I have a Palio 1.2ELX, dec 2001 & run 12K till now. The car is still a dream machine even now (June, 2004), not even a drop in performance. Whereas Indicas & marutis of same year make started looking pretty old by this time.
I do get 13kmpl (with AC) in normal driving conditions & 17kmpl (with AC) on long drives. To get this mileage in Palio, one needs to adopt good driving habits, i.e., not over revving the engine in low gears for that extra punch!..please..shift to the higher gear.
I do service the car with TVS Cochin, they were quite capable enough & whenever I pass by, I do drop in for a free checkup, which they does it free of cost. Sometimes u wont hear the engine sound, if u r used to change gears by hearing engine sound. (like in old ambys & premier padminis). The sound insulation inside the cabin is the best u can get in B segment.
I feel surprised when people compare Palio with Alto LX, M800 & Santro. Please never ever do that.
U can compare Palio with Indica, Wagon R, Hyundai Getz, Corsa Sail and following are some of the links where you get independent reviews on Palio & its competitors.
https://bsmotoring.com/2001/01sep22_1.htm
https://cybersteering.com/cbmain/roadtest/sail_palio/index1.htm
https://indiacar.com/index2.asp?pagename=https://indiacar.com/roadtest/indicav2_palioelx/ontheline.htm
https://prweb.com/releases/2002/2/prweb33225.htm
Atlast some good news abt stability of FIAT
Legal issues with Premier (PAL) was resolved 2 weeks bak & FIAT Italy has pumped lotta rupees to make FIAT India strong & break even by 2005. They have set up a new plant in Pune also.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/672242.cms
Then..our own Maruti is starting a diesel engine manufacturing plant in a Joint venture with FIAT...they will manufacture engines for Maruti & FIAT vehicles here...
https://bsmotoring.com/2004/may29_2.htm
And FIAT India is goin to start direct service centres...to improve customer satisfaction.
What does all this mean??
More Palios to be on road...and also FERRARI, ALFA ROMEO, PANDA...the list goes on...
:-)
Last but not the least..TATA’s favouring Palio!!!
https://tata.com/tata_teleservices/releases/20020205.htm