If my memory serves me correct I recall the Croma being developed with GM, I believe it shares running gear and possibly some engines with the Vectra.

However I have take some advice of 2 trusted collegues in the trade who reckon Fiats quality has steadily improved

So have Accrington Stanley, but I wouldn't want to stick some of my hard earned into them for reliability reasons!

People buy iconic Italian (as I have done) because they enjoy driving them & they buy Fiats because they are / appear good value for money

No-one should buy Italian if reliability is an important factor

The original Croma was a total load of rubish but since they will all have been scrapped by now I won't mention it any more.The later ones were based on a GM floor pan but were built to the usual Fiat standards and due to poor sales were not sold in the UK after about 2006.

Why your chappy said to get one is beyond my understanding, does he wear clown make up? You will certainly need his help in the future after pushing it everywhere.

Volvo have always done well in reports where seat support is vital but the only way to tell if a seat is good for you is to try it for a long (very long) test drive, we are all different and what is perfect for one person may be useless for another.

I had a Puma for several years, sporty car with sporty looking supportive seats, nearly broke my back everytime I drove it over a long distance. At the same time the wife had a bogo standard Micra, never had a problem in that even on 400 mile trips and the seats looked very basic.

The best way to avoid bad backs is to buy a car which is easy to get in and out of and has decent seats. As such, anything which is higher than a standard car, but not too high will be a big help.

Depending what you need to carry will determine the size of car you buy. As already suggested, any small MPV will do if its only you and then find one with seats that suit you.

I find that if my bottom is roughly on level with the seat base, so I don't fall into the car, but slide onto the seat, then I have few back problems. The original Focus was designed with this in mind I recall.

My father has a Croma and they are excellent with regards entry and exit as the seats are just at the right height to slide into the car without having to lower or raise yourself to the seat height. I would love to find a site that gives this measurement from the ground to the seat so it would be possible to find a car with similar seat heights. With an ageing population I would expect this to be something of greater interest.

The car itself is extremely responsive and economical on a long run (diesel Eleganza). However reliability is an issue having the alternator and battery going within four years of purchase on a low mileage of about 6000 miles a year.

They are no longer available in the UK and are very cheap secondhand and I would say anyone with mobility problems should have a look at one of these just for the ease of entry/exit.