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

Quote:

Originally Posted by extreme_torque (Post 1368890)

@msharma... Internationally the Punto comes with the same engines only... 1.3 Mulitjet in two states of tune... VGT and FGT and the 1.4 Petrol.

If you could just go back to my intial post, that would clear my point hopefully.

and to address your question: isn't that a huge difference that effects the performance of the car drastically. GTO's review makes it clear that the car launched in india doesnot have the same performance level available internationally hence the main reason for buying this car is lost.

Europeons buy this car for its agility and it is a craze between amateur racers. Price difference is there because it is a popular vehicle with loads of features.

And you forgot about ABS and EBD which are not standard features in India unlike europe.

My point is that only difference between punto and other multijet cars is the features and when comes to VFM the other cars are miles ahead.

ABS and EBD are standard in UK variants because it is mandated by the law there. BTW, even Swift in UK comes with ABS standard in all variants. Yes, we didn't get the VGT here. FIAT is clear in what they are saying. FE first and performance next. If you need (more) performance, look elsewhere.

Quote:

Originally Posted by msharma_79 (Post 1368981)

Quote:

Originally Posted by finneyp (Post 1369084)

Msharma, as E_T already mentioned the European G Punto with standard ABS and Air-bags costs more than the Indian version.

And the features available in G Punto has a cost factor attached to it, hence it is priced more than Palio, Vista etc.
Despite that, it is competitively priced against the likes of Swift, Ritz, i20 etc.

Well anyways ABS and EBD and Airbags are standard feature in Europe. even Indica has it in europe.

But it is not the punto it should be. it is just another multijet engine car. Hyundai and Suzuki are charging premium because of their network and Brand value and also the resale value of their models.

So I reiterate for the sake of reiterating only that it is not a VFM car. It is passion car.

VFM in a car is decided by the buyer. Hence, a person looking for space as a priority will find the Vista & also the Logan extremely VFM. For A.S.S. assurance it'll be the Maruti or Hyundai

However, for a car like Punto, for its
safety rating
proven robustness
stunning LOOKS
loads of equipment
good FE &
unparalleled high speed stability - in which you can literally yawn at speeds 140kmph+.....

.....I think the 'overpriced' tag is out of place.

Man, you just can't compare the driving pleasure of Punto to say a Ritz, Vista or even a Swift. Anyone with doubts, should drive these cars back to back & all questions will be answered!

Quote:

Originally Posted by msharma_79 (Post 1368981)

And which other car has? There isnt any point discussing about the performance because there are numerous factors that affect it. Which other car from the internation stable has the same performance as its foreign counterpart, in India?
We are loosing objectivity with the discussion here. Are you suggesting that since the performance isnt as good as it European counterpart, we should shun it? I am afraid then you wouldnt be able to buy any European car in India. There is more to a car than just straightline performance numbers. Ride and handling, stability and steering for me are more important and take paramount importance and this is where the Punto is so special along with looks and equipment for the price.

Quote:

Originally Posted by msharma_79 (Post 1368981)

Europeons buy this car for its agility and it is a craze between amateur racers. Price difference is there because it is a popular vehicle with loads of features.

And you forgot about ABS and EBD which are not standard features in India unlike europe.

My point is that only difference between punto and other multijet cars is the features and when comes to VFM the other cars are miles ahead.

And features dont constitute VFM? and what about ride and handling, the build quality? I would like to know at 4.85 Lakhs for the 1.3 MJD Active version which other car in your opinion is more VFM?
Why dont you compare the pricing of the Emotion pack version with equivalently specced European version? And whiel you are at it repeat the same excercize for i20 and Jazz.

Quote:

Originally Posted by msharma_79 (Post 1368981)

the car launched in india doesnot have the same performance level available internationally hence the main reason for buying this car is lost.

Europeons buy this car for its agility and it is a craze between amateur racers. Price difference is there because it is a popular vehicle with loads of features.

You don't buy car here basis whether Europian buys it or not & why & at what price European buys, Do you?

I think one buys car here as an overall Package - if that Package includes his preferences/ features/ equipments/ safety etc which is what he wants/ prefers & then he compares with other cars whether they have those & at what Price & accordingly chooses the car as an overall package satisfying most of his preferences WHICH ARE AVAILABLE HERE TO HIM IN INDIA.

Quote:

Originally Posted by msharma_79 (Post 1369193)

So I reiterate for the sake of reiterating only that it is not a VFM car. It is passion car.

You are not wrong & neither the others wrong who are saying GP is VFM car. The difference is the "Goggles" worn by each thro' which they view the car. As mentioned above, people buy car as an overall package. And if Stunning Looks, that Deep Gloss in Color, Ride & Handling Qualities, Car's Highway Manners, Stability, Modern Equipments like B&M & others are also some of imp considerations for them, then they are not wrong in saying GP as VFM. ntrack post sums it up nicely.
And you're also not wrong becoz your "Goggles" view it as just another car & you don't give a damn about some of GP's superior features. So be it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ntrack (Post 1369249)

Quote:

My point is that only difference between punto and other multijet cars is the features and when comes to VFM the other cars are miles ahead.

Again, if I look at it from a specific "Goggles" which views a Car is a Car is a Car with 4 wheels to take me from Point A to Point B, than With those "Goggles", for me even Nano would be enough & a VFM & no other car would come to her on a scale of VFM.

Having said that, Indica Vista is a lovely, well engineered car. The fact that it'll continue to sell alongwith GP shows that individuals wear different "Goggles" :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravveendrra (Post 1369363)

I do not mean to be rude, but let me point out that my observation was a general one applicable to any car of any brand where the reviewer pushes the seat all the way back. Therefore not confined to Fiat.

I have noticed that most cars have front seats that travel a long way fore and aft. If pushed fully to the back, the rear seat is pretty much useless. Likewise, if pushed fully to the front, the front seat is quite useless.

Cheers,

Just to ponder...

When you see the car diagram in a auto magazine and they specify the rear legroom and front legroom, they show both the figures at a given arrangement at the that instant.

They don't push the front seat all the way back and measure rear leg room. Likewise, they dont measure front legroom by pushing the front seat all the way forward.

Quote:

Originally Posted by srishiva (Post 1369598)

Wrong.
Whenever legroom info is given, its always max and min
Max Front legroom is measured with front seat fully back and max rear legroom is measured with front seat fully forward. This config also gives the min front legroom.