My Italian Horse in Bossa Nova White - Fiat Punto 90HP

[raj_5004]

Gave my car for it's first service yesterday morning to Firat A.S.S. - Fortune motors, Powai. Other issues were-

1) LHS plastic panel on C pillar had come loose & was rattling
2) Scratch on front bumper which had to be fixed

Got a message within 3 hours that my car has been serviced... Impressive! Got a call from the SA that the other issues have been sorted out too & I can collect the car in the evening but due to my tight schedule, I could collect the car today afternoon only.

The front bumper has been painted well & there are no signs of any damage. A new panel has been fitted on the C pillar under warranty & there are no visible gaps as of now. A thorough drive is yet to be done to see whether there is any other noise.

That said, the A.S.S dint make an issue of the aftermarket ICE installation which includes wiring, boot LED lighting, heavier MDF parcel tray & all the other mods, which is good.

All in all, a good experience since I was expecting the worst from TATA-FIAT A.S.S.

Service cost = Rs. 80/- (labour)

Painting cost = Rs. 3242/-

Many told me that the performance would improve drastically after the first service. Nothing like that happened! Its still the same old "slow" punto!


Meanwhile, for these 2 days, I took my scorpio to work. Ohhhh... I missed my mHawk's brutal power & addictive surge of torque all these days! After driving the Punto for all these while, suddenly the scorpio feels blistering quick!

Now I understand why many say the scorpio handles like a boat! after driving sedans & well mannered hatches like the punto, the scorpio does feel unstable. It does roll quite a bit & cannot handle corners like the punto.

But boy, I still maintain that driving an SUV in the city is so much fun! nobody cuts before you & you get that "respect" from other road users. also, small ruts, potholes & rumble strips which shakes the punto are shrugged off by the scorpio as if they dint exist!

Of course, giving my pintu its credit - at high speeds, the punto feels much more calm, composed & relaxed. it's stability, handling & ride quality is unmatched. if only it had the performance to match.

And yes, OE punto tyres - GOODYEAR GT3 ARE THE CRAPPIEST TYRES IN THE WORLD! they are so damn noisy that at high speeds, all i hear is tyre roar. the engine itself purrs in comparison.

 

[RSM]

Many told me that the performance would improve drastically after the first service. Nothing like that happened! Its still the same old "slow" punto!

Performance will be same, you will get adjusted by that.
However, more KM you drive, the engine will get smoother, in phases.

And yes, OE punto tyres - GOODYEAR GT3 ARE THE CRAPPIEST TYRES IN THE WORLD! they are so damn noisy that at high speeds, all i hear is tyre roar. the engine itself purrs in comparison.

I don't have personal experience, but heard yes it is loudly, but braking is good.

 

[jayadev]

Many told me that the performance would improve drastically after the first service. Nothing like that happened! Its still the same old "slow" punto!

did u try revving high??..

btw first maintenence is nothing but normal checkup so nothing from that side .but the running in of engine makes it smoother and refinement levels increases as u cover miles..and fiat have unique (much appreciated) way of getting seasoned.

 

[cooldhaya]

Nice to hear that you are enjoying the car. Fiat's SA'S are way better than TATA'S SA , this has been my personal observation so far and seems to be quite true all over India!


You have spent 3k for re-painting!! Nice to see your love towards your car , wish i could also do the same! But living in metros and if i follow this i will have to keep re-painting something or the other every 2 months atleast!

 

[mukeshus]

Good to know that all the niggles were fixed.

Ha ha boaty ride Raj???

So you have slowly transformed towards Pintu.

 

[raj_5004]

Performance will be same, you will get adjusted by that.
However, more KM you drive, the engine will get smoother, in phases.



I don't have personal experience, but heard yes it is loudly, but braking is good.

Yes. even I feel the same.

I dont like noisy tyres, however good they are!

did u try revving high??..

btw first maintenence is nothing but normal checkup so nothing from that side .but the running in of engine makes it smoother and refinement levels increases as u cover miles..and fiat have unique (much appreciated) way of getting seasoned.

Nopes, I dont rev more than 2500 rpm. I usually shift by 2000 rpm. I dont like revving diesel engines!

Nice to hear that you are enjoying the car. Fiat's SA'S are way better than TATA'S SA , this has been my personal observation so far and seems to be quite true all over India!


You have spent 3k for re-painting!! Nice to see your love towards your car , wish i could also do the same! But living in metros and if i follow this i will have to keep re-painting something or the other every 2 months atleast!

Thing is - I dont like scratches & dents on my car. So i get my car repainted at the A.S.S. for the professional touch. Atleast I am assured of good quality work there.

Good to know that all the niggles were fixed.

Ha ha boaty ride Raj???

So you have slowly transformed towards Pintu.

Ride quality is of course superior in Pintu but scorpio's performance... ooh la la!

 

[raj_5004]

Car has done almost 4000 kms now. A small review:

* I can hear a small rattling from the left side, did not expect this from a FIAT.
* I am somehow used to the unenthusiastic response of the engine now. I have learnt to change the gears aptly to make good use of the speed!
* Both the ORVMs are great & offer good visibility, even the IRVM.
* Somehow the gearshift has not improved, it still feels vague & rubbery unlike the polo & i20.
* I am a fan of the Punto's high speed manners - stability, ride quality & handling.
* Interior NVH is great, much better than the polo & even my innova.
* Rear legroom is terrible, space in the front is generous. its a two seater!
* Headlights could have been better.
* Even the horn could have been the European type like in the skodas & VWs!
* Accessing the USB in the glovebox is a pain. When playing songs through USB, the co-passenger cannot change the tracks. Its possible only through the steering wheel controls. bad idea! Even accessing folders in USB is a pain.
* Unlike what many say, cabin quality is good.
* Steering feel at high speeds is amazing.
* front seats are supremely comfortable.
* the car is a stunner. it looks a size bigger than the polo & is a beauty compared to the i20. thats just my personal opinion.

Till now, I love my car. I just hope I have a great & trouble free ownership experience with PINTU...

 

[ilango[speed thirst]]

East or west , i like the bigger car , so a scorpio over a punto is the thing that i vote !!


transforming from big to small gives so many relaxation to the driver , but the bigger is better


cool to hear the car is serving you cool !
cheers

 

[jayadev]

East or west , i like the bigger car , so a scorpio over a punto is the thing that i vote !!
transforming from big to small gives so many relaxation to the driver , but the bigger is better

ilango no offence but i differ.

i drive ford ranger,dakota, toyota hylux(sometimes) they are all possibly big cars.
but none of them give that unique intimate feel which punto provides, of course the ride quality and handelling of punto is sure league ahead of them all.

the small car punto with cozy interiors is a bliss to live in.
it is something like when you compare; car is better than a bike!! yet bikes have a special charm of its own..hope you get it.

but yes when it is riding on bad roads and in a rush ..big car is the only way.

i have also been driving peugeot 307 some times ago . though it is built and feel like a vault(far tough than punto) but dint offer the sporty feel of punto.

it looks a size bigger than the polo

i agree with it. punto definitly has a larger than mini hatchback appeal.may be due to those extravegent curves all over .

Till now, I love my car. I just hope I have a great & trouble free ownership experience with PINTU...

raj..cheers and happy driving.

 

[raj_5004]

East or west , i like the bigger car , so a scorpio over a punto is the thing that i vote !!


transforming from big to small gives so many relaxation to the driver , but the bigger is better


cool to hear the car is serving you cool !
cheers

Yes, even I love big cars & preferably SUVs. But in a city like mumbai where parking space is a premium, hatchbacks are convenient.

talking about SUVs, very soon we are bidding farewell to my beloved darling - the scorpio...

i agree with it. punto definitly has a larger than mini hatchback appeal.may be due to those extravegent curves all over .

raj..cheers and happy driving.

Thanks buddy. Your ownership thread is an inspiration.

 

[ilango[speed thirst]]

Oh fare well to scorpio!

New girl have spoilt you , and you are getting rid of her
haha

 

[mukeshus]

Oh Raj farewell to Scorpio?

What is the current mileage of Scorpio.

So any new car in the pipeline?

 

[Umang]

oh shocking! fiat has done some blackmagic on you!!! dont sell scorpio..

 

[mastersquall]

look like love between fiat girl and raj has grown so much that they feel Scorpio as obstruction between there love

 

[HoLySaTaN]

@Raj, a short & sweet review on the Pintu was great to read and covered all the points!

I too liked the cornering ability and steering feedback of the Punto. Had been on a Banglore trip recently and the car was well planted when I was taking turns at 110kmph. Initially was afraid to do so, but after a couple of turns, there ws no slowing down

Regarding, the rattling, my friend's Punto has done 17,000kms and there was no rattling even on worst roads full of potholes. Loved fiat at that time!