Team-BHP
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https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/)
None really. I too had the same dilemma while choosing my car but then the Linea delivered incredible value which no other car did or still does!
P.S. I made the first trip to the service center due to a small shunt i suffered ( My bad) and the process was real smooth. The tata guys had a dedicated service manager for the linea and I was in and out of the place in less than half an hour!
Fiat recommends that you disconnect Battery -ve terminal when you go out & are not going to use the car for more than 15 days.
Initially I did not paid any attention, thinking heck let it remain instead of all the efforts of disconnecting & reconnecting.
Now I think I'll follow the recommendation always. Why?
Threads of ICE in Linea here shows that its not possible to remove the stock HU without disturbing B&M. Prash has installed an Amp which remains always ON. This suggests that even when engine is OFF, there is something (may be B&M or MID) which draws battery-power continuously.
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Originally Posted by VahanPujari
(Post 1383336)
I don't mind paying around 50K-75K (or may be Rs. 1 Lac with something more) extra but then which car would give me all of the above with pricing 50K-75K higher than Linea?
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Agreed! You are absolutely right and that's the reason why I haven't been able to decide on another car though I am really hesitant to buy Linea at this point. GP somehow didn't invoke that "WOW" feeling that Linea does every time I see dark Linea passing by!
As an interesting analogy, last January (Jan 2008) we purchased Flyte despite hearing horror stories about Kinetic. Front fueling, light in the boot, much better telescopic suspension and smooth engine was too tempting and close competition Activa didn't have any of those (I am still baffled why activa still uses that useless link type front suspension), ride quality is still much better on Flyte. However, this new launch made my wife really miserable with its countless failures in rains (it simply won't start), frequently leaking petrol tank (it has been changed thrice under warranty now) and useless electricals - the bulbs seldom last beyond 2 months. Mind you, service given by Kinetic (which faced challenge similar to Fiat at that point, notorious for its a.s.s.) was top-notch. But that didn't alleviate any of the frustrations of let-downs and those rickshaw bills that my wife had to pay when her Flyte simply won't start or stop suddenly in the rains. And though replacing bulb is just below INR 100 affair, the time it took and inconvenience it caused and gave me some anxious moments when she had to go and get some stuff from nearby and thanks to electricity board and municipal corporation, some roads won't have street lights. It's not how small the amount of money it takes to get those niggles fixed, it is time required to fix it -- imagine frustration that it caused when Flyte won't simply start in the morning when she had scheduled an important surgery for her patient (She is medico). It was frustrating to see all petrol vanished in the night due to tank leakage, which is primarily due to poor design of the fuel tank. The replacements simply don't work because the screws don't (and can't) hold up properly against gravity and uneven roads because they are really tiny. There should have been nuts and bolts with quarter pins!
So we both often wondered after 1 year of Flyte ownership if it would have made more sense to look beyond attractive features like front fueling & tiny light in the boot and buying more reliable Activa (my sis's Activa is 6+ years old and is without any major problem). The service got far more arrogant and lesser helpful since April 2009 and my wife finally stopped using Flyte since may 2009 as she was expecting and I didn't want her to suffer due to Flyte. A casual inquiry about its resell suggested INR 18000 for 16month old Flyte that we bought for INR 43000+! :Frustrati We hired driver instead and she used my Alto.
Reliability is far more important than few attractive features!
Additional attractive features at same/lesser price do provide great value addition to any car (or any automobile/FMCG for that matter); but they shouldn't come at the expense of reliability or peace of mind.
So far, I do not see any serious reliability issues with Liena, but niggles are too many. I would definitely lose my peace of mind after so many visits to TASS when the longer service intervals. I have enough issues/problems of my own to tackle, and I don't want my car to augment the list!
Somehow I see similar situation in case of Linea here as Fiat is striving hard to fight its ill-reputation. In case of Flyte, I could easily ignore loss of 43K and my wife learnt a lesson to listen to my suggestions (that was invaluable though) and our Flyte reminds us of our bad decision (Another moderator here is selling his Flyte as well and I wonder why?). I am really tempted beyond reason by Linea, but if similar issues come up with Linea I am not in a position to brush off loss in few Lacs. INR 900,000 is a very big & significant amount for me. So at times I do wonder if it would make sense to go for more reliable ANHC or even Dezire (Yuck, I hate its looks) and compromise on few features. BUt Linea temptation stops me from buyiing those - I guess I will wait a bit longer and wathc Linea more carefully before I put my hard-earned money, as I am once bitten and twice shy! Usually I am the first one to try new stuff if I am convinced about it, but this time I am really skeptical about Linea.
I think there are many more people like me who love Linea for what it is, but skeptical if she would betray them - and they can't be blames because Fiat has done that with their A.S.S. in the past and this time I am afraid it could be cost cutting showing up in plastics and some other stuff. I really hope Fiat follows niggling issues thread (@VP - could you please update the thread with your issues?) and fixes those niggles in newer Lineas so as to restore confidence. The new Linea sale will only come from common people now once they see that Fiat a.s.s. and quality of Linea/GP are really excellent. Let's hope Fiat does it this time, we will wait & watch! I must confess that in my heart of hearts, I really want them to succeed. Like some had said here, Fiat enjoys that soft-corner in our hearts like no one else does. clap:
Quote:
I guess I will wait a bit longer and wathc Linea more carefully before I put my hard-earned money, as I am once bitten and twice shy!
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Manish
Well said. Your pain can be understood by your flyte experience. I can observe or comment only this ---
You'll be enjoy the car only if you've trust in the MFR in terms of its reliability to manufacturer engine & engine parts. Other option is to wait as you said or get on with other cars. Most cars are competant enough today & have their own followers & their own USP's. e.g. ANHC is a damn good & reliable machine, Verna has a stonkar of an engine, so on & so forth
+1 to Manish. I waited for Linea for over an year, TDed it and found it underpowered and boring to drive. Yet, I follow every Linea thread, simple because I cannot get it out of my heart! stupid:
My head says, don't go for it, 1) Underpowered (just like my Indica), 2) Niggling issues (just like my Indica) 3) The same horrible TASS 4) Other options (Cedia, ANHC, etc) 5) Colour (Fox-Trot Azure is still not available) :Frustrati
I have been following up with Fiat guys to know ehen will the clour be lauched and I get a newer date every time.
I sincerely want to buy a Linea for all the VFM features, but still consider it as a huge risk.
@ manish7
I totally understand your POV and where you are coming from. This is from a guy who wanted the Linea on day one but has waited till July to actually drive one home!
The only thing that I can add from my side is that being the owner of two FIAT's I have never had problems with reliability, A.S.S or any of the other demons people attribute to the marquee.
I waited for a bit but have finally taken the plunge and the smile on my face is testament to my own satisfaction.
P.S. - I also happen to own the ANHC and I love the Linea much much more :D
Well, I can only say 2 things here
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I guess I will wait a bit longer and wathc Linea more carefully before I put my hard-earned money, as I am once bitten and twice shy!
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Some things in Life are worth Waiting for :)
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I sincerely want to buy a Linea for all the VFM features, but still consider it as a huge risk.
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If you want to enjoy rewards, you should take risks. :)
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The only thing that I can add from my side is that being the owner of two FIAT's I have never had problems with reliability, A.S.S or any of the other demons people attribute to the marquee.
I waited for a bit but have finally taken the plunge and the smile on my face is testament to my own satisfaction. I doubt I can say much more :)
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On a serious note, like what pradster mentioned here, when I was in a similar dilemma as Manish, I checked all Fiat-related threads & checked owners posts. Have not observed any Serious issues related to engine problem of faulty parts in Fiats. I researched & waited for 3 months before taking the plunge.
Now when I sit in Linea & drive at high speeds, I feel very secure with high stability, Ride & handling. Heavy weight of the car also gives additional comfort.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ferrari1976
(Post 1385608)
+1 to Manish. I waited for Linea for over an year, TDed it and found it underpowered and boring to drive. Yet, I follow every Linea thread, simple because I cannot get it out of my heart!
My head says, don't go for it, 1) Underpowered (just like my Indica), 2) Niggling issues (just like my Indica) 3) The same horrible TASS 4) Other options (Cedia, ANHC, etc) 5) Colour (Fox-Trot Azure is still not available)
I have been following up with Fiat guys to know ehen will the clour be lauched and I get a newer date every time.
I sincerely want to buy a Linea for all the VFM features, but still consider it as a huge risk.
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Well, I can comment on these two things -
(1) Underpowered - I took 10+ KMs test drive on Linea MJD, and don't think that it was underpowered. It was frighteningly smooth and stable at 100 KMPH and I couldn't even notice that I was doing 100 kmph, it was like 60-70 kmph. Only the speed buzzer and salesperson who made me realize that I was cruising at 100 kmplh. Owing to its size and short 2 gears, it is a bit slow off the block though. But then in sedan I am not looking for flickability much. It could be a complain in GP though.
(2) Fox-Trot Azure - which color is this? If it's dark grey, it's already available and I have my eyes set on it as well. :)
I don't find Linea boring --- it is as charming & exciting as it could get on this side of 10L I'd say.
Well the perfect answer to your prayers might just be the 1.6MJD in Azure color! But maybe next year for 1.6 though.
I love that color, my 1st choice but sadly they din't release here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ferrari1976
(Post 1385608)
I waited for Linea for over an year, TDed it and found it underpowered and boring to drive. Yet, I follow every Linea thread, simple because I cannot get it out of my heart! (Fox-Trot Azure is still not available) :Frustrati
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Manish,
I understand your hesitation in going for Linea. You went for the better vehicle (features wise), but got screwed reliability-wise.
Current Lineas don't have reliability issues, though some niggle or the other seems to come up making you jittery lol:.
I guess maybe you'll have to wait till end of this year for the Linea/GP platform to stabilize.
Here's the azure blue BTW. Total drool maaal!
http://www.desktopcar.net/wallpaper/...t_Linea_75.jpg http://www.egmcartech.com/wp-content...rket_debut.jpg
Linea is a head turner for sure. But only the A.S.S makes my head turn to the other side. I also felt the same when i bought my linea ( And manish same pinch i own a kinetic flyte too). But now i am really suffering because of the trips to TASS. These guys are not technically trained up to the mark and so It is causing a lot of worries, the oil change incident Is just one pointer........
In india the premium of the cars are decided by the number of chromestrips it has and not the engine under the hood. so more chromestrips and chrome door handles more money and more worries
Guys - Need your views. After reading various recent posts, I would like to ask you whether should I get the entire driver seat height assembly changed because of seat going down issue? I've this option & actually would have done it 15 days back but am out of town. I'm coming from 2 schools of thought:
1. Not to change it right now - The issue is not severe. The seat goes down by 2-3 notches only & sometimes after 2-3 days. However, sometimes it goes down by 2-3 notches in a single day. My fear is I think still there is no change in design implemented & the new assembly is no different & if I get the new assembly which is worse than my existing, the issue will get worse.
2. To change it - as the issue can become worse if I persist with the existing one.
Your views pls
vp,
Dont get it changed. It's not worth the effort, plus TASS might screw-up something else too!
I have seen the whole seat assembly ... lot of intricate gears and all over there.
I just got my lever replaced and will observe it for a week and let you know if it solved the issue.
Quote:
Originally Posted by neotraveller
(Post 1403111)
vp,
Dont get it changed. It's not worth the effort, plus TASS might screw-up something else too!
I have seen the whole seat assembly ... lot of intricate gears and all over there.
I just got my lever replaced and will observe it for a week and let you know if it solved the issue.
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No, I'll never allow TASS to do it. The Seat supplier/ Vendor is coming, I just have to inform them the day/date & they'll travel to Mumbai with the assembly
I think issue in my car is not due to seat height adj lever pushed down by thigh while ingress/ egress or driving. I had observed it for many days.
That's why I'm not able to decide
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