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Buying a Bravo and Marea JTD

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Buying a Bravo and Marea JTD

Hellcat

Hellcat

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Me and bunny are looking for new(er) cars. Given the distance we will be driving we're after diesels, the JTD versions due to age and better performance/ecconomy.

We have looked at a Bravo JTD SX today but it had a few issues that got me worried. Scuff down the edge of the drivers door (been opened into another car/wall?). Stone chip on the leading edge of the roof - was rusty. General scuffs and loose threads on the plastic and seats. Very wet footwell. He wanted 3500 which seems top dollar.

Is it worth looking under rocks for a HLX/ELX JTD for the extra air-con and alloys?

The other car (elsewhere) is a HLX Marea JTD - its got everything for similar price to what the bravo was up for. Much better deal?
 
There is a 2001 with 15k on the clock. Thats gotta be worth a bit if its in good shape.

Also what about the difference in spec? Is it worth waiting for a HLX to come available (front fogs, air con, alloys)

I have a set of 14" alloys so I guess thats not an issue, but front fogs. As Helz has stated living in an area with plenty of fog, front foggies would be quite useful.
 
To be honest they're so cheap at the moment and quite a few about so you can afford to wait and be picky. Also I've not driven a Marea but from what has been said they're less sporty and more comfortable than a Bravo/a so i guess it depends what you want from it.

You will be keeping the milk bottle won't you? :eek:
 
Hellcat said:
There is a 2001 with 15k on the clock. Thats gotta be worth a bit if its in good shape.

Also what about the difference in spec? Is it worth waiting for a HLX to come available (front fogs, air con, alloys)

I have a set of 14" alloys so I guess thats not an issue, but front fogs. As Helz has stated living in an area with plenty of fog, front foggies would be quite useful.
Click to expand...

This depends how long you can afford to wait before getting one. These dont come up that often.
 
Helz said:
You will be keeping the milk bottle won't you? :eek:
Click to expand...
I was thinking of scrapping it..









NOT!

I just can't afford to use 2 gallons of fuel per day to get to and from work. I'll be getting a 2.4 JTD so still a performance car. Wheelbase is exactly the same as a Brava/o and I bet thats very similar to the tipo. Pete (bless him) let me and Bunny (Passed her test 15 days ago!) have a drive of his Marea. I quite like the feel.

The only time problem is that Bunny is back at work in 8 weeks and will need a car. She could use the milkbottle until we find a suitable JTD.
 
 
Last edited:
The 2,4JTD is a 5 cylinder 10valve engine. That is the one you want.
But i think there also was a 2,4TD (also 5 cylinder 10 valve), which was replaced by the JTD around 1999(?)

Just make sure it's a JTD.
 
I don't think the Bravo HLX has A/C as standard, even the last models. If you go for a Bravo/a, try and get one built for July 2001 onwards as this has standard ABS And Passenger airbag. The Marea had Air Conditioning and ABS from about late 1999, although the 5-cylinder models had ABS from launch.

I had a Marea 1.8 16v ELX S/W for a weekend a few years back and I remember thinking what a splendid car it was, only the short-gearing (4000rpm at 80 in top) was a pain, although not a problem in the JTD.

The JTD's are rare but if you can find a good one then I would say go for it. I seriously considered the Marea JTD ELX S/W as a lease-car from work, but I ended-up changing sites and no longer qualified for one.
 
Just been to see the Marea.. I had phoned up before to check that all the electrics worked, that it was in A1 condition and the mechanics all sounded as they should. Car was exactly as described...



...providing you can ignore the following:
* The engine made a very dry clunky noise - possibly a tensioner or altenator bearing or the 80k on original cam belt.
* The rear bumper is bent out on the drivers side.
* There is a dent in the door under the drivers wing mirror.
* The support for the drivers wing mirror is corroded down to the metal.
* The passenger wing mirror cover is smashed.
* The paint on the shell is worn where the door seals rub against it.
* The Sunroof did not work.
* The head lining above the drivers sun visor was black and horrible looking.


In other words a shed. Wish the lying git had just been honest and saved me a 400 mile trip.
 
1/2 way there - We've bought the bravo but still need a Marea Weekend for me. Only couple worth looking at are in the extreme south - 250 miles as the crow flies. To put that in perspective the Bravo was 150miles as the crow flies and 230 miles on the road :eek:

Anyone near Southsea and really into shopping for cars? :D
 
As long as its not rusty, got holes in it and falling to bits then I'd have it! I've just rang the company and its still there. Depending on what they say about it when I phone back I might be heading down there. On the train though since its 320 miles one way :eek:
 
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