[Deep Blue]

Originally Posted by gopikb

Hi Commodore, Having driven Punto for 10000kms myself, I would tend to agree with NSK123. When I took delivery of the car, I used the feel the pull of the car very sluggish compared to the Santro in city drives. However, the engine frees up quote a bit after about 3000 kms and thereafter you can feel the engine refinement getting better as you clock more miles. Now the car is an absolute gem to drive even in city traffic. Adjusting the driving styles could also be another factor for the better drivability which we must have gained subconsciously.

+ 1 to that. I find my Father-in-law's punto a lot more drivable now after 5000km on odo. 2nd and 3rd gears are able to handle the city driving smoothly. It is a lot more refined now and the engine boom is also less.

[samsan02]

Nice post Rahul ! Indeed a good writeup. Ford figo is a real VFM car, but looking at your post you were initially a bit more inclined towards punto but decided for Figo because of 1L difference in prices. Well bottomline is its all about money honey !!
IMHO Figo looks dated, from the front it just looks like ford ikon. From the back its a smaller and a shorter Fusion. So all in all Ford has come up with a nice car packaged to appeal to the masses solely on the price front when compared against the competition.

I found it too short when I looked it in person, only worry I had was getting in and out at the rear seats, as the seats look too low, not good for old parents. Ofcourse real owners can comment more on that.

Atleast now the hatchback market is very competitive. When I bought my Punto there was no Polo or Figo. And after Figo's killer pricing, at times it makes me wonder oh ! man I too could have saved some more money had I waited for it, But if I look back and think about the premium features my punto comes with and reasons why I choose it over the i20 or jazz, I am just more elated to own it. its just perfect in riding, handling and suspension department.

[commodore]

Originally Posted by Deep Blue

+ 1 to that. I find my Father-in-law's punto a lot more drivable now after 5000km on odo. 2nd and 3rd gears are able to handle the city driving smoothly. It is a lot more refined now and the engine boom is also less.

Thats a relief for Punto owners and the Punto itself in general, but i think i'll either go with a suzuki DDiS or a ford TDCi car solely because of A.S.S. where i live. FIAT's A.S.S. is pretty mediocre over here.

[SKavuri]

For me buying a car is like choosing your girlfriend; after all you enjoy the company of both; it is the overall "personality" that counts - only heart can figure it out.
Congrats nevertheless for the new car and for the fabulous write-up!

Just to record my experience: TATA-FIAT service quality has improved very much - no issues now.

[NSK123]

Originally Posted by kala

Does this happen even while the car is running ? When driving at dusk, I sometimes switch off the main headlamps and drive for a while with just the parking lights on. So will the indicator lamps refuse to work in the blinking mode in that mode on the Punto ??

Nope. This happens only when ignition is off

[NSK123]

Originally Posted by SKavuri

For me buying a car is like choosing your girlfriend; after all you enjoy the company of both; it is the overall "personality" that counts - only heart can figure it out.
Congrats nevertheless for the new car and for the fabulous write-up!

Just to record my experience: TATA-FIAT service quality has improved very much - no issues now.

I fully agree with this. Had my first service done from Prerana motors, Hosur Road, Bangalore. The are very courteous, knows what they are doing. They also have specialists who are trained by Fiat in different areas. They know the car.

[chinmay22]

Very well studied and then written nicely. Great job. Keep it up..

[paritosh2k]

Originally Posted by samsan02

Nice post Rahul ! Indeed a good writeup. Ford figo is a real VFM car, but looking at your post you were initially a bit more inclined towards punto but decided for Figo because of 1L difference in prices. Well bottomline is its all about money honey !!

Originally Posted by rahulmd

Equipment List
On this one, the Punto Emotion Pack won hands down. It had Climate Control, 15" alloys, 195 section tires, audio control on the steering, tilt adjustment for the steering wheel, split folding rear seats.
The Figo Titanium did not have any of these, plus it did not have power windows at the rear, which to me felt like a hard core cost cutting measure. But it did have ABS, Airbags, Blue Tooth enabled stereo. The storage space in the door pads were more capacious than the Punto with space for a full sized bottle.

Good comparison write up.

If i understand correctly the 1L difference tilted the balance in Figo favour.

But then going by the things missing, seems the comparison could have been better with Punto Dynamic

[Indizen010]

Vow!
Great thread.
I was faced with the same dilemma.

I opted for the Figo.

[divx]

@rahulmd: Nice write up and conclusion. Congratulation on your new car.

How I see is - For Ford, to be in the competition it had to get the cost down. If Figo prices was + or - 20K to Punto (top end as per your comparison), then (I surely feel) your decision would have leaned towards Punto.

I have recommended your thread to my friend, who is badly stuck to finalize on the requirements.

[Dine]

Excellent write-up Rahul. Congrats on your new Figo.

I had the same dilemma on choosing my car in March this year. Though I knew Figo is a face lifted version of fusion, 1.4 Fiesta diesel engine and the price were too tempting.
My wife and son vetoed Figo hands down and I decided to go with my heart. The brakes are excellent and the plastics are pretty good in 2010 Punto. I have crossed 5000+ kms in less than 2 months and I enjoy every mile of it.

As GTO rightly said, if we have the budget, stretch it to Punto.

I have asked my friend to test drive Punto and Figo to decide his car. This thread is must read for all the hatchback buyers

Rated this thread 5 stars for the Best & Fair comparison between Figo and Punto

[NST440]

Thats a real valuable post i must say.Even i am looking for a new hatchback and got little confused , though i own swift d but its no longer a fun to drive after 20-25k kms, worst shockers.

Something thats confusing me is the entrance of Toyota etios hatchback which surely would be a top class vehicle, otherwise i must say Ford Figo is one VFM and cool vehicle which hits indian customers just at the right spots.Its Hatchback-hatchback everywhere for India, the confusion wont end i guess.

[Crank]

Heart or Head?
A dilemma everyone gets into.
Your analysis is too good and it will be helpful to many.

Its always true that you cannot get everything in any car. Hence its always a compromise. But what we compromise is important. And I would say, you made the RIGHT compromise.

All the best!

[handsofsteel]

Originally Posted by RGK

Is it advisable to add 2T oil of 500 ml along with a tank full of diesel to make fuel pump & injectors smooth.

goodness no!the fuel pumps and injectors are lubricated by a small amount of diesel (called the leak off) and as such do not need an external lubricant.

[sukeshs]

I am also in the position of having to choose between Figo and Punto. Everybody is saying that the difference between Figo and Punto topend variants is 1L. But thats not true. I am getting a quote of 7L for punto from a Fiat dealer in Thane, whereas the Figo topend is 6.45L. This maybe because the Fiat dealers are giving discounts on Punto.

I was sold on Figo, but now the price difference seems totally justified for the extra equipment and the vow factor that Punto brings. I am leaning towards Punto now.