Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review

headers · 17th February 2011, 21:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by S_U_N

I doubt if there is a 5 feet tall person here who is enjoying his/ her Punto.

Refer my post #3178. I have no problems pressing the clutch pedal fully!!

S_U_N · 18th February 2011, 09:50

^^ I read your earlier post. You are 5 feet *and a few inches*. I am 5 feet and 4 inches tall and I did not face much of a problem.
However, my wife is just 5 feet tall and for her the ergonomics got messed up.
The few inches is what is making the difference, in my opinion.

GTO · 18th February 2011, 16:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by download2live

I get my car washed everyday. Is it recommended?

Or a weekly wash is better?

I feel a dry wipe everyday will lead to more scratches. So I was him to sprinkle the car with water first then clean it.

Depends on your parking / driving environment. If your car gets dirty everyday (as mine do)....well, wash it everyday! My cars are washed 7 days of the week and some of them hold up well even after 5 - 7 years on original paint

Quote:

Originally Posted by S_U_N

He showed me a demo where he pressed the clutch pedal around 80% and changed the gears - mind you, this is with engine in off condition.

Question: Does this practice not impact the gear box or any other mechanical part in any way?

Don't even think about this as a workaround to your problem. When the clutch is brand new, sure you can get away with it. However, with wear & tear, there will soon be a day when you won't be able to engage gears by pushing the clutch only 80% of the way. Not without brutally grinding them, that is.

About the ergonomics : Agreed. The Punto / Linea are designed for Italian bone structures. Even after spending 3 (or was it 4?) days in the Linea T-Jet, I just couldn't find the "perfect" driving position. It's all down to individual preferences. Some people can live with it, some can't. You are the only person who can decide for yourself!

sidindica · 20th February 2011, 20:17

I haven't seen any red 90 hp in tbhp, so thought of sharing some pics of what is going to be my last visit to a Fiat showroom. Because some things never change.

S_U_N · 20th February 2011, 22:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Don't even think about this as a workaround to your problem. When the clutch is brand new, sure you can get away with it. However, with wear & tear, there will soon be a day when you won't be able to engage gears by pushing the clutch only 80% of the way. Not without brutally grinding them, that is.

Agreed. Have erased off Punto from my list for the moment. It is a good package though.

gemithomas · 21st February 2011, 13:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidindica

I haven't seen any red 90 hp in tbhp, so thought of sharing some pics of what is going to be my last visit to a Fiat showroom. Because some things never change.

What happened?

You seem to have had a terrible time with some FIAT A.S.S guy.

t-jet-mahi · 21st February 2011, 22:42

Just back from a month long trip to europe and i have my first problem with my BNW Punto MJD Emotion pack

. The car was parked from last 4 days (my brother was using it during my absence). Now the car is not moving at all !! It looks like something is struck in the rear brake drums and the wheels are locked?? Anybody faced this problem before in a punto ? I had read a similar problem in a VW polo. Request gurus to advice please? Plan to call Prerana Motor guys tomorrow as it is too late now. Hope it's not a mjor issue.

arun687 · 22nd February 2011, 10:53

^ I've had similar problems in my old Zen when the car remains parked for a long time and the weather is cold. It most probably is due to the handbrake getting jammed.

Try engaging and disengaging handbrake multiple times to see if it works, it should usually. Else TASS for the rescue.

4 days is usually a very short time but if you're parking it for longer intervals, like 10+ days, it's better not to engage handbrake all the way up, just engage it half way through.

neil.jericho · 22nd February 2011, 14:21

Its been 2 weeks since I have booked my 1.2 Dynamic but Fiat doesnt seem to be manufacturing the variant this month. Have finally changed my booking to the 1.2 Emotion in black which Concorde Motors Cochin says is available with the company. Hoping to get it in another 12 days. Fingers are crossed !

coolkurt · 22nd February 2011, 16:32

Anybody got the Airconditioning kit upgrade for the 1.4? Contacted Rama Motors, Okhla,Delhi and they still don't have it.
Anybody who has already got it done - what are the changes? Is cooling a lot better? Pics would be great.

sharma_sanjeevi · 22nd February 2011, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolkurt

Anybody got the Airconditioning kit upgrade for the 1.4? Contacted Rama Motors, Okhla,Delhi and they still don't have it.
Anybody who has already got it done - what are the changes? Is cooling a lot better? Pics would be great.

Coolkurt, IIRC, our forum member "samsan02" has done the AC upgrade for his GP 1.4. You can get in touch with him for further details or check out his ownership thread.

Also, one more member "hemanth.anand" has upgraded the AC for his GP 1.2. Check his ownership thread.

SPARKled · 22nd February 2011, 19:23

I recently test drove a 1.2 mjd emotion pack Punto with the newer AC. All I can say is that the AC is an absolute chiller. I thought it was better than the Figo I tested a week earlier which is already known for a very good AC. I had also driven an earlier EP 1.3 MJD and I was disappointed with its AC then. No doubt Fiat has definitely improved the AC.

asdon · 22nd February 2011, 20:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharma_sanjeevi

Coolkurt, IIRC, our forum member "samsan02" has done the AC upgrade for his GP 1.4. You can get in touch with him for further details or check out his ownership thread.

Also, one more member "hemanth.anand" has upgraded the AC for his GP 1.2. Check his ownership thread.

Is the kit available for 1.3 variants too?

sharma_sanjeevi · 22nd February 2011, 22:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by asdon

Is the kit available for 1.3 variants too?

AFAIK, the change is for PETROL Linea & Punto only.
The 1.3 MJD AC dosent have any complaints, it cools suffciently. FIAT released an official statement for the retrofitting of the New AC Kits for Petrol Cars.

vidyasagar · 24th February 2011, 11:19

I have observed that "autoclose" of the doors is not happening in my Punto Active MJD. The owner manual says that doors autoclose after speed > 20kmph for all the variants. I am not able to observe this.

The owner manual also says that this feature can be enabled / disabled by the MFD. Can existing punto owners enlighten me on how to identify this feature in the menu and turn in ON.

18th February 2011, 09:50	#3182
S_U_N Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Oslo Posts: 1,809 Thanked: 417 Times	Re: Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review ^^ I read your earlier post. You are 5 feet and a few inches. I am 5 feet and 4 inches tall and I did not face much of a problem. However, my wife is just 5 feet tall and for her the ergonomics got messed up. The few inches is what is making the difference, in my opinion.
	() Thanks

20th February 2011, 20:17	#3184
sidindica Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 4,892 Thanked: 8,106 Times	Re: Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review I haven't seen any red 90 hp in tbhp, so thought of sharing some pics of what is going to be my last visit to a Fiat showroom. Because some things never change. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

21st February 2011, 22:42	#3187
t-jet-mahi Newbie Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 13 Thanked: 0 Times	Re: Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review Just back from a month long trip to europe and i have my first problem with my BNW Punto MJD Emotion pack. The car was parked from last 4 days (my brother was using it during my absence). Now the car is not moving at all !! It looks like something is struck in the rear brake drums and the wheels are locked?? Anybody faced this problem before in a punto ? I had read a similar problem in a VW polo. Request gurus to advice please? Plan to call Prerana Motor guys tomorrow as it is too late now. Hope it's not a mjor issue.
	() Thanks

22nd February 2011, 10:53	#3188
arun687 BHPian Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 80 Thanked: 34 Times	Re: Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review ^ I've had similar problems in my old Zen when the car remains parked for a long time and the weather is cold. It most probably is due to the handbrake getting jammed. Try engaging and disengaging handbrake multiple times to see if it works, it should usually. Else TASS for the rescue. 4 days is usually a very short time but if you're parking it for longer intervals, like 10+ days, it's better not to engage handbrake all the way up, just engage it half way through.
	() Thanks

22nd February 2011, 14:21	#3189
neil.jericho Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Cochin Posts: 3,810 Thanked: 19,328 Times	Re: Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review Its been 2 weeks since I have booked my 1.2 Dynamic but Fiat doesnt seem to be manufacturing the variant this month. Have finally changed my booking to the 1.2 Emotion in black which Concorde Motors Cochin says is available with the company. Hoping to get it in another 12 days. Fingers are crossed !
	() Thanks

22nd February 2011, 16:32	#3190
coolkurt Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,567 Thanked: 1,691 Times	Re: Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review Anybody got the Airconditioning kit upgrade for the 1.4? Contacted Rama Motors, Okhla,Delhi and they still don't have it. Anybody who has already got it done - what are the changes? Is cooling a lot better? Pics would be great.
	() Thanks

22nd February 2011, 19:23	#3192
SPARKled Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 1,110 Thanked: 656 Times	Re: Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review I recently test drove a 1.2 mjd emotion pack Punto with the newer AC. All I can say is that the AC is an absolute chiller. I thought it was better than the Figo I tested a week earlier which is already known for a very good AC. I had also driven an earlier EP 1.3 MJD and I was disappointed with its AC then. No doubt Fiat has definitely improved the AC.
	() Thanks

24th February 2011, 11:19	#3195
vidyasagar BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bangalore Posts: 137 Thanked: 35 Times	Re: Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review I have observed that "autoclose" of the doors is not happening in my Punto Active MJD. The owner manual says that doors autoclose after speed > 20kmph for all the variants. I am not able to observe this. The owner manual also says that this feature can be enabled / disabled by the MFD. Can existing punto owners enlighten me on how to identify this feature in the menu and turn in ON.
	() Thanks