General just about to purchase...

[MrSpot]

ready to make a purchase on either a C8 or a Ulysse(new model)

couple of questions...

what is connect nav? i asked the fiat dealer locally (Inverness) and he said ...err...well you use it with yer phone and you err. dial and stuff...

in other words, a numpty, can anyone explain the navigation system and how it works on an Eleganza model. I had sat nav on a previous Peugrot and it ran simply with a cd rom in the boot and a mono display (which displayed directions, road names etc) is it a similar system? and whats this about it integrating with a phone which dials a call centre in Italy?...it all sounded rather unimpressive at the dealer.

also, after having a good read through the forum, it appears there have been some users with more than a few problems, is this typical with the Ulysses or have these people just been unfotunate with "monday morning cars" ?

also (sorry) whats the advantage of buying the ulysse over the C8?, i test drove a base spec C8 this morning and overall was fairly impressed with its road ability for a large vehicle, however, spec level was meagre

ok, i'll go now

Cheers

 

[Stu DemonD]

Hi MrSpot and welcome to the forum.

What a surprise about the dealers. To make it simple, the Ulysse can come with a Connect Nav system OR a Connect Nav+ system [or just a standard radio, on the Dynamic model iirc].

I paid extra for the Nav+, a pic of which is here:

The standard Nav does not have the multi-coloured display - maybe someone on here can post a pic? I also ordered a CD-multichanger - this way, the SatNav disk can be left in the unit permanently, and music through the changer [all controlled by voice activation OR steering column controls].

The problems you may get will be across the board - Ulysse/C8/807/Phedra - they are all built in the same factory in France, lol. All marques seem to be the same, and to be honest, I prefer the Ulysse styling when compared to the others.

What spec did you get on the C8? The road handling is great, considering - I have the 2.2JTD, although only in 5 speed guise. Mine is also tweaked to 165bhp, so off the lights does take a few people by surprise.

If you do want to buy new, make sure you get a hefty discount.

Stu

 

[Stu DemonD]

Oh, as for Connect features - Sat Nav, radio, CD, voice activation, telephone SIM card slot, A/V ports on the Nav+ , a subscription concierge service [although limited imo, and I am not renewing], hmmm, I am sure I missed a few things.... It is a great toy

 

[MrSpot]

Hi stu, thanks for the quick response, i test drove the LX spec C8 (without sat nav, electric sliding doors, shag pile rug, tea/coffee facilities etc )

I also prefer the styling on the Ulysse, a nicer front end than the C8.

so the Connect system is just a mono display with annoying voice like my old pug?

I've decided not to buy new in order to avoid the depreciation hit encountered on new cars, i'm budgeting up to 13k for a mid spec, ie: citroen SX spec or Fiat Eleganza spec.....havent found many up for grabs up this neck of the woods tho, may have to travel 3 or 4 hundred miles for the privilidge of a higher spec

 

[Stu DemonD]

Yep, the Connect is a mono display, displayed under the dials [which therefore have a different layout to pic above].

The voice is interesting - in our case, we have 2, lol - don't ask, but one sounds like an old fashioned school teacher in Navigation mode.

Good call about not buying new - I did, although have no regrets because car hadn't been launched for long.

Be aware that the Ulysse does not come with sliding doors as standard. But the Eleganza spec is very nice - we wanted the Prestigio initially, but 6 seats was not an option

 

[poggy]

Apparently you can buy well specified cars direct from Fiat UK auctions with the balance of the warranty. If you have a look back through the threads you will find the details somewhere.

All the problems I have had have been fairly minor and not stopped me being able to use the car. There are always problems with new models, but most have been sorted now they have been building them for a while.

Andy

 

[MrSpot]

auctions...hmm, last time i bought a car from an auction, i drove it off down the road and the sump fell out.

i shall search through and have a look, cheers

 

[M6 Fan]

I had a test drive in both the Pug and C8 and neither compared to the Fiat. Both the 'French' cars were pretty low on spec and the Fiat is the only one that comes with standard satnav (albeit it is slightly limited without the upgrade but does the job).

The Pug gearchange felt like it was held together with v loose elastic bands, the C8 choice of colours was pretty poor although they did include electric sliding doors on one of their specs.

On the assumption you buy diesel, try and get a 6 speed box (May 2004 onwards) as this is a much more relaxed car on motorways (not that there is a proliferation of these in Inverness as I recall).

I think you will get problems with any mass production multi format car - all my Galaxies/Alhambras (and I have had 3) had issues at some point or other and had to go back for various fixes.

Hope this helps

Rich