[Amartya]

Originally Posted by smartcat

Loved it. I might even buy it - the blue one! In the beginning, the car felt a bit sluggish (I'm used to petrol cars) - but after 2000 RPM, it was like the GP's tail was on fire. I specifically asked the salesman to show me bad roads, and when I went over them, I was quite impressed.

I strangely liked the interiors of the GP - mostly black, with a bit of silver on the centre console. When everybody seems to be going for beige, the all black interiors looks refreshingly different. Beige looks good I agree, but it looks good only with a combination of wood and leather. Otherwise, I prefer the black of GP or a Swift.

*******

What I didn't like -

- No arm rest between the front seats. (But the dealer promised to fit the one from the Linea).
- No electric foldable mirrors like the one on i20.
- No middle seat belt? (I don't recall seeing it).
- No side airbags like i20. I'm ready to pay a premium for such safety features.
- Not a fan of alloy design - the car is trying too hard to look sporty. Prefer a simple five or 6 spoke alloys like the one on Polo.

I also test drove the Linea, but don't like the front (as much as the Punto). Also Rs 2.5 Lac extra over the Punto doesn't sound like VFM.

To be honest, I too was waiting for your review. I am glad you liked the car and the best bit is, the negatives you have listed out, are actually not show-stoppers (other than the curtain air bags, but they aren't available on the i20 CRDi either). I also liked the fact that the black interiors looked good to you, I share the same opinion. Beige has become overused and it just doesn't fee right unless it's a plush car.

Talk to the dealer and see if you can get the Linea alloys, they in my opinion, look better(of course if you decide to buy it).

[gods-envy]

Originally Posted by smartcat

What I didn't like -

- No arm rest between the front seats. (But the dealer promised to fit the one from the Linea).
- No electric foldable mirrors like the one on i20.
- No middle seat belt? (I don't recall seeing it).
- No side airbags like i20. I'm ready to pay a premium for such safety features.
- Not a fan of alloy design - the car is trying too hard to look sporty. Prefer a simple five or 6 spoke alloys like the one on Polo.

My suggestions -
1. Arm rest can be got aftermarket. I got mine for Rs 1500 from JC Road. Else, try to convince the dealer to put the ones from the Linea, they are much better. Again, talk to the service guys if they can fit it; dont take the word of the sales guys. I was promised the same and the service guys later told me that it's not possible to fit the Linea's. Hence I opted for an after market one.
2. I heard you can get the electric foldable mirrors aftermarket as well, haven't tried to get it as I did not want to screw up with the car's electricals.
3. there is a seat belt in the middle.It's a waist only seat belt and not a three point one.
4. Yes, No side airbags for sure.
5. With respect to the alloys,see if you can convince the dealer to swap with the ones on the Linea. the Linea ones look slightly better on the GP.

Edit - Another thing that you can do if you want is get some nice Carbon fibre imitation stickers to the central console to make the car look more sporty. I have got the same done on my car. Shall see if I can post pictures of it over the weekend.

[SmartCat]

Originally Posted by Amartya

Talk to the dealer and see if you can get the Linea alloys, they in my opinion, look better(of course if you decide to buy it).

Hey excellent suggestion - why didn't I think about it? I actually like Linea's alloy design. Both have the same PCD and both have 195/60 R15 tyres right?

Now somehow I need to get the rear AC vents of the Linea on the Punto - then my Punto will be totally "Lineafied".

Originally Posted by gods-envy

Edit - Another thing that you can do if you want is get some nice Carbon fibre imitation stickers to the central console to make the car look more sporty. I have got the same done on my car. Shall see if I can post pictures of it over the weekend.

Now that's interesting!

[ms001]

Originally Posted by gods-envy

Edit - Another thing that you can do if you want is get some nice Carbon fibre imitation stickers to the central console to make the car look more sporty. I have got the same done on my car. Shall see if I can post pictures of it over the weekend.

Please post some pictures, where did you get this done and for how much

[gods-envy]

Originally Posted by ms001

Please post some pictures, where did you get this done and for how much

Originally Posted by smartcat

Now that's interesting!

Initially wanted to get it done in JC Road, but the guy there said he will remove the whole central console and apply the sticker; I quite did not like the idea as I did not want him to meddle with the electricals.
Hence, I got it done at a neighborhood sticker shop. Cost me Rs 200. He cut pieces of the sticker and applied it.
Shall definitely take pictures of it over the weekend and post it.

[teky]

Originally Posted by smartcat

In Bangalore, the on road price for top end Punto diesel will come to around Rs. 7.3 Lacs.

By the way, there is a delivery time of 3 weeks for Punto in Blue. Other colours are available immediately. Plus there is a new "Linea Red" colour for the Punto apparently.

Thanks Smartcat. I've been quoted 6.91 including Corporate Discount, Free Insurance, Road Side assistance and Extended warranty. Dealer has also promised the usual Sunfilm etc to be fitted. However there seems to be no mention of the gift cheque, I'll try and speak to him.

[nkapoor777]

Originally Posted by .anshuman

^^^ @nkapoor777 : Please post the pictures of the Fiat genuine accessory mudflaps.

I shall try my friend! Why don't we plan to meet up in Gurgaon? I work in Sec-53 on the Golf Course Road.

Originally Posted by smartcat

- No arm rest between the front seats. (But the dealer promised to fit the one from the Linea). - Can you give more details? I spoke to a Fiat chap during the Service Camp recently and he told me that it would not be possible since the mounting bracket of the head rest is bolted to the body shell. This provision is not there in the Punto and obviously can not be done outside of the factory. You can get one which is bolted to the existing cup holder.
- No middle seat belt? (I don't recall seeing it). - It is there.

[SmartCat]

Oh it was just a promise by the salesman - not sure if it can be done. Will ask him again.

[recshenoy]

smartcat,

thanks for the review. will Punto co-exist with Optra or going for an exchange?
I too prefer black over beige interiors.Beige ones produce galre during sunny days.

I heard you can get the electric foldable mirrors aftermarket as well

But they are expensive! AFAIR the wagon-R E-ORVM cost 14K! Also aftermarket will void the warranty.

Any news of Punto Sportz?

[.anshuman]

Originally Posted by nkapoor777

I shall try my friend! Why don't we plan to meet up in Gurgaon? I work in Sec-53 on the Golf Course Road.

Surely, I have sent my number through PM. I stay very close to golf course road.

[SmartCat]

Originally Posted by recshenoy

thanks for the review. will Punto co-exist with Optra or going for an exchange?

If I buy the Punto, the Optra will have to go - and Fiat is currently running an "Exchange Assured" (or something like that) scheme. If anybody is wondering why I plan to go for the Punto rather than a diesel Laura or a Cruze (both are natural upgrades to an Optra owner), there are a couple of reasons for that -

1) Well, um.. I don't have enough money

2) I give unusually high weightage to a car that looks beautiful. I mean, truly beautiful. Other cars fall under the definition of "sharply styled", "modern design" or "contemporarily styled". But not the Punto - even after 5 years, I'm sure I'll be looking at it lovingly everyday.

Linea doesn't look as beautiful as the Punto, because they have changed the headlamp design & grille. The rear of the Linea and the profile looks good though.

[arishi1]

Originally Posted by smartcat

But not the Punto - even after 5 years, I'm sure I'll be looking at it lovingly everyday.

Linea doesn't look as beautiful as the Punto, because they have changed the headlamp design & grille. The rear of the Linea and the profile looks good though.

Smartcat seems Punto is your second love

[aarenes]

Originally Posted by arishi1

Smartcat seems Punto is your second love

Hey - I speak for everyone who owns a GP, who does fall in love with the curvaceous Punto!

[aarenes]

Originally Posted by gods-envy

1. Arm rest can be got aftermarket. I got mine for Rs 1500 from JC Road. Else, try to convince the dealer to put the ones from the Linea, they are much better. Again, talk to the service guys if they can fit it; dont take the word of the sales guys. I was promised the same and the service guys later told me that it's not possible to fit the Linea's. Hence I opted for an after market one.

Oooh, I so want this too. Earlier I recall some owners brought the arm rest from UK for 80 pounds/euros. That was too expensive. But 1500 looks like a deal.

@Gods-Envy - can you post a picture of the arm rest? Any make or model information would be helpful too so I can inquire in Mumbai.

Lastly, since these are fitted after market, do you experience any rattles on the armrest, fitting or any other issues.

[teky]

Originally Posted by smartcat

Oh it was just a promise by the salesman - not sure if it can be done. Will ask him again.

Thanks. This scheme doesn't seem to apply if you're already taking corporate discount of 12K. Could you please verify if that's the case with your SP.