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

Quote:

Originally Posted by binaiks (Post 2825370)

Thrissur. Their main workshop at Puzhakkal, as well as their Body shop near LuLu (which in my opinion is the WORST).

I don't have the greatest opinion of their body shop either, but thankfully I've not had any major issues on the service front. Another thing for Fiat to work on, I guess, to offer consistent good quality service at their ASCs.

After Driving Linea Again for 35 Kms Finally Decided Punto is Car for me:) So Finally Booked the Punto 90 HP Sports, And the Price is very high 8,87,000 and the 75 HP version is cheaper by 80K, I really wonder how Fiat Decides on the Pricing of various Version,Technically apart from the VGT and rear spoiler there is no difference in the Cars and Fiat has stopped producing the Normal 90HP Car, only sports is the option.
Anyways buying a Fiat is always a decision by Heart.
Now the Wait Starts expected delivery 8 to 10 days.

Fiat is screwing up with the pricing aren't they ? i20 CRDI Asta is cheaper and offers more features (Automatic Headlamps, Rain sensing wipers, Smartkey to name a few). Its also quicker.

Now I know the handling and ride is better on the FIAT but that is offset by inferior ***. A Fiat fan/enthusiast may always choose the Punto but I think they are turning away a lot of customers with the price.

When I booked my Punto I asked about the 90hp, they suggested the Linea rather than going for the Punto Sports.

Quote:

Originally Posted by parimal_g (Post 2826997)

Hey Pari - Congrats. Next time we meet, you giving me a ride in your Punto ;)

I want to experience the G-Force of the Punto 90HP.

Do put up an ownership experience thread man covering everything from dealership experience to A.S.S especially since they do not have a tie-up with Tata now.

Cheers,
Yogesh.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajay_satpute (Post 2827014)

^^^

Congrats Parimal!

8.87 lacs for Punto 90HP is H U G E. It now joins the company of POLO TDi and i20 CRDi in the ~8.5 bracket.

Since you say that the decision is from heart, then no grudges there. I am sure you won't regret your decision. Wishing you all the best for the delivery process and beyond. Do start a thread once you get your hands on your Punto Sport.

Thanks a lot Ajay, i know there is no logic in my decision as its 80k costlier than a 75 HP Emotion Pack but then additional 15 Horses tilted the decision.

Quote:

Originally Posted by quadbike (Post 2827152)

Fiat is screwing up with the pricing aren't they ? i20 CRDI Asta is cheaper and offers more features (Automatic Headlamps, Rain sensing wipers, Smartkey to name a few). Its also quicker.

Now I know the handling and ride is better on the FIAT but that is offset by inferior ***. A Fiat fan/enthusiast may always choose the Punto but I think they are turning away a lot of customers with the price.
When I booked my Punto I asked about the 90hp, they suggested the Linea rather than going for the Punto Sports.

Even i my dealer offered me good deal for Linea, yes i20 is way better in terms of tech specs, but i personally don't like the steering and back seat comfort of I20 so ruled out and not fan of its looks either.

Quote:

Originally Posted by yogeshnagpal (Post 2827159)

Hey Pari - Congrats. Next time we meet, you giving me a ride in your Punto ;)
I want to experience the G-Force of the Punto 90HP.
Do put up an ownership experience thread man covering everything from dealership experience to A.S.S especially since they do not have a tie-up with Tata now.
Cheers,
Yogesh.

Thanks lot Yogesh, as of now the dealership experience is very nice, very polite sales person. I really don't think 90 HP engine will give you the punch you are expecting considering the wight of the Car, to experience the G force T-Jet is the Car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by parimal_g (Post 2826997)

Congrats on booking the car. The reason it is so high is because there are no discounts on the Sports variant, being a new launch. The sports is otherwise about 15k more than the regular 90HP variant, thought the regular 90HP was selling with good discounts prior to the sports launch.

80K is a lot to pay for the small differences. Don't you think it would be better to get the 75HP and invest the rest in a tuning box sometime later ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiat_tarun

The VGT handles the tuning box way better then the FGT, you will find 75 hp to be very coarse. F150 drove my 90hp with a tuning box and then compared the same to his boxed swift and he loved the pull of it and said this engine is way ahead of its younger brother.

@parimal - I don't remember however was it you to whom I offered a TD of my car during the recently held Pune - Mumbai mega meet ?

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiat_tarun (Post 2827504)

Thanks a lot, but the regular 90 HP was not available,also don't know if Fiat manufactured the regular 90 HP in 2012 version, as the improvement to AC and cabin noise has reduced significantly in new versions, and yest i took the test drive of Dynamic the speakers sounded much better, hope the sports version will have the same speakers.

As Scofied explained the tuning box will work much better on a VGT.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scofield (Post 2827520)

Yes Boos it was the drive of your car which tilted the decision in favor of 90 HP.

Quote:

Originally Posted by parimal_g (Post 2826997)

Congratulations, Parimal!:thumbs up From a Palio Diesel to a Punto Diesel :D

Which color you have booked?

Quote:

Originally Posted by parimal_g (Post 2826997)

8.87L for a 90HP sports!! :Shockked:

I am picking up a T-Jet plus for 7.8L with Delhi registration this week. Go figure!! Wanna rethink? :D

What is Fiat upto? They anyway do not have many customers interested in their cars. For the small number that are nuts like us; they want to scare them away with these ridiculous prices. God help!!