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General Multipla vs FRV

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General Multipla vs FRV

larkim

larkim

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Hi

I'm a long time Fiat owner / driver (previously various Panda's, a very fondly remembered Marea and now a lovely Barchetta).

I've got three young children currently, but number 4 is on the way in September, so I need an extra seat in my family car (currently a Citroen Xsara Picasso). Short of welding one into the boot space (I've heard it done!), that means I'm going to be buying a 6 or 7 seater vehicle.

As I see it, the 6 seaters from Fiat and Honda have two distinct advantages over the "Zafira" class 7 seaters (the Galaxy class is a different beast altogether, both financially and in terms of potential space). The boot space is better in the 6 seaters, the seating quality is better and they are a more compact vehicle.

I was wondering if anyone here had experience of both the FRV and the Multipla, and if so what the comparisons might be? My Fiat experience so far has been good, so I don't come to this with a negative preference for a Multipla, but my gut feel is that the Honda might be better engineered / more reliable.

Having sat in both at a car supermarket a couple of weekends ago, the Multipla felt more spacious (windows were lower) but more "van" like, whereas the Honda was a bit more confined but more "car" like.

Any opinions gratefully received. I'll be off to a Honda forum next for their reverse opinions!

Thanks in advance!

Matt
 
Hello,

I would agree with you that the Honda is better built. But as against that
I Think you would get more fun out of a multipla.
They are a little quirky but for the most part fun to drive and reliable.
I would suggest that you only go for a Diesel if a Multipla is you choice.
All I can tell you is from my experience with a Multipla 1.9jtd. It is 2001 with not a hint of rust anywhere and has done 145000 th miles.
They have a few warnings which come on the dash for no apparent reason and then go away just as quick. The Anti roll bar bushings are a problem
and cost 150.00 to fix approx.
The Engine is totally bullet proof and in my opinion the best diesel engine on the road. I have worked on and driven diesels for 30 years and more so at this stage I believe know about engines.
I would also make sure that the Alloy Wheels are not buckled as they do buckle easily. And can also be expensive to replace or repair.

I hope this will help you in your decision and enjoy whatever is your choice.
regards,
noel
 
I believe( but not sure )that the middle front seat in the Honda is not full size,
It is in the multi .
definatley go for diesel if possible.
 
multiplexed said:
I believe( but not sure )that the middle front seat in the Honda is not full size,
It is in the multi .
definatley go for diesel if possible.
Click to expand...

Having sat in the front of the Honda, it did feel a little more cramped, but as the middle seat would be used for either an 8 year old (up to 12 I suppose) a full size adult seat isn't imperative. Three full size rear seats though would be for the child seats for the three other kids.

Cheers!

Matt
 
I think you have answerd your own question a bit, the middle seat in the Honda aint full size and just how long are your kids gonna stay not full sized;)
Id like the honda myself but it just wouldnt be the same and the amount of times ive used mine full of adults because of the 6 six .
 
larkim said:
Hi

I'm a long time Fiat owner / driver (previously various Panda's, a very fondly remembered Marea and now a lovely Barchetta).

I've got three young children currently, but number 4 is on the way in September, so I need an extra seat in my family car (currently a Citroen Xsara Picasso). Short of welding one into the boot space (I've heard it done!), that means I'm going to be buying a 6 or 7 seater vehicle.

As I see it, the 6 seaters from Fiat and Honda have two distinct advantages over the "Zafira" class 7 seaters (the Galaxy class is a different beast altogether, both financially and in terms of potential space). The boot space is better in the 6 seaters, the seating quality is better and they are a more compact vehicle.

I was wondering if anyone here had experience of both the FRV and the Multipla, and if so what the comparisons might be? My Fiat experience so far has been good, so I don't come to this with a negative preference for a Multipla, but my gut feel is that the Honda might be better engineered / more reliable.

Having sat in both at a car supermarket a couple of weekends ago, the Multipla felt more spacious (windows were lower) but more "van" like, whereas the Honda was a bit more confined but more "car" like.

Any opinions gratefully received. I'll be off to a Honda forum next for their reverse opinions!

Thanks in advance!

Matt
Click to expand...

As i'm a new multi owner myself with a friend who owns an FRV the question is simple.
I do believe that cars are an extension to people's personalities, therefore if you want total reliability with no hassle and absolutely no chance of ever getting noticed by anyone then I would go Honda. But, if you want something quirky that's fun to driveand will get you noticed and is reliable most of the time then I would go Fiat.
 
JTDman said:
I think you have answerd your own question a bit, the middle seat in the Honda aint full size and just how long are your kids gonna stay not full sized;)
Id like the honda myself but it just wouldnt be the same and the amount of times ive used mine full of adults because of the 6 six .
Click to expand...

i agree with you. And also if you need to use take all the seats out to use all the boot space for a big load, you still have 3 proper seats in the front for adults or car seats.

plus the multi is just fab to drive and has been designed from the wheels up for the job it does, therefore it does it fantastically.

We've had ours from new, nearly 9 years now, our kids were 9 and 6 when we got it and it is just as good for us today as it was then.
 
I did have a test drive of an FRV for a few days...


  • Visibility is awful - both for rear-seat passengers and for reversing. I reckon parking sensors are mandatory.
  • The handbrake is a little quirky. I didn't mind it but I know some other folk who just don't get on with it at all.
  • The front middle seat is definitely "downsized". This might not matter if you'll always have a little 'un in it.
  • I like that the seats on the Multi can be removed completely. That means even more space inside. However, the "stow-away" facility on the FR-V means you don't have to find somewhere to put them.
  • The Honda 2.2 diesel engine is great. Quiet, refined, fuel-efficient.

Don't be misled by Honda "reliability". I've just moved from a new-shape Civic and it's easily the least reliable car I've ever had (that includes 3 Renaults, a Citroen and a Uno Turbo). Noisy, squeeky, dodgy electrics... And not just me, I know others with the same problem and the Civinfo forum is a veritable catalogue of issues.

I've had my Multi 3 weeks now and am just loving it!
 
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