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-   -   Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/official-new-car-reviews/60626-fiat-grande-punto-test-drive-review-120.html)

The Punto definitely is the best looking car in it's segment. Like you mentioned, it's lines won't age for a while, and it has unmatched dynamics to boot. That along with acceptable performance, from a ultra reliable engine, makes it a very good choice.

If you do buy it, take a little extra trouble and ask the dealership to inform you about the car's arrival in their warehouse (tell them that you have to be present before they wash the car). The reason I say this is because you seem to be leaning towards the blue and it is not one of the most popular colours. It seems logical that the dealer might just have 1 such unit, in Emo. Pack and if it has any issues (dents/scratches during transport etc.), they might try to cover it up. With other colours, I think you can go to the warehouse a day before scheduled delivery and do a proper PDI, and choose another car if not happy.

It'll take a lot of your time, but I think it's a worthwhile thing to do.

Yeah, the salesman was mumbling something about "corporate discount" and "gift cheque". So this gift cheque is for those who are not eligible for a corporate discount. Basically, Fiat wants to cut the price of Punto by Rs. 10,000.

Just the segment? :D

The warehouse? I thought it would be enough if I go to the dealership to check the car just before it is sent for registration.

My conversation with the salesman went something like this -

Which is most popular colour?
Red, then Black and then White.
OK, which is the least popular colour?
Blue.
I want Blue then!

Although I like Punto in Black, I'm going for Blue because of the "exclusivity" (& of course, I like the colour too). If I'm going for the car, I don't mind waiting for 3-4 weeks because of Fiat's "Drive in with your old car, Drive out with a new car" exchange scheme. Basically, even after my old car is "sold", I can continue using it till the new Punto is delivered to me.

Watch out, people in Bangalore. Fiat has a 2009 manufactured Blue Punto MJD Emotion Pack which they are trying to get rid of. Got this bit of news from my rather honest salesman - he offered it to me if I wanted immediate delivery.

How do I check the manufacturing date of a new car? What do I see after I open the bonnet? And even tyres have manufacturing date written on it somewhere right?

I think nothing short of the Fiat Bravo compares to it, so you are right, it's just a fantastic design across all segments.

My honest opinion would be YES. I did that for my girlfriend's Punto, although it was in Bossa Nova White and I had the option of choosing from the lot. Instead, I waited for a couple of weeks, for the truck to arrive and unload, I was there when the car first came into the lot and it was washed in front of me. I jotted down the engine and chassis number, took a look at the odometer, went over a fine toothed comb for the exteriors (for scratches/dents), didn't check the interiors much (didn't care as that could all be fixed easily). Then did a PDI the next day, before the car was registered and delivered. I might be considered obsessive about this, but I think it's worth it. I also made friends with the workmen there and they were surprised to find that someone cares, I still chat them up when I go for services.
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The VIN (vehicle id) number contains the code to decipher when the car was manufactured. It's there in another thread, I am sure you'll be able to find it. The tyres (we got noisy Goodyear's), have the month and year of manufacture, right on the sidewall. It easy to find. Make sure, you check the spare as well.

why dont you go for the wine red, the new color launched recently looks quite good in the pictures.

At the passenger side seat, there is a small rectangular cut which you can lift. Under that carpet cut there is a VIN number which says the manf month and year. We have a thread in technical forum where Wildon will help you decode the VIN. Typically last three letters of the VIN will tell you month of manf. (For eg Jan 10=ANZ)

You can get VIN from the boot also. Lift up the boot carpet and you can see the VIN near the spare tyre....

Dude,

Post your VIN number here :)

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/techni...n-cars-45.html

I was told by the SP that the extended warranty covers only the engine. Can any body tell me the details on parts covered during warranty in a Punto?

I own a Spark right now (from one and a half years). I have this cash less ownership facility. I do not have to pay any thing for 3 years. Not even for consumables like Engine/break oil, coolent, oil/petrol/air filters, break pads etc. I can get any repair done any where in India free of cost. I just have to fill petrol and run. Off course, parts like music system/accessories, battery, tyres are not covered. I have got my car serviced about 5 times till now (24k - Kms) and I have not spent even 1 rupee on servicing)

Also the SP in the Punto showroom was telling me that, when the car was launched, it had some problem with the clutch plate, but it is sorted out now. Any idea what this is?

I felt this car (Punto-Diesel) can be equated to Polo except for Interior quality / fit and finish. On road price difference in Bangalore after the on going discount is 90K between emission pack and Highline. That too with Blue and me, ACC, EORVM and steering mounted control switches, thrown in. Multi function display was better than Polo. But reach adjust is not there for the steering which can help people who are tall. How I wish Fiat was not an integrated part of TATA. I am sure that the interior quality also would have been better.

But still very good VFM! :)

Dealer was offering additional discount for 2009 stock which he wanted to dispose off. Good one for people who are on a tight budget. After all, what is the big deal between 2009-dec stock and 2010-feb/mar stock, if you can save some money. IMO price can be negotiated and brought down by 25k for a cash purchase, but I am not sure. :thumbs up

1. There was an official part change for Slave clutch cylinder for pre Oct Punto and Linea.
2. Even I think Punto is a real VFM. The diff between Polo top end and Punto top end is 80K here in Pune.
3. Jan 10 onward models have better quality interiors, seat height adjustment lever changes and few other things.
4. Nothing wrong going for Dec 09 model if you ok without new changes in new model (#3) and if the car is not a lemon.

dude, can you tell me which dealer you're dealing with?

I'm trying to get my car through leaseplan, but am getting a discount of 18k only. I asked for the gift cheque after I got the proforma invoice from the Prerana, but the SP wasnt sure if it was applicable in my case.

Concord motors - Near dairy circle.

If you have not paid any advance, you can check at Concord. Lease plan is through your Company? Talk to the SP as a regular buyer first and then discuss your requirements. You can get a better deal since you will be knowing the complete story. In total you should be getting a discount of up to 50k depending on the varient. :thumbs up

Got it, thanks. Seems quite complicated though. I wonder why car companies don't put up the manufacturing date like FMCG companies (Eg: For date of manufacture, look under the bottle)


Looks OK. No strong opinion about the colour.


I went to Concorde Motors (near Forum Mall) today, and he was offering a discount (won't tell how much though) on the Dec 2009 manufactured blue Punto MJD Emotion Pack.

What can possibly go wrong in purchasing a car that has been lying in the warehouse for 4 months? Especially since the car will be on warranty? He offered to show the car in the warehouse, before I make a booking.

Prerana Motors on West of Chord Road. The same deal was offered by Concorde Motors too.

The benefits of going in for the new model :

1. You will get a Euro-4 car
( I dont know if making a car Euro-4 compliant involves changes to the engine mapping. But the Indica Vista which shares the same engine is tom-tomming about its Drivetech-4 and increased torque. Even the Euro-4 Linea has a higher power output)

2. Older Puntos had paint issues which lead to cases of underbody corrosion. As i understand this problem has been sorted out now. But a 4 month stationary car might face this rusting issue. Make sure you check for underbody rusting during your PDI.

3. The 2010 Punto is "supposed" to have better plastics & NVH insulation. (Even though bonnet release lever of my apr 2010 punto fell off on day 3 :D )

4. What you gain on current discounts you lose on resale value.

5. New colors available on 2010 model.

6. You dont know if the car was lying in the stockyard or the dealer was using it with the odometer cable unplugged :Frustrati

Please note:I have seen Dec 2009 Puntos with upgraded interiors.

How do one know the difference?