[amit]

Originally Posted by Amartya

Amit,

Not sure if this helps.

I heard a similar sound while driving a relative's Punto (White- MJD- EP).
I called up the service centre and they gave me an explanation that didnt cut much ice but here it goes.

The mechanics say that the ABS equipped versions have this sound. Once the car is kept parked for 2-3 days (min.), if the handbrake is fully engaged, the ABS sensors take a while to recognize that the car is ready to roll.

The solution is to leave the car in gear or bear the "Khat" sound. I know it sounds corny. In order to validate this theory we need some non- ABS version not go "Khat" and an ABS version doing that after being parked for 2-3 days.

My SX4 doesn't make this sound even if it's parked for 3-4 days with handbrake engaged.

Why I'm asking is because yday I observed something strange. Though I've a petrol Linea, I generally have this old-fashioned habit of idling engine while starting up for 30 - 60 sec. Yday, while handbrake was still pulled up, I started the engine & the rpm was showing 1500 instead of normal 800-900 rpm. the engine sound was also different slightly revved up. I disengaged the handbrake, promptly the rpm came to customary 800-900 rpm

That's typical of petrol cars. They start idling at high rpm's and after a few minutes the idling comes down to the normal 800-900rpm. It's something to do with emissions.

The left side clip had broken off. I managed a DIY job and got the tray to go up and come down with the hatch door, but now there is a constant rattle from from the parcel tray!

The rattling is gone

It was the safety triangle making a racket in the boot and not the parcel tray. I moved it's location and things are quiet again. Punto owners, where do you keep that triangle in your car? I have noticed that it has a habit of creating a racket in the boot.

[malgudi]

Punto owners, where do you keep that triangle in your car? I have noticed that it has a habit of creating a racket in the boot.

In my getz I have purchased a rubber mat (like the rubber foot mats) over the normal Spare wheel Wooden cover. I keep the triangle & the tool set between these 2. In getz the triangle cover & the tool cover have a velcro strip which also helps as they get fixed on carpet of the wheel cover.

[bhagathgowda]

Originally Posted by amit

Punto owners, where do you keep that triangle in your car? I have noticed that it has a habit of creating a racket in the boot.

I had observed the ratting caused by this triangle the very second day.
Now i keep my triangle next to the spare wheel in a vertical position. Now there is no rattles.

[Equus]

Offtopic--

Is it Fiat Punto or Fiat Grande Punto thats sold in India?

[amit]

Just off from a phone call from A.G.Neilson (I think). A Friday 11am appointment is fixed with them. They are going to take a 30 minute recorded survey from me on the quality and performance of the Punto.

[amit]

For the third time since I bought the Punto a total stranger walked upto me and asked about the car. My S10 had the same effect on strangers.

There is surely a lot of interest in the Punto, something which should make Fiat happy and for the third time, the car , deservingly, got a thumbs up feedback from me. I must add not a single time of the three times did any of the guys enquiring about the Punto ask about service and spares. This has surprised me too.

Anyway the convo with the latest stranger went like this:

Him: Is it your car?
Me: Yes.
Him: How is it?
Me: (Flashing a thumbs up) it's great. Fantastic car!
Him: You have a diesel?
Me: Yes.
Him: How is the performance?
Me: I have no problems with performance. It's totally adequate for our conditions.
Him: Any ground clearence issues?
Me: (That's a new one!) No. None at all.
Him: When did you get it?
Me: July 12.
Him: So about 1 1/2 months now. And it's doing good, right?
Me: Yes it's doing great.
Him: Good to know. Thanks. All the best with the new car.

What was odd was that I was not asked about mileage! Even after saying that it's a diesel.

[clevermax]

Originally Posted by amit

What was odd was that I was not asked about mileage! Even after saying that it's a diesel.

That's really strange.. in 99% of cases, it is the first question.

Originally Posted by Equus

Offtopic--
Is it Fiat Punto or Fiat Grande Punto thats sold in India?

It is the Grande Punto. Can't you make it out from the pictures?

[Comrade]

probably the stranger has already heard only good things about FE and spares but might have heard negative feedback for GC and performance from reliable people. (friends, relatives, autocar etc.)

[harry10]

Originally Posted by amit

Me: (Flashing a thumbs up) it's great. Fantastic car!
Him: You have a diesel?
Me: Yes.
Him: How is the performance?
Me: I have no problems with performance. It's totally adequate for our conditions.
Him: Any ground clearence issues?
Me: (That's a new one!) No. None at all.

What was odd was that I was not asked about mileage! Even after saying that it's a diesel.

As he mentioned 'You have a diesel' clearly suggests he knows GP is coming in petrol and diesel both and the rest of the q's suggest he is not a regular buyer but an informed one.

[comfortablynumb]

Originally Posted by amit

Just off from a phone call from A.G.Neilson (I think). A Friday 11am appointment is fixed with them. They are going to take a 30 minute recorded survey from me on the quality and performance of the Punto.

Did the caller say it was from AC Nielsen or is it a guess? If it's a guess, chances are that it's JD Power, rather than AC Nielsen. Next time you go to the ASC, take a look at your job card. It might have a "J.D.P" stamp on it, to indicate a customer who can be selected for a periodic survey by JD Power, just like the one you mentioned above. A fringe benefit of this is that you'll be treated like royalty whenever you take your car to the ASC.

Do let us know what the survey was like.

Cheers,
Vikram

[sushanthr77]

Originally Posted by harry10

...rest of the q's suggest he is not a regular buyer but an informed one...

Well, very few people buy cars regularly ;-)

[harry10]

Originally Posted by sushanthr77

Well, very few people buy cars regularly ;-)

I meant regular buyers like 'ecksreturns' - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super-...garage-55.html

[amit]

Originally Posted by comfortablynumb

Did the caller say it was from AC Nielsen or is it a guess? If it's a guess, chances are that it's JD Power, rather than AC Nielsen.

J.D.Power called me for a survey few weeks back - see post no 203.

I said I think it was A.G.Neilson because the lady initially wasn't talking clearly. What I am more interested in knowing is if Fiat have appointed A.G.Neilson to do this survey. If it is, then good for them.

My car is with Fortune Nerul for it's first service right now. Expected delivery at 3pm. I didn't bother asking about the parcel tray, I will wait till Fiat redesign's a new one. The brakes jamming is also something I would like to observe for some more time before going to the dealer's. For the more technical jobs, I am sticking to Fortune Powai since Anuroop guys are there.

Yesterday another stranger had a conversation with me. I tell you the Punto has really impressed people and has a lot of interested suitors.

Him: Hey sir is this your car? (He on a bike with his wife. Perfect new car prospect)
Me: (Used to this attention now!) Yes I am.
Him: How much is it OTR?
Me: 7 Lakhs.
Him: There must be cheaper variants too right?
Me: Yes. This is top end diesel - most expensive in the Punto range.
Him: Oh then i can get a petrol for around 5 lakhs.
Me: Of course you can. Punto range starts from 3.99L.
Him: How is the car and the performance? I drove a petrol and I loved it. I would really like to buy one.
Me: Car is really superb. Perforamance is adequate too. No issues at all. Go for it!
Him: Great to know. Thanks and all the best!

[pats]

Amit,

Punto owners like you are the best ambassadors who can give their honest opinion.


Punto is bound to benefit from mouth publicity over a time, more than its Yuvi ad.

Most of the general public is not aware that a car by the name "Punto" exists.
Just to highlight, On a discussion with my colleagues in office two days ago, everybody was aware of the new Estillo being launched but most of them did not have a slightest clue that a Punto exists.

[JVH]

You bet Amit!

Yesterday, on my way from Whitefield towards ORR, I saw a Black Punto with black tints and red alloys. I tried to catch up with him but it was difficult in the congested traffic.

What I did notice was , every other guy was knocking on the driver's side door specially bikers and chatting with the owner whenever there was a stand still. It sure is generating a lot of interest. The Punto deviated towards OMR.

If Punto sets sales chart on fire it will only be because of ambassadors like you and the black punto chap. I don't see FIAT doing something to generate that extra interest among the public