Will be WISE to rush into this buy!!!

A user review on Fiat Grande Punto. Written by Shantanu on 29 June, 2009

Starts at Rs. 4,69,102
Grande Punto Details | On Road Price
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Version Reviewed : Active 1.2
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Fuel Economy : kpl
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I was as stunned by the looks of this car as most others are. But seeds of doubt have begun sprouting. Issue 1 - mileage: with auto mag Zigwheels having quoted the mileage of the 1.3 diesel as low as 12 kmpl and the petrol 1.4 as 9kmpl, I'm downright sceptical about the value of this car. Issue 2 - interiors : the grande punto has been in use abroad and you can easily find many reviews on the net. While most expert reviews hail the punto as a VFM car, there are innumerable user reviews that agonize over badly fitted interiors like glove box lid, door handles that come off or stop working, and power windows that get jammed. Nagging little problems that take away the pleasure of driving. Add to it Fiat's poor service network and you begin wondering if you'll be holding a broken trophy in your hand sometime later. Issue 3 - power of the engine : i'm looking out for the 1.2 Active model which gives 68 bhp of power. Considering the Grande weighs 1140 kgs, this will most likely make for a not so swishy ride. But i'm not a very spirited driver and i prefer the luxurious feel of an easy drive. More so the other car in the same budget and comparable space is the Getz prime 1.1 option, which gives 67 bhp, albeit for a lighter frame. I can say that the low power doesn't bother me much as of now. In fact i like that the max torque is peaked at 2500 rpm, and the pick up wouldn't feel that bad unless i'm trying to overtake a sports car! But nevertheless, i will be a little complexed on a high way. Issue 4 - lack of buyer enthusiasm (?) : well its been almost two weeks since the launch of the grande and the dealer tells me that he's only today handed out the first punto to a buyer. They're quick to add that there's a great response and they're booking almost three everyday, but frankly, i've already spotted a couple of Honda Jazz 's in Delhi. And not a single Punto! The reviews on this site just refuse to grow though i check them out everyday. I thought we could get some first hand mileage figures here but that seems a long way coming. Could it be that barring the trickle few of us, there are hardly any takers for this car? I do hope my doubts are rested with time and this car turns out to be a winner like it purports. But only time will tell if it will be so! Update: tomorrow is 1st july and most new cars will start being delivered tomorrow. please please guys, come on and give us the mileage figures on this car. I know it can and will give good mileage but i just want to hear it confirmed!!! UPDATE AGAIN (18/07/09): GUYS THE VERDICTS ARE FINALLY OUT! THE GP IS A WINNER! ISSUE 1 - mileage problem resolved. the 1.2 fire is giving over 14 kpl. This is confirmed by a few friends who have already taken it and few reviews on sites like www.team-bhp.com ISSUE 2: Again, the hypnosis of the GP is such that these things really take a backseat. The envy of other road mates will make you feel at the top of the world. ISSUE 3: People who have bought any of the models are quite happy with it. In fact, its soon becoming a rage! I hope it will soon leave the Swift biting dust. ISSUE 4: I was probably too hasty to come to this conclusion. From what i am seeing the number of posts on this site has shot up to 30(AS ON 17 JULY) and the discussions have heated up. Lots of replies and queries are popping up. Way to go Punto!
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Atul on 29 Sep, 2010 at 04:00 PM

Hey Jaydeep--

just go for it , I am sure u won't regret ,

I am going to book Medium grey Punto 1.3 MJD E+ coming friday.

Apart from best features, specs, styling , " GOOD INTERIORS " ( yes i mean it, Cars past april 2010 Punto interiors are of good quality , the dashboard, glovebox is of very good quality & gives u the feel of a high price car !)

I might be first person to appreciate punto interiors.

 The car has excellent handling ,Stability , driveability , rigidness , Safety , Sound proof, Very Good suspension ( comparable to a 10L sedan )

Weighs 200-300 kgs. + compared to competitors ,swift, i10, i20 etc , this x'tra weight adds to bit- slow pickup in 1st & 2nd but cover-ups the lag from the 3rd gear , the entire game changes from 3rd. gear.

Add to this 2+2 yrs/1.5L kms. warranty , Free RSA , Free Insurance 

what else do u expect ?

Drive it , feel it & buy it ! LOL!!!  I am not an agent for FIAT

Jaydeep Mukherjee on 28 Sep, 2010 at 09:41 PM

DEAR FRIENDS I AM REALLY MESMARISED BY THE LOOK OF GP BUT REGARDING ITS PERFORMANCE , STRENGTH, SERVICE & THE FACILITIES V/S OTHER CARS OF THE SAME PRICE TAG I HAVE NO INFORMATION.THOUGH I SAW THE COMPARISION CHART OF SPECIFICATIONS BUT THE CURRENT USERS IF YOU CAN GUIDE ME I WILL BE HIGHLY OBLIGED.---- JAYDEEP.MUK

Jaydeep Mukherjee on 28 Sep, 2010 at 09:36 PM


Vadiraj on 12 Dec, 2009 at 01:01 AM

Ashtricks, Pls tell me how did you get Central locking done ? When I spoke to dealer, they are saying I need to wait for another 40-50 days to get this central locking done since a motor needs to be fitted. Kindly confirm from which dealer did you get this offer from?

Arindam Chaudhuri on 11 Dec, 2009 at 04:39 PM

Arindam i too luv the punto and am convinced its a gr8 car. can any one tell me whether streeing wheel mounted volume and channel control can be added onto the 1.2?

Sunny on 10 Dec, 2009 at 06:32 PM

can some one tell me the priceof punto 1.2 delhi on road

Jitendra on 10 Dec, 2009 at 01:07 AM

Ashtricks, Good to hear u have got fitted extras in ur 1.2 Active. But how it comes in 6K only???? From where u got such best deal. Jitendra.

Ashtricks on 01 Dec, 2009 at 03:36 PM

I've just booked Punto 1.2 Active...Hip Hop Black Color..The car ROCKS!!...I've got central locking, Sony Stereo System with 4 speakers, body color handles/Mirror/Grills through dealer only..paid 6k Extra for all these

Ankurk on 17 Nov, 2009 at 07:24 AM

annyone tell me the exact figure about mileage.auto car india mention punto active 1.2 mileage to be 9.7

Sahni_Mayur on 15 Oct, 2009 at 09:35 AM

Folks, I am booking my Punto today. Took a test drive for the fabia, jazz, swift, ritz, and i20. Jazz had the best drive quality but its stupidly priced and the skoda was noisy (maybe just the one I got). The best VFM I saw in punto going for 1.4 Diesel with Emotion Pack.. Wish me luck!!

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