Thanks Ozzie1989 for directing me here - here's my post from another part of this site.

What do you guys think...???


Hi guys.

I'm a newbie here so I hope I don't break any protocols...

I've been offered an '02 1.9JTD SX via a neighbours relative.

He's used it as a taxi: 200,000 miles is a lot in not many years.

It's clean, and because he's had it plated as a cab it's been meticulously serviced. AFAIK at the moment the only major 'innards' it's had changed is the gearbox and clutch.

What should I beware of with a vehicle of this mileage? I haven't a clue.

He's asking IRO £1500.

I'm an electrician and plan to use it for light work during the week and with seats in when it needs to carry a bunch of people.

Thanks in advance.

S.

No problem at all. Niall_G is the best person to speak too (his 04 plate Doblo has done well over 200,000 miles), have a look round this part of the forum you'll see his few problems with the Doblo. Mainly his gearbox breaking down not so long ago around the 200,000 mile mark.

I'm sure he'll be along to tell you more soon enough

Modern diesels are bulletproof, and the jtd is no exception, alfas have it as do some of the vauxhall range, so well proven.

1500 is not a lot of money for a vehicle of that age, inspite of the use and looks like it will receive a lot lighter use than previous owner.

I dont know my vans/taxis but i doubt you will not get as decent specification with something which is of similar price.

I think it is worth the investment. Its already partly stickered up so costs are saved on making stickers to display company name, plus if it has a wheelchair ramp you can use the bar/bars to get your tools out easier.

And if you want to make a few quid on the side giving people lifts home......

Couldn't have put it better myself... Just couldn't think of the words earlier

Ozzie1989 said:

No problem at all. Niall_G is the best person to speak too (his 04 plate Doblo has done well over 200,000 miles) .......I'm sure he'll be along to tell you more soon enough

Click to expand...

And as if by magic he appeared.....


Hi and welcome to the forum (Ozzie is the official greeter but I like to get above myself so he can tell me off! :devil: )

High Mileage JTD Doblo?

If its been serviced properly (and has documents to prove - it should be on its 3rd cam belt now) then I'd take a chance on it at that mileage for only £1500. (Offer him £1250 to start with tho).

My wife's JTD van now has over 214,000 miles on it - its still too young to need an MOT!

Faults:
1. Wiper mechanism fell apart at 23 months/128,000 miles. Fiat refused warranty. (Tossers).
2. EGR valve stuck open at about 140,000 - cleaned. ok since.
3. 5th gear 'fell off' shaft at about 170,000. Replaced with new revised nut, ok since.
4. Clutch thrush bearing failed at 193,000. Clutch friction material still had more than 50% left! New clutch fitted.

Overall we are impressed with the Doblo (Mrs_G loves it in fact - She does nearly 400 miles a day in it). I feel the van is compromised by Fiats poor attitude to its paying customers but as your potential purchace is way beyond any warranty then this is not an issue - I only raised because I can hold a grudge

Tyres: You'll find a few threads here about rapid tyre wear - as little as 2,500 miles was it Ozzie? Mrs_G gets about 70,000 miles. Buy good quality reinforced 88T or higher van tyres, run them at 40psi front, 50psi rear (as per Cargo owners manual) and you should be fine.

Stay away from fiat dealerships. Find a good independant garage that trades on its good reputation/word of mouth advertising.


Here endeth the lesson.
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did i mention that fiat's attiude sucks? Well just in case I didn't...

fiat's attiute sucks! Ahh thats better.....


Let us know if you go ahead and join the Doblo clan.. (LUKIFYGAAJTDC)


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There we go, told you Niall would come in useful for something

Thanks very much guys.

I'll be meeting with the owner this weekend, and feel I'm now able to deal with it with a bit more understanding than I had yesterday.

You've settled my mind a bit.

I'll get back after a test drive.

cheers.
S.

We shall look forward on hearing about your test drive and final decision

By the way what engine was it? I'm assuming the N/A Diesel not the JTD?

Ozzie1989 said:

By the way what engine was it? I'm assuming the N/A Diesel not the JTD?

Click to expand...

scratches head and checks 1st post of this thread and sees:

I've been offered an '02 1.9JTD SX ....

Click to expand...

Ozzie, what are you doing thats making your eyesight fail? Have you noticed any hairs on your palms?

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Niall_G said:

Ozzie, what are you doing thats making your eyesight fail? Have you noticed any hairs on your palms?

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I know what you're thinking but no

Sorry I couldn't remember whether it was 02 or 04 they changed to JTD from the NA Diesel... and completely forgot it was mentioned in the first post - my short term memory is terrible (and no Niall not for those reasons either )

If it was the NA diesel Doblo I would have definately said no but the JTD is another matter.

That's why I was asking, would have told state-it to haggle the price down a bit or forget it - but as you say since it's a JTD it's a different matter

Ozzie1989 said:

That's why I was asking, would have told state-it to haggle the price down a bit or forget it - but as you say since it's a JTD it's a different matter

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I can't see a valid reason for anyone choosing the N/A instead of the JTD. I believe it uses more fuel to produce less power!!

If the car in question was an N/A I'd only consider it for town/local use. I'd also ask how much fuel was in the tank to see if the fuel was worth more than the car

Overall we are impressed with the Doblo (Mrs_G loves it in fact - She does nearly 400 miles a day in it). I feel the van is compromised by Fiats poor attitude to its paying customers but as your potential purchace is way beyond any warranty then this is not an issue - I only raised because I can hold a grudge

Click to expand...

Jesus Niall, poor old mrs G does some miles doesnt she ? I thought I was badly done by on 200 + miles a day, she must be practically living in the damn thing, seriously though the vans are great, I NEVER get back ache when driving, and you are right fiats attitude does stink !
PS hope I've done the right thing swopping from JTD's to 1.3 multijets, as we have 3 + a new doblo on order for feb, hope I dont live to regret that, I based my decision on info I had read on here, I think when mrs g finally goes for a new van you should consider a 1.3 multijet, and get it remapped, it'll save you money on fuel economy, road tax and insurance, and it will be cheaper to service, because theres no cambelt.
I have a new panda in family, now its run in, it goes like stink, super economical, and keeps up with anything on the motorway, I hope our new doblo will be as good

bobian81 I agree, I think that Mrs G will want another Doblo

I hope she does because even if she doesn't I'll make Niall come visit us from time to time anyway

I do think though that Mrs G should have the 1.9 Multijet if she were to go for a new one because she can carry heavy loads sometimes where you'll need that extra bit of power

bobian81 said:

...when mrs g finally goes for a new van you should consider a 1.3 multijet...

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As I might have mentioned before we'll never buy another vehicle from fiat. We have lost out due to their poor attitude to its customers and will save them the inconvenience of having to deal with customers by not being customers again.

The Doblo cargo may still be the best small van on the market when Mrs_G replaces her current van but we need to consider the whole package.

Good Van + Crap Backup = Not a sensible business buy

The new VW Caddy looks good, from a manufacturer with a good reputation as well :devil:

hi niall, but will the caddy take a full pallet in the back ?
I've suffered withdrawal symptoms myself. with the gearbox problems i suffered, fiat service agents leave alot to be desired, BUT consider this :
I've just ordered a 1.3 mulitijet 85 bhp active doblo car for £8100 on the road, I 've paid a £100 deposit, If anyone can tell me a better deal, for any other make I'll consider it, hell, i'd cancell the order and loose the deposit.
So Niall, when you look round, you should certainly have a look at the the new doblo.
cheers

bobian81 said:

hi niall, but will the caddy take a full pallet in the back ?

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Good point. I suspect it will (they'd be mad to make the wheelarch gap too small), but it's obviously something I'd check as part of the buying process.

bobian81 said:

consider this :
I've just ordered a 1.3 mulitijet 85 bhp active doblo car for £8100 on the road,

Click to expand...

It may be a good price, but I'm not in the market for another van at the moment so I can't realy say, however you still have the problem of buying a vehicle from a manufacturer who shys away from standing by their products.

Perhaps we as customers expect too much, cheap vehicles as well as good back up. If so then I wish the manufacturers were more honest - 'Yes you can have a cheap vehicle BUT when it goes wrong don't expect us to do anything for you that isn't specificly forced out of us by consumer law.'
I'd have a lot of respect for an honest statement of that type. I'd also be willing to pay more for a genuine level of support for when things go wrong.

The current situation just leads to dissatisfaction. Implied high quality warranties that are of very little use to the customer. The current warranty is far too easy for fiat to wriggle out of and should be regarded as nothing more than 'marketing waffle' or as we call it in the real world - bull5h1t.

OOOer I seem to be on a high horse.... again.

yea niall, you are right about the warranty, BUT the cars are still great value. My intention is to completley ignore the chocolate fire guard 3rd year dealer warranty, I aim to keep my fiats for just over 2 years, and then sell em off cheap, and just buy another new one at discount, fiats depreciate alot BUT if you buy em at the right price in the first place it doesnt matter.

I agree with Bobian, but Mrs G needs to feel comfortable in the fact that she can do 100,000 a year for at least 2 years and be covered under some sort of good warranty for the part of it.

We won't let Niall escape without a lot of abuse if he buys another anyway