PUNTO 1.3 Active - First few days

Dear All!

After a year's research, finally i bought FIAT PUNTO 1.3 Active (minimal grey).

Actually, my research started in december 2008 considering either palio 1.3 MJD or Swift VDI. I postponed my puchase to 2009. By that time, I got news that PUNTO and I20 diesel are going to be lauched. Again I postponed my purchase. After the launch of these vehicles, i kept myself busy in reading articles and user reviews for the first 6 months.

I finally zeroed down to VISTA LE or PUNTO 1.3Active. Both are in the same price range. (I have not considered maruti this time, as I am not impressed with the after sales service back up of maruti.)

Really it is tough to decide either vista or punto. Becos both are having equal plus and minus. Infact vista scores high in the cabin comfort, features etc., But the punto clearly emerged as our family choice when it comes to style and strong built body quality and neat paint finishes.

I got a good deal from CONCORDE CHENNAI, infact I have choice of colors like Black, Blue, Medium and minimal Grey. As my preferred color white is not available, i have selected minimal grey. But truly, all the available colors in punto are excellent.

The delivery process was very smooth and the executive completed his work in a smart way. We took delivery on 23rd as scheduled earlier.

Our first experience are as follows;

External looks: Beautiful

Internal : Comfortable for fron seats and could have been better for rear seats.

Performance: Classic

Build quality: Great

Plastics quality: Average only

The important information I would like to share with you all is that ACTIVE model is not equipped with central locking facility as on date, and the electrical warranty will be void if we install any other centrol locking arrangements. So far FIAT not approved any make for this. I really wonder why FIAT not considered this basic requirement, when they have gone for minute details like providing dead pedal, internally adjustable side mirrors etc.,

Except this out-dated arrangement of locking the doors, everything is above normal for the price we are paying.

Will update after some long drives in January 2010

Wish you all very safe & pleasent motoring

Regards

Ravishankar

Chennai

 

Second review on 25.01.10

Hi,

I took my punto for a pleasent trip to my hometown(200km from chennai).

After crossing tambaram city limits, i just want to show the power of my car to the scorpio (driving zig-zag) preceding me. I just shift down the gear and zooooooomed up, not only the scorpio, but also the other fellow cars in the highway astonished the displacement of my car. The scorpio tried upto 90km stretch in the highway NH45, able to cross me only when i have halted for a tea-break.

Real driving pleasure of PUNTO lies on the highway. The powerful response aligned with solid road grip(even in turns I was at 80kmph) and tired-less driving position, makes not only u alone the happy person, also the co-passengers. The most enjoyed is my daughter.

With very aggressive driving I got 15-16kmpl in diesel version.

Back-at-home, everybody loved the style of the car. And interestingly, the Motor Vehicle Inspector who did the registration, asked details about this car and wished me that my choice was best as on date.

I took 'n' number of test rides with all my friends and relatives there, as everybody couldn't resist the temptation of travelling in this car.

At the end of the day, I was very happy. All the mechanical means are subject to maintenance and related issues. Instead of fearing the possible problems, I have selected this car to satisfy my self than anything else. Ultimately our satisfaction is more important to us than anything else. Isn't it?

Excellent styleNo central locking as on date