General why buy a multipla
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General why buy a multipla
I thought about it long and hard and to be honest it all depends on your circumstances and what you want from it. Generally the 1.9 diesel engine is strong, suspension problems are the main issue.
Obviously the 3 front seats are a bonus but the boot is too small which put me off so I ended up opting for the doblo (same engine) with a massive boot. The multipla is cheaper to buy than the doblo which is another point for the multipla but it's not as versatile. Doblo easily gives me 50-55mpg so would expect multipla to be around the same perhaps 3-5 mpg less. Avoid the 1.6 petrol engine.
Both look pretty ugly but hey you buy these cars for praticality.
Obviously the 3 front seats are a bonus but the boot is too small which put me off so I ended up opting for the doblo (same engine) with a massive boot. The multipla is cheaper to buy than the doblo which is another point for the multipla but it's not as versatile. Doblo easily gives me 50-55mpg so would expect multipla to be around the same perhaps 3-5 mpg less. Avoid the 1.6 petrol engine.
Both look pretty ugly but hey you buy these cars for praticality.
I've had my multipla jtd for over 2 years now, I never get bored with like I have done with previous cars, and I've had plenty of prestige cars, it's very versitile and if you think the boot area is too small, seats can be removed, if you remove 1 seat it makes a good difference to what you can fit in the boot, I drove to italy in september in mine and brought back 4 motorcycles (one on the rack) I took out the 3 rear seats and the front middle seat. I reckon I averaged 47mpg on that trip. Doblos are also great, I'd have one of them, just look haw many are being used as taxis, multiplas are more common as taxis in Italy. It's all a matter of choice, and ignoring people that slag them off, they've obviosly not had the pleasure of one. I also have a mini cooper D which cost nearly 3 times as much as the multipla, not so much value for money but different usage.
I love mine, its my second multi and wouldnt have anthing else.
I had a 1.6sx version and it was so reliable that when I got the chance to buy a newer one I did and bought the 53reg 1.9jtd 115elx version. Both have been fantastic and I was very sad to see my 52reg one go. They both had low miles and drive like a new car. Although I had a Brava about 7 years ago with high miles and from what I remember that drove superbly too. The value you get from a Fiat Multipla is very hard to beat, you get a awful lot of car for your money. Once you own one Im sure you would be a convert. Good luck with your search.
I had a 1.6sx version and it was so reliable that when I got the chance to buy a newer one I did and bought the 53reg 1.9jtd 115elx version. Both have been fantastic and I was very sad to see my 52reg one go. They both had low miles and drive like a new car. Although I had a Brava about 7 years ago with high miles and from what I remember that drove superbly too. The value you get from a Fiat Multipla is very hard to beat, you get a awful lot of car for your money. Once you own one Im sure you would be a convert. Good luck with your search.they are worth every penny becouse you wont find any other car with the room inside iv had my work mates in side all five and each are big guys and the copers looked funny at us lol but there very good for the children if you buy like a seven steater like this one
well as you can see the above car is a seven seater many people doesnt know that the fiat multipla air bag passenger side protects the middle. allso the boot you think it isnt big but they are i can get in my boot a three wheeled buggy and 6 bags of shoping and a welding mask a bottle of warter and a subwoofer and the shoping is perfectly safe.
if you buy a multipla you wont be disapointed by the mpg for what you are getting and the space is omg. allso the places where you can put bits and bobs is unreal the only thing is lacking in this car is a cup holder for the driver when the middle seat carnt be put down other wise its the best car for you and your family if you got one
and the shoping is perfectly safe.if you buy a multipla you wont be disapointed by the mpg for what you are getting and the space is omg
. allso the places where you can put bits and bobs is unreal the only thing is lacking in this car is a cup holder for the driver when the middle seat carnt be put down other wise its the best car for you and your family if you got one
Moriarty the mundane
New member
nobody with a petrol version ?
Zundapp
Member
You're right T about the boot. Another 12" longer would make a big improvement!
larkim
Established member
Seconded about the boot. Why oh why didn't they make an "estate" Multi. Just a foot or so extra on the back would have made for a massive space without making for a super-long vehicle.
We've got 4 kids so needed the seats. 7 seaters were too pricey and didn't give much of an advantage on boot space when both of the rear seats were in place. The only compromise for us is the boot, which is smaller than the old style Xsara Picasso that we had before. Our solution; a roof box or a trailer for when we go on holiday, which in truth is the only time when we need significantly more boot space.
Agreed about the practicality though - with the three rear seats removed is cavernous!
Trim quality is generally poor-ish though, but that doesn't bother me too much. We've had no mechanical problems so far (touch wood!).
Matt
We've got 4 kids so needed the seats. 7 seaters were too pricey and didn't give much of an advantage on boot space when both of the rear seats were in place. The only compromise for us is the boot, which is smaller than the old style Xsara Picasso that we had before. Our solution; a roof box or a trailer for when we go on holiday, which in truth is the only time when we need significantly more boot space.
Agreed about the practicality though - with the three rear seats removed is cavernous!
Trim quality is generally poor-ish though, but that doesn't bother me too much. We've had no mechanical problems so far (touch wood!).
Matt
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If you like them buy one! Get 1 with a full MOT so suspension , brakes etc are good. Check all the electrics as normal for any other type of car.
I'm on my 2nd multi and touch wood they have both been great. Both JTDs , have achieved minimum of 40mpg at all times.
I have driven zafiras, galaxys, espaces etc etc over the years and they all have their own strengths and weaknesses but none stand out as better than the multi to me, in fact i think you could do a lot lot worse for more money.
6 proper seats and a boot is a lot more than most of the other manufacturers can offer. Yes its not the biggest boot in the world but it is big enough for most day to day stuff whilst still retaining the full compliment of seats.
I sold a more powerful , better handling, bigger vehicle to buy my 1st multi and i dont regret it cos it was ace and so is the new one
I'm on my 2nd multi and touch wood they have both been great. Both JTDs , have achieved minimum of 40mpg at all times.
I have driven zafiras, galaxys, espaces etc etc over the years and they all have their own strengths and weaknesses but none stand out as better than the multi to me, in fact i think you could do a lot lot worse for more money.
6 proper seats and a boot is a lot more than most of the other manufacturers can offer. Yes its not the biggest boot in the world but it is big enough for most day to day stuff whilst still retaining the full compliment of seats.
I sold a more powerful , better handling, bigger vehicle to buy my 1st multi and i dont regret it cos it was ace and so is the new one
Moriarty the mundane
New member
At the UBB we get very few petrol Multis...diesel seems to be the way, for economy I would suspect. However, they should not be disregarded as the engines are generally reliable, they suffer less with problems than the diesels but on the downside they are "revvier" on motorways and mid twenties for fuel consumption compared to high thirties low fourties for diesels! BUT!! They do come cheaper!!
I agree both my petrol and my diesel multipla have been superb. The petrol wasnt as economical as the diesel is but no worse than the 1.4 petrol scienic I had previously. Sometimes though on motorways when driving the petrol it felt like it could of done with a sixth gear at 65ish upwards. Saying that if the right car came along I would consider a petrol or diesel, it depends what type of miles you do and what suits your family really. I have four children, 2 of which are in car seats and we have lots of room inside the car, as for the boot I manage to get my buggy and a large weekly shop in it without any problems.
bet many a woman has thought that
I disagree, if you need the seats then you will probably have kids...probably 3 or 4 of them hence toys/wellies/footballs etc. Add to this water,screenwash,de-icer etc normal car stuff you carry plus with these many kids shopping is often twice weekly then add the babys buggy and the multipla suddenly does not fit its original intended market?
As a taxi the multipla is ok but carrying suitcases is its downful.
I go with Zundapp, those 12" could of made it a MPV bargain world beater.
no surprise really is it, a 1.6 petrol compared to a 1.9 turbo diesel. Changed loads of throttle bodies on the 1.6 petrol.
Hi , I agree with the above yes a petrol does cost more than a diesel to run but my 1.4 scenic I had before my petrol multi seemed to use as much petrol. If fiat had put a sixth gear in the petrol models then maybe they would of been more economical. Having said that with the cost of fuel now even the smallest car isnt that cheap to run anymore. My diesel multis diesel gauge hardly moves! So yes in my opinion the diesels are quite a bit cheaper to run but a multi is a multi if you buy one you will love it regardless.
Dermot
New member
Another view,
I have owned two Multiplas, both bought secondhand; a 2000 1.9JTD (sold on with 160k miles) which last year was changed for a 2006 1.9 multijet eleganza (today 48k miles). Love the Multiplas for all the reasons stated - there is nothing remotely like them for 6 passengers in terms of room, visibility etc and yet they are not a van (sorry doblo owners!). I do a lot of my own maintenance. They can be expensive with replacements of : anti roll bar, drop links, wishbones, trailing arms, crankshaft pulley/alternator belt tensioner and clutch a little earlier than many other cars. Suprisingly my newer one with FSH imported from AYR has needed wishbones and rear shocks recently (I think they must run permanently on salt up there as it was corrosion of the shock eye cauused some problems!) and has now a faulty EGR (closed thankfully).
I am a little disappointed on fuel consumption - high 30s and poorer on the newer 120 hp multijet, but have also learned that roof bars added to a pretty large frontal area (anybody know the CD value?) can cause serious drinking problems at mortorway speeds!
On the boot space? - if the bags are squashy, the space is not too bad with seats in standard position - similar to normal hatchback (450 litres?)but a different shape. Much better than small 7 seaters with seats up! However, if your passengers are kids, fitting the rar seats in the forward position can make a huge difference - even if you only move the outside two rear seats forward. We always do this on hols and it is very practical.
Best of luck with your decision
I have owned two Multiplas, both bought secondhand; a 2000 1.9JTD (sold on with 160k miles) which last year was changed for a 2006 1.9 multijet eleganza (today 48k miles). Love the Multiplas for all the reasons stated - there is nothing remotely like them for 6 passengers in terms of room, visibility etc and yet they are not a van (sorry doblo owners!). I do a lot of my own maintenance. They can be expensive with replacements of : anti roll bar, drop links, wishbones, trailing arms, crankshaft pulley/alternator belt tensioner and clutch a little earlier than many other cars. Suprisingly my newer one with FSH imported from AYR has needed wishbones and rear shocks recently (I think they must run permanently on salt up there as it was corrosion of the shock eye cauused some problems!) and has now a faulty EGR (closed thankfully).
I am a little disappointed on fuel consumption - high 30s and poorer on the newer 120 hp multijet, but have also learned that roof bars added to a pretty large frontal area (anybody know the CD value?) can cause serious drinking problems at mortorway speeds!
On the boot space? - if the bags are squashy, the space is not too bad with seats in standard position - similar to normal hatchback (450 litres?)but a different shape. Much better than small 7 seaters with seats up! However, if your passengers are kids, fitting the rar seats in the forward position can make a huge difference - even if you only move the outside two rear seats forward. We always do this on hols and it is very practical.
Best of luck with your decision
Perhaps if Fiat had put in a 2ltr engine instead of the 1.6, after all she is quite a large lump to move
I have seen instances of people having large engines and going to smaller ones and finding the smaller ones less economical
Despite all the "faults", they are so practical, I'm a member of a darts team and collect 4 fellow players 2 nights per week (Mrs tags along as well) one of the members is "getting on in years" and finds it very easy to get in and out due to the height and no faffing with flip down seats as many 7 seaters do
My advice would be to do some research, something I failed to do, I was originally looking for a Zaffira (can I say Zaffira on here??) did all the costings and checked out the websites but the Multi caught me by surprise, I would have gone for a diesel if I had known then what I know now, however, I still don't regret my decision, best car I've ever had (and I've had a few)
I have seen instances of people having large engines and going to smaller ones and finding the smaller ones less economical
Despite all the "faults", they are so practical, I'm a member of a darts team and collect 4 fellow players 2 nights per week (Mrs tags along as well) one of the members is "getting on in years" and finds it very easy to get in and out due to the height and no faffing with flip down seats as many 7 seaters do
My advice would be to do some research, something I failed to do, I was originally looking for a Zaffira (can I say Zaffira on here??) did all the costings and checked out the websites but the Multi caught me by surprise, I would have gone for a diesel if I had known then what I know now, however, I still don't regret my decision, best car I've ever had (and I've had a few)
we've got a petol multi - had it from brand new and it's 10 years old in May!! Never owned or want to own a diesel anything!
done well over 100k, needed a new gearbox (which can't be good news!!) but the engine is fab still, gets an oil change once a year and that's it. Drives along perfectly fast, have never thought it was a slow car - it's a multipla after all, built for purpose.
We have had 6 up many times, taken it stuffed to the max for camping holiday,s driven it to scotland, south of France and all places inbetween.
Love it, Love it, Love it
done well over 100k, needed a new gearbox (which can't be good news!!) but the engine is fab still, gets an oil change once a year and that's it. Drives along perfectly fast, have never thought it was a slow car - it's a multipla after all, built for purpose.
We have had 6 up many times, taken it stuffed to the max for camping holiday,s driven it to scotland, south of France and all places inbetween.
Love it, Love it, Love it
