I found few really good maintained cars in Olx and Quicker but were demanding too much money for them. But in the last week of September 2015, I saw one Palio D 1.9 ELX advertisement in Olx which pulled my attention. I immediately called the owner who is from Hyderabad and he was patient enough to answer all my queries and sent few pictures in WhatsApp. He said he was the second owner who got this car a couple of years ago and now wanted to sell it since he got another car and has no space to keep it. Surprisingly, he even advised me not to buy the car since my place has no service points or availability of spares. However, I liked his honesty attitude and wanted to test-drive the car. It’s a 2004 modeled ‘Glacier White’ colored car which has 1910 CC naturally aspirated diesel engine and has 65 BHP@4500 rpm and 120 NM torque@2500 rpm. It has few more goodies like all power windows, adjustable mirrors, folding rear seats with decent boot, rear wiper & defogger, tachometer, Hydraulic Power Steering etc.
First Look Of the car in Olx Owner & Me Pollution Check
Meantime, I contacted our fellow Bhpian
‘hillram aka Ram Kiran’, the awesome Fiat lover and the founder of
‘Hyderabad Fiat Classic Club’. He was friendly, co-operative, and very helpful who gave me many suggestions. On my request, He even forwarded his trusted mechanic number. Next, I travelled Hyderabad and had a test drive the above car and My First Impressions were as below.
Positives:
• The engine Power and the torque is awesome and the ODO is just 86470 kms
• The steering feedback is awesome
• All four Tyres are Yokohama A Drive tubeless and are in very good condition.
• It’s Naturally Aspirated Diesel Engine, hence no Turbo Lag. So, It’s a pure bliss to drive this car even in city roads.
• Driver seating position is comfortable to me although it doesn’t have seat height adjustment.
• The brakes are fantastic even though it doesn’t have ABS.
• The back seats are comfortable and have decent leg room.
• Adequate Boot which could swallow everything you may need for a weekend trip.
• All Power Windows and their Control Switches are accessible to driver.
• Height adjustable seat belts
• Deep Glove box with Cup holders.
• Cigar Lighter which can be used as Mobile Charger.
• Ash Tray Near Cigar Lighter. Since Iam not a smoker, It can be useful to keep Papers/Mobile.
• Driving Mirror with Anti Glare Position which could be helpful in night driving.
• Default wiring to install 6 speakers (2 on front doors, 2 Front Tweeters, 2 On Parcel Trey)
Negatives:
• The Car looks bad from outside as it has scratches and dents on almost every door and one deep scratch on bonnet. Perhaps need to repaint the vehicle.
• The AC is not working (Owner said, A gas refill would be enough). One of the central AC Vent is missing and other vents are in bad condition. Perhaps, I need to change them all.
• Vibrations and Rattles, especially more in Idle Condition.
• Heavy wind and engine sounds in the cabin.
• No Boot lamp Provision.
• No Music System/Speakers.
• Only One Manual Key is available. Remote is not working.
• Lapsed Insurance and I need to pay for that
• ORVMS are in bad condition and need to replace them.
• No Bottle Holders what so ever. You need to put the bottles in the back seat covers only. Perhaps, Fiat might think their customers are over joyous in their superb driving dynamics cars and forget to drink water.
• Rear Windows Control Buttons Located near the Gear Lever is not working.
• Cabin Lamp is not working. Need to change the bulb
• Antenna was Broken, Need to be replaced.
• Front and Rear Wiper Blades are weak and need to be replaced.
• Spare tyre is Bridgestone normal tyre which is in average condition
• Broken Wheel Caps