Feb 22, 2005 05:01 PM
13197 Views
(Updated Dec 17, 2009 06:06 PM)
Guys, buying a car is more tougher than deciding a girl to marry with.You have all the great expectations in life about your future wife and you start looking for them allover. You speak to parents, friends, photos, marraige clubs and website. In the end you are a confused person. Same is the case when you plan to buy a car. Man..! so many segments and models to choose from in India. You speak to freinds, parents, reviews on net, auto magazines etc and in the end really confused. Well this is little about my journey over buying a car ( C segment ) and finally reached the journey, buying a '' Value for money Car'' yes Fiat PETRA 1.6 EL What were my expectations from a C segment car ......! 1. Price- Easily affordable ie EMI : Yes Price was crucial for as never wanted to cross 6.00 lacs bracket. 2. Maintenance : I was looking for a car that is easy to maintain 3. Looks : Looks as great as Aishwarya 4. Safety : This is very important because Indian roads are death track 5. Power : Well can crusie on well with AC on 6. Running Cost : Average should be easy on wallet. I already have 2 diesel Indica and also my running was reduced, hence was looking for a petrol car. ( you dont need diesel if you dont drive more than 100 Km per day) I shortlisted Ford Ikon 1.6 Ford Ikon 1.3 Opel corsa Fiat Petra 1.6 EL Fords has great looks but very poor on space. Never compromise on space while buying a car. Handelling of Ford is great but I avoided a taxi car. you feel bad when you have while color Ford with yellow number plate on it. Corsa is great on safety but then lacs too much power. God only knows what GM is doing with Latin American car in India. And yes this car is outdated in Latin America also... GM dont dump models in India Fiat so far have had a rough journey in India. Well they spoilt it their way. Never proactive to customers feedback, Delay in launch of new models and worst services network. To add ammuniation to fire, Fiat worldwide is in trouble due to diminishing sales mumbers. For now lets keep the Fiat tag behind and just concentrate on product Petra 1.6 EL. Petra has 1600CC Engine with 100 Bhp power. very good and powerfull and much advanced engine compared to Corsa and Ford. Interior space is much bigger than Corsa and Ford. Look much much much better than Ford and Corsa. Petra has all the safety features to brand it as safe car. Please refere to Autocar magazie comparing all the cars in C class and you will find why Petra has been a winner car. Mileage is about 12 km in city with AC and 14 on highway. Honestly you will never get any car in this world in C category giving you more average than this....! Thus Petrawas my choice of car. No coming bag to future of Fiat in India. 1. fiat has written of 1300 cr worth loss from their last balance sheet. No company will do this, if they have plans to shut down factory in India. 2. India and china are becoming major manufactiring hub for all automobile giants, then why would Fiat loose this advantage by shutting office in India. 3. Fiat jas appointed 68 services centers across India, and have 24 hrs toll free and mobile support services. Belive me they have changed a lot. 4. Fiat is 105 years old company. They will never close down. yes times are bad but then business is all about ups and downs Now tell me when you have a great product with great company with 105 years of autombile manufacturing history, will you turn down the offer...? Yes Petra is a great value for money car......!
Hi, I am writing this review after completeing 1500 Km. Today got my Petra serviced ( First Free servicing). I got the servicing from Ashwamegh, trust me Fiat have improved a lot in service and infact they made sure that I was satisfied about the servicing to the smallest of the details. During these 1500 Km of driving I enjoyed every Km..! Vechicle is so powerful that you can overtake all the cars... City, Skoda, Ford....Corsa.... at ease and yes that too at an average of 12.35 km per liter, thats what I get in city drive and on highway I get 13.50 Km. And yes I am hooked on to AC the moment I am the drivers seat...! Will update again after 7500 Km because thats when second free servicing is.. Bye Hi, I am writing this review after completing 7500 KM. Second servicing has been done. the level of support for servicing is very good. I am happy Fiat has really improved atleast in Pune..! I am one of the lucky few who can drive on the Indias first Express highway between Pune and Mumbai regularly. Guys..! Its fun driving . I have driven at the speed of 140Km and Petra sails rock solid.. This is the beauty of European cars who emphasise so much on security and ruggedness. The average is still good, in city I get 11.50 kmpl and on highways I get 14.00 Kmpl. good for a car which is heavy and powerful. there is only one comment I can make '' PETRA is a wonderful '' car...! will update after 15000 Km... bye
Friends, today My Petra completed 5 years of jolly riding. I have driven 1,23,000 km and enjoyed every km of driving. Last month I had to change break pads and front shock absorber.. but I say thats ok. 5 years of sheer pleaure of driving and machine needs some maintenance. Guys trust me this car rocks.. amazing handelling even after 5 years and stable as rock. Now is the time to look for new car. So guys what will be my choice.??? any guess. Ofcourse Fiat Linea....! Well I hear 1.9 ltr multijet diesel is getting launched soon and Linea will be powered with this 1.9ltr engine.... so guys wait for more review to come. Next review will be on Fiat Linea till then I am going to enjoy my White horse.. yes Fiat Petra.. I call it white horse because is is White in color
