Team-BHP - Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourav21 (Post 2517487)

I shifted from HP to BP and NVH in my 90 HP has come down drastically. Additionally it has done 7500 kms and I got its CSC changed at the same time - now the car feels completely different than the one that came out of the showroom - it has become free revving in nature. Since the 2nd gear is somewhat short, I need to rev up so that the gear shift up keeps rpm inside the power band. Earlier I would shift up early because of the engine noise and at 3rd gear, I would be out of turbo. But now I can do 3000 and the shift up to 3rd is bang in the middle of power band. By the way, I find min rpm for a clean 2nd to 3rd is 2500.

I have not changed the engine oil at first service - NVH will get still better when oil gets changed at second service.

I have the same experience with my Manza which shares the same engine but with a different tune. Since then have been sticking to BP. Have tried Shell, HP, IOC, BP and Reliance. Would rate Reliance, BP, Shell, HP and IOC in that order at least in Chennai from a NVH perspective. The applicability may differ between cities.

Guys i will be booking the 90hp on sunday. There's one thing i'm worried about. How soon is the new Punto Evo expected to be launched in India?

My friend told me that according to what car magazine we should get it by early 2012. Can someone confirm this?

If its early 2012 i'm ready to wait however if the launch is only planned in mid or late 2012 then i'll go ahead with my booking.

looking forward for ur suggestions

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashank.nk (Post 2517821)

Shashank, there is no clear signs from Fiat on when Punto facelift will be launched. Punto is selling decent numbers, but Linea isn't, so their first priority would be to resurrect Linea with 1.6MJD launch.

Also, Fiat brand stores are expected to be launched in 2012 Q2, so Fiat might coincide Evo's launch with that. To be honest, I don't expect Evo until end of next year, as in that case the test mules would already been doing rounds. Hope this helps.

Hello everyone, I need some urgent advice.
Have booked the 1.3 Emotion Pack a few days back. Now am thinking of changing the booking to 90HP version, going to get quote in an hour. Is the extra money worth it.
I have read all good reviews about this car except the rear space, is it really that bad? Say compared to old Ikon?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesrani (Post 2517934)

If you are going to book E.pack, book 90HP E.Pack with eyes closed. Many have reported that there is no significant difference in performance between the siblings, but that is, when you try to do a 0-100kmph dash.

90HP has a very good top end, and the in-gear acceleration is arguably the best in segment. Hghway driving in 90HP will be definitely a league ahead than what you can get to experience in 75HP. If I were in your shoes, I would have booked 90HP without any second thoughts.
90HP + A Tuning Box + Punto's precise Ride & Handling = Killer Performer, in highways.

In case you want to test, try to race the two. The 90HP will smoke its younger sibling within no time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesrani (Post 2517934)

I have a 90 hp & have driven the 75 hp. Quite honestly, at low revs, the difference is not much. Maybe within city limits, you wont notice any.

But the point is, you are already buying an emotion pack, why not just plonk 35k more & go for the top end - that is, 90 hp. You are definetely not going to lose anything, are you?

If performance does not matter, you are getting the VGT which means refinement is better. Many have reported that the 90 hp sounds more refined than the 75 hp.

Thanks for the clarification cliffhanger! In that case i'll go ahead with the booking of the 90HP plus the interiors change are the only one worth considering in the evo.

Also, have any of you tried any damping in your punto at the time of ICE installation ? Has it reduced engine/road noise at higher speeds?

I'm considering buying this from the US:
Amazon.com: Dynamat 10455 Xtreme Bulk Pack 9 Sheets: Automotive

Can anyone who's gone for damping please clarify if its any cheaper in India than buying from US

Quote:

Originally Posted by shashank.nk (Post 2512175)

I've got a quote of 8.02 lakhs for the punto after the free insurance and the gift cheque from Prerana motors in Bangalore. Is it the nest or is there any scope for reducing it further.
Concorde quoted higher and said no discounts other than 8.03, KHT is still to get back since yesterday!

Another (senior) member has got a much lower quote at Prerana. I too am buying the 90HP, but the senior member in question here has told me to wait until Diwali when the real fireworks (discounts) surface. I have also heard that an increase in the discounts on all FIAT variants is due anytime now.
Thanks to all this, though I'd have booked 2 weeks ago, I'm putting it on hold for 2 more weeks at least.
Let me know the best offer you get.
All the best.:thumbs up

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arkin evoisrevo (Post 2518122)

I bargained with him and he said this was the last price he could give. I'm kind of in a hurry to buy the car so will try bargaining and see if he reduces the price any further. Else, i'll surely put my plans on hold and book it just before diwali :)
Thanks for the info!

Between 90HP and 75HP, I feel that the 90HP is slightly more noisy. This is based on my experience with my 90HP Punto and my colleague's 75HP (Emotion). My car has done about 14k km now (June '10 make) and my colleague's is at ~45K (July '09 make), so I thought maybe his Punto has quietened down a bit more. But two days back, a friend was evaluating Punto and the moment he started the TD car (75HP EP), the first thought in my mind was that it's really perceptibly quieter than mine. The TD car was also about 14k km old. My friend, having TD'ed both my 90HP Punto and our other colleague's 75HP version earlier, also has the same opinion about the noise levels inside the car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ms001 (Post 2518261)

^^
festive discounts have already been declared by FIAT, i am not sure if you guys are aware of these.

Fiat festive Offer

Just checked that now. Article in ET dated 21st September says this is the offer for September to October so i'm guessing there won't be any further discounts.

Source
Fiat offers festival discounts on Linea and Punto - Economic Times

Now I am confused a bit more, to go for ep or 90hp ep. If noise level in 90hp is more it is a concern.
Another question, we have paid 50k advance and dealer is not giving any discount other than festive offer except extended warranty. Can I put booking on hold and check with someone else or it does not make sense? If I cancel booking can I get back 50k easily?

Edit: The OTR Mumbai quoted to me is:
1.3 EP - Rs.721,660
1.3 EP HP - Rs.759,267

Quote:

Originally Posted by jesrani (Post 2518351)

Wow! Taxes in Mumbai must be really high. My friend was quoted about Rs.7.25L for 90HP EP (after discount).

If it's any consolation, the dealer here is also not giving any additional discount other than the festive offer + corp.discount. Even extended warranty is not free. Goodies on offer are floor mats (Fiat), mud flaps (Fiat), parking sensor (Fiat) and underbody coating (3M, with warranty). But my friend is negotiating with another dealer as well.

As for noise levels, you need to compare a 2011 75HP EP with 2011 90HP EP. The sales person was claiming that Fiat has made some improvements on noise levels in the new cars available now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarrySky

As for noise levels, you need to compare a 2011 75HP EP with 2011 90HP EP. The sales person was claiming that Fiat has made some improvements on noise levels in the new cars available now.

2011 cars have more insulation when compared to older models. That's why they are quieter.