General Old v New

[donaldmaclennan]

Anyone had both mk1 and the new Ulysse? Would like to know for future ref if I should go for a slightly newer mk1 or for the new style. Currently driving a 97 with just over 100000 on clock and is running like a dream atm but something in my head is telling me to look out for another. The new Ulysse looks better but are they anymore reliable?
Cheers.

 

[Stu DemonD]

Hi

The Mk2 we purchased was our first ever Fiat - although that never nearly happened, because the dealership couldn't be bothered to sort out a test drive [3 times I had to phone, each time with a promise that a salesman would call back ]

You can get some great bargains on some Mk2s now; any problems should have come to light surely.

They are a cracking car, lots of toys and gadgets as well

 

[T14086]

Older ones appear more reliable but then again there isn't too many astround these days,new ones great to drive & gadgets,I can sit for hours turning the heater fan on & off
Loads of niggly problems on new ones but nothing really serious(ever seen one broke down?,I havent)i'd go for new ulysse about year old(still under warranty)but hopefully niggly problems already sorted........could be a sell coming up for you here Stu

 

[Stu DemonD]

could be a sell coming up for you here Stu

A sell, you gotta be kidding

We bought ours brand new, on a 53 plate - car only done 17k miles, and HP now paid off as well - I intend to keep it for many more years to come

Unless of course you want to make me a very GOOD offer :devil:

 

[donaldmaclennan]

If I win the lottery or my Premium Bonds 'come In' I might make an offer

 

[poggy]

T14086 is right, most problems seem to be niggles rather than real faults. I am happy with our's and the only small problems have been software related and the driver seat issue.

We bought our's new and added a lot of options to it and like Stu will be keeping it for many years. As a result we even spent the money on an LPG conversion to bring the fuel costs down dramatically.

To be honest I really like driving it and it does have a lot of toys on it. I did look at other cars to replace it next year, but I can't find anything else which is as good. Key thing for me was the safety rating as well.

 

[apis]

car only done 17k miles,

7K posts, 17K miles. That means that you stop every 2.5 miles to make a post...

 

[T14086]

7K posts, 17K miles. That means that you stop every 2.5 miles to make a post...

Handy that laptop eh

Seat issue can be resolved by fitting covers,not that you should have to but it does help.

Galaxy is not a bad motor (TDI engine) but few niggly probs like ulysse,interior trim,underneath heater & few electrical issues.

 

[redcatrockets]

T14086 is right, most problems seem to be niggles rather than real faults. I am happy with our's and the only small problems have been software related and the driver seat issue.

We bought our's new and added a lot of options to it and like Stu will be keeping it for many years. As a result we even spent the money on an LPG conversion to bring the fuel costs down dramatically.

To be honest I really like driving it and it does have a lot of toys on it. I did look at other cars to replace it next year, but I can't find anything else which is as good. Key thing for me was the safety rating as well.

poggy - absolutely on the NCAP. This was what convinced us as well.

How much was the LPG conversion? Where did they manage to find room for the tank?!?

 

[Stu DemonD]

I too was finally swayed because of the NCAP!

As for poggys LPG conversion, he has done a thread in the LL about it - I will find the link in a minute - the tank is in the spare wheel cavity; the spare wheel now in the boot, I presume https://www.fiatforum.com/showthread.php?t=43541&highlight=LPG

@ T14086 - checked car today, around 19775 miles on it! BUT you have got it wrong - post count EXCLUDES my 17000 odd posts made in the Leisure Lounge, lol. AND don't forget I drive the Stilo as well

 

[donaldmaclennan]

Galaxy is not a bad motor (TDI engine) but few niggly probs like ulysse,interior trim,underneath heater & few electrical issues.

And no sliding doors!

 

[poggy]

And no sliding doors!

Which is a huge benefit and rules out the Espace straight away.

Also it's a Ford

 

[redcatrockets]

Sliding doors are a must. So that's the Kia with a crappy 2* NCAP or the Toyota?

 

[redcatrockets]

I too was finally swayed because of the NCAP!

As for poggys LPG conversion, he has done a thread in the LL about it - I will find the link in a minute - the tank is in the spare wheel cavity; the spare wheel now in the boot, I presume https://www.fiatforum.com/showthread.php?t=43541&highlight=LPG

@ T14086 - checked car today, around 19775 miles on it! BUT you have got it wrong - post count EXCLUDES my 17000 odd posts made in the Leisure Lounge, lol. AND don't forget I drive the Stilo as well

Thanks Stuart. One to ruminate on then. I only got my car yesterday afternoon and I'm already alarmed at 25mpg!!! But I need my boot space, would worry about the warranty and might want to take it on the ferry...

 

[poggy]

Thanks Stuart. One to ruminate on then. I only got my car yesterday afternoon and I'm already alarmed at 25mpg!!! But I need my boot space, would worry about the warranty and might want to take it on the ferry...

The tank goes in the spare wheel well under the car and I currently have the spare at home as I am only driving locally. If we go on holiday and I need the space I will put it in a roof box instead.

You can still take it on the ferries, just not the Euro Tunnel at the moment although when I spoke to them they said they would be soon if you had a LPGA installation certificate.

The warranty is an issue, but we only have 12 months left on our's and you get a 2 year warranty on the LPG system which can be extended to cover any damage to the engine caused by using LPG.

I have to admit the more I drive it, the more it seems to be smoother and more powerful on LPG. Not sure if that is due to the fact that LPG is 100 Octane rather than 95 for unleaded petrol.

 

[redcatrockets]

You are right. It's just euroTunnel. Something to do with passengers having to stay near their cars I seem to remember? I'm easily confused (getting old).

 

[ian001]

I had a P reg 1.9 diesel for 4 years, only work done apart from servicing, tyres and brakes was a new set of glow plugs. Great car, even though the depreciation was a bit high.

I swapped this for a Y reg 2.0 JTD, this was better to drive and had a few more toys as it was the ES, but I had a lot of problems with it. Timing chain snapped wrecking a cam shaft, although this was under warranty I was without the car for a total of 8 weeks due to problems and delays. This was followed by numerous minor problems with sensors (little plastic boxes in the engine compartment) and fuel pump replacement. Again great car to drive and very flexible but my particular unit was poor for reliability.

In the summer I swapped this for a new 2.2 JTD Eleganza (glutton for punishment!). Even better to drive and even more toys and safety features. The seating is also more flexible being on sliding tracks. Only done 6000 miles so can not comment on reliability, no problems so far (touch wood)

I did prefer the old shape, with the rear door track hidden under the rear window, but the new shape is growing on me.

 

[donaldmaclennan]

Thanks for all the replies.

I am starting to see that a new shape Ulysse as a poss replacement when funds allow Also the local-ish dealer has none and no idea when they are likely to have one. I have asked then to keep me in mind if anything turns up. Through my job (not a taxi driver) I know every street in the county so not worried about extras like sat nav, and it is impossible to get lost in my village plus I have a collection of A to Z's / streetmaps for all the places I have had to visit.

 

[Stu DemonD]

Apart from the Dynamique, Satnav is [or was, need to check latest specs] standard or the Eleganza in Nav form, and the Prestigio gets Nav+.

This will hopefully come into its own IF the BBC gets TMC sorted