Fiat Grande Punto 90HP - Detailed Ownership Review

cooldhaya · Jan 9, 2012

Generally it varies between 2000-3000KMS , be soft on her till she crosses that mark.

So you mean to say traffic is lesser in Kannur or roads are good/bad in Kannur?

jayadev · Jan 9, 2012

cooldhaya said:

Compared to Kannur driving in Chennai is Heavenly........nice roads ,predictable road manners,proper Traffic signals.

In Kannur What i observe at every nook and corner of town is those Khaki clad cops are controlling their own personal thoughts than the ongoing traffic on road.

Right said. he is crazy about cars. couple of weeks back he went missing from KVR..!! finally it was revealed that he went to Delhi watching F1 race paying Rs.35000 for ticket.. [confused]

OMG!

Yes that much should be fine generally it is 1000km for cars. but the owners like me have felt our Fiats opens up post 3000km.

a new 300km run cars vs my 16000km run fiat,different is very much evident.

jayadev · Jan 16, 2012

Niggles has started it seems.
17500km
Mid shows.
Airbag failure-see handbook

red "Airbag light" lights up for couple of seconds and goes off.
It happened 2 times in 5 hours.

WHEN :-
1.while travelling through a seriously bad road (very common in Kerala) going slow was getting very irritating so run bit faster ,whole car was like on vibrator mode. and suddenly heard a beep and red Airbag light.
2. when reached home while parking.

jayadev · Jan 16, 2012

Well ..as usual she brings a smile on my face as well as in heart.

so I let her have what she deserves since long time..!!

After second service fuel efficiency has got much better.

normal economy driving with AC -20kmpl

high revving/ripping with ac- 17kmpl

extremely careful FE driving w/o AC- 27kmpl for 22 litres of diesal (Rs1000/-)

Akash · Jan 17, 2012

I really envy your beast buddy. I have been trying to search for some good body wash outlet but couldnt find any here in Ranchi.

You deserve [cheers]

for taking so good care of your 90HP!

JazzSelect · Jan 17, 2012

jayadev said:

You meant your airbag has some serious problem. Any further action on this?

jayadev said:

Great

i achieved only 23 KMPL [thinking]

Thetraveller · Jan 17, 2012

Wow! It is wonderful to see the beauty getting a shower [;)]

Those are exceptional FE's! Till date the most I have got is 19, but may be because I just can not stop myself from pushing her a little!

Do we have any such automated car washes in Pune?

jayadev · Jan 17, 2012

Akash said:

Even I am surprised in a small town like mine we have such good facilities.
Rs 200 for washing/waxing and Rs.100 for interior vaccum.

Owning her for one year was a pleasant experience so the caring happened naturally.She serves like an all rounder; FE,Performance comfort and Luxury.

JazzSelect said:

Yes booked the car for 20th of this month in Tass.

When i presented this issue to service exec ,first question he asked was "did she met any accident previously especially on bumper" as you all know- "yes she did" .

and he smiled back and said then do not worry it would be one the sensors from crash guard which will be sorted out easily...phew!

Thanks to Fiat!!

Thetraveller · Jan 17, 2012

jayadev said:

Totally true - For me putting Punto to paces on twisty windy hilly roads gives such satisfaction, I just can't describe.
I have tried the same roads with i20, Swift but they lack that grace, and just roll over everywhere. [:)]

mastersquall · Jan 17, 2012

jayadev said:

awesome now i am jealous .

jayadev said:

that's cheap . only washing cost 400 here [frustration]

jayadev · Jan 25, 2012

I got my car back . yes the occasional mild hardness of clutch pedal was addressed.
CSC was replaced FOC it was old plastic one upgraded to steel. (All new fiat owners should get it upgraded) including Clutch plate and pressure plate. pressure plate was actually the culprit.

They charged me rs600 for some consumables like clip for Hose and collar for steering ,and labour charge of Rs200 to straighten the underbelly engine guard (yes it got a serious hit where we passenger had heart in mouth experience but it saved the engine) and some taxes.
Clutch has become very smooth and soft,with good quality gear shifts.
I just loved it in my Punto like being back into the womb.

Back to the woes "I beg you guys be cautious when you hand over you car to TASS"

1.My car was returned to me with grease marks all over the body they said it happened while washing.

2.couple of deep scratches peeled off the paint too and right side rear wheel arch have a small dent with some shabby paint touch ups been done .

Now while making the job card service executive noted minutest marks and scratches in his Job card and when I pointed these new damages on the body he is defending saying all this were already present before handing over the car showing the Job card.

Now I remain at lose of words ,I should have taken a video or photographed each side before giving it to those roughs .

I was very much worried that my car will be treated with utmost "carelessness" in TASS workshop now my beliefs were so true. All those scratch marks and damages make me feel as if it has happened to my own heart.

All I did was take a quick leave from that horrible place called Service center and stopped at local paint workshop were the painter explained "this happens everytime from that Tata workshop the kids are always newly employed whom do not even know driving, playing around with other cars like Indicas and nano always rubbing each other ,If owner is strong enough the service centre guys themselves will bring the car here and get the repair done from me ,if you would not have spared them they would have come here instead of you. the paint work and touch up will require Rs 800."

I think Fiat car owners deserves little bit of premium support from Fiat staff not such horrible experience. end of the day I had to curse fiat management and related for such a pathetic infrastructure and workforce.

In front of the TASS is the honda service centre and just a kilometer away is the Toyota and Nissan SS where I see cars parked in orderly manner with well laid out infrastructure , clean environment and the employees too well dressed in overalls and PPE (I expect them to be trained too unlike TAta and fiat). I always felt jealous to see the shiny Gleaming look of cars coming out of those service centers .

shivraj5624 · Jan 25, 2012

Hey Jaydev,if u are on facebook ,,leave a complaint on FIAT INDIA page.they reply immediately.also u will have to fill in a grievances form i guess.the fiat is doing a lot for customers these days.try it.

jayadev · Jan 25, 2012

shivraj5624 said:

Hmm thanks shivraj I did put some words their ,let us see the response.

raj_5004 · Jan 25, 2012

@ jayadev: my car is Jan 2011 make, do you think it would be having plastic CSC or steel?

jayadev · Jan 25, 2012

raj_5004 said:

Raj, I cannot guess but chances are less for jan11 make punto having plastic.

To make it sure if you can do bit of DIY the csc lays 15 cm below the battery with spring like rubber sleeve ,if you pull open the same rubber sleeve you can see the CSC piston ;steel would be shiny plastic would be black.

I bet plastic would wear and loose its strength in long use for such a critical component.

Fiat Grande Punto 90HP - Detailed Ownership Review

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