: Fiat Punto - Bland or what?
david_r_bates 21-05-2003, 12:52 Just seen a pick of the new Fiat Punto on Carkeys (http://www.carkeys.co.uk/features/FE000537.htm).
Admittedly its a fairly small, front-only shot, but this has got to be the blandest, most boring looking car I've seen in a long time. At least the Stilo/current Punto are fairly striking. Is Fiat losing its grip?
I think they know what the new small Rover will look like, and have tried to copy it.
It looks very similar to the Indica... in fact, the Rover version will look considerably better....
These are not fairly small, front-only shots, but it still looks pretty boring:
http://www.autoweek.nl/images/Articles/1593/punto3.jpg
http://www.autoweek.nl/images/Articles/1593/punto2.jpg
JEEEEEEEEEZ, what are they up to? That isn't going to do their market share any good, IMO. Are they trying to outdo VW in dullness? Cos if so, they've got a fight on their hands...
And look, this is even more disgusting:
http://www.autoweek.nl/images/Articles/1593/punto4.jpg
i want a Mimbari 21-05-2003, 14:02 The puto will be better than a tarted up curry-mobile...
It looked better before IMO. I have driven a 1.2 sporting a few times. WHy it has 6 forward gears is beyond me! I struggle to drive it because my size 10's tend to press all the pedals at the same time, and the accellerator is REALLY sensitive!.
GrumpyOldGit 21-05-2003, 15:01 Shame - it used to be a good-looking, distinctive car. They've spoiled it. The fact that Desy likes it merely confirms my point!:lol:
My first car was a 127, 2nd car 127 super and third an Uno ...and my wifes car now is a Punto :)
So :beer: to Fiat :D
king arthur 21-05-2003, 18:19 I guess Fiat have decided that if they make it look like the Polo, it'll sell like the Polo. :confused:
mynamesforest 22-05-2003, 07:34 Has it got a girly button
Has it got a girly button
my wife loves that button :)
Originally posted by Desy
my wife loves that button :)
'
:lol: I'm sure she does. As long as she doesn't push it to hard ;) .
iburnley 23-05-2003, 07:47 Have to say I like the current punto styling dont like this at all.
However if the heavy discount thats available on the current model in many places continues on the new model I think the Rover indian skip is going to struggle to compete.
Originally posted by Desy
My first car was a 127, 2nd car 127 super and third an Uno ...and my wifes car now is a Punto :)
So :beer: to Fiat :D
Here here.... :beer2: :beer: :beer2:
Planetse 03-06-2003, 22:07 The old range of Punto where by far the best..!!.. The one that is out at the moment handle like a bag of S*#T, press the power steering button and you get no felling of what is happening on the road. Turn it off and it feels like a Van, to high so catch the wind like a sail and look worst than the Civic Type R……..
As for the new one :yikes: Fiat is hitting rock bottom me thinks…….
MGROVERnut 03-06-2003, 22:21 Originally posted by iburnley
Have to say I like the current punto styling dont like this at all.
However if the heavy discount thats available on the current model in many places continues on the new model I think the Rover indian skip is going to struggle to compete.
Have you touched/ seen the Indica? I have and its gonna give the Punto a pasting! It is EXTREMELY well finished. I used to like the Punto, it handeled really well. But now look at it, its hideously ugly. The Indica, looks like a Rolls Royce compared to Fiat's pile of p*o. Honestly having seen one, I genuinely believe that Ford's KA and all of the rest of the small cars are really in for a shock! If you had asked me 12 months ago I certainly would'nt have said that
Planetse 04-06-2003, 23:01 Will second the above comment…….:naughty:
Planetse 04-06-2003, 23:08 http://www.xpower-mg.com/gallery/data/579/657indica1.jpg
http://www.xpower-mg.com/gallery/data/579/1untitled.bmp
http://www.xpower-mg.com/gallery/data/579/347indica1.jpg
MGROVERnut 05-06-2003, 08:32 Do the above pics looks like a bad car? If you were a first time buyer would you turn your nose up at the above? Tying the Rover brand to the car is going to kill off a lot of the smaller opposition (i.e the offerings from Suzuki) and the Ford Ka is smaller and less value for money. I just hope Rover have got enough on order!
iburnley 08-06-2003, 14:24 Originally posted by MGROVERnut
Have you touched/ seen the Indica? I have and its gonna give the Punto a pasting! It is EXTREMELY well finished. I used to like the Punto, it handeled really well. But now look at it, its hideously ugly. The Indica, looks like a Rolls Royce compared to Fiat's pile of p*o. Honestly having seen one, I genuinely believe that Ford's KA and all of the rest of the small cars are really in for a shock! If you had asked me 12 months ago I certainly would'nt have said that
No I havent so you have the advantage. Only seen pictures but from what I have seen I have to disagree. Front end of the indica very dull (early 90's style) something MGR need to substancially change. However the worst part of the car for me is the dashboard which from what I have seen looks dire, Punto dash far better. But then Punto, Ka are all pretty dated anyway what about New Micra, new Pug 107 and its Citreon equiv etc.
MGROVERnut 09-06-2003, 23:00 I agree the Micra has a very good modern dash. But how much does an entry level Micra cost? Besides ergonamically speaking the Indica is suberb it just needs higher quality materials. As long as MG Rover come in £1000 cheaper they will do well with the Indica. Personally speaking the only small cars I like the look of at the moment are the MINI, Suzuki Alto and the new Daewoo (yes I know its a Daewoo but it looks nice). I hate the Ka because it looks tinny. The Fiesta looks like a shrivelled up Focus. VW have wrecked the Polo with it stupid lights (but its still superbly built).
Get the price right and a que will form at Rover dealerships because the consumer lacks a modern day peoples car from a well known brand.
The Punto looks... "bitty". Incomplete somehow. None of the lines really match up. I'm used to quirky Italian design, (just look at the Stilo), but that is really offensive to the eye.
As for the Indica, it looks like a baby Megane. There is some work to be done there, I think.
As long as MG Rover come in £1000 cheaper they will do well with the Indica.
How funny. Rover spent the thick end of the late 80s/early 90s trying to price themselves above the common ruck and not aiming for massive maket share. Pricing and branding for exclusivity. How the world turns, I suppose.
Fiat Punto = 1 for the ladies:D
iburnley 10-06-2003, 08:32 Originally posted by MGROVERnut
I agree the Micra has a very good modern dash. But how much does an entry level Micra cost? Besides ergonamically speaking the Indica is suberb it just needs higher quality materials. As long as MG Rover come in £1000 cheaper they will do well with the Indica. Personally speaking the only small cars I like the look of at the moment are the MINI, Suzuki Alto and the new Daewoo (yes I know its a Daewoo but it looks nice). I hate the Ka because it looks tinny. The Fiesta looks like a shrivelled up Focus. VW have wrecked the Polo with it stupid lights (but its still superbly built).
Get the price right and a que will form at Rover dealerships because the consumer lacks a modern day peoples car from a well known brand.
Yeh I belive the entry price for the new Micra is around £7,500 and their doesnt appear to be much discounting on it at the moment. But I think the fundemental problem here is that there is lot of discounting by the big manufacturers in both the the small car sector and the Supermini sector above it. There also the issue of whether the Indica will be priced around 6K or 7K. personally I think it will be nearer 7k, but I at the moment you can get new Pre Reg Fiesta's around £6,800 and given choice I know which I would buy even if it does look a little to much like a Focus. Then there are new Punto's, Ka's etc under 6K. Its going to have to compete in a pretty tough market place. Is it up to the job?
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