Thinking of replacing Croma with a Bravo... questions

I have a Croma that's now 2 years old and have had a lot of issues with it. In the next few months I'll need to spend quite a bit to replace brake discs, tyres and a service (and no doubt others that will crop up). It's an expensive car to run and maintain.

So, I'm thinking of the Bravo over the next several months but have some questions that hopefully you guys can help with (please). I know an estate version is due, but no dates etc as yet. I don't really want to fork out on the work and keep the car longer after the problems that I've had.

1) Obvious difference is the size - Bravo a good bit smaller. What's the boot space like? (It's 100 litres smaller). Can 3 suitcases get in the back ok? Leg room ok at the back?

2) Fuel consumption - on my Croma I get about 450 miles to a full tank (1.9 jtd). Never over 40mpg. What's the Bravo like? I'm hoping it will be better.

3) I assume it's cheaper to insure (the sport version?).

4) How does it handle the road? The Croma is more of a motorway car, but is ok on other roads. Acceleration isn't great.

5) Wing mirrors - heated and electronically fold?

6) Croma has heated seats and heated screen wash - I don't see that on the Bravo?

7) Sounds daft - where does the key go? On the Croma it's in the middle just below the gearstick i.e. not by the steering wheel. Is the key like a Croma key i.e. a block of plastic as opposed to a metal key?

8) Cost to replace tyres? Croma = expensive > £140

9) Can you get satnav as an extra?

10) Blue and me - any good or a gimmick?

11) Stereo any good? Croma's is a little disappointing i.e. nothing special.

12) Is there a refidgeration compartment?

13) What's the dash like on the sport version? I'm sure I read it was sexier than the norm.

14) Bottom line - is it a good car to drive? Comfortable/handle the road well?


I'll no doubt add to this as I think of more. Any comments appreciated.

Hi,

1. The boot size is about the best in class. Bravo is not regarded as having very good rear legroom. All reviews point out the rear legroom is a bit tight, but I have sit in the back and for me its more than enough.

2. If you opt for the new 1.6 105 (Eco pack optional) or 120bhp diesels then you can get up to 57-62mpg (62 with eco pack).

4. I drove the Sport versions both 150bhp diesel and 150bhp petrol and the ride is great ! I think only the petrol version has firm sport suspension but I like the way it handles alot.

7. The key is a plastic block and goes behind the wheel.

8. It depends what rims you opt for. 18'" tyres are very expensive, 16" are affordable but I would go for 17" for aestethical reasons.

9. Yes.

10. I think its good (but I didn't opt for eat on my order).

11. You can optionally get the uprated stereo with subwoofer in the trunk which sounds great

12. Yes, there is an air-conditioned compartment in the center armrest (make sure you opt for the arm rest).

13. On of the best in class The dash feels like in a more expensive car, chromed dials and solid materials. Very nice. And the dash design is great.

14. I liked the 150 Sport petrol the best. Very nice to drive, great engine and engine sound, great power, great gearbox, suspension is good, road noise is minimal.

Of course you will test drive it, right ?

Thanks for the info. Test drive - absolutely.

Re number 10 - what does that mean: eat on my order?!

he meant "it" not "eat"....

Aha!

Since we have both in the family I think I'm uniquely positioned to comment!

For the purpose of this I will be comparing 1.9 150 multijet croma eleganza against 1.9 150 multijet bravo Sport.

1) Obvious difference is the size - Bravo a good bit smaller. What's the boot space like? (It's 100 litres smaller). Can 3 suitcases get in the back ok? Leg room ok at the back?

Leg room in the back of the Bravo is much reduced compared to the Croma. Only issue we have though is with child seats where the kids legs stick out, until his knees reach the edge of the seat he'll have to stay in the middle. Other car seats might not be as effected.

2) Fuel consumption - on my Croma I get about 450 miles to a full tank (1.9 jtd). Never over 40mpg. What's the Bravo like? I'm hoping it will be better.

Bravo about 5-8mpg better for real-world figures driven quite hard.

3) I assume it's cheaper to insure (the sport version?).

You never know, some may insure it cheaper as it's a cheaper car, some may say it's higher performance so costs more. Only way to tell is to get a quote.

4) How does it handle the road? The Croma is more of a motorway car, but is ok on other roads. Acceleration isn't great.

Bravo is a lot of fun on B roads. The 17s are a bit grippier than 18s with the flex in the tyre. Acceleration is damn good. Where the Croma is happy sitting at speed the Bravo needs to be 'calmed down' sometimes - or maybe that's just my right foot?

5) Wing mirrors - heated and electronically fold?

Mine are heated only.

6) Croma has heated seats and heated screen wash - I don't see that on the Bravo?

May be available as a winter pack - best ask a good dealer. Unless you're getting the leather it shouldn't be a problem on the seats. Keep the screen wash as a good concentration to avoid it freezing.

7) Sounds daft - where does the key go? On the Croma it's in the middle just below the gearstick i.e. not by the steering wheel. Is the key like a Croma key i.e. a block of plastic as opposed to a metal key?

It's a proper flick out key which goes in the usual place. No funky Saab-esk keys here. (p.s. you know there is a metal key inside that lump of plastic?)

8) Cost to replace tyres? Croma = expensive > £140

That a pair or for one? Paid £200 for a pair of Eagle F1s (225/45/R17) Croma tyres should cost similar.

9) Can you get satnav as an extra?

Not as standard in the UK, but there is the option for a aftermarket unit - tests are on-going if a navman can be retro-fitted.

10) Blue and me - any good or a gimmick?

Brilliant if you have a compatable phone.

11) Stereo any good? Croma's is a little disappointing i.e. nothing special.

It's nothing special but good enough.

12) Is there a refidgeration compartment?

On the dynamic yes and you 'could' retrofit a sport to have a chiller section between the seats. Don't expect to fit in as much as the croma though!

13) What's the dash like on the sport version? I'm sure I read it was sexier than the norm.



14) Bottom line - is it a good car to drive? Comfortable/handle the road well?

It's not as comfy on a super long run as the Croma, but I've done nearly 18,000 miles and several long (4 hours+) journeys and no comfort issues.

Thanks for you comments - very useful.

Another question - there is a USB port in the car. Is it possible to connect a data stick with MP3s on to play in the stereo (assuming you have an MP3 player)? i.e. no need for a CD stack?

I know you can connect an iPOD.

Yes this is part of Blue&Me which is standard on the sport I believe.

Im just back from a 3200 mile round trip to Italy, averaged 49mpg (fully loaded with stereotypical Italian stuff, wine, Moretti, olive oil from the garden and pasta at 80 ish), (Its a 150BHP Mulijet Sport), comfort spot on, overall a great car

Boot space is similar. I could do a couple of photos I guess so you could compare.

I test drove a 1.9 JTD Sport at the weekend and looked at the Dynamic.

Quite impressed - handles the road well and has good acceleration. Obviously smaller than the Croma but didn't feel a problem. It will be smaller for the rest of the family, but they'd get used to it!

Boot space isn't great, but looks reasonable.

Undecided on Sport vs Dynamic. Sport looks better with the trimmings, but I'd miss the climate control (ok, can pay for it) and the front arm rest/refridgeration in particular. The engine and performance I'm told, is the same for both.

Or, you could take a look at the Kia/Hyundai versions, which have great chain cam 1.6 Diesels and a very comfortable seating position in the front and really generous space in the back. I was impressed.
Not quite as stylish perhaps, but they are selling well because they are well built, comfortable and a good drive. Worth a look.
In the future economy will be everything; so I'd recommend you to look carefully at this. Buy a car that drinks too much and see its value drop through the floor.

A 1.9 multijet Bravo isn't exactly a thirsty car. The Ceed looks like a slightly modified Stilo, but with super bland interior.

If the refrigerated centre console is important you can retro-fit it on a Sport.