Quote:
Petra beats Baleno soundly in ride, safety.
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In ride quality I'd say the Petra has the edge (If you want outstanding ride quality go for a 1.6 Adventure if you can find one now - It's even more composed than an Octavia on bad roads) but when it comes to throwing the car around corners, the baleno wins - As for safety , I suppose based on the NCAP tests , just about any car is safer than a Baleno in a frontal collision.
Interiors ? - Baleno's is merely bland and typical old Jap car style , Petra's is sub par and feels like something designed in a real hurry - It feels like something hurriedly jammed in place - even the adventure's dash isn't redeemed by the fake aluminium inserts.
Seats ? - Petra's are large and roomy , baleno's snug - they hold you tight - which i prefer.
The rear seats ....okay in both though the baleno's feel more relaxing and easier to lie back in - ingress is harder though
Looks ? - The Baleno beats the petra anyday, even with those slapped on like stickers taillights - the high side wedge gives it a muscular look - put in 14" or 15" alloys and you got a winner - If youre particular to spoilers (i hate em though), a petra looks kinda silly and fat arsed with one, the baleno looks sporty. - The only grouse I have with the baleno's looks are the chrome frames around the windows and teh chrome front grill - i would have preferred a black mesh grille (btw, does anyone have pics of baleno's with different grilles ?)
Service, Reliability - I find the Fiat to be as reliable - but as our adventure was built in better times and even then had a better build quality than the sienas/palios , i cant comment on the petra - we've had some electronic part changed (dunno what it was - i dont drive it ) - cost us 4K , and the power steeering resporvoir somehow decides to empty it's contents mysteriously on long drives - no leaks can be found . While my baleno is giving some intermittent trouble with the gearbox , if it can match my old esteem in reliability eventually , I'll be happy.
(I'd trust my 96 esteem for a long trip over our 02 adventure in terms of peace of mind)
Buying experience ? The dealers - Vivek Auto and a certain salesman by the name of Prashant Vyas are a bunch of cheats and thieves..never will i have anything to do with them - may they rot in hell. No wonder Fiat is in trouble - great practical cars but their dealers ???
Overall feel - the Baleno feels more agile, sporty and amazing on the highway and in heavy traffic with that low down torque . The Fiat also has a torquey engine but while the car doesnt fit like a glove - I dont feel comfy driving them - with th eesteem/baleno , i feel one with the car - the Fiat however makes you feel safe with it's solid heavy build.
overall , both are great cars...... but my recommendation would be on the Baleno.
or a NHC - it's actually a very decent and extremely practical car - though my friend feels it's handling and high speed braking stability are highly suspect.
zaphod