Friends, I had driven both - Linea and Manza. I even drove for a quite sometime Palio also.
While there is no doubt the Fiat producespretty powerful machines which you really enjoy to ride, it has many flip sides. The spares problem, no re-sales value, all these makes a wise customer a bit away from Fiat. Of course, people with heavy pocket can afford any machine including BMW or Merc, but then for him it is more of pride value than Value for Money. His first priority is brand not Value for money.
A common man looks more for return against his investment - the running cost, the spare cost, service easability, the re-sale value he can fetch if unfortunately he need to dispose off the machine.
So there will certainly be always high profile people who will opt for high end products, but I am sure if those who are advocating for Linea today, won't buy Linea if they don't have enough money in their pocket. Can they purcahse Linea if their pocket does not allow beyond, say Rs. 5 L? I don't think one will borrow further Rs. 3.5L and buy Linea (or any other car for that matter which falls in the same price category)? Surely, he will settle down with a price of his reach and justify his decision according to his circumstance.
Manza is really superb in driving and accelerates pretty fast - it does not give you the noise of diesel inside cabin, which is a complement. While moving above 50, it does not sound lilke a diesel engine.
Both cars will find their buyers - it happens in all segment, all industries. Even those products which are launched and flopped within a short span of time, do also fetch some sale - may be as a try by consumer.
Of course, TATAs are impvoing their quality. I still owns an Indica for the past more than 4 years. There was not even a single complaint except of normal servicing !!! no engine work, no gear box - just nothing. Its superb !! My family loves it and though we are buying a sedan now, no one want to sell it off - in fact many of my known friends are asking me to seel this Indica to them.
