I purchased this car as second hand. My car model is Fiat Palio 1.2 ELX and model is 2003. I driven cars like Santro, Zen regularily(WagonR out of this race). I really cant compare this one tih choto’s like santro and Zen. This car gives me not less than 10KMPL in city and 15KMPL in highways with AC on. I reached a peak speed of 150KMPH in Mumbai-Pune expressway and I reached peak speed of 140KMPH in Chennai-Pondy ECR highway.
When I used to drive Santro in ECR highways(whcih has lot of turns and narrow roads), I feel like the car is dancing ifwe drive our car at speed of 80KMPH with windows open. But I really didnt even feel anything if I drive at 100KMPH in Palio with windows open.
in turnings, I feel that my Santro is about to topple at speed of 70, but in 90KMPH also, I feel in am in most safest place during turnings.
The best part in this car is its steering, which I feel I havve total control over the car. Unlike it rivals whcih has electronic power steering(very very sensitive), this car is equipped with Hydralic power steering(whcih is only on hig powered car like Benz, Ford 1.6SXI..etc).
FIAT is famous for its Gear box and engine. The Clutch is hydralic clutch, you can feel like a butter while changing gears. VERY VERY SMOOTH
I never faced any problem with respect to service of this vehicle. I added an engine oil additive(cost Rs400) along with oil change, now I really feel like operating a battery powered car(very very smooth and very less noise)
Latest happening is that, FIAT cars going to be marketted by TATA motors in India. So the only problem with Fiat(Poor after sales Service) is rectified
To summarise, I advice 200% to buy this car