&N for the car, got the Conical Extreme on it. The sound is to die for. The intake roar from the stock airbox itself was quite loud and this change puts it in a different league. People actually stop and look at why my car has the roar coming out of the engine bay and not the exhaust. Hehe J.
Then came first strike. My grandma passed away and was heading to the hospital from office when a Corolla comes out of the lane outside Mangeshkar hospital and provides the finishing touches to the left front fender, headlight and the alloy wheel. The lip of the wheel had actually been sheared of in the impact. Cursed myself for not looking and the Corolla driver for not watching and moved on as was in a hurry. Dropped off the car for repairs the next day. Insurance covered all the expenses except 50% of the headlight costs which amounted to 4000 Rs.
Total Expenditure: INR 4000
Have driven the car extensively on highways between Pune, Goa, Bangalore and Hyderabad and don’t have any complaints about its driving manners. It stays where I want it to be. Overtaking on the highway is a breeze.
Then came strike two. I commute to work using the NH4 Bypass in Pune. There was a traffic snarl one day and I was stuck behind a truck. The trucker just decides to step out and check what the hangup is without applying any brakes to the standstill mammoth. It rolls back and rips through my hood like it’s made of paper. Take down his contact details and head to office just wondering what damage this will have on my pocket. Drop off the car for repairs the same day. Insurance covered all the expenses as the hood had to be replaced.
Total Cost: 0 INR.
At 22000 KMS, the tyres were showing signs of wear. Mid-corner I had a lot of tyre squeal and even while braking. So replaced the donuts with Goodyear Eagle F1s and upgraded the tyre size some more to 195/60 R14. Keeping the tyre pressure at 28 PSI has kept the tyres performing well in terms of grip and also comfort.
I had earlier used the Philips Crystal vision in the Marina and was quite happy with the visibility provided so got the same in H7 form for the Palio. This improved the illumination to an extent but was an absolute pain in the rains. Swapped them out for Philips HIDs and been smooth sailing since then. No complaints in any weather conditions. The headlights also provide a good light cutoff so I don’t blind the oncoming traffic too much. Though, since I don’t have projectors, it is going to happen to an extent.
Have religiously followed the servicing procedure mentioned in the manual of 7500 interval and the car has been trouble-free so far with one exception. Was driving down to Hyderabad when I felt the car just revving and not actually moving as it should at the RPM. Another couple of hours of similar response, I called the Tata Service personnel and found that the oil seal in the gearbox could have been toast and leaking oil on to the clutch causing it to slip. I was asked to go to any Fiat A.S.S. and get the same worked on. Called ahead to Concorde in Hyderabad and let them know the situation. I was assured that the work to be done is minimal and I can drop off the car when I get there and collect it the next day. The Service Advisors at Pune also told me that the repairs would be covered under warranty. I was going to be in Hyderabad for just one day so was OK with the commitment given. This however was only short-lived as they delayed the work to 2 days and I had to pay 7000 Rs. for the clutch and also the labor charges. Since I was in a hurry to get back to Pune, I dint bother arguing and just paid for the same.
Total Cost: 7000 INR
Every servicing expenditure: 450INR
Overall, I am really satisfied with the way the car is performing. No rattles, no troubles and no failures.
I have saved one point to end with and that is F.E. been hearing a lot about the Palio not being a very fuel efficient vehicle not only on this forum but also from friends and colleagues. I am getting 12-13 KMPL in city driving and once also got 14!!!! On the highways, 14-15 is the efficiency I’m getting. I am not one to drive with a light foot either. Have done 195 KMPH on the way to Bangalore with no drop in F.E.
Also, the FIAT A.S.S. that everyone is cribbing about eludes me. I have had nothing but good experiences with Pandit and B.U. Bhandari in Pune. No service delays or waiting. I go to the extent of sitting at the workshop hours at an end watching as they work on the car. They have not raised a concern regarding me being around either.
FIAT definitely has a lover won over in me and I am also considering buying the Punto soon.
Hope this covered all my experiences with the car. Let me know if you guys have any questions.
Last edited by bblost : 15th February 2010 at 14:47.
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