It was our dream car. The black Italian beauty Fiat Palio Stile SLX, make Nov 2007. We started searching to buy a new car from all available channels and finally we decided to go with Palio stile slx which is falling within our budget and taste. We compared with other models like Maruthi, Hyundai, Tata.etc. But finally this was the most attractive one. I have driven 32000 KM now no issues at all except very negligible repairs and still Fine and excellent to drive. So many times I touched speed of 145 KM/H in the Chennai Kolkatta National Highway and Hyderabad Bangalore highways. The mileage never went below 14. During my 5th service which is happened recently Feb second week 2012 I faced some issue with clutch and I informed the same thing to the authorized service partner in Pune( Now I am staying pune) to rectify. At that time SA told me that issue could be with Clutch plates and might be problem with Gear box etc etc. without taking any test ride…. I left the car with them for 4 days and finally I got my vehicle delivered by charging some huge amount without resolving the main issue(Clutch) and also they told that they removed the air form Clutch master hydraulic and they guaranteed drive upto 25 to 30 thousand KM more without any issues. If I want to replace the whole kit It costs around rs. 15000+ labor charges and also spares are not ready available. It was really surprise for me and they didn’t show any interest to rectify the issue. They were very busy with delivering the free servicing vehicles……They have very limited space in the garage for Fiat vehicles so they want to push out the vehicles as early as possible. But I am not fully convinced with their suggestions and I started searching for other options in pune.
Luckily I got one, called Mirajkar Automobiles at dangi chock near aditya birla hospital, Chinchwad through one of my friend. I went there to get second opinion about the problem by struggling with double pressing of my car clutch all the way. He is really good technician, experienced, polite, gives you personal attention and charges are very less. He explained about the problem after taking test ride of my car and suggested to replace one small part. It was not all about the clutch plates and other things like what I heard earlier. It took 3 to 4 hrs to replace the part, and it cost me only Rs.2000. I felt very happy to find out that guy and Now a day’s spares are also easily available for Fiat vehicles.
Always think about taking second opinion, be patience, Explore the market and Enjoy with your dream car…………. Otherwise you will end up in soup…
Chandu