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

Quote:

Originally Posted by lapis_lazuli (Post 2707370)

Thanks Hemanth. I had been following yours and other 1.2 threads religiously for several months before I took the decision. BTW your "Abarth" looks awesome: those logos especially!

Coming to the niggles part:

1) Starting the day I took delivery, there has been intermittent warning flash indicating that the number plate light is defective. It used to appear and disappear randomly. Yesterday morning, while crossing a pothole the car bumped a little more than usual, because I did not lower the speed as much. That sharp jerk, seems to have corrected the situation. The warning did not come up again. Maybe there was a loose fit. But too early to say.

2) The stepnee lock nut : It is very tightly locked in place. At first I thought may be a separate spanner has been provided. But finally after a lot of pressure with ARMSTRONG spanner (LOL) I could unscrew it. Maybe it is supposed to be this way. I don't know.

Very little things really. Apart from these, everything else seems to be OK. The stock audio system is, well, just about suits my genre at lower volumes. I flattened the bass to +2. LOUDNESS ON, and it sounds OK for me. Nothing too great, nor was it on my wish list.

I am still exploring the car. Still having problems with the direction control on the left hand stalk: time and again I engage the wipers instead!!

sidindicas punto 2012 thread : Amusingly enough, his car number is xx 0957 and mine is xx 0956..!

Thanks for all the nice words...

The 2nd point is not a niggle at all. Its just a sign that the car is untouched.
From the second use, the lock nut will be ok.
I still remember my car's first puncture...By turns, two of us had used our force to open that stepney lock bolt.

The first point is a sure sign of loose contact...Either you correct it yourself or get it corrected at the A.S.S soon.

The first few days, you'll turn on the wipers instead of the wipers .
The next few days (or rather evenings), you'll turn off the headlamps while trying to turn on the indicators.
but later on, you'll get used to turning on the indicators at a lower point on the stalk rather than at the end of it.

Did PDI for my 90hp today. Initial impressions-

1. Raised ground clearance, however old 90hp interiors. I like this dark grey better. Red stitching on seats with 3 P logo, same as old 90hp.
2. Ultra smooth clutch. It made me go wow.
3. Glovebox misaligned as usual. Didn't find it that big a problem in 2012 model.
4. Hornpad fit looks good.
5. Run 34kms and H is still there. Engine felt silent compared to TD car.
6. Had a small drive, but nothing much to report regarding the drive. Delivery on Saturday after registration.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR (Post 2707810)

Congrats ! I'm feeling a little envious :) I kept hearing conflicting reports about 90BHP - some friends saying the 90BHPs are not really 2012 models, the dealer rep insisting otherwise. Anyway, my chance of a pre-price-rise GP90 is done away with. Ouch for complaint #3 !

What's the "H" in the odometer signify ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by raj_5004 (Post 2706762)

I am seeing a sudden rise in the number of 2012 Puntos & Lineas on the road. Infact I have saw 3 Oceanic blue Puntos & Lineas in one day. Now thats surprising for a FIAT.

me too :) Puntos are seen everywhere in Bangalore. Is there some way to get sales data split geographically?

Quote:

Originally Posted by raj_5004 (Post 2706762)

Congrats buddy. Pre-2012 Puntos come with black & grey interiors, not beige.

Will you not miss the Blue&Me, ACC, steering mounted controls & Airbags? So why not buy a white Emotion?

I did go to book a Punto but ended up booking a Linea instead.

I opted for SBI car loan, @12% floating rate of interest.
Good thing about this loan is it allows for pre-closure and part payment - with out penalty. There are some riders though.

SBI being SBI, will take a week to process the loan :Frustrati

Quote:

Originally Posted by devil_klm (Post 2708862)

Congrats for getting your car before budget and your marriage.
So total waiting period was how many days?
How was the dealings with dealership so far?
Any freebies with the car?

Btw. My Swift is in transit and i will be taking the delivery on 24th.

Wow! Finally your Swift is on its way! Congrats! clap:

I booked the car on 22nd Feb. So, a waiting period of 20 days. (Would have got ready delivery had I opted for Tuscan Wine- it was in stock).

Freebies - Got the usual free insurance + extended warranty + corporate discounts + Mudflaps + floormats + Sill protection plate + Car covers. I qouted two dealers against each other, and got a deal I'm satisfied with.

I would give the dealership 9/10 so far. SE gets 7/10 from me till now. His lead gets 10/10. Will update properly after taking delivery.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidindica (Post 2709028)

Just saw the new brochure on Fiat's website. The 90 HP variant is back with raised GC only.

Yes Sid. I did PDI for my 2012 90 HP and can confirm it has the older interiors. Darker grey + seats with red stitching. It also retains chrome door handles. Will post pictures in a day or two.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricci (Post 2709051)

H signifies that the odometer has not been reset. AFAIK - it will disappear if ODO has been reset / when odo crosses 200 kms.

90 HP is rumoured to come out in a refreshed form in March end/ April. However - the current ones delivered to dealerships are 2012 manufactured ones. They are having raised GC, but old 90 HP interiors ( I like this better than the lighter grey of the other 2012 models). I dont believe the rumours since FIAT website is updated for 2012 GP 90 HP.

With T-JET though - they have clearly mentioned 'cars will be 2011 make'. T-JET will get a refresh in coming months.

How come your chance for a pre-price-rise GP is done away with? FIAT does not have big waiting periods - I'm sure your car can be invoiced before the budget, if you book soon?

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR (Post 2709288)

How come your chance for a pre-price-rise GP is done away with? FIAT does not have big waiting periods - I'm sure your car can be invoiced before the budget, if you book soon?

That's because we purchased a Figo instead ! Still open to another car, because chances are job changes/marital status change could possibly necessitate buying another car for my primary/exclusive use, but I will need several months to even make a sizeable down payment - so no feasibility of pre-price-hike Fiat.

Was a long, happy day for me today. Will post the detailed impressions tomorrow. Ownership log will come up in a month's time, after running about 3k kms.

Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review-20120310_173037_800.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by vnabhi (Post 2709807)

It looks like all models have a turning radius of 5m. Isn't that a new feature? AFAIK, all Fiats had a poor turning radius.

What is the ex-showroom price of the 90 bhp Punto?

Yes. It is quite a significant reduction from 5.4m to 5m.

Even my first day with the vehicle - U- Turns didnt seem to be a headache. I'm used to a little WagonR and Punto had a good turning radius for its size.