Hi all

Thinking of splashing out on one and wondered if they are cheap for a reason, other than that most UK people don't like big FIATs of course!

Any pitfalls or specs to avoid or to go for?

How do they stack up as family transport? Storage spaces good?

Which engine? Presumably the 1.9 JTD 150bhp?

Are all Prestigios automatics? Is that well suited to the engine?

They do seem excellent value for money

I've had a manual g/box (6 speed) Prestigio 1.9 JTD 150bhp with most of the options for a year now. Bought it at 59k miles and now at 68k. No significant problems (not like those mentioned on other threads) and I average 41mpg. Passengers really appreciate the space both front & rear and I like the flexibility to carry really long loads - has the folding front seatback option. Passed its first MOT OK with no probs.

My only complaint is that as it runs on low profile 18" wheels the ride can be harsh at times. Not the quiet smooth ride I was expecting.

Only other observation is that the sat nav map image is crude compared to TomTom or Mercedes and is slow to enter a new destination.

Would I buy again - probably not because of the ride quality.

Cheers, just the kind of useful owners info i was hoping for!

Eleganza 150 on 17s... no complaints about the ride. Only issue is EGR valve which seized open due to soot. Stripped down and cleaned out and apparently running fine now.

For the price though you get a huge amount of car for your money.

Appart from the "tracking issue" mine at 25K miles and a little over two years old just doing fine. Only failure I have had is the fuel filler flap catch spring assembly.

Considering I have just sold mine after 3 years of ownership, I liked it. Go for a 16v DIESEL or better with minimum of Eleganza spec. Make sure all the recalls have been done. I listed a post of all of these to date at the time.

Had mine a few weeks now, took my time to find the right one, i was prepared to travel.

3 issues I have, that my research has shown up to be common.

loud humming untill it gets warmed up, I have read that this might be a vibrating fuel pipe that is made of some strange material that can be replaced cheaply.

Geometry needs to be checked, as they either come from the factory wrong or they do go out of alignment over time.

I have had instances of loss of acceleration, you put your foot down to move off and the car just crawls along until about 2k rpm. then off you go. I believe this is down to a clogged EGR valve, that can either be cleaned or replaced.

A selection of pictures and wall papers..
http://www.netcarshow.com/fiat/2005-croma/

Number of reviews I have found:
Although some reviewers don't get what the car is about and compare it against an odd selection. It is a different car that deserves a look, some of the colour and trim combinations are an acquired taste so be put off by one because of this.

http://motortorque.askaprice.com/reviews/auto-0508/2005-fiat-croma.asp

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/road-tests/road-test-fiat-croma-504741.html

http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/car-reviews/car-and-driving/fiat-croma-1.9jtd-range-1004820.html

http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/RoadTestsHistory/Fiat-Croma-1.9-Multijet-150-eleganza/217489/

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=184

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=1042

Fiat have also released a face lifted model on the continent that can be purchased new from Fiat.
http://www.eurocarblog.com/post/543/new-fiat-croma

Cheers guys

Will start to have a look round when I get the opportunity

Moneyfool said:

My only complaint is that as it runs on low profile 18" wheels the ride can be harsh at times. Not the quiet smooth ride I was expecting.

Click to expand...

I got a set of 17's, virtually new from a 159, with 225-50-17 Michelin Primacy HP 's total cost £300, I have seen them cheaper. A softer ride, little more roll (not bad though) and all round improvement. The tyres alone would have been about £700. When people upgrade 159 wheels there is almost no market for the originals, they are also on the Vectra bolt and centre size. But what to do with the 18's?

keithglos said:

I got a set of 17's, virtually new from a 159, with 225-50-17 Michelin Primacy HP 's total cost £300, I have seen them cheaper. A softer ride, little more roll (not bad though) and all round improvement. The tyres alone would have been about £700. When people upgrade 159 wheels there is almost no market for the originals, they are also on the Vectra bolt and centre size. But what to do with the 18's?

Click to expand...

As mine had done 59k when purchased I wondered if the suspension was worn but your post seems to confirm it is the rim/tyre size that is the cause. Might try to locate a set of 17's as it only the ride that lets the car down.

I've had my 2.4JTD just over a year now and done 22,000 miles, in that time I've had the 18" wheels the car came with, the 16" ones I replaced them with, and now a set of 17" ones from an Alfa Brera. I can confirm Keith's opinion that 17" wheels suit the car a lot better, don't go for 16" jobs though as they really don't suit it! Wheels from a 2003 onwards Saab 9-3 will also fit in addition to the Vectra C and Signum.

It's a shame really as I think the car looks a lot nicer on 18" wheels but my journey to work involves some rough roads and the ride's that little bit too harsh with them on. HTH.

keithglos said:

But what to do with the 18's?

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Keith; what are you after for your 18s, why not put them on the classifieds?

DoIDon'tI said:

I've had my 2.4JTD just over a year now and done 22,000 miles, in that time I've had the 18" wheels the car came with, the 16" ones I replaced them with, and now a set of 17" ones from an Alfa Brera. I can confirm Keith's opinion that 17" wheels suit the car a lot better, don't go for 16" jobs though as they really don't suit it! Wheels from a 2003 onwards Saab 9-3 will also fit in addition to the Vectra C and Signum.

Click to expand...

DIDI - did you fit the standard 215-50-17 or the slightly larger 225-50-17s. Also, besides ebay any other recommended online sources? Thanks

Now this is where it gets interesting...according to the tyre calculator here the 225/50 x 17 tyres are closer to the original 225/45 x 18 ones in circumference than the 215/50 x 17 tyres that Fiat fitted as standard to Cromas with 17" wheels! 225/50 tyres also have a slightly higher sidewall than 215/50 tyres so the ride will be (very) slightly better.

I know they're not a recommended fit so some insurance companies may have objections but I'm happier having the correct width tyres for my 2.4 as it struggled to get away sharply with the 215/55 x 16 tyres on.

Thankfully my Brera wheels came with 225/50 Michelins so I'm content to leave them on. I got both my sets from Ebay but I've been told by an A**i driving colleague who changes his wheels every time the tyres wear out that Rochford Tyres are quite reasonably priced. HTH.

As an afterthought, it might be worth keeping an eye on www.vectra-c.com or www.alfaowner.com to see what comes up in their 'parts for sale' sections. HTH.

Got my 17's on ebay, genuine delivery mileage only, and have seen others, they just don't know what to do with them. These are original equipment on 159s which are changed to something worse (18 or 19) when new. I can't see why they are not bought just for the tyres, and throw the wheels away. The Michelins are much more flexible the Bridgestone Potenzas, and run much cooler. I think AO would have them priced higher. Our wheels are pcd 5 x 110, and the centre is 65mm (might be 65.1mm) A few 159s are 67mm centres.

With all this looking at tyres I happened to notice that one of my rears was nearly down to the wear bars. Had it replaced this morning and already there is a difference in the ride quality even though it is still on the 18" 45 profile Bridgestones! Amazing what an additional 8mm of rubber can do at one corner. Going down to the 17" 50 profile should just about sort it.

Hi, Hope I am not too late.
We have had our Croma 1.9 16v mjet (Prestigio) since 2006 and had a few issues. Mileage is 32k now.
Tracking issues
New Tyres about every 8k on front, about 12k on rear
New brake servo, (brakes did not release fully)
New front discs and pads at 28k
Had sunroof problem since car was 11 months old, been in & out of dealer since and still waiting for dealer & Fiat to sort out. Requires complete unit replacing. Now it is out of warranty, dealer says, 'waiting for goodwill of Fiat' to see if it will be replaced under what was the warranty!
Just replaced fuel filler flap lock that has just fallen to pieces!
Apart from that it is a great car, (I sound like an Alfa owner now).
Good luck

PS: Has the 18" wheels fitted from new!

Never too late for any Croma info.

FYI front tyre wear is well out of order. I think most people are getting about 24K miles from the front tyres.

Rear wear is a known problem. Your dealer should have contacted you re: getting the rear tyre wear at least looked at, if not sorted.

Brake servo - I think this is a new report

Disks / pads - others have reported

Sunroof - others have reported

Fuel filler flap lock - others have reported