Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review

arishi1 · 9th June 2010, 23:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by .anshuman

This feature has been available in Fiat cars since Uno.

+1 to that.

@Arun: Congratulations!!! do post your ownership experience and pics.

arun687 · 9th June 2010, 23:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by arishi1

+1 to that.

@Arun: Congratulations!!! do post your ownership experience and pics.

Thanks mate. Ownership experience, pics, decision making process etc coming soon once I clock in 200-300 kms.

Amartya · 10th June 2010, 00:54

Congratulations Arun, great choice with the car. Do take notes of your experience with the car and share them with us when you get the time.

Also, it is a good idea to monitor the fuel efficiency straight from the word go. Initially it might be really low, so do not get disheartened, the 1.2 Petrol is quite frugal after running in.

raamki · 10th June 2010, 10:21

Folks, not sure if this is the right thread for this question but anybody here have any servicing experience with Concorde, Mysore Rd branch in specific?

I am closer to their Diary Circle branch but unfortunately, they have a 2 week waiting time for Fiat services there!!

This kind of makes sense because they are the only accessible service centre within the city limits for most of Bangalore.

I called the Mysore Rd office and was surprised to hear that they have absolutely no waiting time whatsoevr, even better they offer free pickup and drop unlike the diary circle branch!

Am seriously thinking of dropping it off there, have a long list of issues to get rectified, so would like someone to spend time with the car rather than hurrying up to finish and start work on the next vehicle!!

Would love to hear of any experiences, positive the better!!

EDIT: Arun, congrats on the new car!!

gopikb · 10th June 2010, 10:44

raamki, I stay in Rajarajeshwarinagar and I do my Punto service at RRNagar concorde branch only. Ranjith is the service advisor for FIAT there and I found him pretty good. Start early and be there by atleast 9.00AM so that you wont get stuck if there is a queue.

I visited this center about a month ago before going on a long drive to check the oil levels, change pollen filter for AC, clean air filter and replace fog lamp in the back bumper as it was broken in a minor accident. I expected to leave the vehicle and collect it in evening. However, mine was the first vehicle and he arranged to finish off all the work in less than 2 hours and I waited there to get my vehicle back.

So be there early and you should be ok

Newpunter · 10th June 2010, 14:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by arun687

If I stall the engine while taking it from stationary, then the engine doesn't start. I mean, I cannot move the key further to start the engine. I've to switch off the ignition and then back on, to start the engine again.

Is this a feature or some problem with my car? I know there's crank prevention system in the car, but if the engine stalls even then it won't allow you to turn the key further without switching off the ignition once?

I had the same problem when i took delivery of the car. Stalled my car near a busy traffic junction where most of the road was closed for some construction and i couldn't start it for some time

. Had a traffic cop shouting at me to practise things when the traffic was less busy and not in full traffic

.

I called up my Sales guy ( who sadly was on leave on the day of my delivery and the guy who did the Demo was not very knowledgeable ) and he told me of this feature.
Congrats on your new car by the way. I have the same model but its Hip Hop black in color.

Newpunter · 10th June 2010, 15:39

Since my ownership experience thread will surely take some time, I'm uploading a few pics of my car here. I can't get over how beautiful she looks

Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review-32540_405353019053_569669053_4116736_8270543_n.jpg

Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review-32540_405353044053_569669053_4116738_7444511_n.jpg

Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review-32540_405353059053_569669053_4116739_2115534_n.jpg

teky · 10th June 2010, 17:08

She looks gorgeous in black. The silver finished grill makes it even more appealing

Congrats on your purchase, Happy Motoring

ahwajid · 10th June 2010, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by raamki

I am closer to their Diary Circle branch but unfortunately, they have a 2
I called the Mysore Rd office and was surprised to hear that they have absolutely no waiting time whatsoevr, even better they offer free pickup and drop unlike the diary circle branch!

Thats strange! Are you sure they dont offer free pick up and drop? I was informed by the Sales guy that it is available and is free! Can you please check again? You do need to make a reservation a week prior to the service. Let me know if you need the contact details.

neutralgrey · 10th June 2010, 21:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolkurt

I want to turn autoplay off...

@coolkurt: If you still haven't solved the issue, I suggest you try this - switch off your player before you turn off the engine. I had noticed that in my Punto(I am assuming you have an e-pack) as well, not that I didn't like it playing some song every time it starts, but I found out how to stop it by chance

sukeshs · 11th June 2010, 17:03

Does anybody have a scoop on the Punto Sports or Punto VGT launch. This launch was expected to happen in June. I am not more than a week away from booking a GP E-Pk. I simply hate the possibilty of a higher version of the car being launched a week or two after I get mine.

jacksons · 11th June 2010, 17:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by sukeshs

Does anybody have a scoop on the Punto Sports or Punto VGT launch. This launch was expected to happen in June. I am not more than a week away from booking a GP E-Pk. I simply hate the possibilty of a higher version of the car being launched a week or two after I get mine.

The VGT Punto will be launched in 1st week of July but not in June.

sandeepmdas · 11th June 2010, 17:49

Would the price go up by 1 lakh for the VGT version?

jacksons · 11th June 2010, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandeepmdas

Would the price go up by 1 lakh for the VGT version?

I think it will be around 45 to 55 thousand more than current prices.
E pack around 6.99 L ex Delhi.

sandeepmdas · 11th June 2010, 18:38

@jacksons, thanks buddy.

I have booked a Punto EP and waiting for the delivery. The OTR is 6.89L in Trivandrum. If the VGT is priced over 50K. well, it's beyond my budget.

OTOH, I can go for a Pete's tuning box, and it should be a "cheaper" alternative for the VGT, esp when you consider the cumulative RT, insurance costs. On paper, the Pete's delivers slightly better performance than the VGT, according to their website. Warranty will be an issue though.

What do you people think about this scenario?

10th June 2010, 00:54	#2148
Amartya Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Evanston Posts: 1,748 Thanked: 736 Times	Congratulations Arun, great choice with the car. Do take notes of your experience with the car and share them with us when you get the time. Also, it is a good idea to monitor the fuel efficiency straight from the word go. Initially it might be really low, so do not get disheartened, the 1.2 Petrol is quite frugal after running in.
	() Thanks

10th June 2010, 10:21	#2149
raamki BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 395 Thanked: 97 Times View My Garage	Folks, not sure if this is the right thread for this question but anybody here have any servicing experience with Concorde, Mysore Rd branch in specific? I am closer to their Diary Circle branch but unfortunately, they have a 2 week waiting time for Fiat services there!! This kind of makes sense because they are the only accessible service centre within the city limits for most of Bangalore. I called the Mysore Rd office and was surprised to hear that they have absolutely no waiting time whatsoevr, even better they offer free pickup and drop unlike the diary circle branch! Am seriously thinking of dropping it off there, have a long list of issues to get rectified, so would like someone to spend time with the car rather than hurrying up to finish and start work on the next vehicle!! Would love to hear of any experiences, positive the better!! EDIT: Arun, congrats on the new car!!
	() Thanks

10th June 2010, 10:44	#2150
gopikb BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 554 Thanked: 390 Times	raamki, I stay in Rajarajeshwarinagar and I do my Punto service at RRNagar concorde branch only. Ranjith is the service advisor for FIAT there and I found him pretty good. Start early and be there by atleast 9.00AM so that you wont get stuck if there is a queue. I visited this center about a month ago before going on a long drive to check the oil levels, change pollen filter for AC, clean air filter and replace fog lamp in the back bumper as it was broken in a minor accident. I expected to leave the vehicle and collect it in evening. However, mine was the first vehicle and he arranged to finish off all the work in less than 2 hours and I waited there to get my vehicle back. So be there early and you should be ok
	() Thanks

10th June 2010, 15:39	#2152
Newpunter BHPian Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 744 Thanked: 336 Times	Since my ownership experience thread will surely take some time, I'm uploading a few pics of my car here. I can't get over how beautiful she looks
	() Thanks

10th June 2010, 17:08	#2153
teky BHPian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chennai Posts: 73 Thanked: 36 Times	She looks gorgeous in black. The silver finished grill makes it even more appealing Congrats on your purchase, Happy Motoring
	() Thanks

11th June 2010, 17:03	#2156
sukeshs Newbie Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Thane Posts: 23 Thanked: 0 Times	Does anybody have a scoop on the Punto Sports or Punto VGT launch. This launch was expected to happen in June. I am not more than a week away from booking a GP E-Pk. I simply hate the possibilty of a higher version of the car being launched a week or two after I get mine.
	() Thanks

11th June 2010, 17:49	#2158
sandeepmdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Varkala Posts: 1,539 Thanked: 2,491 Times	Would the price go up by 1 lakh for the VGT version?
	() Thanks

11th June 2010, 18:38	#2160
sandeepmdas Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Varkala Posts: 1,539 Thanked: 2,491 Times	@jacksons, thanks buddy. I have booked a Punto EP and waiting for the delivery. The OTR is 6.89L in Trivandrum. If the VGT is priced over 50K. well, it's beyond my budget. OTOH, I can go for a Pete's tuning box, and it should be a "cheaper" alternative for the VGT, esp when you consider the cumulative RT, insurance costs. On paper, the Pete's delivers slightly better performance than the VGT, according to their website. Warranty will be an issue though. What do you people think about this scenario? Last edited by sandeepmdas : 11th June 2010 at 18:40.
	() Thanks