Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review

.anshuman · 22nd July 2010, 15:35

^^ Punto does not come with proper rear AC vent like the the Linea, it does have underseat vents which work only when air is directed towards the feet, made to be used in cold climates.

PaddleShifter · 22nd July 2010, 15:48

Ok. Thanks.

I was asking about these foot level rear AC vents only that are found under the front seats.
Linea Active and dynamic variants have these foot level(underseat) rear vents only.

By the way, Punto 90bhp could have been the first hatch with knee level(proper vents like Linea) rear AC vents as well and that would have also added an armrest. That would be asking for too much though.

h@r$h@l · 22nd July 2010, 15:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by MihirC

Guys just an update on the price of punto. I just checked and guys it awesome news. Punto(p) emotion for 5.95L OTR after all discounts and Punto (p) E+ for 6.6 OTR Mumbai. Thats a massive discount of 40k.

They have revised the offer only recently. I just check on Fiat site. earlier it was 40k on Petrol and now its

Special offer scheme. W E F – 1st July - 31st July, 2010
PUNTO Petrol Total Benefits up to Rs. 50,000* including
• Exchange bonus of Rs. 10,000
• 1st year insurance – Benefit up to Rs. 22,000
• 26 months extended warranty - Benefit up to Rs. 5,000
• 24X7 Fiat Roadside Assistance – Benefit up to Rs. 3,000
• Additional Special benefit of Rs. 10,000

Source : Fiat India

neoonwheels · 22nd July 2010, 16:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by MihirC

Guys just an update on the price of punto. I just checked and guys it awesome news. Punto(p) emotion for 5.95L OTR after all discounts and Punto (p) E+ for 6.6 OTR Mumbai. Thats a massive discount of 40k.

I bought my Punto E+ MJD at 6.8L OTR in Pune in March

. Wow, seems I saved quite a bit.

MihirC · 22nd July 2010, 16:13

I hope they have such schemes at Diwali time when im planning to buy a punto.Thanks for the info Harshal.

What I was told was in addition to the exchange bonus of 10k which is standard , your car to be exchanged will be evaluated and that amount will also be further reduced from the price. This seems to be a bit ambiguous though.

arunkk · 22nd July 2010, 16:52

In Bangalore the OTR price for Punto 90HP is 8.24L and no discounts available
Punto 75HP EP is 7.52L OTR after free insurance + extended warranty + corporate discount

So in effect, Punto 90HP is costlier by 72K in bangalore.

MihirC · 22nd July 2010, 17:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by arunkk

In Bangalore the OTR price for Punto 90HP is 8.24L and no discounts available
Punto 75HP EP is 7.52L OTR after free insurance + extended warranty + corporate discount

So in effect, Punto 90HP is costlier by 72K in bangalore.

We have a dedicated thread for the 90 HP VGT Punto being discussed here- http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...vgt-90-hp.html .

A 50k premium would have been more comfortable assuming 95% of the features in the FGT and VGT are identical.70k+ premium for only the 15 additional horses and more torque is high and Im not sure how many of those waiting for the 90HP will actually go for it now.

samsan02 · 22nd July 2010, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by MihirC

We have a dedicated thread for the 90 HP VGT Punto being discussed here- http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...vgt-90-hp.html .

A 50k premium would have been more comfortable assuming 95% of the features in the FGT and VGT are identical.70k+ premium for only the 15 additional horses and more torque is high and Im not sure how many of those waiting for the 90HP will actually go for it now.

70k diff is because of daylight robbery done by Karnataka govt by charging more than 14% as just road tax. Go to other states the difference may be even lower.

Anyways looking at Bangalore traffic if I buy 1 real horse I can reach my office faster

MihirC · 22nd July 2010, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by samsan02

70k diff is because of daylight robbery done by Karnataka govt by charging more than 14% as just road tax. Go to other states the difference may be even lower.

Anyways looking at Bangalore traffic if I buy 1 real horse I can reach my office faster

+1 to that . The price difference in mumbai is around 30-40k. Mate its worse in Mumbai, takes me 40 minutes to cover a distance of 5kms

Zenster · 22nd July 2010, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaddleShifter

Ok. Thanks.

I was asking about these foot level rear AC vents only that are found under the front seats.
Linea Active and dynamic variants have these foot level(underseat) rear vents only.

By the way, Punto 90bhp could have been the first hatch with knee level(proper vents like Linea) rear AC vents as well and that would have also added an armrest. That would be asking for too much though.

Hey,
Can you please clarify is the Punto 1.2 Emotion have these vents. I tried searching but couldn't find them anywhere :(

StarrySky · 22nd July 2010, 22:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by h@r$h@l

They have revised the offer only recently. I just check on Fiat site. earlier it was 40k on Petrol and now its

Special offer scheme. W E F – 1st July - 31st July, 2010
PUNTO Petrol Total Benefits up to Rs. 50,000* including

No wonder! When I was at the Tata-Fiat showroom yesterday, I had a quick look at one of the papers (detailing the discounts) that the sales executive had when he was away. It clearly says that for Punto, petrol sales account for only 25% of the sales, so the discounts on petrol are higher. For Linea, the petrol-diesel mix is more or less even, so same discounts for petrol and diesel. So if you want Punto petrol, this is the time to go for it.

vigneshA · 23rd July 2010, 13:27

While doing a TD of Punto MJD Dynamic last week in Concorde Motors Chennai, I found that they had disconnected the ODO. Are they trying to put it on a gullible head?
I found that strange, since their Indica Vista's were proper TD vehicles.

MihirC · 23rd July 2010, 13:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by vigneshA

While doing a TD of Punto MJD Dynamic last week in Concorde Motors Chennai, I found that they had disconnected the ODO. Are they trying to put it on a gullible head?
I found that strange, since their Indica Vista's were proper TD vehicles.

Yes in all probablity that vehicle was meant for delivery to some unsuspecting customer. It really hurts to see such practices as a person investing his hard earned money gets duped like this.

The company is also aware of such practices and hence allots cars which have the demo car decals. I generally avoid going for any TD unless the car is visually dedicated as a demo car.

Such methods of dealerships should be reported directly to FIAT

SilkDrive · 23rd July 2010, 14:52

I had been to Tejaswi Motors, Hyderabad, today to book a Punto MJD Active. I had so far taken a look at only the display vehicles at the showrooms and the TD vehicles which were mostly E Pack Variants. Thus i wanted to have a good look at the Active before the booking process. The SP took me to the stockyard where i got a chance to look at all the versions side by side and do a comparo for myself.

I know that the interiors of the punto is one of its weak points, but i felt that there is also a huge difference in quality and fit and finish of interiors between the base and top-end versions. The active gave the impression of a way cheaper car from the inside. I was not at all sure how my family and friends would possibly react to it when i try to show them my first car for the frst time.

I would hate to see that they are finding faults with such a big investment (and emotional attachment as well) on the very first day.

Not being sure about what to do, especially after seeing the interiors of the Polo Trendline, i asked for a couple of days more from the SR and headed back.

But after some thinking, i feel that i am still going ahead with the Punto, though whats on the platter for the active is too crude to digest. I think, i am more comfortable in compromising with plastic quality than going for a 3 pot. Hope I am thinking straight.

MihirC · 23rd July 2010, 15:38

But after some thinking, i feel that i am still going ahead with the Punto, though whats on the platter for the active is too crude to digest. I think, i am more comfortable in compromising with plastic quality than going for a 3 pot. Hope I am thinking straight.[/quote]

If you ask me mate then you couldnt have chosen better. When it comes to Fabia and Polo , for all their strengths wrt quality of materials,finish, etc, the 3 pot engine remains their weakest chain link. A car is bought for driving or being driven around. Hatches are mostly self driven and in such a situation more than the plastics what a person needs to feel good about is the way any car drives.

As much as the polo would be good in the city, it would be a task for it to keep up with the punto when you are talking about cruising speeds of more than 120 on highways. The 3 pot engine would be pretty much out of breath by then.

Hope this helps.

22nd July 2010, 15:35	#2491
.anshuman Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Good-Gaon Posts: 7,763 Thanked: 11,131 Times View My Garage	^^ Punto does not come with proper rear AC vent like the the Linea, it does have underseat vents which work only when air is directed towards the feet, made to be used in cold climates.
	() Thanks

22nd July 2010, 15:48	#2492
PaddleShifter Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: CHD Posts: 1,232 Thanked: 2,911 Times	Foot level(underseat) rear AC vents in Punto Ok. Thanks. I was asking about these foot level rear AC vents only that are found under the front seats. Linea Active and dynamic variants have these foot level(underseat) rear vents only. By the way, Punto 90bhp could have been the first hatch with knee level(proper vents like Linea) rear AC vents as well and that would have also added an armrest. That would be asking for too much though.
	() Thanks

22nd July 2010, 16:13	#2495
MihirC BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 534 Thanked: 71 Times	I hope they have such schemes at Diwali time when im planning to buy a punto.Thanks for the info Harshal. What I was told was in addition to the exchange bonus of 10k which is standard , your car to be exchanged will be evaluated and that amount will also be further reduced from the price. This seems to be a bit ambiguous though.
	() Thanks

22nd July 2010, 16:52	#2496
arunkk BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 186 Thanked: 42 Times	In Bangalore the OTR price for Punto 90HP is 8.24L and no discounts available Punto 75HP EP is 7.52L OTR after free insurance + extended warranty + corporate discount So in effect, Punto 90HP is costlier by 72K in bangalore.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2010, 13:27	#2502
vigneshA BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chennai Posts: 213 Thanked: 93 Times	While doing a TD of Punto MJD Dynamic last week in Concorde Motors Chennai, I found that they had disconnected the ODO. Are they trying to put it on a gullible head? I found that strange, since their Indica Vista's were proper TD vehicles.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2010, 14:52	#2504
SilkDrive BHPian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 172 Thanked: 25 Times	I had been to Tejaswi Motors, Hyderabad, today to book a Punto MJD Active. I had so far taken a look at only the display vehicles at the showrooms and the TD vehicles which were mostly E Pack Variants. Thus i wanted to have a good look at the Active before the booking process. The SP took me to the stockyard where i got a chance to look at all the versions side by side and do a comparo for myself. I know that the interiors of the punto is one of its weak points, but i felt that there is also a huge difference in quality and fit and finish of interiors between the base and top-end versions. The active gave the impression of a way cheaper car from the inside. I was not at all sure how my family and friends would possibly react to it when i try to show them my first car for the frst time. I would hate to see that they are finding faults with such a big investment (and emotional attachment as well) on the very first day. Not being sure about what to do, especially after seeing the interiors of the Polo Trendline, i asked for a couple of days more from the SR and headed back. But after some thinking, i feel that i am still going ahead with the Punto, though whats on the platter for the active is too crude to digest. I think, i am more comfortable in compromising with plastic quality than going for a 3 pot. Hope I am thinking straight.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2010, 15:38	#2505
MihirC BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 534 Thanked: 71 Times	But after some thinking, i feel that i am still going ahead with the Punto, though whats on the platter for the active is too crude to digest. I think, i am more comfortable in compromising with plastic quality than going for a 3 pot. Hope I am thinking straight.[/quote] If you ask me mate then you couldnt have chosen better. When it comes to Fabia and Polo , for all their strengths wrt quality of materials,finish, etc, the 3 pot engine remains their weakest chain link. A car is bought for driving or being driven around. Hatches are mostly self driven and in such a situation more than the plastics what a person needs to feel good about is the way any car drives. As much as the polo would be good in the city, it would be a task for it to keep up with the punto when you are talking about cruising speeds of more than 120 on highways. The 3 pot engine would be pretty much out of breath by then. Hope this helps. Last edited by MihirC : 23rd July 2010 at 15:53.
	() Thanks