(G) Thinking of replacing Croma with a Bravo... questions

Agreed. The Bravo is certainly better looking.
My gripes with it are a very compromised driving position and control layout - for me (the Cee'd's seat is set higher, which I prefer, is more supportive, and the ergonomics are perfect). The back seat of the Bravo is also too small for grown ups. However, if the Bravo fits your frame, and you don't carry big people in the back - it is a brilliant car. I always think how smart it looks when I see one. If I was buying though I would have to think very hard indeed, and test drive the competition.

Back to the dealer I assume to fit. Any idea of cost?

I'm only 5'7 and I have the seat on the lowest setting, the wheel, pedals and gears are all perfect for me.. I feel like I'm sitting on it rather than in it if I wind the seat upto it's highest setting. Perhaps it just takes some adjusting to get it right?

I can imagine if I was moving around 6foot+ people in the back then there could be an issue but had no problems so far with rear-seat passengers.

Could DIY it although you'll have to visit them for parts.. There is a thread on here about doing it - does question wether it's worth it for the size of the cooler.

I'm 6'00" and long in the leg. I also like to sit high in a car - on it you might say. When I raise the seat in the Bravo to reach my optimum eye level there is no support at all under my thighs. The front of the seat just drops away as the rear rises. This makes for a very uncomfortable seat. If I had shorter legs I dare say the seat would be closer to the pedals and therefore more comfortable. Many Italian cars (Fiats +) are still configured like this which leads me to believe that the Italians must tend to have longer torsos relative to legs than north Europeans. I also wish I could have the wheel a bit closer to my chest, without pushing the seat forwards and further compromising my legs and backside - I find myself tending to lean forwards which is bad posture.

I also find the lack of clutch space (size 11 shoe) and a footrest further compromise the comfort.

So, for me, the Bravo is just not a comfy car.

Strangely enough the Japanese and Koreans, not known for their great height, manage to make cars that fit a very wide range of body types comfortably.

Did you pull the steering towards you? Wheel has tilt and rake.

Arm-rest retro-fit..

http://www.fiatforum.com/bravo/12279...-retrofit.html

It seems like you don't like your Bravo, Did you not test drive it to check for all them situations, before you bought it ?

I haven't got a Bravo.

I would never buy a car I couldn't get comfortable in.
I was responding to Swebb ( I think) who is investigating the possibility of changing a Croma for a Bravo. I was just pointing out the inadequacies of the Bravo as I find them. I have in fact met people who have actually bought cars and only later discovered that they can't get comfortable in them - so this is a point worth mentioning I reckon.

Oh, by the way Hellcat, it doesn't matter what I do with the steering wheel: for me the Bravo can never be a comfortable drive. Paradoxically, I could find a comfortable position in the Croma, and in my Doblo. The 500 and Panda are fine too.

I read that the new Lancia Delta has a compromised seating position too. It seems they might have carried over the Bravo pick up points etc. without modifying them. As for an armrest, I drive with my hands on the wheel. I have never used the one in the Doblo.

Horses for courses. There are people who fit the Bravo perfectly and for them it is ideal. If that is the case then by all means get one; just make sure you CAN be comfortable.

Well I'm 5'11" and the Bravo is probably one of the comfiest cars I have driven! The only cars I can think of that I've found comfier were Audi A8s!

The only thing my car is lacking is a foot rest, but I didnt use it much in my last car, its just handy if its there on long journeys!

There you go then. Horses for courses.
I once thought that, notwithstanding the unsupportive (for me) seat and the lack of clutch foot space, I had managed to get comfy with the wheel pulled slightly towards my chest so that I could sit squarely back against the seat; yo-ho I thought, done it; then I reached for the gearlever and had to lean forwards to put it in first. Slide the seat forwards again - and back to square one. Nearly: very nearly, but not quite - for me. Pity.

Hmm, interesting comments on comfort. Most reviews of the Bravo comment on it and having read the reviews before the test drive, I can honestly say I couldn't get comfy on my test drive - not uncomfortable, but it just didn't feel as nice as my old mondeo. Plenty of fiddling with the seat and steering wheel and nearly 6000 miles later, I now can't get comfy in the old mondeo (my missus has it now) and the bravo fits like a glove (and I'm 6ft2).

I do wonder how much the 'lack of comfort' is actually unfamiliarity with the car, with the comments in the motoring press helping testers form the view the car is uncomfortable?

There isn't much space in the back, I will agree, but I have found that by adjusting the steering wheel, I can move the seat much closer than I would have thought possible and remain comfortable, thus freeing up a lot of rear legroom. Putting the rear headrests up makes a huge difference as well...

My personal beef is the lack of right knee room in the passenger seat as the dashboard joins the centre console - it would be much better IMO if the dash cut away from the centre console giving the passenger equal knee room left and right!

I quite like that the centre console is wide - from a drivers point of view I can rest my left knee on it as I take tight right-handers

What sort of price have you guys managed to get from your dealer - for the 1.9 multijet Dynamic or the sport?

I will be px'ing my Croma (1.9 JTD Prestigio with extras (over 20k) + 40k).

Should be able to get a standard 150 mj sport for 13 ish - I paid £15k for mine with 2k of options

No comment on how much I paid.. They were new, I was tempted. Enough said.

Croma will go for about £8k so consider private sale if they offer you say under £6.5-7k