Exchanged Swift with Grande Punto EDIT: 15000 kms update

SpinWizard · 10th December 2009, 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by .anshuman

Thanks a lot, I am planning to post the report after the 15000km service as i have not faced any issues or niggles, The car is running trouble free as expected.

All i have to report for these kms is a Slow puncture, repaired for 50Bucks. The car is consistently delivering a FE of ~20kpl on highways.

That's great to hear Anshuman, I had a question, do you feel that the Punto is underpowered ? I did personally test drive, but unfortunately never got a satisfactory drive from any dealer in Bangalore. Just wanted to know your personal opinion.

.anshuman · 10th December 2009, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpinWizard

That's great to hear Anshuman, I had a question, do you feel that the Punto is underpowered ? I did personally test drive, but unfortunately never got a satisfactory drive from any dealer in Bangalore. Just wanted to know your personal opinion.

I dont find it underpowered at all, i have a habit of shifting early and driving in a higher gear, The in gear acceleration is at par with Swift VDi. I like the smooth turbo kick in compared to Swift VDi.

For boy racers this car will be disappointment, As it can do crazy wheelspins and does not have mad acceleration.

For regular commuting i assure you wont find underpowered at all. 190nm@1750RPM is good figure.

MCR · 10th December 2009, 16:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by .anshuman

I dont find it underpowered at all, i have a habit of shifting early and driving in a higher gear, The in gear acceleration is at par with Swift VDi. I like the smooth turbo kick in compared to Swift VDi.

For boy racers this car will be disappointment, As it can do crazy wheelspins and does not have mad acceleration.

For regular commuting i assure you wont find underpowered at all. 190nm@1750RPM is good figure.

.anshuman, congrats on completing 6000kms. +1 on your comments. Even I liked the more relaxed turbo kick-in. I did push my car a bit and the car can really accelerate if you can choose the gears wisely. The power output is very linear and not sudden. The best thing that has appealed me is the highway cruisability.

.anshuman · 10th December 2009, 16:53

Another thing i forgot to mention for those who dont consider a GP just for weaker outright acceleration, A tuning box can fix the issue without any worries.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MCR

.anshuman, congrats on completing 6000kms. +1 on your comments.

Thank you Sir but my car covered 12000+kms now.

SpinWizard · 10th December 2009, 17:30

Anshuman, MCR thanks for your valuable inputs.

I completely agree, that the Punto is really a good highway cruiser after reading several expert comments in the forum. However I already own a car which sort of fits into the same frame at a higher segment. Which is the NHC, this is one of the major reasons holding me back from getting another car which probably may get repetitive in terms of drivability.

As discussed, tuning box's may be a solution. But is it not a trade of in terms of reliability ?

extreme_torque · 10th December 2009, 19:31

Drove my friend's Punto MJD at 2500 + kms and the difference is marked. Heck the engine is ultra repsonsive and to me it drove better than Indica Vista Quadrajet. The difference is huge if you compare the performance from the brand new engine to now resonably run-in engine.

.anshuman · 10th December 2009, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by extreme_torque

Drove my friend's Punto MJD at 2500 + kms and the difference is marked. Heck the engine is ultra repsonsive and to me it drove better than Indica Vista Quadrajet. The difference is huge if you compare the performance from the brand new engine to now resonably run-in engine.

Did you also notice the improvement in refinement? Most Punto owners have reported a increase in refinement.

V-16 · 10th December 2009, 20:11

I always thought the Punto was a looker, of course add to it the Fiat all round sturdiness. We keep hearing about the lack lustre service from the Fiat. Since you have done a considerably comfortable amount of kms now on you car, would you be able to throw some light on that aspect, after sales and service niggles, if any, from Fiat.

.anshuman · 10th December 2009, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by V-16

I always thought the Punto was a looker, of course add to it the Fiat all round sturdiness. We keep hearing about the lack lustre service from the Fiat. Since you have done a considerably comfortable amount of kms now on you car, would you be able to throw some light on that aspect, after sales and service niggles, if any, from Fiat.

Its too early for me to comment, I am yet to experience a Fiat Service centre properly, my only visit was at 3000kms for the first check up service. I did not experience even a single issue with the car till now, the reason i did not visit ASC again. I know i cannot expect much.

The upcoming 15000km service would tell me what to expect. Will surely keep you all updated.

architect · 12th December 2009, 23:31

Don't know about the Punto but the engine on my Palio Multijet had become much more smooth after about 10-15,000 km of running.

If my "tractor" (as per iraghava) could become more refined, I guess the Punto and Linea should do the same. The other thing is that the engine is coarse when cold but settles down to a more refined CRDI clatter when warmed up.

nkrishnap · 14th December 2009, 10:51

I did test drive the Fiat Punto MJD E pack on Friday. The test drive car had 7600 odd kms on the ODO. The engine seemed very refined.

However there are quite a few marked differences in the plastics. Compared the test drive car (May 2009 produced car as per the sales rep) and a brand new car ready for delivery. The plastics are definitely put together a little better. the panel gaps have also reduced. I could not extract more information on the exact changes from the sales rep.

On the other thread Sidindica mentioned the changes that will appear in 2010. Things should get even better.

srikanthpotluri · 14th December 2009, 11:09

I am owning GP Emotion Pack with 4500KMS done, so far its very nice. except that i noticed this saturday my rear wiper isnt working, not sure what happened. need to take it for a check up. except this there were no problems whatsoever so far and its becoming smoother and smoother.

the service guys are so far very reliable and friends.

paritosh2k · 14th December 2009, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by srikanthpotluri

I am owning GP Emotion Pack with 4500KMS done, so far its very nice. except that i noticed this saturday my rear wiper isnt working, not sure what happened. need to take it for a check up. except this there were no problems whatsoever so far and its becoming smoother and smoother.

the service guys are so far very reliable and friends.

Srikanth,
can you pl. post how much it costs for the rear wiper replacement.
I found mine broken last night. it has got all the part but the cap which covers the nut is missing and i cant place the broken blade of wiper back.

sdp1975 · 15th December 2009, 19:02

There's a spring that connects the wiper blade to the swivel arm. The spring was missing on mine ( the blade fell off ) and they replaced it free of cost under warranty. Cost was approx 300/-.

GR8NATIVE · 18th December 2009, 09:53

Thanks a lot .Anshuman for your very detailed report. I am a newbie to the site looking to buy a diesel hatch .... heart beats punto punto having seen it on the road but reports of the shabby interiors and poor service is pushing me towards the I20. Seeing your ownership report has given me more confidence in the car. Any punto owners from Mangalore just to ask about Automatrix the fiat dealer there .... Thanks once again

10th December 2009, 17:30	#215
SpinWizard BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 82 Thanked: 28 Times	Anshuman, MCR thanks for your valuable inputs. I completely agree, that the Punto is really a good highway cruiser after reading several expert comments in the forum. However I already own a car which sort of fits into the same frame at a higher segment. Which is the NHC, this is one of the major reasons holding me back from getting another car which probably may get repetitive in terms of drivability. As discussed, tuning box's may be a solution. But is it not a trade of in terms of reliability ? Last edited by Eddy : 10th December 2009 at 17:35. Reason: Please do not copy paste from an external editor.
	() Thanks

10th December 2009, 19:31	#216
extreme_torque Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Melbourne Posts: 4,377 Thanked: 5,105 Times	Drove my friend's Punto MJD at 2500 + kms and the difference is marked. Heck the engine is ultra repsonsive and to me it drove better than Indica Vista Quadrajet. The difference is huge if you compare the performance from the brand new engine to now resonably run-in engine.
	() Thanks

10th December 2009, 20:11	#218
V-16 Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: mumbai Posts: 4,594 Thanked: 950 Times View My Garage	I always thought the Punto was a looker, of course add to it the Fiat all round sturdiness. We keep hearing about the lack lustre service from the Fiat. Since you have done a considerably comfortable amount of kms now on you car, would you be able to throw some light on that aspect, after sales and service niggles, if any, from Fiat.
	() Thanks

12th December 2009, 23:31	#220
architect Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ghaziabad, U. P Posts: 1,359 Thanked: 764 Times	Don't know about the Punto but the engine on my Palio Multijet had become much more smooth after about 10-15,000 km of running. If my "tractor" (as per iraghava) could become more refined, I guess the Punto and Linea should do the same. The other thing is that the engine is coarse when cold but settles down to a more refined CRDI clatter when warmed up.
	() Thanks

14th December 2009, 10:51	#221
nkrishnap Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 3,983 Thanked: 7,407 Times View My Garage	I did test drive the Fiat Punto MJD E pack on Friday. The test drive car had 7600 odd kms on the ODO. The engine seemed very refined. However there are quite a few marked differences in the plastics. Compared the test drive car (May 2009 produced car as per the sales rep) and a brand new car ready for delivery. The plastics are definitely put together a little better. the panel gaps have also reduced. I could not extract more information on the exact changes from the sales rep. On the other thread Sidindica mentioned the changes that will appear in 2010. Things should get even better.
	() Thanks

14th December 2009, 11:09	#222
srikanthpotluri BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 472 Thanked: 769 Times View My Garage	I am owning GP Emotion Pack with 4500KMS done, so far its very nice. except that i noticed this saturday my rear wiper isnt working, not sure what happened. need to take it for a check up. except this there were no problems whatsoever so far and its becoming smoother and smoother. the service guys are so far very reliable and friends.
	() Thanks

15th December 2009, 19:02	#224
sdp1975 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,700 Thanked: 1,273 Times View My Garage	There's a spring that connects the wiper blade to the swivel arm. The spring was missing on mine ( the blade fell off ) and they replaced it free of cost under warranty. Cost was approx 300/-.
	() Thanks

18th December 2009, 09:53	#225
GR8NATIVE BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Manglore Posts: 47 Thanked: 0 Times	Thanks Thanks a lot .Anshuman for your very detailed report. I am a newbie to the site looking to buy a diesel hatch .... heart beats punto punto having seen it on the road but reports of the shabby interiors and poor service is pushing me towards the I20. Seeing your ownership report has given me more confidence in the car. Any punto owners from Mangalore just to ask about Automatrix the fiat dealer there .... Thanks once again
	() Thanks