Recently changed jobs and need a mile muncher 35-40kmiles /year, I drive a Marea Weekend 130 jtd that has only covered 76k, however due to the age of the car I am considering swapping for something nearly new for reliability (although marea has been totally faithfull).

So, i have looked at nearly new croma`s and now have just read some of your reviews, of a few month`s ago, like the idea of individuality, don`t want a 100kmiles+ German car for same money, don`t want ford/ vauxhall.
Quite like Mazda6 estate, good value aswell

But do like the sound of a lazy 2.4 auto prestigio, seem to all have v low (diesel miles) mostly under 10k miles, price with optional extras seem to be £13000-15000 for a year old car, seem like a bargain to me.

Does anyone in Fiat Forum own a 2.4 or driven one?
In comparison is there much between the manual 1.9 jtdm 150 bhp

Does the 2.4 only do 35 mpg? or will you get 45 mpg on a good run?
What does the 1.9 (150bhp) return 50 (+) mpg?

Information would be great, as it will be replacing a great car which has been reliable, v cheap to run, nearly 50 mpg, fast and handles well oh and swallows loads up.

Cheers Andy

You're in the same boat as me. I love my Marea Weekend JTD130 but will the Croma be a worthy replacement?

Yep big decision, don`t like the normal brands, sure there ok, but will hate being stuck in a row off traffic having just spent £13-14k with the same mondeo tdci or astra etc,
Yes they all share the same underpinnings and yes fiat has more knockers than followers, and seen as a poor investment but they are more individual.

I love the Fiats. Had a few Tipos.. A couple of Marea and the wife has a bravo... Not sure I'd be happy with an auto though.

I,m not a complete Fiat nut, but owned 3, 127 1300GT, and 2 Marea Weekends, and I must say the Marea is one of the best cars I have driven, so the Croma has a hard act to follow, as for automatic have considered it recently anyway, must be an age thing!

I've got a 1.9 16 valve, not driven the 2.4 so can't compare, but it's a pretty quick and economical engine. I chose it over the 2.4 as the performance isn't much less and it's more economical. It's really good on motorways & doing long distances esp if you get one with Cruise Control, v comfortable for driver & roomy in back with large boot.
Take one for a test drive, dealers are keen to sell them at good prices as they're no longer being imported into the UK!

MIM, thanks for your reply,

What is the mpg on a run 50+ mpg?

Are fiat dealers aware of these recalls and ok with honouring them?

I guess there will be no more replies to my initial owners feeback question as all you Croma drivers are trying to keep them a secret!

I know there is at least 3-4 of you, possibly more? or are you driving petrol version?

Thanks Hellcat and MIM for your reply!


Andy

On a run I get mid 40's MPG, which is a bit less than I'd hoped for from a diesel 1.9 but not bad.

Mr c said:

Are fiat dealers aware of these recalls and ok with honouring them?

Click to expand...

Yes.........I done 8 on a croma before it was sold recently.not all dealers are bad you know

Andy,

I only have an 8v 1.9, and didn't drive the other engines before deciding, but the 6sp manual gearbox is good (coming from a Skoda Octavia where the gearbox felt like stirring gravy - so imprecise). Speed is not an issue for me - the torque is plenty in the mid range, and it pulls v well from low down. I gather the 16v has more power higher up.

As for mpg, I've only had the car for a few weeks, but I am seeing 50+ mpg as long as I stay around 70 on the motorway. I guess it would fall to around 45-7ish if you were keen to press on.

Ride comfort is great, and the car is v quiet on the motorway. If you are used to the handling of a Mondeo, then you may be a little disappointed on B roads, but it's not as bad as many of the reviewers suggest.

PLJ said:

If you are used to the handling of a Mondeo, then you may be a little disappointed on B roads, but it's not as bad as many of the reviewers suggest.

Click to expand...

I'm used to the handling of a Marea... I don't think a Croma is for me then if it's worse than a Mundano.

https://www.fiatforum.com/other-fiats/93494-new-croma.html

It seems Alan C would disagree with me! So I guess it's all down to personal preference at the end of the day. The new Croma doesn't feel as sporty as a Mondeo, but then it's a quiet and smooth car.

My 1.8 LPG converted Croma averages 37 mpg has an outstanding ride tons of room and doesn't do anything particularly badly and more importantly it ain't german but I can't love it like my Lancias

I u know whats good for u, stay away from 2.4 lt petrol engines - they guzzle it down for fun just like that... expect 15 to 25 mpg if u were to press it on... also not too reliable of an engine...

Hello, I've got a 2.4 JTD Auto, I bought it just over a month ago and have done 2400-ish miles in it now. If you are OK with a manual box then the 1.9 is better for economy, I have to have an auto box and tow a hefty caravan so wanted as much performance/refinement as I could get. My last three cars have been petrol V6s so I didn't want to go further down the 'tractor' road than I had to.

The Croma is a compromise in every way, it doesn't do anything brilliantly but does many things well. My average fuel consumption is 40mpg on my way to work and back, 33 miles each way. The seats are great in Prestigio spec, lots of kit for your money and parts prices are reasonable (my last car was a VW). The boot is quite useable, the thing is really to go and have a look.

Performance is great - no complaints whatsoever, and once up to 40mph or so you can't hear the engine anyway. It doesn't change into 6th until 65mph, which gives you an idea of the capability of the thing. 2350RPM at 100MPH...but economy suffers if you drive like that. Really, it depends on what sort of driving you do - open roads give 40MPG, 50MPH roads give 43MPG, town driving gives low thirties.

The gearbox is lovely under acceleration, but on the way into roundabouts it can get confused due to 2nd and 3rd being very close together. This is a known issue, see http://carenthusiast.com/roadtests.html?mode=article&id=1368 for details. The other point I would raise is that the ride can be a little harsh with 18" wheels fitted - as the platform is shared by the Vauxhall Vectra & Signum, Saab 9-3, Alfa 159 & Brera then it is quite easy to source a set of 16" jobs if comfort is a priority.

As for handling, I fail to see any real issues unless you really throw it about, the body is well controlled and the steering is very sharp with 225/45 tyres fitted. There is an ongoing issue with the platform the Croma is based on regarding rear tyre wear, this is not necessarily as bad as it sounds. Having looked through the Vectra/Signum (www.vectra-c.com) and Alfa (www.alfaowner.co.uk) forums it is apparent that vehicles based on the Epsilon platform can leave the factory with the rear wheel alignment & camber well out of tolerances.

This problem is usually addressed (if it occurs) by a good four wheel alignment including camber, see www.alignmycar.co.uk for your nearest workshop. The thing to note is that the camber changes with suspension position, so it's worth getting the camber checked if you fit a towbar. It's not unknown for the suspension alignment to change over time as well - it seems to be down to the individual car and the roads & loads it is subjected to.

In summary - in 2.4JTD form, the Croma is a pleasure to drive and is very relaxed and capable (shift manually into sixth at 60 and it does 1250RPM!). I can't comment on reliability, I've only had it a month. You'll have to make your mind up on looks and whether it suits your uses - but there's nothing from my perspective that says 'don't buy one'. Hope this helps!

PS. The price you mentioned seems a bit high - be prepared to haggle hard, these cars don't fly off the forecourt. Mine was registered in Dec 05, had under 14000 miles when I bought it, and the tyres were past their best (they're still legal now). I bought it as it was (with the 3rd year warranty) from a Fiat dealer for less than £8500 - no doubt someone will better that but for me that was value for money. Most of the 2.4s are low mileage due to being ex Fiat fleet or demos - very few people wanted to pay 22K for a Fiat, especially when the 1.9 was nearly as good, more economical but much cheaper. Personally, I like the laziness and refinement...

Just done 12.000.
Had Stillo MW 1.9.JTD Dynamique before with all the toys.
Very good MPG.
Not the same with the Croma, but then again being an AUTO, I can live
with that for the not changing gear factor.

In the past I have had Marea Weekend Estate which I liked.

So in summary I like mine, as for handling, if you want to chuck a car around the bends
buy a sports car,
if you want comfort.Well then try the Croma.

On long journys it just eats the miles and is very comfortable and quiet.