General Possible new Idea owner in Scotland

[YdnaT]

I am a great fan of Fiats and am currently on my 2nd Punto which is a Mark 2 16v Auto and I can't fault it. The driving position is great, its nippy in the town and great fun in the lanes. However I have the urge to buy a Fiat Idea beacause the Qubo is to expensive although I would prefer one to take my dog around in.

Anyway, having read through this forum I see several refernces to a 1.9jtd engine in the Idea I thought it only came in 1.4petrol and 1.3 diesel or am I wrong?? My brochure also says it only comes with a 5 speed manual box yet I can see several automatics for sale, When did the auto come out?? Is the auto box reliable, my current one is great but this seems more complex. Any thooughts on this??

I also see that steering wheel munted controls and Cruise cntrol were an optional extra yet I havn't seen a single car with them fitted Is it possible to fit cruise control after initial build or is it a pig of a job!!

Hopefully I will find the right car soon, I'm just sad to be moving on from my Punto as I love it but its just a tad small and not the best for my pooch

I also see in South America they are selling an Idea Adventure which is so stylish, I wish they had that on sale her. It has an 1800cc engine too

Many thanks

Andy

 

[tigershoot]

Hi

I am not sure about diesels but I believe there is a 75bhp version and a 90bhp. Mine is a 2005 petrol Eleganza (top spec - only available as petrol). The diesels are normally Dynamics (mid spec). Mine is auto and on the whole I like the gearbox. Strangley you would have thought that the Eleganzas would have had steering mounted radio controls but apparently these are an option. The range had a facelift around 2006.

I like the car and everyone who's been in it is very impressed.

 

[YdnaT]

I am also surprised that the Eleganza doesn't come with Cruise control let alone steering wheel mounted controls. I believe cruise control was an option but have yet to see a single 2nd hand one with it fitted

I'm going to go for a test drive in an auto when I get back. I believe its slightly different than the auto in my Punto which I love.

I think these cars are an absolute bargain at the moment.

AndyT

 

[tigershoot]

Remember that pushing the 'E' button for the gearbox makes the gearchange behaviour totally different. It will change at much lower revs. I use the 'E' mode all the time unless I am coming to a steep hill when I take it off as otherwise the gearbox changes up (even if your foot is well down on the gas pedal!) and then you end up bogged down.

The gearbox is a 5 speed dualogic.

 

[YdnaT]

That sounds like the one fitted to my Punto. I have the E selected all the time and only once or twice changed out of E when I really wanted to crack on (if you can in a 1.2 Punto ).

Does yours have cruise control fitted, thats something I really want as I do a fair bit of motorway work and it really helps on long journies.

 

[T14086]

how big is your dog, boot is rather small.

 

[YdnaT]

how big is your dog, boot is rather small.

Its a Collie but he will only be in with the seats folded forward. I'm really after something with cruise control which is a shame as I havn't seen any with this option on as yet.

By the way my gearbox must be the other type as its a 6 speed not 5.

regards

Andy

 

[tigershoot]

Cruise control was never fitted as standard - I don't have it and I doubt you'll find one that does given that the car sold in low numbers. The boot can be made much bigger by sliding the rear seats forward, obviously to the detriment of leg room for the back seat passengers!

 

[Fab Idea]

I wouldn't get too hung up on cruise control. I would wholeheartedly recommend an Idea.

The Idea is a really well thought out car which can carry 5 people with ease and is great for lugging things around with the seats down - including dogs!

I bought mine last November for £2495 - 04/54 plate 1.4 Active petrol with 26k on the clock in great condition. I've done 11k since then and have been very pleased with the car.

The 1.4 engine is extremely nippy (I've had mine close to the end of the speedo! :devil and even when it's thrashed to oblivion , still averages 40-odd to the gallon. Gentle driving sees that rise to around 45mpg. The diesel is slower and doesn't do dramatically more mpg according to the official figs.

Costs have been limited to two new tyres, a new horn and a lambda sensor - nothing too outrageous at all. The outer skin has fallen off my exhaust's backbox and I think the exhaust as a whole might not have much longer to live, but, again, a reasonable expense as it's now nearly five years old.

Although the car leans through slow, tight corners, once up to speed, body control is really good and grip levels are very high. I would say it's really good to drive and surprisingly 'chuckable'.

Interior cubby holes/storage is just superb - I've never had so many places to keep things in a car!

When you say to people that you've got a Fiat Idea, hardly anyone can visualise what it is - they've never heard of them.

So, quite exclusive then

 

[T14086]

like the croma the idea is a very underated car....loads around where I live

 

[Fab Idea]

Yes, the Croma is underrated and wasn't sold for long at all here. To be honest, I think I've only seen a handful of them on the roads since they came out. Saw one in Singapore being used as a taxi, which was strange because there were hardly any other Fiats about

The Croma 2.4 JTD sounds very tasty - quick car, but hardly any for sale. In fact, hardly any Cromas for sale at all (just 24 on Auto Trader!)

56-plate 2.2 petrol on Auto Trader just now with 74k for £3995. Great value! I might replace my Idea at some point with a Croma.

Fiat only seem to have any real success with small cars.

 

[YdnaT]

Well its been a long time coming but I pick up my new (to me) Idea on Sunday night and drive it back to Scotland. I've gone for a 1.4 Dynamic manual. Its a pity the rear windows arn't electric not has it cruise control but I will be looking into retrofitting cruise control. I'm keeping my Punto 1.2 12v auto for a while to see how I get on with the Idea. I must admit I really like the Punto and we'll just have to wait and see.......

ANy ideas yet on how to fit cruise control

 

[YdnaT]

Well I flew down to Birmingham, made my way over to Linolnshire and pick ed up my new (to me) Fiat Idea Dynamic 1.4 manual last night. The 415 mile journey back home went without a hitch although I couldn't figure out how to get the seats all flat in the back so I could get my head down for a nap...


I'm very pleased with the car so far and it is much nicer than previous test drives I've had of Ideas. It seems much quieter and a bit nippier too.

My only gripe so far (and it will get to me soon) is that it has no cruise control fitted. I can't seem to get anyone who has done it before on here so will have to spend a small fortune I guess at a Fiat dealer unless anyone has any ideas. ACtually there is another thing I don't like at all and that is the sun visors... they are just so small and taper off so they don't stop the sun coming through and half blinding you. I'll be looking out for a etrofit for some bigger ones.

I would also like to fit a subwoofer in the rear (The Fiat one) does anyone know if its pre wired for this or not??

MAny thanks in advance.

AndyT

 

[parkie]

Fab idea. Having driven both the 1.4 petrol & now owning the 1.3 multijet I do not know how you come to the conclusion that there is not much difference in mpg. My 1.3 averages between 64 & 68mpg on a long trip driving at the maximum speed limits. Also the 1.3 is much better for mid range performance than the petrol version.
Any review or roadtest will indicate this to be a fact.
The multijet is a much better all round car than the petrol. Almost all motoring experts will agree with this.