What are they like to drive power wise? Handling? How reliable are they? I read CBC so am avoiding the 1.9.
Any owners here?
I looked at the Berlingo but it seems to have a longish list of potential issues and Im not up for that!
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"Berlingo seems to have a longish list of potential issues"
Not aware of these, can't see much on CBCB that have been evident on mine. I'm on my second Blingo, both Hdis. Sold 3yr old 38k one because a new one cost less than I was paying on old one because of an interest free offer and it meant that it woould be paid for when I retire later this year, be two years younger and be "low mileage". I have had no "issues" with either - routine services, two new front tyres on old one and that's it.
Power? well it's 92bhp, zips along pretty well (it ain't no sports car but then I didn't expect it to be!) even when loaded up with 4 people, luggage and a good few boxes of wine and beer - yes the boot is big enough. I find it comfortable even on long journeys as do my (grown-up) children when in back - son is 6' 2". Access excellent front and back and with seats down can swallow a fair bit of furniture (or mountain bikes). Handling? It ain't no sports car!, but to be quite honest, for everyday driving it is perfectly adequate - quite good actually. Does about 50 mpg but on a long run will do about 55 and if you really soft pedal on motorway can get to 60 (mpg not mph!) Cruising at 80mph (oops I mean 70) brings it down to 45ish - aero(non)dynamics I presume.
Sorry, don't know owt about Doblo except it's even uglier than my Blingo! (IMHO!)
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I know someone who has operated ones as taxi's both 1.9 and 1.3 and to be honest with you they are both good the 1.3 is more economical around town the 1.9 is better both fuel wise and to drive on longer journeys.
The firm has about 15 of them and they haven't suffered turbo isssues with the 1.9 may be because of their usage pattern. Like most Fiat's not built in Italy it is well built. However the trade/users haven't taken to them and so residuals aren't fantastic. Dealers seem to price them well above book though.
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It seems to be a patchy dealer network with a lot of closures in recent times.
I would want a good local dealer and (at least) another within acceptable range as you never know when another dealership will lose its franchise.
If that happens and the one remaining dealer has a monopoly in the area, watch for higher estimates for work and attempts to double up labour charges.
(perhaps as they too attempt to survive)
Some people have seen an acceptable network around them just melt away recently.
The 1.3 Multijet is a superb engine but better in a smaller vehicle such as the Panda.
Having said that chain drive camshafts and hydraulic tappets appeal if performance is not the first priority.
Regards
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Brother in law got one last September through mobility. Absolutely loves it. Car was to replace a Scenic 5 seat, which was nowhere big enough- their daughters walking frame filled the boot.
Doblo copes very well, and is a much bigger car than I originally thought. Is only a few months old, but had no problems with it yet (apart from Postman Pat comments as got a red one). They went for the 1.9 as relatives said the 1.3 diesel would be too gutless- IIRC someone they knew had tried one.
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Was on holidays recently in Turkey and the 1.3's were EVERYWHERE as taxi's. I got into quite a few with 200,000km+ and they seemed to be running well which was very suprising considering the thrashing the drivers were giving them. A friend also replaced his avensis lately with the 1.3 multijet engined astra. He absolutely adores the car. he's getting fantastic economy from it
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I drove the 1.3 today and I have to say, it was quiet, torquey and comfortable.
The space is very impressive although not as many storage solutions as say a Berlingo, it is far bigger esp the boot.
My only real concern at this point is the warranty aspect - how much worth is there in the 3rd year dealer warranty? HJ mentions an extention of the manufacturers warranty in CBC but according to Fiat dealer, this is not available. Only an extention of the dealer warranty is available and only when the current warranty is about to expire. Whats going on HJ? Is it just out of date info or are Fiat dealer lying?
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It seems to be a patchy dealer network with a lot of closures in recent times.
I think a lot of closures may have something to do with Fiat getting rid of incompetent agents. After a recent service to my car I was phoned up by the servicing garage and Fiat UK and requested to answer a numer of questions as to how satisfied I was with the work. And about time,too.
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Talking to my local Fiat dealer last saturday, he told me from Jan 1 2008 all Bravos and 500s come with a 5 year warranty. No news on other models as of yet
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Yes I was told this aswell, however, the Doblo is not available with a warranty extension according to my dealer - I have no idea where HJ got this info, but its definately out of date now - the Mastercare warranty is according to my dealer, simply an extension of the 3rd year dealer warranty and not to manufacturer level - its very disappointing as it would have sealed the deal for me if it had been available. They simply wont sell an extension at all at manufacturer level.
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Some dealer warranties are quite good. I had one on my first Alfa because it was a personal import. I covered anything that was needed.
Do any manufacturers actaully offer more than 3 years Manufacturer backed warranty or are they all topped up with dealer warranties?
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We've got a couple of these at work as delivery vans and i just don't get on with them. the pedals have a funny offset and my left knee bangs on the gear stick surround. i can't believe you think they are quiet as it sounds like your doing about 50, look down and its actually 25. handling is not great but at the end of the day it's a van. Not sure if the car versions get a better stereo but the one in ours is dreadful for both sound quality and also usability.
Personally if i was looking for a similar vehicle i'd go for the berlingo/partner.
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Ive only driven the 1.3 diesel van but a long while ago when they first launched them, I drove a JTD 1.9 which was far noisier. I didnt notice any real noise although obviously the soundproofing from wind noise is not as good on vans so you hear the wind alot more, but its not excessive. What engine is in your work vans?
I must admit I havent sampled the stereo's as yet but I will check it out as its not something id normally bother with! I had no problems with the seat position/pedals but Im quite short as is my misses so maybe our short legs dont get affected in same way as a taller persons may do.
Handling is perfectly acceptable for normal use - Im not buying it for track days :-) although maybe TG will have a go at it, stranger things have happened :0)
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We've got a couple of 1.3 diesels and also a 1.9 diesel, the noise is from the engine as they are mainly used for round town deliveries. I'm not exactly tall myself (5'10) and have stumpy legs but because the pedals are offset my left knee bangs on the gearshift. The pedals feel to me as if they are too far to the left as there is a gap at the right side of the accelerator which feels more like place it should be in. The radio is probably me being picky but the sound quality is dreadful and the unit is fiddly to use.
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I would imagine the stereos may be different in the civvy versions.
I honestly didnt find it noisey and it was certainly vibration free, a welcome change from older diesels. I liked the gearbox alot esp the position of the shift as its just where you expect it to be. I also loved the visability compared to a normal car - seeing over the hedge doesnt sound like much but on narrow lanes or when your sitting in traffic, its nice to be able to see a bit further.
Anyone bought one and can advise on what the dealer margins are, so I know how much they can give away?
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My bet is that in a few more posts you will say it has to be Japanese ;) ;)
But until then..........
(Try fiat super saver, then get the dealer to match or better it)
www.fiatsupasaver.com/default.aspx
Regards ;)
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Definately not japanese, but it is what I often think - Fiat at their best doing small or basic cars rather than larger more complex ones which they never seem to get right.
Thanks for the addy, I will check it out.
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Galvanising goes a long way with me, so does an engine thats so easy to service at home. Basically only oil and filters to do.
Seemingly more likely to have `little faults` than some, but you get value back on the low price and servicing costs.
Just look at how much you have to pay for a same size Japanese model. Chances are that`s on a cambelt and needs fancy tappet adjustment that should have been dropped from engine design 20 years ago.
IMHO you just need to be happy with dealer back up ;)
Regarding warranties, there`s no escape from that. At least its a full 2 years manufacturers warranty as contrasted with GM`s 1 year.
Longer warranties are not the way to go I think, they get the money back in other ways.
regards
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The way I look at warranty cover is simple - a car maker will only put a long warranty on a car if they dont expect it to cost them much, ie wont go wrong - conversely, one that will only warrant it for a short time clearly thinks it would cost more than its worth to warrant it for longer ie the cost is taken up by the buyer, ie me.
Its this lack of confidence in a product that always makes me wary as they know it better than anyone.
If a car is reliable and durable, surely its unlikely to go wrong, so why not guarantee it?
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"If a car is reliable and durable, surely its unlikely to go wrong, so why not guarantee it?"
Because the cost of the warranty would have to go on the purchase price or be recouped in higher servicing costs. And there`s no such thing as a "reliable durable car thats unlikely to go wrong".
There might be in ideal circumstances but once the public gets it, puts cooking oil and petrol into the diesel, chips it, fails to check the oil until the pressure light comes on,hangs it on the clutch in a multi story and wondering why there`s smoke and burn out.
They still have to pay out for investigations and recently even some of the perceived `quality` Japanese and German cars have had warranty problems.
Well you could write an essay here but if a warranty is really crucial, it might just be better to buy a cheaper car and put the remainder in the bank.
I`m not keen on relying on warranties (some history here;(
Can`t have your cake and eat it ;) Fiats are cheap to buy... and service, for me thats enough.
Regards
Edited by oilrag on 20/01/2008 at 19:18
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Hyundai offer a 5 year warranty, UL mileage, but their cars rarely go wrong, still they arent expensive at all, so whats going on there then?
Hyundai clearly believe it is economically viable to offer such a long warranty and given that my mums Hyundai at 31k is behaving impeccably, it would seem to make alot of sense - the cost of a warranty is only administration so long as the car is properly made and it gives the consumer confidence and the feeling of a safety net, rather than being hung out to dry on niggling faults which seem sto be a common practice by certain makers these days, even with their own design faults.
The Doblo seems to be fairly solid though aside from early gearbox problems, so Im hoping that even tho its not covered for that long, I shouldnt need a warranty.
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