Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review

Amartya · 3rd April 2010, 08:13

The white somehow accentuates the subtle design details of the Punto.
About the problems you faced with the delivery, I think the A/C is the most serious, but I am confident they'll fix it.

It's strange that they didn't catch it during their PDI.

The ride home, I know about it, part of it being a feeling of sheer terror, each and every car seems to be out to scratch your new found love. With the Punto though, because of it's build, you get this sense of security, I can vouch for that.

Wishing you many miles of happiness.

P.S. Just in case you aren't aware what Bossa Nova means, it's a style of music that is very close to Jazz. It fits in with the white colour making the Punto look very classy, just like Jazz, one of the highest forms of music(my opinion

).

milestogo · 3rd April 2010, 10:12

Have a question for the Punto owners - is there a way to change songs of the media player from the head unit itself? At the moment I have to do it from the steering mounted controls. So if my passenger wants to change songs they have to do it from the steering !!!
Anyone found a way out of this?

twinblades · 3rd April 2010, 15:19

@miles
use the arrow keys. i think up and down is directories and left and right is songs in each directory.
@ramki
Check your manual for putting on the AC. My dad owns a emotion variant of the punto which has manual AC. i once had the same issue.. hot blowing even at the highest cooling setting.. however couldn't find the AC button. Once I called my dad, he told me to press the fan buttion to put on th AC.

aditya116 · 3rd April 2010, 17:56

Can any confirm price of punto original alloys for a set of four?

milestogo · 3rd April 2010, 18:00

twinblades -
I've tried that with the arrow keys. Works only for CD or FM and not for the media player ( USB). Do the arrow keys work for you in your Punto when you playing songs from the USB?

samsan02 · 3rd April 2010, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by milestogo

Have a question for the Punto owners - is there a way to change songs of the media player from the head unit itself? At the moment I have to do it from the steering mounted controls. So if my passenger wants to change songs they have to do it from the steering !!!
Anyone found a way out of this?

Quote:

Originally Posted by milestogo

twinblades -
I've tried that with the arrow keys. Works only for CD or FM and not for the media player ( USB). Do the arrow keys work for you in your Punto when you playing songs from the USB?

Use voice commands instead, you can mention artist name or song name it works but sometimes it may not recognise so you have to get used to. Also arrow keys work for USB songs as well, right keys will work I think.

While using voice commands ofcourse the one driving should press the blue n me button to start the lady take over to give customer service

after that any passenger can use voice commands to play music. Refer manual.

swiftnfurious · 3rd April 2010, 23:03

hey Ramki, she is a snow white!

I saw a black punto today and fell instantly in love with her - For the first time in my life! hey mod number 1 -- smoke the headlights and you will hv a head turner at ur disposal. Dont worry abt the initial niggles.. u will be happy with her sooon. Wishing you many many happy miles of motoring!

better4worse · 3rd April 2010, 23:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by swiftnfurious

hey Ramki, she is a snow white!

I saw a black punto today and fell instantly in love with her - For the first time in my life! hey mod number 1 -- smoke the headlights and you will hv a head turner at ur disposal. Dont worry abt the initial niggles.. u will be happy with her sooon. Wishing you many many happy miles of motoring!

How do you smok'em ..those headlights?

khan75 · 4th April 2010, 00:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by better4worse

How do you smok'em ..those headlights?

The desi jugaad way: get a black tint film, cut it over the the headlamps and stick it on. Voila! Smoked headlamps.
Phoren way - get a proper set of smoked headlamp casings.

helboy · 4th April 2010, 08:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rock 'n' rollz

In the last one week a couple of strangers stopped by to inquire about my GP. I felt really glad. After the initial average kya hai, fiat service, spare parts availability queries both of them bowled a googly.

"But what made you spend 7 lacs on a small car like GP. You could have easily bought yourself a Dzire"... [I declared myself out hit wicket]

I still don't know if I should answer this question. Even if I have to any ideas for a "shortest" possible answer (that does not sound rude)?

it happens bro.either they don't know nothing about cars or they have to TD the GP yet.my suggestion ,tell them to go test drive both the Dzire and the GP over all possible road conditions.then decide.

kadri007 · 4th April 2010, 20:10

What is the current On Road Price for Punto in Bangalore. I was suprised to see the Tata showrooms closed on Sunday and also on Saturday it closes early. My two visits just drained my petrol but was not able to check out the car.

samsan02 · 5th April 2010, 13:43

Guys, Yesterday I observed some leakage from under the engine bay, thought it was engine oil. Its wine colored. Since it was sunday yesterday had to take it today to service center. They lifted it up and inspected and found to be the steering rack/rod leakage from below. Even there has been a constant sound which has been coming when turning the steering. They said as per warranty this will be replaced and luckily they have the part available. Will get my vehicle only by tomorrow.This car has been hardly driven , just 1500 km in 4.5 months. Its a petrol car.

Anyone else experienced this problem with their puntos. Please share your experiences.

nkrishnap · 5th April 2010, 14:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by samsan02

Guys, Yesterday I observed some leakage from under the engine bay, thought it was engine oil. Its wine colored. Since it was sunday yesterday had to take it today to service center. They lifted it up and inspected and found to be the steering rack/rod leakage from below. Even there has been a constant sound which has been coming when turning the steering. They said as per warranty this will be replaced and luckily they have the part available. Will get my vehicle only by tomorrow.This car has been hardly driven , just 1500 km in 4.5 months. Its a petrol car.

Anyone else experienced this problem with their puntos. Please share your experiences.

I believe this has got to something to do with the Oil seals on the steering system. did you inquire why there was leakage at the first place

samsan02 · 5th April 2010, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkrishnap

I believe this has got to something to do with the Oil seals on the steering system. did you inquire why there was leakage at the first place

Yes, I insisted them to explain why this happened, but they gave some vague statements saying the part may be defective and will be replaced under waranty. Also said few Lineas had the same issue.
Not sure what could be the reason, HPS fluid giving away so quickly in a new car thats really surprising. Will update once the fix is done.

Amartya · 5th April 2010, 23:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by samsan02

Yes, I insisted them to explain why this happened, but they gave some vague statements saying the part may be defective and will be replaced under waranty. Also said few Lineas had the same issue.
Not sure what could be the reason, HPS fluid giving away so quickly in a new car thats really surprising. Will update once the fix is done.

Something similar happened to a friend's fiesta as well, don't worry this will be fixed.

3rd April 2010, 08:13	#1606
Amartya Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Evanston Posts: 1,748 Thanked: 736 Times	The white somehow accentuates the subtle design details of the Punto. About the problems you faced with the delivery, I think the A/C is the most serious, but I am confident they'll fix it. It's strange that they didn't catch it during their PDI. The ride home, I know about it, part of it being a feeling of sheer terror, each and every car seems to be out to scratch your new found love. With the Punto though, because of it's build, you get this sense of security, I can vouch for that. Wishing you many miles of happiness. P.S. Just in case you aren't aware what Bossa Nova means, it's a style of music that is very close to Jazz. It fits in with the white colour making the Punto look very classy, just like Jazz, one of the highest forms of music(my opinion ).
	() Thanks

3rd April 2010, 10:12	#1607
milestogo BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 106 Thanked: 22 Times	Have a question for the Punto owners - is there a way to change songs of the media player from the head unit itself? At the moment I have to do it from the steering mounted controls. So if my passenger wants to change songs they have to do it from the steering !!! Anyone found a way out of this?
	() Thanks

3rd April 2010, 15:19	#1608
twinblades BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: bangalore Posts: 143 Thanked: 28 Times	@miles use the arrow keys. i think up and down is directories and left and right is songs in each directory. @ramki Check your manual for putting on the AC. My dad owns a emotion variant of the punto which has manual AC. i once had the same issue.. hot blowing even at the highest cooling setting.. however couldn't find the AC button. Once I called my dad, he told me to press the fan buttion to put on th AC. Last edited by twinblades : 3rd April 2010 at 15:25. Reason: adding another post
	() Thanks

3rd April 2010, 17:56	#1609
aditya116 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: calicut Posts: 317 Thanked: 51 Times	Can any confirm price of punto original alloys for a set of four?
	() Thanks

3rd April 2010, 18:00	#1610
milestogo BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 106 Thanked: 22 Times	twinblades - I've tried that with the arrow keys. Works only for CD or FM and not for the media player ( USB). Do the arrow keys work for you in your Punto when you playing songs from the USB?
	() Thanks

3rd April 2010, 23:03	#1612
swiftnfurious Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 7,204 Thanked: 9,663 Times	Congrats ! hey Ramki, she is a snow white! I saw a black punto today and fell instantly in love with her - For the first time in my life! hey mod number 1 -- smoke the headlights and you will hv a head turner at ur disposal. Dont worry abt the initial niggles.. u will be happy with her sooon. Wishing you many many happy miles of motoring! Last edited by swiftnfurious : 3rd April 2010 at 23:10.
	() Thanks

4th April 2010, 20:10	#1616
kadri007 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore/Mangalore Posts: 433 Thanked: 7 Times	What is the current On Road Price for Punto in Bangalore. I was suprised to see the Tata showrooms closed on Sunday and also on Saturday it closes early. My two visits just drained my petrol but was not able to check out the car.
	() Thanks

5th April 2010, 13:43	#1617
samsan02 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 410 Thanked: 21 Times	Steering rod fluid leakage Guys, Yesterday I observed some leakage from under the engine bay, thought it was engine oil. Its wine colored. Since it was sunday yesterday had to take it today to service center. They lifted it up and inspected and found to be the steering rack/rod leakage from below. Even there has been a constant sound which has been coming when turning the steering. They said as per warranty this will be replaced and luckily they have the part available. Will get my vehicle only by tomorrow.This car has been hardly driven , just 1500 km in 4.5 months. Its a petrol car. Anyone else experienced this problem with their puntos. Please share your experiences.
	() Thanks