General what to look for in a nice Wagon?

Currently reading:
General what to look for in a nice Wagon?

marc_in_lux

New member
Joined
Sep 2, 2003
Messages
3
Points
1
Location
Luxembourg.
Hello --

The Alfa 147 parked in front of the house is getting a bit small - we need more space. Obviously, coming from the same dealer, and my wife being semi-italian, the Stilo Multiwagon looks like a sensible choice (the other sensible choice right now being a Peugeot 307SW, several slightly less sensible choices are best left undiscussed).

The main question is, what makes a nice wagon?

As for the engine, we'll go Diesel. Understood the 115 hp 1.9 is the biggest available. Alfas already have the sedicivalvole with a healthy 140hp - will the Stilo get that one within the next months? Is there an automatic gearbox option with any of the Diesels?

As to the interior, we'll go with the leather and generally want it to be a nice car - sunroof, Xenons etc. How exactly does the sunroof work? Pictures only show it closed or open, is there a video available on the net that shows how it moves?

There's a feature available called 'easy go' - what is that? I could not find any details on it at the Fiat website?

There seems to be a base CD radio (need no changer) and an uprated one with a separate boom box. Is that worth the upcharge? I paid money for that kind of setup in the Alfa, and frankly, the base stereo sounded better there. What does the MP3 option do?

There's an option to get moving rear seats. What exactly does that? Does it make the seats come out like a van (or the 307SW) or does it just moves the seat back/forward like a Twingo?

Anything else I absolutely need to have and pay an upcharge or I should definitely avoid? I was astonished the Stilo offers quite a lot of items to tick off on the order, wonder what makes real sense and what's gimmicky...?
 
Hi

I couldn't say what makes a good wagon as I can't bear estates!! However, I can help with some of your questions:

Leather's got to be a good option and Xenons are worth having. The sunroof is brilliant too. It opens by sliding about half way back and then going up pane by pain at an angle. It looks great open and closed and when it's in action it's stunning. Especially good if you open using the remote!! No video I'm afraid but just ask a dealer - They're bound to have at least one.

Easy go is a keyring that you have instead of a key. When you are in the car with the keyring you can start and stop the car using a button on the dash. You use it for the remote locking too. It's in the brochures if you ask your dealer...

Can't comment on the CD upgrade but the MP3 player is worth having. It allows you to create a CD with MP3s on in computer format which means you can get 300+ tracks on a CD instead 20-ish. Imagine a highly configurable 10 disc changer and you're not far off.

I don't think you could go far wrong with a Stilo MultiWagon - As long as you're sure you want an Estate!! ;)

Roja

2003 Silver 3-Door Abarth
 
I have one. One word Stunning.
No leather seats though but they are not my cup of tea.
I have the Xenon head lights and they are terrific,
same goes for the sun roof, brilliant. Not windy at speed either.
I agree with the comments on the MP3 Player as I have SatNav+.
As for easy go I have a source that says it is being withdrawn from Citron's.
Seats move back and for and recline but do not remove.

Had mine from new since April.
Had a Nissan Primera Estate before that and prior to that a Fiat 1.8. Marea Weekend elx estate.



Fiat Stillo MW. 1.9JTD
Met. Blue. all Electric. Skywindow..SatNav+ 17" 7 spoke alloys.


......Ham............
 
Salut marc,

- JTD 115 it's a good engine, the best compromise on performance/consumptions, perfect for a Stilo!!!
It's reliable, rimember that Fiat on Diesel engine it's among the best in the world, (they invented common rail system!!!)

- MJTD 140 16v, it's a common rail generation II (multijet) for now it's available only for Alfa Romeo, it could be available with the Stilo restyling, but I don't know when... maybe some months, maybe autumn 2004...

If you want it, think about a 156 Sport Wagon...
Alfa156Sportwagen2-0600.jpg


Another choice with JTD115 is a Lancia Lybra SW...
art_1095.2_lancia%20lybra%20intensa%2001.jpg




- Easy go, It's a radio-key... it unlocks the doors when you are near the car and locks them when you move away automatically, You haven't to push any buttons!...
The ignition it's with a button in the dash...
But electro-magnetic compatibility problems stopped it (Mercedes-Benz and Renault Laguna have a similar system with a lot of problems!!!!!)...
It isn't available for now, maybe in future, but in Italy I haven't heard when, I think with the model that will replace the Stilo in the next years...
(If the brochures reports it, they are old....)

- Xenon headlight are expensive but for me are a good choice for safety in night drive!!!

- skywindow... it has some lamellae, you can open 1,2,3..all with a button, they run back...
In the forum there are some Stilo owners with it...
I think they can tell you better then me how it's fantastic!!!!
skywindow.gif


Choose a Stilo MW!!!...........;)

ciao

Roberto

---------------------------
Fiat Brava 1.4 12v sx
 
<blockquote id="quote"> face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ham
same goes for the sun roof, brilliant. Not windy at speed either.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
One question about the sun roof - does it come with a slide on the inside to block the sun out? Guess if it's parked at a sunny parking lot all day long, it'll be quite hot in there - right?

<blockquote id="quote"> face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
I agree with the comments on the MP3 Player as I have SatNav+.
As for easy go I have a source that says it is being withdrawn from Citron's.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
So the Easy Go thing may not be an option at all... sad. The description sounds funny, and I have seen the similar system on the Laguna.

What about Nav+? That is the one with the color screen, right? Does it have the MP3-player incorporated? Is there any other functionality via the color screen, or is it navigation only?

<blockquote id="quote"> face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
Seats move back and for and recline but do not remove.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Peeked into one this morning on the parking lot. Reclining seats don't make a lot of sense to me, especially because the box with the roll cover is in the middle of the boot. I'd very much prefer that to be flush behind the seats.
 
<blockquote id="quote"> face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by roby76it
- JTD 115 it's a good engine, the best compromise on performance/consumptions, perfect for a Stilo!!!
It's reliable, rimember that Fiat on Diesel engine it's among the best in the world, (they invented common rail system!!!)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Croma, back in the 80ies - right?

Indeed the 115 is a sweet engine, have it in the 147. But a bit more torque is never bad, right?


<blockquote id="quote"> face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
- MJTD 140 16v, it's a common rail generation II (multijet) for now it's available only for Alfa Romeo, it could be available with the Stilo restyling, but I don't know when... maybe some months, maybe autumn 2004...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Stilo restyling? When's that supposed to happen?

<blockquote id="quote"> face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
If you want it, think about a 156 Sport Wagon...

Another choice with JTD115 is a Lancia Lybra SW...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

That's what I was doing, actually. But the Alfa's been restyled lately, and I don't like it at all. Plus, as an estate, it does a poor job. The Lybra is a sweet car (father in law has the 4-door 2.4JTD), but it's not really in my age class, I think.

Not to forget, neither of them comes with a large enough hole in the roof ;)

<blockquote id="quote"> face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
Choose a Stilo MW!!!...........;)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
I'm close to it ;)

Although I have to admit, noticed from browsing the web that the Stilo comes with a rather traditional (what? They're still doing it that way?) rear suspension, while the 307 has an independant setup. I know how the Peugeot drives, had some as rental cars. I need to test drive the Stilo, see how it does when braking in corners.
 
<blockquote id="quote"> face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">One question about the sun roof - does it come with a slide on the inside to block the sun out? Guess if it's parked at a sunny parking lot all day long, it'll be quite hot in there - right?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Yes, there is an electric roof cover. And boy, does it need it to! If you forget to pull it across, even in rather dull UK weather, your car quickly becomes a greenhouse.

<blockquote id="quote"> face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">What about Nav+? That is the one with the color screen, right? Does it have the MP3-player incorporated? Is there any other functionality via the color screen, or is it navigation only?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

If you go for the Nav+ the CD should have the MP3 player incorporated and just about everything is done from the display, including all of the audio, the phone and some car set-up options (ie door locks etc). I would suggest you also opt for the multi-changer as it could be a bit of a problem if you also want to use the satnav and listen to a CD at the same time. However, only the single CD slot is (I believe) MP3 so you couldn't use the multi-changer for your MP3 collection.

Barbarian
3dr Stilo Abarth, Leather, Broom Yellow and Sky Window
 
For tuning see the post on chip tuning in the tuning catagory vaery interesting.



Fiat Stillo MW. 1.9JTD
Met. Blue. all Electric. Skywindow..SatNav+
17" 7 spoke alloys.
Rear Parking sensor and Puddle Lights.


......Ham............
 
marc,

No, Croma TurboDiesel i.d. (iniezione diretta- direct injection) mounted the first diesel engine with direct injection coupled with a variable geometry turbo...
My cousin still has one, more of 300000 km done, he does Belgium-Italy, Italy-Belgium 4-5 times for year, fantastic!

The first common rail was JTD 105 mounted on Bravo/a in 1998...
Fiat and Mercedes invented it, but Fiat couldn't industrialize it (why? I don't know, ask to Fiat managers) so it gave their design patents to Bosh, so Bosh gave to Fiat a year of exclusive supply for its common-rail injection pumps...

Stilo restyling is going to arrive, when?...
Officialy I don't know, in the last months Fiat is changing its managment, I heard autumn 2004, but maybe also before... there are some new engines 1,4 16v, 1,3MJTD, 1,9MJTD16v to fit...
In September Fiat will start selling 3 new models: Idea, new Ypsilon, new Panda...
In July started selling of new PuntoII restyling, 156, 156SW restyling...
New 2,4 MJTD 20v 180bhp for 166 and Thesis...
New alfa GT coupè and Barchetta...
A lot things done and to do... maybe also stilo restyling (shouldn't be an hard exsternal restyling, only some datails), but for me not before some months...

It's true, some of the first Stilos have rathers from rear suspensions, but it seems resolved, in Italy in italian forum I haven't heard new Stilo owners with this problem... however the problem was from Stilo 3-5 doors, not from MultiWagon (it was presented a year after, it has a different rear suspension scheme to improve boot charge capability)...
For me you do a good thing testing it on road!!!
And if you really prefer 307SW, take it!...

A comparison test of Quattroruote, the most important italian car magazine:

StiloMW-----focusSW------307SW
****--------*****--------**** drive seat
****--------****---------***** controls
*****-------***----------**** dashboard
*****-------****---------**** clima
****--------****---------***** visibility
****--------****---------**** finishing
****--------****---------**** equipments
*****-------****---------**** abitability
*****-------****---------**** boot
****--------****---------**** confort
****--------*****--------**** engine 1.9JTD115/1.8TDCI115/1,9HDI107
***12,7-----****11,3-----***13,1 acceleration (0-100km/h)(old focus weighs only 1441 kg, Stilo 1626kg, 307 1593kg)
****--------*****--------*** accelearation in V gear
****--------*****--------**** gear
***---------*****--------**** steering wheel
****--------****---------**** brakes
*****-------*****--------***** road-holding
****--------***----------**** road stability
****--------****---------**** consumptions

ciao

Roberto

ps1
Italian magazines always criticezes a lot Fiat, not like French magazines:
French cars always wonderful, Italian cars c'est de la merde!...

ps2
In Italy if someone says black... you will find always as many people that will say white!
This is Italy............

ps3
sorry for my Italian excursus.

ps4
for skywindow, to block the sun out, there is a fluent courtin...

---------------------------
Fiat Brava 1.4 12v sx
 
Back
Top