Comfortable: yes. Conditional upon the steering needing to have a reach adjustment to be perfect, and the wind noise being a bit too much sometimes. The ride isn't too bad, but can get jiggly.
Reliable: yes. Problems with wiper mechanism collapse, aux belt collapse and the dual mass clutches. But by and large very good cars, and since I learnt yesterday that a colleague's new Skoda has just melted it's fan and engine cover, and sprung an oil leak, and that a two year old Honda Civic has also been taken in with a blown up engine, I really can't complain about my lovely seven year old bus.
And very good value for money all things considered, because they are no less comfortable, and often far more so, than conventional cars that cost the same or more. Lots of room and a commanding seating position, and storage for stuff everywhere are added bonuses.
The new 2010 cars appear to build on this with added quietness, better stereos, better economy and even more room for stuff. And the integrated sat-nav has to be worth having. Now add the apparently far better ride and class leading handling and the car has to be a winner. I love the look of it too, but then i was very drawn to the oddity and cleverness of the original.
However, the new one seems expensive. We shall have to wait and see for the reality, but I will certainly take a test drive.
In short, I'd rather go on a long journey, or a short one, in the Doblo than most other cars i know; and the reliability isn't bad at all. They are fun to drive
Great cars, and my favourite Fiat models.