they should join a good forum and find out
General Croma needed for magazine photoshoot
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General Croma needed for magazine photoshoot
The biggest problem is the fact that it's a Vectra, so any issues it has also apply, and there are many.
I know where you're coming from Doofer, but it's mainly the ancillaries and platform that are shared with the Vectra. The engine, bodywork, interior and wheels are all unique to Fiat. In fact pretty much everything that you can see is Fiat. It's just the unreliable bits that Fiat have pinched so that we keep going back for more. The 2.4 shares even less!
vectras have the fiat diesel engine
You spotted my deliberate mistake Dave! I didn't mean to include the engine in the unique to Fiat category, just pointing out that the Croma is more Fiat than Vauxhall 
Well perhaps the Fiat bits are more visible (i.e. the bodywork and interior), but it's the GM/Vauxhall parts that spin and wear out.
The 1.9 16v engine is Fiat, and it gives relatively little trouble. It's all the ancillary bits that cause the problems. E.g. whose fault is it that the alternator is stupidly high-powered and tucked away where it's inaccessible and possibly overheats due to lack of ventilation? Similarly, I'm not sure whose fault the EGR and DPF are (besides the EU).
On a 1.9 16v manual at least, anything to do with the suspension, brakes, steering, exhaust, gearbox and even the ventilation (and lots more) is 100% GM.
Besides the engine, gearbox, suspension, steering, exhaust and anything else mechanical it's a wonderful car - buy one!
Seriously, it's no worse than a Vectra C, is much bigger and more practical (and I think better looking), and is usually cheaper. Given that plenty people buy, own and drive Vectras then it's a pretty sensible car to buy.
I don't think it has any particular issues that are in addition to what a Vectra has. If the Vectra has any bodywork/interior issues (which I wouldn't know about), then the Croma obviously doesn't have them.
So it's no worse than a Vectra generally, and possibly more reliable.
The 1.9 16v engine is Fiat, and it gives relatively little trouble. It's all the ancillary bits that cause the problems. E.g. whose fault is it that the alternator is stupidly high-powered and tucked away where it's inaccessible and possibly overheats due to lack of ventilation? Similarly, I'm not sure whose fault the EGR and DPF are (besides the EU).
On a 1.9 16v manual at least, anything to do with the suspension, brakes, steering, exhaust, gearbox and even the ventilation (and lots more) is 100% GM.
Besides the engine, gearbox, suspension, steering, exhaust and anything else mechanical it's a wonderful car - buy one!
Seriously, it's no worse than a Vectra C, is much bigger and more practical (and I think better looking), and is usually cheaper. Given that plenty people buy, own and drive Vectras then it's a pretty sensible car to buy.
I don't think it has any particular issues that are in addition to what a Vectra has. If the Vectra has any bodywork/interior issues (which I wouldn't know about), then the Croma obviously doesn't have them.
So it's no worse than a Vectra generally, and possibly more reliable.
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What is more difficult to understand/quantify is the EXACT MECHANICAL differences between a Croma and the GM Vectra stables.
I am led to believe that the Croma 150bhp 16V engine although Fiat in origin is actually a GM licensed production unit. I gather the Fiat equivalent is made in a different plant and has the oil filter in a more traditional location, and not in the stupid rear block, inaccessible and over drive shaft location that the GM units have.
What is generally more worrying is the global hybridisation of all brands/designs into "stock" parts bin shopping design. Whilst initially for the car manufacturer it looks like a good deal/compromise it leads to "in house" design and technical capability and ultimately a loss of specific brand loyalty.
e.g. GM Vectra C, Saab 9-3, Croma 2005, Alfa 159 etc. Essentially the same car but with a different badge and once one gets a bad reputation all the rest go down hill as well.
For people who love their Fiat, GM, Saab etc. then this hybridisation is really bad news in the long term.
I am led to believe that the Croma 150bhp 16V engine although Fiat in origin is actually a GM licensed production unit. I gather the Fiat equivalent is made in a different plant and has the oil filter in a more traditional location, and not in the stupid rear block, inaccessible and over drive shaft location that the GM units have.
What is generally more worrying is the global hybridisation of all brands/designs into "stock" parts bin shopping design. Whilst initially for the car manufacturer it looks like a good deal/compromise it leads to "in house" design and technical capability and ultimately a loss of specific brand loyalty.
e.g. GM Vectra C, Saab 9-3, Croma 2005, Alfa 159 etc. Essentially the same car but with a different badge and once one gets a bad reputation all the rest go down hill as well.
For people who love their Fiat, GM, Saab etc. then this hybridisation is really bad news in the long term.
It's a concept I'm fairly familiar with, as I previously had two Seat Toledos - basically a cheaper VW Golf Mk4, which also shared its platform with loads of other cars. I did once enjoy telling a proud Audi TT owner that we had the same car. It was also the Skoda Octavia, Audi A3, VW (new) Beetle and VW Bora.
It all supports my belief in having no respect for "brands". They're all a load of rubbish these days. I bought some "Karrimor" hiking shoes for £18. Except that Karrimor went bust years ago, and Sports Direct bought their brand rights and have them pumped out of some far east factory now. They also own Dunlop, Slazenger, Kangol and lots of others. It seems that caring about the logo is a mug's game now.
It all supports my belief in having no respect for "brands". They're all a load of rubbish these days. I bought some "Karrimor" hiking shoes for £18. Except that Karrimor went bust years ago, and Sports Direct bought their brand rights and have them pumped out of some far east factory now. They also own Dunlop, Slazenger, Kangol and lots of others. It seems that caring about the logo is a mug's game now.
The original Croma shared the floor pan with the Saab 9000, Lancia Thema and Alfa 164. Even the glass and the doors were the same (except on the Alfa). Each company used their own engines etc though.
Collaborations have been going on for a very long time, but it seems these days that rather than benefiting from these shared parts, we just seem to get the unreliable bits! Probably because they are churned out in such huge numbers to make even more money.
Collaborations have been going on for a very long time, but it seems these days that rather than benefiting from these shared parts, we just seem to get the unreliable bits! Probably because they are churned out in such huge numbers to make even more money.
fiatcromamk1
New member
I have a completely standard 1986 mk1 fiat croma 2000ie turbo even has the standard steel rims minus the snall centre caps its the turbo blue colour mintish but has no tax or test or I'd have offered to bring it. Who else has a croma and where u from? Arrange a meet?
Something I've always wondered - what's the significance of the 194? I once thought it was BHP, and was looking for the 150 version.
Are all Fiats numbered from 1 upwards? I prefer VW-style Golf Mk1, Golf Mk2 etc.
Are all Fiats numbered from 1 upwards? I prefer VW-style Golf Mk1, Golf Mk2 etc.
the fiat numbers make it more uniform for ordering the right parts, mks are ok but different countries have different mks, like the punto the mk2b in uk is called a mk3 in some countries, other countries call the grande punto a mk3
fiat them selves forgot that the classic panda comes as a mk1 or mk2 and call the mk3 a mk2
fiat them selves forgot that the classic panda comes as a mk1 or mk2 and call the mk3 a mk2
It's a chassis series. Most other manufactures are not too dissimilar with chassis numbers I believe
Same with the Croma! There was a Mk1 and mk2 (I had both) but they call the 194 Mk2 or Croma 11.
Ah - so you're a long-term Cromaholic then.
Wikipedia says there was only the old Mk1 or 154 and our cars (Mk2 or 194). So was the Mk1 facelifted? If so then that may or may not be a Mk2 - did Fiat give it a number other than 154? And have Fiat made 39 other cars between the Croma 154 and the 194?
Which Fiat 500 is the 500? What's the new 500 numbered if the old one was 500?
Now I'm confused.
Wikipedia says there was only the old Mk1 or 154 and our cars (Mk2 or 194). So was the Mk1 facelifted? If so then that may or may not be a Mk2 - did Fiat give it a number other than 154? And have Fiat made 39 other cars between the Croma 154 and the 194?
Which Fiat 500 is the 500? What's the new 500 numbered if the old one was 500?
Now I'm confused.
Well I read the article today! Did you write it Doofer?
Very negative and not entirely accurate. No fear of increasing interest on the Croma, so the prices should stay low for those not put off.
I'm glad that my car wasn't used for the pictures, though the Croma that they used had after market wheels on it!
Very negative and not entirely accurate. No fear of increasing interest on the Croma, so the prices should stay low for those not put off.
I'm glad that my car wasn't used for the pictures, though the Croma that they used had after market wheels on it!
I know there are copyright issues etc, but you'll have to give us a synopsis - it sounds intriguing.Presumably it was written after the author "researched" it, i.e. read the Croma section of this forum. So you could argue that we all had a contribution.
I don't think I'm any more negative than the average here. In fact only the other day I was begging someone not to part-ex theirs and buy a proper car instead.
Does anyone read this magazine anyway? Answer: According to google 11,000. The menu at my local chinese takeaway probably has more readers.
Greg123
Member
The car in the pictures didn't have aftermarket wheels!
Well I read the article today! Did you write it Doofer?
Very negative and not entirely accurate. No fear of increasing interest on the Croma, so the prices should stay low for those not put off.
I'm glad that my car wasn't used for the pictures, though the Croma that they used had after market wheels on it!
Ai dont normally mind a scan of a tiny bit of an artical if its credited to them and may make people go out and buy the mag to see the rest.
