Tempted.....

[mrcinquecento]

As alot of you already know, i've been looking for another car, and the idea was to get a non fiat for a change up, was thinking along the lines of a Calibra, that may still happen if this doesnt.... but i've been offered a Marea 2.0 20v HLX with a years m.o.t and a few month tax for mucho, mucho, mucho cheapness.

only done 65k, one owner, full electrics, sunroof, even has the red key. It's totally original bar the fact its been de-badged. Timing belt done too.

Exterior wise, apart from a couple of stone chips and the paint flaking off the headlight washers, not alot wrong

Its the earlier 20v, so not the 155 bhp version,147bhp? but a few things put me off it though.

1. its quite probably, the worst build car interior ive ever been in!, every panel is ill fitting, the glovebox sits squint, the sunroof blind only opens a tiny bit, the fuse cover hardly fits, all the plastics feel rough round the edges.

2. what colour is a marea interior supposed to be? this one is sort of beige sick colour what were they on designing that? :nutter:

3. getting bits for a marea is nigh on impossible, so im guessing custom route for the exhaust etc would be the only way? would Bravo HGT lowering springs be the same for dropping it? (im thinking more for the rear springs)

4. insurance could be steep, but being a saloon rather than a coupe, it could just help me there slightly

on the positive, it has a certain stealth factor about it (imo, probably one of the ultimate stealth saloons around), it has that fantastic 5cylinder engine, its in generally good nick and would be pretty cheap to buy... having seen a few gorgeous mareas on FF, im a bitty tempted... hmmm, need to sleep on it

 

[M21MFS]

Two words..DO IT!

 

[Stuart]

might know of a decent calibra if you are still really interested in one, all i know is, its got a redtop engine, yellow in colour and is £800 iirc, pm me if you are interested and i will find out more

 

[muppet42]

Love the 5-cylinder Fiats in general but also rather like the Calibra. Liked them when I was a kid, guess it was down to the rakish styling more than anything else. A guy I knew had a mint 16v in dark metallic blue with the alloys that almost looked like totally flat metal wheel trims (probably have no clue which one's I mean). Anyway, nice looking car for sure.

Either way, if you're getting a bad vibe from the car and don't feel comfortable with it, I'd be tempted to walk away. But if it's fixable stuff, I'd maybe give it a go. I guess though it's up to you as you're the one with the cash to stump up.

 

[mrcinquecento]

Thing is, its not that i don't like the marea, i could put up with little issues

i would preffer something different, as i will be keeping the cinq as my fiat I want something thats more of a long distance car than a city tearaway.

but more importantly, as my budget will be stretched between the new car, and project cinq, the new car has to be relativley reliable, interesting enough to look and, and have parts that are cheap and readily available.

The calibra covers all 3 imo, the marea would cover most too, BUT, it would cost money to get it how i want it, and the parts aren't exactly everywhere.... or cheap so it kinda defeats the purpose slightly.

It also helps that my mate knows everything there is to know about vauxhalls, and can get all bits mega cheap for them it sways me more toward a cally and away from the marea tbh

 

[muppet42]

On practicality, I'd go with the Calibra. Probably less thirsty than the Marea, it'll maybe be a better motorway cruiser (given it's Cavalier origins) and the parts are maybe a little more common. See plenty more Calibra's, Cavs and the like down scrappies than Mareas, Bravo's and Brava's (though it's not as bad as the Stilo).

Personally, if I were looking at cars in that price bracket and for the reasons you're looking at, I'd end up getting an old ek9 Civic of some description. A mate bought a 1.4 version of the model before that one for a few hundred and it served him well for 12 months. Sold it on for a slight profit too and he didn't have to do anything maintenance wise in all that time part from buy new wipers and replace a bulb. Drove it rather enthusiastically as well, though it was an automatic, which I for one certainly couldn't get used to.

I think though from what you're saying that you're probably erring towards a Calibra anyway

 

[mrcinquecento]

On practicality, I'd go with the Calibra. Probably less thirsty than the Marea, it'll maybe be a better motorway cruiser (given it's Cavalier origins) and the parts are maybe a little more common. See plenty more Calibra's, Cavs and the like down scrappies than Mareas, Bravo's and Brava's (though it's not as bad as the Stilo).

Personally, if I were looking at cars in that price bracket and for the reasons you're looking at, I'd end up getting an old ek9 Civic of some description. A mate bought a 1.4 version of the model before that one for a few hundred and it served him well for 12 months. Sold it on for a slight profit too and he didn't have to do anything maintenance wise in all that time part from buy new wipers and replace a bulb. Drove it rather enthusiastically as well, though it was an automatic, which I for one certainly couldn't get used to.

I think though from what you're saying that you're probably erring towards a Calibra anyway

yup im very fussy/picky when it comes to cars. i couldnt have a civic, it would bore me to tears tbh, endless plastic, at least with a cally, it has a wee bit of poke, nice looking and i also know my way around them a bit having done a bit of work on my mates one.

but for sheer relaibilty and cheapness to run, a civic would be a fine choice

being able to get bits from scrappys from the endles cavs is a huge bonus too, plus they are getting rarer and values are increasing due to corsa boys stealing the engines and dreaded rust issues

but tbh, part of my plan is if the new car goes well, i'll keep it on road and the cinq will be kept purely for summer blasts, shows and meets

so the new car will be a cruiser, and the cally is fairly comfy for that, also its boots decent, its something i know i could live with everyday happily.

The marea is tempting, but it just doesnt fit the bill totally tbh, so i lean towards the vaux.... god i never thought i would see myself say id have a vaux over a fiat!!!!

 

[muppet42]

Indeed, Vauxhalls have their stigmas, but some are perfectly fine cars.

I can totally understand the need for a second car though. A mate's in the same bought...he's got a modded 106 and loves it to bits, but he's feeling obligated to getting a more practical car for himself and his wife and kids. Plus he does loads of miles for work, so the loudness of the Pug isn't the easiest on the ears. He's been looking at Diesel Passats for around £3k for example. Tried to tempt him into a 2.4 Stilo Abarth 5dr, but he didn't seem convinced

 

[mrcinquecento]

Well the second car need is beacuse the cinq will be off the road for 4 or so months (maybe even over the winter) getting a 1.4 16v engine upgrade, a new interior, a brake overhaul, a re-wire and a respray

currently its mechanicly gubbed

i would be paranoid having it parked on the street 24/7 in its new form, and want to keep it as spotless as possible. i'll be needing something to lug occasional bits about to the garage etc too, and as i have a punto cabrio project to do afterwards, that would mean the cinq would need to do the punto lugging too... not ideal for keeping it spotless

but it wont be neglected, i dare say it will be a mini side project. but it will be teh fiats donkey and a comfy cruiser first and foremost

 

[muppet42]

Well, the Calibra though it has a high sill has a humongous boot with fold down seats and is technically a hatchback. The Marea's a saloon, so you're limited with the opening from the boot to the cabin. Not saying the Calibra's a van exactly, but think it may be able to take larger loads a bit more readily.

Sounds like some good plans for the Cinq though. Is it the same 1.4 that's in the Panda 100hp then? Guessing it won't be left in standard tune though

EDIT: Just read you're other thread with the engine details. Sounds interesting for sure