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#1
Hi all, I am planning to buy a hatchback from a long time. I started with planning and TD’s first in July2010. In September’2010 my job pulled me to shift the location and I shifted to Pune with my family so the plan got suppressed.
In June 2011 I shifted back to Noida again and the suppressed ‘keede’ again surfaced after I sat in my friend’s Figo.
A little background:
I own Maruti Esteem from last 6 years (also got CNG kit installed on it). My experience is very good in terms of mileage, A$$ (other than few off times due to high cost of parts), drivability, big car feeling, comfort etc. etc. In short my experience has been very satisfying.
Now as my family has got one addition (my daughter) I felt need of safety features as well in the car I would like to drive (this is one aspect missing in Esteem).
Requirements:
As a first step to the evaluation process, I put together my requirements:
1. Had to be diesel since I already have a petrol Esteem which I will be keeping and petrol prices are something that make me feel like I should buy a cycle for around Rs. 3500 instead of getting a tank full @ Rs. 70/- which is recent petrol price in Delhi NCR (45 liters * 70/- = 3150). My average monthly running will also be around 1200-1500 km. (so by all means I qualify for dreaming about diesel car )
2. Good handling
3. Good ride
4. Safety features a must.
5. Budget – not a constraint, anything upto 7 lacs OTR is fine.
6. Driver seat must be comfortable - since most of those highway miles I would be on my own
7. Blue tooth enabled stereo is also a must as will have few long solo drives.
Cars considered:
a) Swift 2011 model: Booked then cancelled after the price of ZDI was announced (> 7.2 lacs OTR Noida). As safety features are must did not even think about considering VDI. Dropped from list there and then.
b) Micra – TD done but did not consider it any further. Reasons – No ABS even on the top diesel model, my reservations related to A$$ and looks.
c) Ritz: Dropped just after the TD. Reason – Never liked the looks (my opinion) but still went for the TD being optimistic, @ 5.5 + lacs OTR not even the music system was provided.
d) Vista – Liked it a lot, almost finalized it twice. Only reservation was family’s view. Nobody actually liked it from mom, sis, wife and even my daughter, though she is just 2 years old, after sitting in the car when asked how it is? She said not Yummy (she knows only two terms to express her liking and dislike – Yummy and not Yummy![[:)]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Smile.gif "Smile [:)]")
). Eventually I gave up (my bad luck as I have got only females to approve the final decision) and the car was dropped from list.
e) Figo – Now actually all of this started with this car after I shifted back from Pune. I sat in one of my friend’s car for around 100 km. ride and just loved the drive, handling, space and feel of the car. I drove the car myself for around 50-60 km. and just loved the steadiness (which was lacking in Esteem), pick up and ride (no turbo lag at all). His Figo was Titanium so all preferred safety features were also present in this model (ABS, Airbags). Few other features that I liked are electric boot opener, Bluetooth connectivity and boot space. The OTR price was also attractive (till I re-tested Punto) at around 6.25 lacs OTR Noida.
Things which I think should have been present: Alloy wheels, steering mounted controls, 60:40 split of rear seats, fire prevention system, better GC, USB port (though could have got that installed but for additional cost) etc.
f) Fiat Grande Punto – TDed this care even before shifting to Pune and it was like what a beauty and what a marvelous experience of riding it!!! Forget first 2 gears, rest there was no looking back or time to think about anything other than enjoying the ride and admiring it.
This time also considered it and the impression only became long lasting and addictive. The only hitch is few niggles that I have read in ownership reviews and am not too sure about the A$$ in my area (Noida, Ghaziabad).
Comparison:
Now my decision is only considering Figo and Punto (both top models).
Punto +ives: At 6.8 lacs OTR am getting Climate Control, 15" alloys, 195 section tires, audio control on the steering, rear power windows, split folding rear seats, USB port, Blue & Me and few more additional features. I think paying 55K (Figo is costing me 6.25 lacs OTR) more for these features, solid build and stunning looks is actually making this car sound cheaper than Figo.
Punto –ives: Few scary ownership reports and no conclusive feedback about A$$ in my area, Engine NVH (found Figo +1 in this department) but after speed of 100 the handling, feeling of safety is exceptional and even NVH feels better than Figo (may be the Figo which I drove on highway, that of my friend, was not that well maintained).
Figo +ives: Engine refinement (NVH), 0 turbo lag, seats (found rear seating of Figo more comfortable), boot space, fuel economy (my friend’s Figo gave around 23 km/l), No horror stories on Ford A$$.
Figo – ives: Less features (as already mentioned above), No discounts.
So first impression is Punto is winner for me as the cost difference is not much and feature difference is huge. Also my highway drive will be almost equal to my city drives so sluggish starting behavior of Punto is ot a concern for me rather Punto’s highway etiquettes are much better than any other car I have TDed. But still need help of all you experienced and knowledgeable people to make sure and finalize one car out of these two.
I have already booked Punto but could get it cancelled if am not satisfied and 100% sure about it.
I will be going for white color and when I see a white Figo ( IMO, white color on Figo looks royal and exceptionally good) my heart skips a beat and mind start see-sawing between Punto (BNW also looks good, no doubt)and Figo. Any advice, experience sharing and help towards efficient decision making will be highly appreciated.
Also, if any fellow TAI’an from Delhi NCR could spare sometime on Thursday (22/09) to come along with me to do PDI of Punto at Oberoi Tata showroom, Noida that will be highly appreciated. Please PM me and I will contact you.
Drive safe and value life.
In June 2011 I shifted back to Noida again and the suppressed ‘keede’ again surfaced after I sat in my friend’s Figo.
A little background:
I own Maruti Esteem from last 6 years (also got CNG kit installed on it). My experience is very good in terms of mileage, A$$ (other than few off times due to high cost of parts), drivability, big car feeling, comfort etc. etc. In short my experience has been very satisfying.
Now as my family has got one addition (my daughter) I felt need of safety features as well in the car I would like to drive (this is one aspect missing in Esteem).
Requirements:
As a first step to the evaluation process, I put together my requirements:
1. Had to be diesel since I already have a petrol Esteem which I will be keeping and petrol prices are something that make me feel like I should buy a cycle for around Rs. 3500 instead of getting a tank full @ Rs. 70/- which is recent petrol price in Delhi NCR (45 liters * 70/- = 3150). My average monthly running will also be around 1200-1500 km. (so by all means I qualify for dreaming about diesel car )
2. Good handling
3. Good ride
4. Safety features a must.
5. Budget – not a constraint, anything upto 7 lacs OTR is fine.
6. Driver seat must be comfortable - since most of those highway miles I would be on my own
7. Blue tooth enabled stereo is also a must as will have few long solo drives.
Cars considered:
a) Swift 2011 model: Booked then cancelled after the price of ZDI was announced (> 7.2 lacs OTR Noida). As safety features are must did not even think about considering VDI. Dropped from list there and then.
b) Micra – TD done but did not consider it any further. Reasons – No ABS even on the top diesel model, my reservations related to A$$ and looks.
c) Ritz: Dropped just after the TD. Reason – Never liked the looks (my opinion) but still went for the TD being optimistic, @ 5.5 + lacs OTR not even the music system was provided.
d) Vista – Liked it a lot, almost finalized it twice. Only reservation was family’s view. Nobody actually liked it from mom, sis, wife and even my daughter, though she is just 2 years old, after sitting in the car when asked how it is? She said not Yummy (she knows only two terms to express her liking and dislike – Yummy and not Yummy
). Eventually I gave up (my bad luck as I have got only females to approve the final decision) and the car was dropped from list.e) Figo – Now actually all of this started with this car after I shifted back from Pune. I sat in one of my friend’s car for around 100 km. ride and just loved the drive, handling, space and feel of the car. I drove the car myself for around 50-60 km. and just loved the steadiness (which was lacking in Esteem), pick up and ride (no turbo lag at all). His Figo was Titanium so all preferred safety features were also present in this model (ABS, Airbags). Few other features that I liked are electric boot opener, Bluetooth connectivity and boot space. The OTR price was also attractive (till I re-tested Punto) at around 6.25 lacs OTR Noida.
Things which I think should have been present: Alloy wheels, steering mounted controls, 60:40 split of rear seats, fire prevention system, better GC, USB port (though could have got that installed but for additional cost) etc.
f) Fiat Grande Punto – TDed this care even before shifting to Pune and it was like what a beauty and what a marvelous experience of riding it!!! Forget first 2 gears, rest there was no looking back or time to think about anything other than enjoying the ride and admiring it.
This time also considered it and the impression only became long lasting and addictive. The only hitch is few niggles that I have read in ownership reviews and am not too sure about the A$$ in my area (Noida, Ghaziabad).
Comparison:
Now my decision is only considering Figo and Punto (both top models).
Punto +ives: At 6.8 lacs OTR am getting Climate Control, 15" alloys, 195 section tires, audio control on the steering, rear power windows, split folding rear seats, USB port, Blue & Me and few more additional features. I think paying 55K (Figo is costing me 6.25 lacs OTR) more for these features, solid build and stunning looks is actually making this car sound cheaper than Figo.
Punto –ives: Few scary ownership reports and no conclusive feedback about A$$ in my area, Engine NVH (found Figo +1 in this department) but after speed of 100 the handling, feeling of safety is exceptional and even NVH feels better than Figo (may be the Figo which I drove on highway, that of my friend, was not that well maintained).
Figo +ives: Engine refinement (NVH), 0 turbo lag, seats (found rear seating of Figo more comfortable), boot space, fuel economy (my friend’s Figo gave around 23 km/l), No horror stories on Ford A$$.
Figo – ives: Less features (as already mentioned above), No discounts.
So first impression is Punto is winner for me as the cost difference is not much and feature difference is huge. Also my highway drive will be almost equal to my city drives so sluggish starting behavior of Punto is ot a concern for me rather Punto’s highway etiquettes are much better than any other car I have TDed. But still need help of all you experienced and knowledgeable people to make sure and finalize one car out of these two.
I have already booked Punto but could get it cancelled if am not satisfied and 100% sure about it.
I will be going for white color and when I see a white Figo ( IMO, white color on Figo looks royal and exceptionally good) my heart skips a beat and mind start see-sawing between Punto (BNW also looks good, no doubt)and Figo. Any advice, experience sharing and help towards efficient decision making will be highly appreciated.
Also, if any fellow TAI’an from Delhi NCR could spare sometime on Thursday (22/09) to come along with me to do PDI of Punto at Oberoi Tata showroom, Noida that will be highly appreciated. Please PM me and I will contact you.Drive safe and value life.
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