Advice/Opinions please.

[Strest]

Hi
Without boring anyone with the details, because of a spine problem, getting into and out of cars has become a real problem for me. However, I have found that the additional height of tha Fiat Idea lessens this problem more than most other vehicles and so this is currently at the top of my shopping list.
I have 2 dilemas however. Firstly, whether or not to go for the 1.4 16v petrol engine or the 1.3 16v multijet (not available on the top of the range Eleganza??). Leaving aside the fuel economy aspect, I have read snippits suggesting that although the petrol engine is quicker outright from 0-62mph, in fact the multijet diesel has much better mid range pull/acceleration. I'm bound to notice a big drop in performance anyway because I'm used to driving a 2 litre car but I would really appreciate anyones, thoughts, opinions or experiences on this point.
Secondly, it would also be a plus for me not to have to use a clutch and was wondering if anyone can comment on what the Dualogic gearbox is like?
I hope it's ok puting this thread under a 'general' forum rather than the dedicated Idea forum because I assume (perhaps wrongly) that these engines and transmission are common to some other models.
Any thoughts and comments will be greatly appreciated.

Regards
Strest

 

[shrek]

Hi Strest and welcome to the forum.
I too have a spinal injury and some loss of the use of my right leg.
I drive the Ulysse with the sequential box which I find more rewarding to use than the standard auto that I have in the focus and previous cars.
Another option to consider is to look at an automatic clutch conversion supplied by elap in Manchester. http://www.elap.co.uk/
There are two versions:
An infrared type that senses your hand on the gearstick and electronically dips the clutch/ changes engine revs etc.
The second is a "duck" type that literally looks like a ducks beak on the side of the gear lever and allows hand operation of the clutch.
I've had a demonstration using both systems and they work well. They open up the possibilities of owning high performance cars that are manual only. Both cost in the region of £1,000- £1,500
There is a place in Manchester (and others in the UK) that will carry out an assessment of your needs by a physiotherapist and specialist driving instructor and make recomendations. Cost in the region of £200 for a day. Their report is also usefull for informing the DVLA and insurance of your condition. Let me know if you want me to find out their details.
Shrek

 

[Dr_Pepper]

Hi and Welcome to the forum.

As for the engine choice all the reviews I've read point to the Multijet Diesel as a great engine and better than the 1.4 Petrol.

 

[thefishdude]

yes i second dr pepper i would probbaly go for the diesel if i was making the choice. teh diesel is more fuel economic but also like you said they have more low mid range power. small 16v engines require you to rev high to get the best out of it. i am a lazy driver and i dont like reving engine high. i will be going diesel for my next car after trying a few out.

 

[Nuova500]

Likewise, I would go for the multijet, its a cracking engine. Not sure on the box though, Ive heard nothing about them at all.

 

[Steven]

I test drove an Idea with the 1.3 Multijet diesel. I loved it. I would go for it over the petrol every time.

 

[Strest]

Sorry for not getting back sooner but thanks for the feedback everyone, I really do appreciate your opinions. So, the Multijet Diesel seems to get the vote; just a question of choosing the transmission now. I prefer to go the 'auto' route but just can't find any feedback anywhere ...... I'm particularly concerned about how well it marries up with such a small engine! Also I can't find out the performance and mpg for the Dualogic ..... dealerships don't know and even contacting Fiat direct didn't help! You'd think it would be easily available information and printed in their brochures ..... at least I would!


Thanks again

Strest

 

[dave]

welcome
most small engined cars have ecvt auto boxes that work well with small engines, not heavy and slugish like the standard type autobox

 

[shrek]

Try this link to top gear.
http://www.topgear.com/CarServlet?e...Emiss.jsp&mID=97662&qMID=1&err=/jsp/error.jsp
I've read whilst looking for this that the gearbox is a clutchless auto, not a cvt gearbox
http://www.italiaspeed.com/new_models/new_models_2003/idea/intelligence.html
Shrek

 

[thefishdude]

just read that article on the duallogic sounds good wouldnt mind having that myself in me next car.

 

[Strest]

Thanks again; your links shrek have been very useful indeed ....... having read more about the dualogic, it becomes more tempting . No doubt it's a bit overstated but almost sounds like the best of both worlds! Going for another test drive this weekend in a manual Idea as I can't find a dealer that has one with the dualogic box but I will also drive a Punto they have that does have one and although not ideal, it should give me a pretty good feel for it.
Thanks again everyone for your help.

 

[thefishdude]

enjoy and let us know ya thoughts havent ever drove a dual logic but sounds good. all smart cars have them.....depending on if you liek smart cars that was a compliment or insult lol anyway let us know what it was like.

 

[Strest]

Update:
My opinion:
I drove the Idea at the weekend with the 1.4 petrol and the 1.3 diesel ..... very different animals! The petrol was definately the quicker and nippier but it did have to be worked hard to achieve this whereas the diesel was a more relaxed drive and had more mid range pull ....... the decision would very much depend on your requirements and the type of driving you prefer ie. relaxed or frenetic! As for the car itself, it handled quite nicely considering it's height although as you would expect, there was some body roll and you wouldn't want to push it too hard through a bend (but then that's not really the market it's aimed at!) and the steering wasn't quite as positive as I'm used to although that's a fairly minor gripe. The utilisation of space is amazing and the car undoubtedly feels much bigger than it's dimensions, not just in terms of head space but also shoulder room between the driver and passenger etc. Overall a nice little car.
As for the Dualogic gearbox, they only had it on a 1.2 Punto and although I'm not going to say it was horrible ......... yes I am, it was horrible, it might be unfair to judge it too harshly because it certainly felt under powered and would perhaps perform better with a bigger engine like the the Idea 1.4 I drove (although the Idea is heavier). The main problem was one of slowness to respond. Using it like a manual, you pushed the stick forward to go up a gear and it seemed to take an age to respond and because of the delay (or in spite of it) there was a noticable lurch. Perhaps you could learn over time to smooth it out a bit by being more aware of revs etc, but I'm not convinced because the salesman had the same problem and even in full auto mode there was still a noticeable lurch when it changed gears. It was a big disappointment!
Would I want a dualogic? ....... I remain to be convinced and perhaps with a bigger engine I might be but on this experience it is a resounding no which is a real shame as I had high hopes for it.

Strest

 

[jamie86]

Sounds as good as the gearbox the new Aston's have then!

Top quality info there could be v.useful for people

 

[Gav]

I've had my Punto manual for 3.5 years, and since I got it in a hurry (previous car written off), I looked at the 16v speedgear a few months later. I hated it. I would think that it would be different with the MJTD as well as someone else. I like the Idea, although can't see myself having one.

 

[thefishdude]

thanx for the review. yeah jerky autos are horrible was kinda hoping the dual wouldnt be like that. and yeah i agree about the different styles of driving most reviews i a have read have said exact same thing. the 1.4 petrol is quicker deffinatly but you need to work the revs, were as the diesel is more relaxed, personally i like the relaxed route only diesel i have drove was just liek that it was deffinatly slower but you needed to rev less to get the car going nicely.