I will not bore you with the long story of endless research and near-agony(mental largely) over the choice of the Palio Stile Multijet, but here I am writing this after 4 days and 200 kms of owning the Palio.*
Exteriors: **Subjective topic. The Palio is a handsomely proportioned car and also utilises the larger external size efficiently to give more space inside, very much like the Getz and U-Va and unlike the Swift. Fit and finish are acceptable and maybe just a notch below its competitors.
Interiors: If you consider space, seating comfort and ergonomics, this is the car for you. One of the major reasons for me buying this car was the fact that this was the first car I felt totally comfortable sitting in. All other cars, especially the Hyundais didn’t somehow get the correct geometry between the back, the posterior and the pedals. Quality of finishes is not as good as the others(being an Architect and Interior Designer, I would note that more than others, I guess). If you want a car that looks and feels great inside, this is not the one. Joints are somewhat poorly finished and plastics look strong and durable but downmarket. For me, ergonomics is more important. Each to his own.
Performance and Efficiency: Still Running in and no point discussing these. What I do know that once turbo kicks in, the 75 BHP engine pulls like mad! At lower speeds, you have to ensure you’re in the right gear.
Ride and Handling: I am a sedate driver and with my first car I am more careful. But I love the steering feedback! Power Steering feels heavier than other cars at Parking Speeds(some people used to driving Altos have told me "Power Steering nahin hai kya?"), but I am fine with that, because high speed steering feel is much better than the Getz. The Palios ride and handling quality does not need description and its still as good. I can take potholes like an SUVs and corners faster than I could on other small cars, so that’s that.
One problem is the size. Rear visibility is bad due to the C-pillars and the A-pillars hamper the "around the corner" visibility. A lot of reversing is by guesswork and the feeling that its a very strong sheet metal body! However I have faced the same issues with the Swift which is worse in this regard. And the Swift bulges near the wheel arches making it more scratch-prone. But I suppose a good driver could easliy tackle all that. I am not that experienced so for me, its still an issue.
Dealer behaviour and After Sales Service: To be fair to the much criticised Fiat dealerships, there haven’t been any major hitches except three:
The dealer staff know next to nothing about the car! I could educate them. They don’t have any accessories ready because this car is not selling! No seat covers, no Central lockingand worse, no left side ORVM(mine is the SDE.) But, they got the car in a week(for the Swift would have to wait for 2-3 months), just as they had promised! No delays or lies to the customer. Poor Service but no sugar-coated dishonesty so far!
They mis-spelt my name on the RTO registration. They have promised to fix it but I am still worried. It’s frustrating at times.
The left side indicator does not self-cancel! The service staff said its a minor problem and they will fix it.
First Update: Mileage
Just to update, did my second tankful today and the car had consumed 38.48 litres to travel 594 kms, all city driving. approx 15.43.before first service. AC on 80% time, engine running at long red lights(waiting period more than 90 secs at times) and a fair share of traffic jams.
Second Update: First Service and 1000 kms*
Service Experience.
Reception and Initial Response was quick enough. But it required some amount of standing on the staff’s head to get the job done quickly. Handling was good and staff was careful with the car. Washing and Cleaning was good and upto the mark.
My car was the first 1.3 MJD to be serviced in this Workshop, so it did attract a bit of a crowd. Normally, Vivek Automobiles is still trying to sell them, so finding one for service was a surprise for them, too!
1st problem - Training on the 1.3 MJD: Only one person was trained by Fiat at Vivek Automobiles to service the 1.3 MJD. Thankfully, a quick conversation with the Workshop Manager solved the issue. He put that particular person on the job. But before this conversation, it was a bit of a shock to find that one chap couldn’t locate the Oil Filter!
Parts, parts, parts: Left ORVM, not available! Radio Antenna, not available! My ICE shop is still looking for an antenna that fits the slot on the roof of the Palio, so the FM Radio is not very clear.
First part replaced under Warranty: From the day of delivery, the left turn indicator did not self-cancel on straightening the steering. The whole console below the steering(both the light and wiper stalks included) was replaced(thankfully, under warranty!).
Oil and Oil Filter Changed by me despite not being required by manual: Influenced by the discussions on this topic, and further guided by my experience with another car and a bike, I asked for an oil change and an oil filter change. I think a new engine would have a little more friction and would wear off the lubricants’ viscous qualities faster. So, I decided to spend the extra money and get it done, although Fiat advises the first oil change at 7500 kms only. I also went in for the Bardahl additive. Maybe its superfluous, but I have used them on my Pulsar right from the first oil change and the engine has retained its pick-up, smoothness, power and mileage almost as good as new for 30, 000 kms and more, so I think its a good idea to use an additive.
Other Engine Fluids: Strangely, even without a leak, the other engine fluids like the coolant and the power steering fluid had gone low(at min mark in just two weeks of usage). The staff blamed the PDI dept for that(I didn’t point out that it was their own showroom). Will monitor closely now.
Results: Engine had smoothened out and become more free-revving over the past 200 kms or so, but today it was wonderful after oil change. For the first time, keeping it within 2500 rpm was a little painful(Yes, I have moved my limit to 2500 from 2000 rpm after the service.) Engine sounds quieter now. Body rattles or sounds(except for an occassional rattle from the Parcel Tray) were nonexistent and remain so. Gearbox slots better(or maybe I have got used to it).
Summing Up the case for the 1.3 MJD so far:
Driving this car is a great experience and I would give it a 8.5/10(one and a half mark less for big turning radius, non-progressive brake pedal feel and a somewhat heavy clutch). Owning this car has been trouble free so far, but its way too early and the real test will be when something stops working.
So far, so good. The trial continues for the Palio 1.3 MJD, because the jury needs more proof for the verdict.