PUNTO 1.3 MJT Diesel Active . Review on Fiat Grande Punto

I had spend lot of my time in Europian country thus my vehicle habit is little bit different than average. After a lot of+/- of Bangalore city drive and distance to Office and weekend gateway trips I have narrowed down for a Diesel powered vehicle for Fuel economy+ Power.

I had budget of a hatchback thus I had a choice of Swift DDIS, Indica Quadrajet, Ford IKON TDCI, FIAT Punto, Skoda Fabia, i20, Maruti Suzuki Ritz .

My cutt off criterias are,

1. It should not be unnecessarry expensive - i20 Diesel Removed straight Way

   
   




2. Should not have a Taxi Image - Indica Removed

   
   




3. Should be equipped with modern age chasis and modern equipments - Ford Ikon TDCI Removed(Though Fiesta TDCI engine is the only attraction of the car, rest is junk 10 year old)

   
   




4. Modern technology second generation CRDI diesel engine - Skoda removed(Old TDI technology)

   
   

Finally came to Punto and Ritz,

For Punto:

Liked for Most advanced 2nd Generation diesel Engine.

Tata took over the service network(myself coross verified wih small out town tata service gurage)

Lot of modern gadgets( real time milage, trip time, avg speed, avg fuel economy clculator)

Fresh look italian design is a true head turner.

Body and cabin touch and feel is rock solid.

nice cabin even in the base version(with front two PW, which is bare essential, follow me home hedlight, hight adjustable steerig, and all the gadgets mentioned above)

Huge boot space

lot of holders and pockets for indian needs of change, mobile, cup, coke can holder.

Perfect speaker space for putting component speakers, including door twiteer mounting.

Topend costs too much thus gone for Base version with all of above.

Driving experience:

Just awsome, swift DDIS is sporty but this feel is completely different, bring the feelings of a big car while inside the cabin.

Rejected Ritz due to its look and toy like image and as I told you I spend my time in europe thus can't tolerate if my car body can be pressed inside with thumb finger( try it out with Swift and ritz near the fuel cap and rear dood middle) and door gives a feel of fragile and non tough body.

Today drove till sai baba temple after Devanahalli, one swift DDIS guy came close to my car in a signal and rolled down his window and gave a look at my car and after asking price he said "I had waitied a long for this car wish it could have came to India a month ago then this could be my car ". -It made me prowd. All the guys in my apartment came to have a look and some of them booked already.;-)

Verdict:

One can caonsider Punto and Ritz both are good mechine. If you are a bit typical middle class mentality go for Ritz it will definitely give you satisfaction, as you are only thinking of resale before even start driving your new car.

BUT those who want more in terms of gadget, styling, feel and solid build and love driving go for Punto Because Punto starts from there where the Maruti ends. Ritz has none of the features described above.

After all we are spending is our hard earned money. One more thing **in the internet review "99% of the Fiat service review is written by those who never had a FIAT" they read a review on base of a verbal story .thus no need to worry.

Good luck for your bit of selection.*

LATEST UPDATE:

I drove this car  5600KM till date had couple of KERALA trip from bangalore and lots and lots of week end short trips.

Gone for first service, Service quality, customer support  A1.