General Multipla's your honest thoughts?

[daddyalfa]

Hi Everyone
Glad I came accross this site,gives a good insight to fiat ownership.
My question is, we are looking at Multipla's, expanding family etc. I know nothing about them, so what are they like for general day to day ownership? I many be looking at an ELX JTD 115 on a 03 plate, for £5,500 with 75k miles, is this a good price or not? Do they suffer from any problems as such that would be wise to know?

Sorry to ask, but I thought this is the best place to start, I know the car salesman is'nt going to tell me the down sides, if there are any.

All advice and opinions are very welcome please. Thanks in advance, I will try and log back on tonight, so may not be able to reply in the day today.
Thanks
Craig

 

[Maggie]

Hi Everyone
Glad I came accross this site,gives a good insight to fiat ownership.
My question is, we are looking at Multipla's, expanding family etc. I know nothing about them, so what are they like for general day to day ownership? I many be looking at an ELX JTD 115 on a 03 plate, for £5,500 with 75k miles, is this a good price or not? Do they suffer from any problems as such that would be wise to know?

Sorry to ask, but I thought this is the best place to start, I know the car salesman is'nt going to tell me the down sides, if there are any.

All advice and opinions are very welcome please. Thanks in advance, I will try and log back on tonight, so may not be able to reply in the day today.
Thanks
Craig

Great car, but check out:

Suspension - Link rods easy and cheap fix but anti roll bar and bottom arms are expensive repairs.

Engine - Often computer reports various alrms which can be ignored (only after consultation which your dealer first). However, EGR valve failure appears to be a common issue. Cam belt is scheduled for replacement at around 75K miles so ensure it has been done (most owners would advocate changing every 50K miles).

Clutch and Gearbox - Some members have reported master cylinder failures which along with a new clutch install by the dealer can cost anything between 400-800 pounds to put right.

Interior - seat covering is not very hard wearing and can become thin in places.

Sunroofs - They appear prone to leaking after around 5 years. Simple fix (well posted) is to use a capilliary type silicone sealant which appears to be effective (touch wood!!).

All in all they are a good car with a loyal following, and remain unique in their seating configuration. I have owned my 2001 JTD ELX since May and spent around one thousand pounds getting it sorted (new EGR valve, servicing, new cam belt, new major suspension components, leaking sun roofs and new tyres all round). My saving grace was that I paid around 500 pounds less than what similar 50K mile Multiplas were being sold for and now have had everything done.

Mags

 

[Maggie]

Forgot to mention that there is another site with useful info:

http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/multiplaowners/

Mags

 

[Dutch Andy]

Hi Craig, doesn't seem that long ago that I was wondering the same things.

I bough my 54 plate 1.9 JTD Eleganza 16 months ago. With three children I wanted a roomy car. Many of the other people carriers have smaller seats in the back and I didn't fancy that idea, as we had to accommodate a baby seat.

My Multipla has been excellent. It's great to drive, very comfortable, visibility is excellent, lots and lots of cabin space and a real hit with the family. It has been the best car that I have had. Apart from the recall for the front suspension, which was very straight forward, I haven't had any mechanical problems.

If I were to make any criticisms, they would be regarding the notorious CD player that skips with every bump - changed this for a radio with a USB slot from Maplins, which is great. The boot can be a bit on the small side for a large family, but the various folding seat options may ease this. A roof box is another possible solution. We're camping this year, so I've gone for a small trailer to carry oll the gear. I find that there is some vibration noise from the dash and road noise on motorways, but these quickly become forgotten.

I'm sure that the experienced owners will be able to offer a more technical insight, but for me there hasn't been a moment of regret.

Hope this helps, Andy

 

[daddyalfa]

Hi Dutch Andy & Maggie
Many thanks for your reply's. Always good to get peoples opinions which I thank you for. We will go and see the car hopefully over the weekend, the wife also wants to look at the senic.

Thanks again
regards
craig

 

[Lord Love Rocket]

Purchased mine recently, 07 1.9 JTD. Mine is used for business (i'm a cabbie). Most of the punters comment on what a nice car it is, very roomy, like the 3 seats in the front etc. Other than that can't say too much as I haven't had it long enough to give a serious comment other than I really enjoy driving it, very comfortable, great visability and both my kids love sitting in the front.

 

[Phil_]

I bought my Multipla back in March and suffered from the leaking sunroof problem, check out the forum and you'll find my recent topic on how to cure the problem for £5.
I quite like my Multipla, yes they're damn ugly on the outside but I'd rather have their quirky interior than a boring Scenics anyday. I have 2 kids and in most cars when you have two childseats in the rear it pretty much means nobody else can fit in the car but in the Multipla you could easily fit an adult in the back and of course 3 in the front.
Twice now I've gone from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk to Liverpool (600 mile round trip) in a day and not felt tired. I'm 6 feet tall and the good thing about driving the Multi is there's lots of room to stretch your legs as there's no centre console to get in the way.

be looking at an ELX JTD 115 on a 03 plate, for £5,500 with 75k miles, is this a good price or not?

That's a bit over-priced to be honest. Back in March my '02 1.6 ELX was up for £4500 with 65,000 miles on the clock. I'd say that one you're looking at should have £500 knocked off at least!

 

[daddyalfa]

Hi again
thanks for the reply phil. This is all usefull stuff to know.
Will let the wife decide what she wants to do,she's the boss!

thanks for all your advice everyone

regards

craig

 

[arsedownoz]

Hi Craig i have a 2004 53 plate 1.9jtd elx diesel, its a 6 seater multipla, and it is for sale, its dark blue metalic, with 38000k and full fiat service history, bought it 6mths ago for a lot more from local fiat dealer, then found myself starting my own bussiness, so need to sell it for expansion, it has been a great motor returns around 45mpg 90% of the time and is great with the kids and dog, it has full towing gear fitted but never towed anything , air con alloys etc in vgc, i would let it go for around the same as dealer is asking for the high milage one you have looked at, £5500.00ovno give us a bell if you want to

 

[T14086]

I wouldnt put your phone numbers up here on public forum.......some strange folk about

 

[arsedownoz]

Not everyone is perfect, fingers crossed then can't edit it out.

 

[MultiplaAbarth]

I've had loads of Fiats, then went to VW Golfs, because of the build quality and rust free bodies. Fiats have changed, but they still have some quality issues with low quality components, namely clutch system and suspension. But what a car, mines a JTD and it feels pretty fast to me, (my other cars a street racer beachbuggy that does 0-60 in 6")
It also handles lovely and is a great long distance device with loads of room and tables, it feels like a panoramic living room, and stepping into a normal car afterwards feels like a disappointment.
Plus the diesels are super economical, while the petrol vsn's struggle to better 30mpg.
Go for it!, get the lowest mileage one you can from the Autotrader!:slayer: