General My 1.4 test drive

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General My 1.4 test drive

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OK, had a go, as far as the drive went... was impressed with the 1.4 lump, eager and refined, noise insualtion was superb from the engine and road. Suspension I felt was very good, much better than the old Punto and indeed many new cars such as the Micra and Fabia. Wasnt keen on the steering, although very positive, almost go kart like it did feel very artificial. Brakes were good, gearchange really nice and slick. Hated the annoying bong from the indicators! Was comfortable too and very spacious.... my verdict? It will sell really well, but no for me.... too dull and bland, even if it were faster it would be dull, its just like any other modern hatch, give me a new Panda any day!
As for the build... I would say its below average, the plastics are very hard, there are cheap touches all around, fresh air vents are fragile and just try that glovebox.. its crap, really plasticky. I noticed loads of iffy build all over, for instance one car had panel gaps that started off nice then got bigger, also air bubbles in the black paint on door pillars. I have to say I was very dissapointed build wise, especially when you look at the real quality in the Croma. Cheap it maybe price wise, and I can see why, for me the new Swift is a far nicer car all round... shame.
 
I also noticed a few imperfections at the dealership, well there was something that I picked up on every one in the showroom (4 of) and the demonstrator:eek:

I mentioned to the head salespeep about our latest audi and the arse farce we went thru when they delivared the car damaged (bumper scraped), they tried to offer it to us with touch up paint on a car with delivary milage and had cost £36, told em where to stick it, anyway eventually 3months later we got a whole new car. ANd I was quite pissed off when the fiat salespeep just walked away, didn't even say something like "oh you wouldn't get that if something like that was to happen here" plasticised it may be, but there wasn't even a hint of anything.

I also asked about how much spares are going to be as fiat stuff thru dealers is just ridicolous prices, i mean £61 for a nasty gearknob and gaitor, AUDI parts cost less than that!!!!! Salespeep also walked away from that question too.

SO no I will not be buying a new fiat, not ever ever ever. AS whilst I love the cars the DEALERS ARE (edit) not to my liking!!!
 
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I noticed the menu pricing for new punto servicing and it was really expensive, £174 for a 12000 mile service! To replace a set of pads was £80!!!! Its true, VW and Ausi stuff is really cheap, my mates into them and he gets discs for his Golfs for £7 each and even his A6 parts are cheaper than the new Pandas!
 
WIth regards to salespeeps on servicing prices, they constantly change and with as much work on thier plate as they will have to do (trust me, it is a lot more work than it looks), memorising a full service price menu has a lower priority to remembering torque, bhp, equipment and trim specifications in valid combinations. Dealers always have more expensive servicing and parts costs. You pay the premium for manufacturer trained technicians and branded parts, as with any industry. Many dealers charge £50 hr labour. That is where the fitting cost on the brakes come from. The part will be available for purchase at around £20-25.
nuovapanda said:
I noticed the menu pricing for new punto servicing and it was really expensive, £174 for a 12000 mile service! To replace a set of pads was £80!!!! Its true, VW and Ausi stuff is really cheap, my mates into them and he gets discs for his Golfs for £7 each and even his A6 parts are cheaper than the new Pandas!
 
The part will be available for purchase at around £20-25.



I seriously doubt it!!!! our local fiat are #67 per hour + vat, audi garage is #40 an hour plus vat, although they always clean wash and sometimes polish the car really well!! even under the seats and in the spare wheel pit, etc, then they put your rubbish back in again!!! just so you can't accuse them of loosing anything. really professional although still expensive compared to a real garage etc.
 
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