Team-BHP - Fiat Linea has arrived

I have booked Linea Emotion Pack Diesel (Medium Grey) on 22 Jan 2009 from VST Motors,Chennai.
They promised me to deliver the car on or before 16 Feb 2009.
But still the consignment is not started from the factory(Pune).
will take 10 days to reach chennai and PDI check completed and registered.
Till now i haven't got any news about the delivery from my sales guy.
Awaiting :)

I test drove the LINEA Petrol 15 minutes ago..Following are my observations;

The car makes a lot of sound. Groans like a FERRARI but drives like a FIAT! There seems to be hardly any noise insulation worth the salt. The noise outside is comparatively muted that what you hear inside.
The pickup is between average and Good. It appears as if the engine has a CVT i.e. the pickup doesnt increse commensurate to the noise of the engine. Its gradual while the engine continues to groan. Atleast they could have compensated it with a "Sporty Exhaust"!
The steering seems to be under assisted. It requires some effort to turn the steering while idle though the feeling disappears soon after the car starts rolling.
I felt the car was bouncing a bit when I was driving on the flyover at 50kmph. Wasnt inspiring much of confidence on undulated surfaces on the flyover.
The interior space is a bit cramped with inadequate shoulder room. 3 people sitting in the back is a big squeeze and am sure wouldnt be comfortable on a long drive.
The leg space at the back isnt great. With the front seats comfortably adjusted for a 5ft6 Incher, the leg space behind is just about adequate.
Breaking is good!
I found the seats to be comfy and a good driving position.
I had a feeling of the above in a very short test drive of 2 kms. They didnt allow me to drive more. Strange region mentioned by the Dealer is "We have just one TD car".
As usual the Sales guy was louzy and disinterested! It appeared as if he hadnt received his incentive for the previous month. The enthu was purely missing with both the dealers A1 Motors and Sanya Motors where I test drove the Petrol and Diesel respectively. I doubt the after sales experience!
Overall 6.5/10 for this model. :thumbs up

Quote:

Originally Posted by aks_karthik (Post 1164169)

I've booked on 17th Jan and I've not heard anything from them yet..just a plain one liner.."Sir, You will get your vehicle before last week of Feb". And I stay in Pune so you can imagine when you'll get it lol:
Even after booking the Linea so early if you can't get your hands on this beauty till date. does it mean there is really so much demand for the vehicle? or its a game being played by FIAT just to fake the waiting time?

Now after waiting for 3 long weeks, I'm adamant on taking only 09 mfg car. I'll rather wait for some more days if it requires:thumbs up