[hemanth.anand]

Originally Posted by Vik0728

Now that you caught us all off guard (well me for sure), you need to Pin-down your Buying experience, Dealership Review and Ownership details.

"It should not matter, if it is a 'Scaled-Down' Review bro."

This one's for you Vik0728

What I like:
• Stunning design. Easily the most stylish 1:18 hatchback on our roads today
• Dual tone interiors. Great detailing
• Doors, Boot and Bonnet can be opened
• Perfectly calibrated steerable wheels - Deserves a mention here.
• Wonderful A.S.S.

What I don't:
• Doors don't give that satisfying thud on closing
• Interior fit, finish and quality are strictly average
• Mirror is not of high standards.
• Inconsistent panel gaps between bumper and body



The selection process:
It was quite a few days since I bought a scaled model.
I was looking for a new scaled model since Dec2011.
My only criterion - its 1:1 car should be running on Indian roads. Nothing had caught my eye.

Other cars I considered:
Tata Nano: It was really cute but then the detailing was not very good.
The doors were fixed.
Fiat 500: I don’t like the looks of this car somehow. Rejected very soon.

In January this year, I visited the Abarth store and saw that they had a Grande Punto Abarth.
Now that’s one car that impressed me.
One, because it was a scaled model of my very own Abarth and two, because it was drop-dead sexy.

So, the decision was made. It was a white Abarth Grande Punto.

But as Murphy would have it, they didn’t have one in White. I asked the dealer to inform me as soon as a white one arrives and left my contact with them.

On 6th July, I casually logged into the Abarth store and to my surprise I found one in white.
I made the booking then and there itself.

The booking process went smoothly and nothing much to write about it there.
The payment was made through Paypal.




Tech Specs:
VIN: ZT72209 (a challenge for Wildon!)
Importer: Mondo Motors
Dealer: Karavelle, London.
Car Model: Grande Punto Abarth
Colour: White
Variant: Metal Die cast
Engine: See Photo
Ex-Showroom Price: £19.99/-
Final on desk price: £47.99/-



The story so far:

The experience is a mixed bag if you ask me.
As with all puntos, I experienced initial niggles even with this one.
Niggles were:
1. car pulling to the left
2. Light glass loose

But after that, what I’m left with is pure bliss!

The booking was made on 6th July 2012. Delivery expected in 10 days.
But on 12th afternoon I received a call stating that the Abarth is about to be delivered.
I came home excited. But I was disappointed to say the least.
The doors were broken and one mirror had come off.
The first thing I did was to write an e-mail to the dealer with some photos of the same.
I wanted a new piece with everything intact.
I got a reply that they will take it up with the Manufacturer and further, they’ll not ship it to anybody till the problem is sorted.
And to my surprise, two days after that, I got another mail that they’ll refund my entire money of £47.99/- and I was free to either dispose the damaged item or keep it to myself.

I was happy with this gesture but unhappy with one, I can’t get a perfect piece and two, I don’t have a model with opening doors and with that I can’t steer the wheels.

But I pasted the doors and mirror using a small glue-tape and kept it in the show case.

NOTE : All the smaller pictures are reduced size. Clicking on them will open up a larger version of the picture (in a new window).





Nice tyres but watch the gap between bumper and body




See the logo on the seat:






Watch the gap between bumper and body:

[hemanth.anand]

Yet another milestone passed by...

[Vik0728]

Originally Posted by hemanth.anand

This one's for you Vik0728

What more can I say Hemanth. Scaled Down or the Real Deal, Your Review, Pictures and Italian Steads are just STUNNING.

Thank you So much for penning them down. Hope to see both of your "Abarth's" on the next BHP MEET.

[hemanth.anand]

Small Update:

On 15th September, My Abarth went to Ooty for a weekend trip
She started with this


27th tonne

The 30k/2yr free service is booked on 3rd October.
I will come up with more updates soon after that.

Till then enjoy some pictures from the Ooty trip...


I don't know what's with my Abarth and the mirror!


Children's play area!


68+1=69 Horse power!


My car enjoying the illuminated Mysore palace

[Vik0728]

Brilliant bro, As Always.

Can you please post few more pictures of the "Fiat Meet" that you attended at Ooty Hemanth.

[hemanth.anand]

On 28th September, my IB completed 2 milestones together-2years & 28000 kilometres
One pleasant coincidence was that my Abarth was my wedding anniversary memento and it reached this milestone exactly in front of the hall where I got married


2yrs & 28K on 28-09-2012 infront of the hall where I got married

few snaps from her birthday celebrations







On 4th October It also underwent a 3rd free service (2yrs/30K)...details of which will be posted soon.

As a Birthday gift (and after the main warranty expired), I gave her a new pair of DRLs and A new Horn.
Will post the photos of the DRLs soon.

[Autocop]

Happy anniversary to you and your ride, Wish you a long and happy married life with your ride!

Your ride looks wonderful with the Abarth logo and stickers. Have you also replaced the FIAT logo on wheel centers with Abarth?

[hemanth.anand]

Originally Posted by Autocop

Happy anniversary to you and your ride, Wish you a long and happy married life with your ride!

Your ride looks wonderful with the Abarth logo and stickers. Have you also replaced the FIAT logo on wheel centers with Abarth?

Thanks Autocop,

Yes, I have replaced the wheel centre logos as well with Abarth logos
All the logos came as a set (front logo, rear logo, 2 side-door logos, 4 wheel centre caps, 1 dashboard logo)

[Vik0728]

Originally Posted by hemanth.anand

On 28th September, my IB completed 2 milestones together-2years & 28000 kilometres
One pleasant coincidence was that my Abarth was my wedding anniversary memento and it reached this milestone exactly in front of the hall where I got married

Awesome timing Hemanth and wish you MANY MANY MANY MORE HAPPY MILES OF MARRIAGE AHEAD.

Correct me if I'm wrong but that hall where you tied the knot is Ganjam ? If yes, its one of my favourite "Wedding" halls in town.

As usual, Stunning snaps to say the least. We still have 2 things pending bro:

1. Blackening my Getzy's roof.

2. Long pending photoshoot, moreso now since I am Nikon D5100 ready!!

[hemanth.anand]

Originally Posted by Vik0728

Awesome timing Hemanth and wish you MANY MANY MANY MORE HAPPY MILES OF MARRIAGE AHEAD.

Correct me if I'm wrong but that hall where you tied the knot is Ganjam ? If yes, its one of my favourite "Wedding" halls in town.

As usual, Stunning snaps to say the least. We still have 2 things pending bro:

1. Blackening my Getzy's roof.

2. Long pending photoshoot, moreso now since I am Nikon D5100 ready!!

Thanks Vik0728 for your wishes.

Yes, that is Ganjam...the wedding location was kind of a dowry we demanded

The two things:

1. Why don't you do it for your upcoming diesel car (you've posted queries in other threads right?)
2. Long pending Yes! we'll do it soon. Getz+Punto and D5100+D90 will be a good combo

[Vik0728]

Originally Posted by hemanth.anand

Thanks Vik0728 for your wishes.

Yes, that is Ganjam...the wedding location was kind of a dowry we demanded

The two things:

1. Why don't you do it for your upcoming diesel car (you've posted queries in other threads right?)
2. Long pending Yes! we'll do it soon. Getz+Punto and D5100+D90 will be a good combo

Im sure you might have realized that you probably did a grave mistake Hemanth !!

DOWRY ON TEAM BHP ??

Anyways, regarding my 'Diesel Switch', the plan has been shelved as of now. I have opted for Company transport and has been working wonders.

Instead I have got a BMC DIA for my Getzy and she growls like a "Junglie Billy" now.

I so can't wait for Punto+Getz+D5190(5100+90) to happen now.

[hemanth.anand]

on the 10th of November 2012, my car made a small trip to our native village in the lap of western ghats.
Just as we left Bangalore, the 29th K was completed.


29th Tonne


Welcome home


Perfect width

One of my relatives got his willys and we decided to go to the top of a mountain.
My car went till 'car-able' roads, parked it there, spent some time in the rain and returned back.


"You can cme with me only till here mate"


"I'll come back soon"


Peak


70 years old handsome guy


Rain god is here...

Just as we got down, leeches invaded our feet and added red to the otherwise green-everywhere landscape.

The Beautiful & Green western ghats


Colour me red!

Originally Posted by hemanth.anand

As a Birthday gift (and after the main warranty expired), I gave her a new pair of DRLs and A new Horn.
Will post the photos of the DRLs soon.

BTW, these new DRLs are the gifts for my IB's 2nd birthday


Eyeshadows

[nkrishnap]

A nice update. How mudu did the DRLs cost. Which brand?

The pic of the Punto from the front in the narrow road is superb.

Thanks for sharing!

[hemanth.anand]

Originally Posted by nkrishnap

A nice update. How mudu did the DRLs cost. Which brand?

The pic of the Punto from the front in the narrow road is superb.

Thanks for sharing!

Thank you nkrishnap

The DRLs cost me Rs 1400/- including fitting.
Its not a Branded product. Some Taiwanese make. Didn't Bother to take a picture
I wanted the Philips DRLs but the best deal I got for the Philips was Rs 7500/-
I did not find the DRLs worthy of a 7500/- investment. Hence went for this inexpensive option.

[Vik0728]

Originally Posted by hemanth.anand

I wanted the Philips DRLs but the best deal I got for the Philips was Rs 7500/-
I did not find the DRLs worthy of a 7500/- investment. Hence went for this inexpensive option.

Couldn't agree more with you bro. At 7.5k, it seems a bit too pricey. But Yes, Quality has a price.


DRL's or Not....Ur Ride looks stunning by the day hemanth. Now that karthik has his 90HP Sport, when are we having a Photoshoot ??