City Hatch as an Alternative to Scorpio!

[jayadev]

rsm,
no problems from engine or anything else.
the jerk i mean is while shifting from 1st to second one need to be very humble with clutch which could be very annoying when we are constantly using it in b2b trafic . the 1st and 2nd gear in punto does not overlap generously.

 

[RSM]

jayadev, i drive daily in bangalore traffic (it takes 45 mins to travel 9 km).
I understand what you are telling, but it takes 1-2 weeks to adjust your driving style. Mind it It was first diesel car I was driving, but now adjusted with it. I never feel any jerk now a days in any gear.

 

[jayadev]

rsm, that is why i said punto will take time to open up that is around 8000+ kms. and untill then one need to adjust. those jerks will fade away eventually but the sluggishness wont.

but on other hand rest of the cars are much user friendly and drive able , i wonder why fiat has so much of attitude regarding their cars. there are lot of things which needs getting used to in fiat car , again i would ask why fiat, why you want us to drive the way you suggest? especially those long and irritating clutch and head lamp and wiper stalks in reverse.
where as toyota ,honda,hyundai gives almost right thing for Indians with ease of use and versatility.
end of the day i would not hesitate to say ,punto is a brilliant car but its desirable image is notchy with couple of its and buts. which makes it lose in the competition everywhere.

in my previous indica vista which i believes it share engine and gearbox of punto which took at least 5000kms to smoothen and up after 10000kms it became butter smooth and silent. i feel then only the extra investment is justified.
a muted throaty sound of diesal burning was a real entertainer all the day while driving.

punto90hp is the best choice if and only if one is ready for a performance tweak and mods. i think if 76bhp can go at 170kmph after modding then 90hp will take punto to 200+ kmph and that too with surefooted confident kind.

ps: finally it all depend upon your test drive experience i got flattered for punto90hp within moments !!!

 

[mukeshus]

ps:-my judgment about you is from your likeness towards scropio about its perfomance .

i just hate the ride quality of scorpio but love to stay behind wheels for its great delivery i drove scorpio for few kms only but loved it then and there.

Jayadev, i am wondering how you said that .
It all depends on how you drive.
For me ride quality is good with Scorpio.
Atleast i can avoid those potholes at the commanding position.

 

[raj_5004]

Took a test drive of the 90hp Punto today. It was a long 15-20 kms drive which included both city & highway drive.

I liked the driving position, the build quality, the ride & the sturdiness, i have said this before.

but the engine performance is still below par. the first gear is useless, second gear is okay, third is okay, fourth & fifth is good.

Except for the engine performance, i am totally sold on the punto. If at all the punto, i am yet to decide whether i should buy the 75bhp or 95hp...

 

[Akash]

IMO if 75% of your total driving will be within city, then its better to go for Punto 75HP, however if you will be using your car on highway more often, then spending extra cash for 90HP is definitely worth it.

@Raj- Did you TD the Hyundai i20?

 

[mukeshus]

Took a test drive of the 90hp Punto today. It was a long 15-20 kms drive which included both city & highway drive.

I liked the driving position, the build quality, the ride & the sturdiness, i have said this before.

but the engine performance is still below par. the first gear is useless, second gear is okay, third is okay, fourth & fifth is good.

Except for the engine performance, i am totally sold on the punto. If at all the punto, i am yet to decide whether i should buy the 75bhp or 95hp...

Are you comparing this with Scorpio Raj?
Then how is Punto 68 Hp?

 

[raj_5004]

IMO if 75% of your total driving will be within city, then its better to go for Punto 75HP, however if you will be using your car on highway more often, then spending extra cash for 90HP is definitely worth it.

@Raj- Did you TD the Hyundai i20?

Yes, I drive mostly in the city but I feel the 75 bhp is too sluggish. Heck, I even feel the 90 hp is sluggish!

Are you comparing this with Scorpio Raj?
Then how is Punto 68 Hp?

I am not comparing this with the scorpio, the scorpio has a much better engine...

Did you mean the 75 bhp punto? It was almost same to the 90 hp in the first 2 gears. Its only from 3rd gear onwards that you feel a difference in the 90 hp punto.

 

[Akash]

Yes, I drive mostly in the city but I feel the 75 bhp is too sluggish. Heck, I even feel the 90 hp is sluggish!

The car which i would have recommended for your requirements has already been rejected by you The Figo.
Just TD the Ford Figo diesel and i am sure you will definitely think twice before buying any other hatch.
The other car(if you dont like Figo) for you is the Swift.

IMO do reconsider all the options again, since for your daily driving i dont think sluggishness would be desirable and add to that it will add to fatigue.

 

[MSN1]

Wait for some more days

A dealer confirmed me

Fiesta hatchback is coming any time after pongal and before march.

Or else you can re consider swift or figo diesels

 

[raj_5004]

I want a car by 20th of this month...

swift & figo, i feel, is too small for me.

 

[Akash]

If that is the case, then you dont have too many options with you. Did you TD the Polo?

 

[MSN1]

I want a car by 20th of this month...

swift & figo, i feel, is too small for me.

Figo is the spacious hatch among all, if you want more space
then why cant you check the Mahindra Logan

 

[raj_5004]

Thanks a lot guys. With a lot of help & support from you all & after lots of confusion, comparisons & apprehensions, I have finally zeroed in on the Punto. Whether i would go for the 90 hp or for 75 hp will depend on the discount the dealer is offering me on the 90 hp punto, which will be informed to me tomorrow evening.

Points where the i20 & the punto left other cars behind :
1) Looks
2) Desirability

I know cars which i dint even test drive, like the Figo & Micra & even the Swift diesel maybe a better performer... but i dint "want" those cars!

Now, points where the punto scored over the i20:

1) Most importantly, price. The i20 is way more expensive than the 90 hp punto & with the discounts on the punto, the gap further increases.

2) Punto VFM quotient. I want maximum bang for the buck. i20 is also feature loaded but I dont judge a car by counting features alone. Some features in the Punto like the classy European looks, the tank like build, the delightful steering & the superb ride cannot be fitted aftermarket in the Hyundai.

3) Since I have been driving a scorpio, I like cars with a heavy build & with that amazing "thud" when you close the doors. I love the way these doors seal you from the outside world. I feel safe in such cars instead of lightweight hatches. Many may think I am old school but thats just me!

4) Overall desirability factor. The punto is giving me everything i want for a lesser price & the i20 is giving me everything that i like, for more money. I choose my need. when i look at a punto, when i sit in it, I smile. Not so in the i20. dont ask me why... I have no answer for this.

Apprehensions :

1) Poor after sales service nightmares are already haunting me! I can already see myself standing outside TATA A.S.S. waiting for my car's parts to arrive!

2) Lethargic acceleration is also a major issue. coming from a scorpio, i am used to that instant push in the back experience. I will have to sacrifice that.

3) No electrically retractable mirrors! Somehow, i fancied this feature in the i20 a lot. missing in the punto, so sigh..!

I dont think about resale value when buying a car. why bother about selling your car when you have not even owned it for a day? so thats not an issue. So, inspite of all the above apprehensions, I am listening to my heart & going for the Punto. I thank you all again. You all have been of great help.

@ Mods: Please dont close this thread yet. I may still have some doubts regarding booking, freebies, PDI, etc!

EDIT: By the way, my brother loves the Linea now! He is pushing me to buy the Linea diesel instead of the punto! I like hatches & SUVs, so its the Punto for me. Also, for city driving, why do i need a sedan? Why do i need to carry that boot with me always?!

If that is the case, then you dont have too many options with you. Did you TD the Polo?

I dint test drive the polo, as the top end is 8.5 lakhs & is still missing out on a lot of features. I dont want to pay for the brand image.

Figo is the spacious hatch among all, if you want more space
then why cant you check the Mahindra Logan

As i said, looks were my first priority.

Logan is a boring uncle's sedan, no offense to logan owners. I need something that is handsome, youthful & sporty. I dont need a sedan for now.

 

[RSM]

I think you are in right direction.

The Punto giving you smile, the reason could be Fiat cars have heart. You will not fell till you drive.

Apprehensions :

1) Poor after sales service nightmares are already haunting me! I can already see myself standing outside TATA A.S.S. waiting for my car's parts to arrive!

Don't worry much, all the normal consumable spares will be easily available. Also problem mostly happens only from dealers side when they delay ordering for spares. There is also a good thing in Fiat, you can directly reach to top official easily (I can certainly help you in this regard ).
Trick is find out the best service station in your city.

2) Lethargic acceleration is also a major issue. coming from a scorpio, i am used to that instant push in the back experience. I will have to sacrifice that.

I am not sure about Scorpio, but once you know how to keep the correct RPM, you will not have acceleration issue. Yes there is no sudden acceleration, but it has linear acceleration, which will actually help in city driving with minimal braking.

3) No electrically retractable mirrors! Somehow, i fancied this feature in the i20 a lot. missing in the punto, so sigh..!

This is only one feature, Punto should have given. Though the mirrors can be adjusted electrically, retraction part is missing.
But this will be compensated with so many other useful features.