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Originally Posted by ajay_satpute Brilliant ! Congratulations.
What a report Kartik. Fiat should use your report as a marketing tool actually. Easily, one of THE best ownership reports ever written on TBHP. 5 stars are not enough.
The opening of the thread is incredibly hilarious. Especially "Are you sure, this has a power steering, its so hard. My Swift's steering is better" LOL!
If I or anyone buys a Punto Sports in the near future, we are spared of taking lots of good quality pictures of the car. We will just embed your thread's link and tell everyone " For great quality pictures, refer to Kartik's thread".
Another interesting bit is the comparo between the JET and Punto. I totally agree with you on that one. Except the fuel part, JET is one of the best cars to own and drive in India. Waiting for your detailed comparison report.
Wishing you a safe and joyous and long journey with both your beauties.
Cheers! |
Thanks a lot Ajay, for the wishes and the help on the 'what car?' thread!
Glad you enjoyed reading this.
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Originally Posted by MCR Wow, what a review (and what a car)!
The best looking hatchback in the country, even after 3 years since lauch. The black stickers does lend it a good look though. I am still amazed that not many people buy this car inspite of so many positives. The A$$ is defenitely not as bad as it is made to be. Alas!
Have a blast and enjoy your drive. |
thanks MCR. Definitely agree with you on the servicing part. I was an ex-hyundai and ex-Maruti guy too, and I found Prerana to be much better than the other 2 brands. The servicing staff are friendlier, more accommodative and eager to help.
I believe the service scene is not so rosy in NCR, Maharashtra and other regions. Hope Fiat works on that when they go independent from next year.
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Originally Posted by motomaverick Phew!! Karthik, that was long read. Pretty comprehensive in terms of the number of pictures you have put. Where is the location of the shoot? And many Congrats on getting the hatch. Time for RD |
Thanks motomaverick! The location of the shoot is Kanva reservoir backwaters
. There's acres and acres of grass meadows beyond the actual dam, and the only company (that's also rare) you can find is sheep grazing. Try going there sometime for car photoshoot sessions.
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Originally Posted by A350XWB KarthikK, superbly written and I enjoyed reading every bit of it . Appreciate the likes and dislikes section for each car and your elimination process, which I feel is based on your requirement, rather than emotional outburst, like many others. Many people do not consider this very fact and go for some car which many not be something that they really wanted. Wish you many happy miles on the new ride.
I would have gone for the Punto 90HP last year, but I went for the next best driver's car, the Figo, mainly due to A.S.S concerns (Lot of my friends are having Fiats, but still). I feel really sad that the HPS is a dying breed and there are not too many well calibrated EPS's available in the hatchback segment now. I prefer a meaty steering and surefooted handling (along with safety features, ofcourse) above other electronic gizmos. |
Thanks a lot A350XWB! Really glad to know you enjoyed going through it. I find HPS so much more enjoyable and like you said, very few cars come with it nowadays. Congrats on the Figo, it is one hell of a pocket rocket. I particularly enjoyed driving it with its lag-less eagerness to dart around. The handling and ride quality were also superb! Enjoy lots of miles with the Figo!
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Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR Did I see 'new alloys' anywhere as part of the modifications?
I actually love those alloys on the Punto - but I feel its totally out of place here. That fabulous red paint job with those contrast black decals definitely deserves better wheels! I'm thinking black deep dish alloys with red lips.
Or - if you dont want to give up those stock rims - I suggest paint them black with a red lip.
Not convinced yet? |
That's a droolworthy proposition, if only I had the money to blow up now *lol*. I need to save up vitamin M again for a few months to reach normalcy. Thanks for taking the time out to show me a sample in PS. The black alloys look magnetic on the red. Have you seen the black metal 'Scorpion claw' alloys on the abarth version abroad? They look charismatic. Wondering if we can find something like that on 98pcd size
Here's how it looks (also available in black metal):
Interested?
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Originally Posted by vnabhi Mind-blowing review and equally good pictures. Rated *****. I find this to be even better than the official review on this forum.
Your attention to detail is commendable. The numerous pictures and the jocular opening lines have really drawn my attention for the past hour or more.
I too had a good look at the Punto Sport a month ago when I was on the lookout for a diesel hatch. I saw a black one in the showroom with a red sticker, and man, what a beauty she was!! The interiors, including the dashboard, appeared far better than the other Puntos in the showroom. I'm not sure why you're bashing the two-tone colour on the dashboard, but anyways, to each his own.
The main reasons I resisted the urge and instead went in for a Figo were the infamous A.S.S. in Hyd (yes, I know some bhpians who've suffered due to non-availability of parts during warranty replacements), and its price tag of nearly 1.8 lacs over the Figo. I am very happy with Ford service as I own a Fiesta 1.6.And like you, I have similar feelings about the differences between the petrol Fiesta and the diesel Figo. But I must admit that the Punto still tugs my heart whenever I see one.
Wish you many,many miles of munching on your new beauty. |
Thanks a lot for the compliments vnabhi. I agree with you on the servicing part. If your city does not have competent service centres, there is no point getting into the slush and dirtying your hands knowingly.
the Fiesta/Figo combinations sounds like another powerhouse couple. The Figo is really way more pleasurable in the city. I wish you many many miles of driving with the 2 Fords, will be keeping an eye on your ownership reviews as always.
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Originally Posted by Sommos Congratulations on your prized possession.
Your faith in Fiat is really heartening. Going against the tide you brought a second Fiat into your family.
Thanks for the superb and brilliant review of the Italian beauty. I was amazed at the details that you covered in the review. The pictures are equally superb and covers all angles and every aspect of the car including the foldable key and the manuals. I really appreciate your patience to pen down such an attractive review as also the time and effort that you must have spent to compile the same. |
Thanks a lot Sommos. Glad you enjoyed reading through it *smiles*.
Time and effort - well not much really. The photoshoot took around 4-5 hours, and the writing was done in stages, 2 hours per day X 6 days. That was it.
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Originally Posted by Bluu Congrats KK! Excellent review. Not only do you owe us lunch but also a nice long drive with the new car. Woody's soon? |
Gotcha! Kizashi test drive and treat also coming up soon, eh?
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Originally Posted by Accius Wow, an absolutely detailed report. One can easily read the whole report and safely go and book the car without having a test drive. Congrats on the great car. True, you live only ONCE ! |
Haha thanks a lot Accius! I agree with you on the last line, wholeheartedly!
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Originally Posted by sourav21 The Prerana accessory shop did the same to me. Gave an aftermarket spoiler even while I had repeatedly asked for the genuine FIAT spoiler. The genuine one needs holes to be drilled whereas this aftermarket one has the side clamps. This was pointed out to me in another forum and I promptly got it removed and got my money back. The thing is that even though it can be removed, those clamps and screws can leave nasty scratches and marks and more opportunity for rust to settle. |
I'll request them to take it back and replace it with the genuine Fiat accessory this weekend. Thanks once again to you, DRIV3R and ms_001 for pointing out this to me.
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Another thing I would advise is not to go in for any tuning box. AFAIK, the box is just a way to fool the ecu to pump up the rail pressure. Instead may be get a proper engine remap done. I have got my car remapped by Tune-O-Tronics and it is nearly zero turbo lag now and just needs a tap of accelerator to respond beautifully in 1000-1500 range. The T-O-T fellows will tune your car according to your needs over the lifetime of your association with the car for a one time fee. It is entirely reversible as they keep the stock map as backup and ensure steps to prevent reprogramming detection.
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I am just worried about the warranty going bust if something happens. With a tuning box, I can still disconnect it while giving it for service, and no one will come to know. Also, what happens if the OBD detects changed map values on the ECU?? Any thoughts on this? How does the tuner backup the OEM values? just curious to know. Does he store it with him?
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Originally Posted by Sheel Guess what? I drove a T Jet+ yesterday. A BHP ian johy loaned me one. I will put the impressions in its rightful thread and honestly, it blew me away. |
There you are now!
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KTM isn't your regular faired bike, hence the aam junta (hopefully) won't fiddle much.
I know how much it rains in Bangalore, so maybe taking the bike to office might not work out.
If you have secure parking and don't commute in 1st gears, a big bike will do the job.
Recreational sprints? Nothing would better it. Imagine doing 100kmph in 1st gear & on some even 100MPH is dusted in 1st as well.
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Sounds brilliant, but still only as a weekend bike to me. We neither have sheltered parking in office, nor are we blessed with predictable weather in Bangalore *lol*. Moreover, the office commute is around 25-30km one way, with choc-a-bloc traffic throughout. I'm sure my knees will get roasted with big bikes in traffic, plus I can't get beyond 1st-2nd gears for sure. I'll definitely PM you for bike doubts very soon, and trouble you, will need some help in decision making.
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Originally Posted by achitrab I recently got a Punto (75bhp) and can relate to this. Right from my wife, friends, colleagues to the banker(!!) and tyre shop fellows, everyone was like 'Fiat??! why not Swift'. All I could say was heart over mind. |
Hehe that's true. In fact, most people seem to associate the word 'Fiat' with a Premier Padmini, even today, hence my opening picture. They think Fiats are as bad, unreliable, outdated or technology-less as Padminis of yesteryear. Hardly anyone believes you if you say Fiat is the one who supplies engines for Maruti's diesel cars. For their own good, I wish Fiat starts advertising themselves as innovators and as the makers of Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Maserati, just to enhance brand image in developing markets.