Fiat Multipla

[Sweeney]

Hi all,

 

Was wondering if forummers have any opinion on the Fiat Multipla. It will be in only in June but I have been fascinated by it since its launch in mid-90s.

 

Not sure how much TTS will price it but I love its funkiness (esp the Frog-eyes version) and cleverness in design.

 

Have done some research and found that it is prone to clutch burnout and its difficult to replace. In our SG context, that's worrisome as there are jams just about everywhere now.

 

Any thoughts?

Edited May 12, 2005 by Sweeney

[Fluffy]

the love it or hate it frog eyes version is no more, what you have is the dull, run-of-the-mill fiat corporate face now. The frog face didn't go well with the public and the car sold in disappointing numbers. But at least, there were those who bought the car and loved the looks, for no other car looked so uniquely cute. But the new corporate Fiat face has no such charm......

 

although the 2 row, 6 seat concept was innovative when launched, Honda Edix which is also sold in singapore by PIs are an improvement over the 2Row/6 seat MPV concept.

 

The Honda Edix comes in 1.7 Vtec and 2.0 i-Vtec versions.

 

http://www.sgcarmart.com/new_cars/Honda_Edix.php

Edited May 12, 2005 by Fluffy

[Felipe]

not sure about clutch burnout. thought the gears are dualogic rather than standard manual? if its manual, shudn't be that hard to replace rite?

[Sweeney]

Info was gotten from the UK Multipla owner's website. I guess it has something to do with the location of the clutch assembly which makes it troublesome to replace. Here's the website. http://www.multiplaowners.co.uk/

 

By the way, how much should the Multipla be priced to make it attractive to you?

[King]

clutch burn out?

i think it shared the same clutch as the alfa romeo,

can be easily replace, alof of OEM part available

[Sweeney]

Thanks Fluffy... interesting link... hmm... will do research already.

[Vit4wd]

Major concern of Fiat cars is the aftermarket support and availability and price of spare parts.

 

Fiat seems headed in the direction of Seat and Rover.

[Normal_aspirated]

if Fiat moves away from proprietory parts like before, and get parts from the world supplies like the others................why not?

I hv seen the Panda, Punto and MPV, the engine compartments now look like the japs, parts look alike japs car uses.....hopefully.

[Acemundo]

hehe....actually after testing the car, i think fiat deserves to stay in sg for good.

[Normal_aspirated]

yup, Italian cars are different.........has character and italian charm.

[Sweeney]

Character and Charm- definitely!

 

Design and Drool factor-

 

Reliability and Reputation- not yet anyway.

 

Plastics on Punto and Panda very hard- the kind that leaves scratch marks easily, which I saw on the test Punto. Electronics and mechanical bits- very clever. But whole thing put together seems to lack finesse of Japanese. Even ang-moh owners admitted that it is typically 'Italian' in QC!

 

So I guess buying Fiat is for design cleverness and wow factor. Other factors- forget it!

[Fluffy]

SEAT?

 

even now when there is no AD, the support for Seat is pretty good, can check out the various VAG workshops, parts and aftermarket also widely available and pretty decent price. No truth in the "expensive spare parts" or "limited support" rubbish.

 

Seat was sold by Barcelona Motors, part of the Comfort Group. After the Del-grow merged with Comfort, they decided not to sell vehicles...that included the Perodua marque too.

 

fyi.

[Acemundo]

frankly speaking, i used to be the ignorant pple who thought that fiat is junk, keke.....until having read in this forum and test driven it

[Normal_aspirated]

Reliability and Reputation- not yet anyway.

......must know how to pamper the italian "wife" by sending her to the doc even with a small "flu".........

[Sweeney]

Went to see Multipla recently. Not as big as I imagine, but surprisingly well built and solid feeling. Seems like the Italians are slowwwly coming up to scratch in this area.

 

Handbrake is on right side of chair next to the door. That's interesting place to put it. Kena poked by it a few times coming in and out. Front window is raked quite steeply, so tall boys/ girls be prepared to have less than expected headroom. Rear tailgate is surprisingluy light for its size. Humungous car though... TTS should sell it with a chair/ stool/ ladder thrown in FOC. No way anyone gonna reach the middile of that roof!

 

Haven't test driven it yet though, saw it only at the opening on Friday night. Will do so asap and post a followup.