Fiat Petra

I have driven the Petra purchased in 2004 for 20000 km. Good car, at a low price. The greatest risk in buying the car is the poor service network. Highlight of my ownership was a very pleasant drive from Sambalpur to Mumbai and back in 2004 for which it averaged 14 kmpl in winter.I stay in Sambalpur Orissa and the nearest service centre is in Bhubaneswar / Raipur which is around 300 km away. Recently, the brake  vaccum booster prematurely failed.  This perhaps can happen in any car and one should always be prepared for such an emergency when driving - especially at high speeds.I could not drive down to the sevice centre as it is illegal and unsafe to drive a car with poor brakes for over 300 km. Finally, I purchased the the brake  vaccum booster from Bhubaneswar and had a local "roadside mechanic" fit it for me. I prayed to the Lord Almighty that the local mechanic would be given enough wisdom to do a proper job.Fortunately he has done a good job, despite the fact that this seemingly  simple replacement needed dismantling of the entire dashboard and steering column.This is why although it a very good /great  car, one should be cautious about buying any car that has a poor service network.The value for money is lower because of this great disadvantage especially if you live in a mom metro area.Good style, performancePoor Service network

This is a letter I had written to fiat, which is self explanatory. My only advice to all propective buyers of Fiat- LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP. Dear Sir,(My Car No:AP31 AM 7007)It is really disappointing to have to write to you about the quality of your cars made in India. I had been using your Fiat cars since 2000, it was UNO 1.7 D initially, and I was thoroughly satisfied with its performance. Even though there were some problems with that car, they were attended to promptly. And when I wanted to purchase a new car, and even though an authorized service center is not available in Visakhapatnam, A.P, India. I did not think of any other car but a Fiat. I had purchased a Fiat Petra 1.9 ELX on 23rd June 2006 at Hyderabad,India. But it is very unfortunate that, I had to face problems with this car since the beginning. The 1st free service was undertaken at G.K.Motors, Raipur,Chhattisgarh, India(an authorised service outlet) That was within 10 days of purchase.It was noticed that there was an oil leak, and as I was told, it needed special repairs. The car was handed over to me after 4 days of repairs with them. The car had run less then 1000 Kms then. The 2nd free service was undertaken by Padmaja Commercial Corporation, Vijayawada, A.P,India(another authorised service outlet)The 3rd free service is due now, as the car had run about 14800 Kms. But all of a sudden, on 21st January, 2007 it was noticed that loud cranking sounds were coming from the engine, with the engine vibrating violently. I had stopped the car immediately and called a local mechanic for initial inspection. I was terribly shocked when I was told that it was a major engine problem as there was ‘back compression’ and engine bearings have to be replaced. Must be due to a faulty piston or rings. As the car was purchased only in June 2006 and run only 14800 Kms (and was due for 3rd free servicing) I had to send my car to Hyderabad, which is 700Km from my town, by loading it on a lorry and spending a huge sum in that process.The car is under warranty and I expect that a prestigious company like Fiat will not shirk from its basic duties and undertake the required repairs or replacements. I only hope that this is an isolated case and I still have great reverence to Fiat and its quality. It is really disappointing that even after advice from a lot of people, as there is no service center at Visakhapatnam, and even when many other cars from different companies are readily available, I had chosen to purchase a Fiat car. I had to send my car for more than 600 Kms for free servicing at your authorized service outlets. But the net result is here for you to see. I sincerely request you to look into the matter and see to it that my car is back on the road and I expect that you take up the repairs/ replacements completely under warranty, and without any more disappointment to me. It is pertinent to say that I had taken good care of the car and there is no misuse from my end in any manner.And it is more than a month since I sent my car to the dealers from whom I had purchased it,and quite disappointed by the lack of response from your company for so many days. My patience is running out and I have no other choice but to seek legal action from appropriate court of law. Thanking you.T.Ravi, Most Value for money car in IndiaAfter sales service is horrendous

This is one of the worst experience which i got ever in my life, there are three land line and one mobile numbers given on internet by Sundaram Automobile, one of land line was not working, two ware ringing but no one was to lift and answer the call, cell number replies with currently not responding to your call. If this is the way fiat teach their dealers to behave and offord to be so unorganised dealers, then wat happen to after sales service. My openion is think twice before going to any model of Fiat. These calls were made on 20th Feb 07 once at 1.00 Pm and next at 1.45Pm.  Unorganised working of Sundaram automobileNo one to receive the call