My LINEA 1.4- Emotions took me away. Review on Fiat Linea

Which Sedan to pick?

1. First option was the Hyundai Verna crdi with one stonker of an engine(CRDI) Only problem with it was No AIRBAGS even in the top end model and with further calculations thought that petrol engine will suit us, I wasnt convinced about its handling too after 100-120 speeds. Went to Deep hyundai to look for it, get a quote but showroom was closed.

   
   




2. Sideby was a Tata-Fiat Techno auto showroom with Red Fiat badge glowing to its full glory. Dad asked me to come in and have a look. I told him that if we arent going to buy a Fiat car then why should we waste time too. Dad insisted and went inside. A Flamence red Linea was there near the entrance. Never thought Linea looked so beautiful, made rounds around the car and then said to my heart that this car deserves a test drive. Had a TD and this was the car I wanted, butter smooth adequate power and everything else

   
   

Booking was smooth and my dealership TECHNO auto promised delivery by 13-14th. Called him on 6th and told him to give me chasis number as I want car by 14th or else I will cancel the booking as had to go to himachal around 5th may and had to complete run in by then. He said car has not yet started its journey. Got a surprise call on 7th to take away the car as someone was not able to make the payment of his car. I became extra vigilant and checked the car thoroughly. Paid the money next day and took the car back home. Got floor mats, mud flaps, body cover, perfume as freebies.

Initial driving experience

My Car - Silver FIAT LINEA EMOTION PACK PETROL has now completed 2500 kms and has completed one 1200 kms round trip to hills of himachal and back.

Here are my observations:

Engine:

Many talks have been done about the engine being poor or "underpowered" as some say. 1st gear is too short and even 2nd felt sluggish when I took the car. Once car is above 1800 RPM, its own its own and gulps speed nicely. There is not turbocharges but Linea behaves this way only.

I dont know whether I got adjusted to the engine but now it feels opened up and 2nd gear onwards my Linea gives that good feeling of being pushed into the seat though very little I agree. In my Long trip car was cruising effortlesslt at 120-130 and max I touched was 155 when a Honda Ciy vtec started fiddling with me to get defeated. Even in hills, 3rd gear did the job mostly and only sometimes I had to use 2nd gear even as car was full with 5 people and boot full too. I find the engine adequately powered and those who say Linea will become a DOT IN THE MIRROR, I can just say that till chandigrah, I was at drivers seat and only a Skoda laura, honda accord and a BMW passed me whom I nicely gave way as I didnt want to hold them and even I couldnt.

Suspension, Braking and Stability

The best part of the car after the looks of the vehicle. The potholes are all nicely taken by suspensions though with a "thud" sound which tells you hit a pothole. Suspension setting is soft and it shows how nicely the car takes on bone jarring holes in our roads.

Stability is mind blowing. 1260 kg of weight has a added advantage here and even at 155 car was sticking to the road and asked for road but there was no space. In hills, all hairpins were taken nicely which inspires so much confidence.

Brakes are awesome too. I tasted ABS for first time and those who drive non ABS scorpio know what I am telling. The brakes are too good for the car and car stops without any fuss.

Features and fuel efficiency

Do I need to speak? There are loads and loads of them. MID, Blu n Me, remote boot opener, speed vol control(learnt yest after reading here) etc. Car is loaded to the brim.

In city FE is hovering between 11-12, all with FULL AC. Best I got was 11.5 and worst was 10.1.

On highways with spirited driving I managed 14.1 on tankful at chandigrah and hills returned FE ranging from 12.6 to 13.2.

CONS OF LINEA

Biggest hurdle for anyone buying Linea. It will take time for people to believe in the car and the company. My experience has been good so far. Have got mutiple calls from TATA about dealers and on one complaint to Mr. Mangesh, service centre people came rushing to my house. The dealer forgot to give me code card and mixed it with other cards, then had to rush to their workshop 25 kms one side to match my card. FIAT mechanic wasnt there and they were asking instructions on mobile on how to operate tech2 scanner.

Road Noise:

This is a issue which is irritating me again and again. Road noise is too much over rough tarmac. People say its GOODYEAR tyres which are culprit but I dont know what is the problem.

Plastic parts,

Arent they too delicate? Took the delivery of the car and broke the front AC vent the same day. Service centre people said "Humbe pen se adjust kar diya uskae face, yeh theek nahi ho sakta, humein dashboard kholna hoga", came back home sadly.

Seat height adjuster

Whatever I do, after 2 days the seat height level comes down. Dad and me put the seat at max height level and after 2 days the seat comes down on its own. As height adjuster lever is long it touches thigh whenever I enter and exit.

Conclusion

This is the best car that I could have got for 7.5 lakhs OTR. Total VFM and not a sinle issue till now except those small ones reported above. Fantasic car and my 1 experience with service centre was good when I complained to FIAT and engineers came rushing to my house.

Still FIAT name is keeping people away from the car.

Here is my comprehensive review on TEAM BHP with pics as pics are not allowed here

https://team-bhp.com/forum/test-drives-initial-ownership-reports/59811-my-silve
r-linea-1-4-emotions-took-me-away.html

PLEASE GIVE RATING AND COMMENTS:)