Beautifully cute Red point! (Fiat Punto )

Hrishiz · 16th August 2009, 22:02

Caution: Dramatised contents ahead!!!
------------------------------------------------

Off course by now least of Spanish that most us know is
Grande (Great) and Punto (Point).

Well this post is all about buying my dream machine!

Till Booking:
Upcoming transfer to Cochin from Bangalore, was eyeing a swift VDi.
Transfer was always just a reason

always wanted to get behind a diesel swift’s steering!!!

On the 17th June heard about a car named, Punto! Grande Punto!! FIAT Grande Punto!!!
Sigh! Awesome car!!! But FIAT!!! Stay away, said my brain (which is rarely reliable)
The heart said “This is it you dumb head! This is the car. Get your transfer ASAP”

20th July: A post appears on TBHP: Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review
Well, that pretty cemented it.
“Sorry Swiftie all of a sudden you seemed pushed to the back seat of my mind!”

No other cars were even considered.
20th July: Reported to Kochi office.

For the entire month took test drives at various showrooms:
Concorde, Prerana (Bangalore)
RF motors, Concorde ( Kochi )

RF sales person appeared very friendly, but never bothered to pursue the matter.

27th July at 8.30 demo at my door step!
Approval from Dad and relatives, with a warning! It’s a FIAT dude!

The booking and further:
28th July: Booking amount paid to Concorde, Cochin! Thank you dad!
Booked a GP Red MJD, emotion! Off course, the ever-non-helpful brain said
“Dude!, why Airbags? Why Blue n Me? Just upgrade the tyres to Emotion pack stock” so booked that model.

Did the PDI of the vehicle allotted. All well. Concorde very helpful.

At the showroom:
While I was at the showroom waiting to be accompanied to the stockyard for the PDI, the executive introduces me to a fellow BHPian. Turned out to be a colleague in my own company!
He offered to drop by, was very happy. At that time my membership was still not approved.

Unfortunately, He could not give me company, as he had to complete the formalities of a Vista! How he wished he could buy Punto! He said he was buying Vista for his parents.
All the best dude, if you are reading this! I hope you buy your dream car very soon.

Then were the days of impatience and n number of calls to the executives for the loan and that and this.

Emotion pack or emotion? Million dollar question, kept haunting my heart more than the brain! A decent upgrade of tyres meant 35k. Thanks to FIAT, the alloys of Emotion pack not available till date at Concorde at least. Hence started searching outside and kept spending hours on TBHP.

Called up various tyre shops. Finally, thanks to my heart. Called up Concorde and asked them to upgrade my booking to Emotion pack! Man! Sweat! Sweat!

The waiting:
Thanks to SBI. The loan process seemed to take for ever to complete! 2 weeks I suppose.

Finally the Bold new drive is getting ready. Getting registered tomorrow.
The D day: 18th August

Primary inspirations: GTO’s review and review’s of the owners.
Primary Consultants: Partha, Fareedh and Kowshik (Friends)

PS: Buying a car is exciting! To say the least! Which better place to share this!
I often hear my dad saying “It’s a Punto in his head”

Shall post delivery experiences of my baby, with pics (lol, sounds weird when I say that) and thank you for your forbearance for reading through.

ajayr · 16th August 2009, 23:56

Heartiest congratulations buddy! Waiting to see the pics. Drive safe. What are the accessories planned?

cbzire · 16th August 2009, 23:58

Hey man!... CONGRATS!. Have a great time with your baby!.

neotraveller · 17th August 2009, 00:10

Congrats Hrishi,
Now with the Emotion Pack ... there are absolutely no extra expenditures needed. (well, seat covers & tints thats it). The car is loaded and future-proof!

And regarding the Fiat-boogey-man .... well, let's see we will all prove those naysayers wrong.
Fiat has done all the right things this time: cheap spares, wide service network.
Hope the TASS guys learn the Fiat technology fast enough for a 100% satisfactory service.

Hrishiz · 17th August 2009, 07:53

@ Ajay.

Thank you. With the upgrade to Emotion pack, I am not left with much money.

But wish-list is as follows:

1) Reverse sensors
2) Sunfilm [3M or VKool, on all sides except Frontwinshield for the moment]
3) Tyre upgrade to Primacy LC [very doubtful, as I am not Mr.Columbus on road!

just city travel and very occasional long drives]

@ neotraveller

Thank you. I completely agree with you.

My clarifications, if Punto Gurus could kindly answer this:

Many owners seem to do the under-body 3M treatment, anti-rust and all that. Read is some other thread on the FIAT manual that it will void warranty as it is already treated at FIAT plants. I'm just confused to the core!

phamilyman · 17th August 2009, 08:22

Congrats man. Enjoy the bold new drive

Hrishiz · 17th August 2009, 10:06

Thank you cbzire and Phamilyman.

vivekanand005 · 17th August 2009, 10:06

Congrats on your purchase of the red Italian beauty.Enjoy the Drive.

Hrishiz · 17th August 2009, 12:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivekanand005

Congrats on your purchase of the red Italian beauty.Enjoy the Drive.

Thank you sir.

:(

Just got an update that the SBI delayed giving the DD and hence the vehicle will be registered only tomorrow and delivered the day after!

Thank you SBI, you guys literally teach us patience!

ajayr · 17th August 2009, 12:30

Uh-oh. Don't worry Hrishiz, your Punto will be worth the wait

aks_karthik · 17th August 2009, 12:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hrishiz

Thank you sir.

:(

Just got an update that the SBI delayed giving the DD and hence the vehicle will be registered only tomorrow and delivered the day after!

Thank you SBI, you guys literally teach us patience!

Congrats Hrishiz,

Awaiting for a new car delivery is like waiting for GF to come ontime.
Once GF comes, you get exited with her beauty.
Surely the same thing happen while you taking delivery RED GF aka Punto
nail-biting moments i say

myavu · 17th August 2009, 12:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hrishiz

Caution: Dramatised contents ahead!!!
------------------------------------------------

Off course by now least of Spanish that most us know is
Grande (Great) and Punto (Point).

Well this post is all about buying my dream machine!

Till Booking:
Upcoming transfer to Cochin from Bangalore, was eyeing a swift VDi.
Transfer was always just a reason

always wanted to get behind a diesel swift’s steering!!!

Hi Hrishiz, Congrats for your new beauty

I wish if I was there in Kochi for this ONAM! No leaves

.

Keep Puntoing.

Cheers!

Hrishiz · 17th August 2009, 13:21

Thank you for all those kind words guys.

@ aks_karthik: Liked the analogy!

Can someone help me with my query, i.e:
Whether doing an Anti-rust under-body 3M treament would void warranty?
Also I was told by Concorde that they are yet to get "orders" to fit accesories on Punto! How wierd is that? This was when I inquired about fitting the reverse parking sensors!

ajayr · 17th August 2009, 14:41

@Hrishiz, I am reasonably sure that doing under-body rust treatment wouldn't void warranty. The 3M treatment was recommended by the dealer itself for my Palio and I had done it with thim. For the Punto, I have done DuPont under-body rust treatment.

Regarding accessories, the dealer here (Prerana Motors) mentioned no such thing about "orders". In fact I got them to install Autocop reverse sensors, although they goofed up big time. Seems that 2 out of the 4 sensors are not working, the Autocop guy has promised replacement under warranty.

Hrishiz · 17th August 2009, 15:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajayr

@Hrishiz, I am reasonably sure that doing under-body rust treatment wouldn't void warranty.

In one of the threads, there was scanned copy of a manual. There it was clearly mentioned it would void the warranty.

Shall update the link when I get it. But good that you got it from the dealer.

16th August 2009, 22:02	#1
Hrishiz BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Kochi Posts: 72 Thanked: 28 Times	Beautifully cute Red point! (Fiat Punto ) Caution: Dramatised contents ahead!!! ------------------------------------------------ Off course by now least of Spanish that most us know is Grande (Great) and Punto (Point). Well this post is all about buying my dream machine! Till Booking: Upcoming transfer to Cochin from Bangalore, was eyeing a swift VDi. Transfer was always just a reason always wanted to get behind a diesel swift’s steering!!! On the 17th June heard about a car named, Punto! Grande Punto!! FIAT Grande Punto!!! Sigh! Awesome car!!! But FIAT!!! Stay away, said my brain (which is rarely reliable) The heart said “This is it you dumb head! This is the car. Get your transfer ASAP” 20th July: A post appears on TBHP: Fiat Grande Punto : Test Drive & Review Well, that pretty cemented it. “Sorry Swiftie all of a sudden you seemed pushed to the back seat of my mind!” No other cars were even considered. 20th July: Reported to Kochi office. For the entire month took test drives at various showrooms: Concorde, Prerana (Bangalore) RF motors, Concorde ( Kochi ) RF sales person appeared very friendly, but never bothered to pursue the matter. 27th July at 8.30 demo at my door step! Approval from Dad and relatives, with a warning! It’s a FIAT dude! The booking and further: 28th July: Booking amount paid to Concorde, Cochin! Thank you dad! Booked a GP Red MJD, emotion! Off course, the ever-non-helpful brain said “Dude!, why Airbags? Why Blue n Me? Just upgrade the tyres to Emotion pack stock” so booked that model. Did the PDI of the vehicle allotted. All well. Concorde very helpful. At the showroom: While I was at the showroom waiting to be accompanied to the stockyard for the PDI, the executive introduces me to a fellow BHPian. Turned out to be a colleague in my own company! He offered to drop by, was very happy. At that time my membership was still not approved. Unfortunately, He could not give me company, as he had to complete the formalities of a Vista! How he wished he could buy Punto! He said he was buying Vista for his parents. All the best dude, if you are reading this! I hope you buy your dream car very soon. Then were the days of impatience and n number of calls to the executives for the loan and that and this. Emotion pack or emotion? Million dollar question, kept haunting my heart more than the brain! A decent upgrade of tyres meant 35k. Thanks to FIAT, the alloys of Emotion pack not available till date at Concorde at least. Hence started searching outside and kept spending hours on TBHP. Called up various tyre shops. Finally, thanks to my heart. Called up Concorde and asked them to upgrade my booking to Emotion pack! Man! Sweat! Sweat! The waiting: Thanks to SBI. The loan process seemed to take for ever to complete! 2 weeks I suppose. Finally the Bold new drive is getting ready. Getting registered tomorrow. The D day: 18th August Primary inspirations: GTO’s review and review’s of the owners. Primary Consultants: Partha, Fareedh and Kowshik (Friends) PS: Buying a car is exciting! To say the least! Which better place to share this! I often hear my dad saying “It’s a Punto in his head” Shall post delivery experiences of my baby, with pics (lol, sounds weird when I say that) and thank you for your forbearance for reading through.
	() Thanks

16th August 2009, 23:56	#2
ajayr BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 94 Thanked: 19 Times	Heartiest congratulations buddy! Waiting to see the pics. Drive safe. What are the accessories planned?
	() Thanks

16th August 2009, 23:58	#3
cbzire BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 31 Thanked: 0 Times	Hey man!... CONGRATS!. Have a great time with your baby!.
	() Thanks

17th August 2009, 00:10	#4
neotraveller BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 739 Thanked: 0 Times	Congrats Hrishi, Now with the Emotion Pack ... there are absolutely no extra expenditures needed. (well, seat covers & tints thats it). The car is loaded and future-proof! And regarding the Fiat-boogey-man .... well, let's see we will all prove those naysayers wrong. Fiat has done all the right things this time: cheap spares, wide service network. Hope the TASS guys learn the Fiat technology fast enough for a 100% satisfactory service. Last edited by neotraveller : 17th August 2009 at 00:12.
	() Thanks

17th August 2009, 07:53	#5
Hrishiz BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Kochi Posts: 72 Thanked: 28 Times	@ Ajay. Thank you. With the upgrade to Emotion pack, I am not left with much money. But wish-list is as follows: 1) Reverse sensors 2) Sunfilm [3M or VKool, on all sides except Frontwinshield for the moment] 3) Tyre upgrade to Primacy LC [very doubtful, as I am not Mr.Columbus on road! just city travel and very occasional long drives] @ neotraveller Thank you. I completely agree with you. My clarifications, if Punto Gurus could kindly answer this: Many owners seem to do the under-body 3M treatment, anti-rust and all that. Read is some other thread on the FIAT manual that it will void warranty as it is already treated at FIAT plants. I'm just confused to the core!
	() Thanks

17th August 2009, 08:22	#6
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,968 Thanked: 4,642 Times	Congrats man. Enjoy the bold new drive
	() Thanks

17th August 2009, 10:06	#7
Hrishiz BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Kochi Posts: 72 Thanked: 28 Times	Thank you cbzire and Phamilyman.
	() Thanks

17th August 2009, 10:06	#8
vivekanand005 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 85 Thanked: Once	Congrats on your purchase of the red Italian beauty.Enjoy the Drive.
	() Thanks

17th August 2009, 12:30	#10
ajayr BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 94 Thanked: 19 Times	Uh-oh. Don't worry Hrishiz, your Punto will be worth the wait
	() Thanks

17th August 2009, 13:21	#13
Hrishiz BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Kochi Posts: 72 Thanked: 28 Times	Thank you for all those kind words guys. @ aks_karthik: Liked the analogy! Can someone help me with my query, i.e: Whether doing an Anti-rust under-body 3M treament would void warranty? Also I was told by Concorde that they are yet to get "orders" to fit accesories on Punto! How wierd is that? This was when I inquired about fitting the reverse parking sensors!
	() Thanks

17th August 2009, 14:41	#14
ajayr BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 94 Thanked: 19 Times	@Hrishiz, I am reasonably sure that doing under-body rust treatment wouldn't void warranty. The 3M treatment was recommended by the dealer itself for my Palio and I had done it with thim. For the Punto, I have done DuPont under-body rust treatment. Regarding accessories, the dealer here (Prerana Motors) mentioned no such thing about "orders". In fact I got them to install Autocop reverse sensors, although they goofed up big time. Seems that 2 out of the 4 sensors are not working, the Autocop guy has promised replacement under warranty.
	() Thanks