Fiat Palio [2001-2005] 1.6 GTX

I have been driving Palio 1.6 GTX for few months now. I thought that I should be shearing my experience with the people. To start with let me say what I like in the car.I simply love the way it performs on road. Handling in road is very good. I drove it at around 130 and did not find any vibrations. A.C is very chilling. Its pickup is some thing that I love to praise. I tried overtaking all passing by vehicles and believe me I never faced any problem. I have fitted half free flow exhaust in my Palio & the sound it makes is too good. I just love to drive the car on highway and its simply fun to drive. Mine is a silver color car and I have place tubeless tyers. It gives my car a great look and enhanced road grip. Over all, a great performing beast & a lovely companion for long drive. So why the car did not faired good in India?Service support was the major reason. It’s now that TATA has taken over the service & spare support for Fiat cars. Still you would find difficulty in getting the spares. Just to give an example, I have to change my alternator & believe me I found it very hard to get one. Finally I have to get a second hand from a local Mumbai market.As the car grows old, electric wiring tends to wear out. Trained technician of TATA service centers where not able to resolve the wiring issues. Again, I have to get help from some local vendor to get it rectified. Fuel is another issue. I always drive my car with A.C on and it gives me a mileage b/w 8.10 to 8.5. I am not aware of mileage it gives when it runs with A.C off.   Suggestion to the companyIf Fiat people can ensure availability of spares and can also get the working staff of TATA service centers properly trained, this car is sure to pick up sales. OverallThis is a car for people who love to drive and are passionate road lovers. Driving pleasure is too good to be ignored. You sit in driver seat start the ignition & zoom... it goes like rocket. Switch on the A.C, place a good CD and keep driving. Might give you some trouble if it’s a second hand car, but still they are manageable. But please do not buy this car if you are average conscious (applicable only to 1.6 GTX).Great performance, Excellent pickup, good A.C, Great driving thrillPoor fuel economy, service support