General Fiat Idea...Opinions on my *ahem* idea?? (And not on my damned pun!!!!)

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General Fiat Idea...Opinions on my *ahem* idea?? (And not on my damned pun!!!!)

Joined
Nov 8, 2007
Messages
597
Points
125
Location
Caerphilly, S. Wales
I've been considering getting a used fiat idea as a replacement for my punto. I'm after something a bit more suitable for long distances (I.e. the top of yorkshire to the outskirts of cardiff) with a lot of luggage. I'm a squaddie, so I always take a lot of my kit back with me so I can get it all cleaned and ready etc for when I go back or if I need to pack it for an exercise etc and want to go home for some r&r etc. (read beer, birds etc (y)) The punto is just too small to be able to effectively hide the kit, and I've had instances where people have seen it and thought "OOOH!! I want that..I'll take that!! :devil:" etc. (n) Basically, I'm after a bigger boot :p


And I've noticed one little detail that bothers me, the dash has all the instruments in the middle??!?!? why the heck would I the driver want the passengers to see what revs, speed etc I'm at?!??! Is there any way of squaring that away? or will I just have to live with it??

Cheers lads!! :)
 
DOH! just noticed the forum.....:ROFLMAO:

I thought about those, but I dislike the stilo intensely (everything is far far too light) and the croma is just too mahoosive(tm) for me at the moment.#

Plus my dads got the croma....*blood boils*
 
I put up with an Idea [2004]for nearly four years, and was permantly breaking the speed limit due to the speedo being in front of the passenger!! Was never stopped fortunately. Also there is a dreadful blind spot caused by the front pillars,turning righ and left and especially a right hand curve can be a disaster! The cooling fan packed up two years ago which necessitated a new cylinder head [or whatever happens to the head gasket] and it later transpirred that the rad was cracked and needed replacing. I live in Ireland and as anyone from here will tell you we pay through the nose for anything car related. A Fiat trained mechanic told me this problem which is so commonhey used to keep a spare tempory head to use in this situation. Anyway, took out a loan to pay for all of this and now,blow me down but it happened again, two years later, exact same thing, fan packing up-cylinder head etc etc, got a good scrappage deal on a new Nissan - goodbye Fiat.:bang:
 
I got my missus an Idea a couple of months ago after she wrote off her C3. Its the 1.3 JTD. Its suprisingly roomy inside, not unlike a Vaux Mariva, and its quick and very economical. There are some foibles, as always - the front view obstruction that fourcats mentions, and the radio that looses its volume settings. In fact the sound from the cd/radio is pretty poor, and how to change the settings on the dash for radio, clock etc is a bit of a mystery. However, the button on the right (indicator switch) which changes from average mph, mpg, journey length/time etc is handy.

I have problems with the engine sensors, or at least identifying a faulty one (see other thread). Overall the Idea is a good car to get (at least the 1.3 diesel).
 
I had a 2005 Idea that I bought new. It was a 1.9 Emotion.It had a lot going for it but there were also some issues. The outside mirrors were too small. The steering and suspension sometimes left a lot to be desired. The engine was it's best point by far, at least until the road got twisty. The internal space was great and so was the flexibility. You may find the panel between the steering wheel and driver's door the place to make the adjustments that someone was talking about. I had four problems with mine. First, the handbrake cable was misrouted and caught on the left rear suspension in sharp turns. The Water pump failed at about 60K miles. The EGR valve often caused loss of power. Finally, there was a problem with the steering column in that it became loose and noisy. I do 30 to 35 K miles a year and I had her nearly three years.
 
hi there just saw this thread, i have a fiat idea 1.3 diesel, i agree witht he blind spots they are terrible, also how does everyone find the way the car corners, i am having terrible problems going around bends particulary right hand one the car gives a little skid even, tracking tyres and all the underneath of the car has been checked
 
hi there just saw this thread, i have a fiat idea 1.3 diesel, i agree witht he blind spots they are terrible, also how does everyone find the way the car corners, i am having terrible problems going around bends particulary right hand one the car gives a little skid even, tracking tyres and all the underneath of the car has been checked

check for broken springs
 
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