Hi.Just joined today. I came by here when researching diligently (hah!) before getting a Doblo. My previous history of the FixItAgainTomorrow marque leads me to believe you simply can't research opinions,glitches etc etc too much!. Anyway, after reading just about every thread on here, finding it first by googling, I STILL went ahead and got myself a Doblo.
So, I've had an X1/9 before, and recently disposed of my beloved Lancia Dedra 2.0ieSE with only 40+k miles, because it was languishing in a garage. For the past 5 years I've had a 2001 Marea HLX150 20valve-- awesome car, even if not highly thought of.
SO,WHY A DOBLO I almost hear you ask. Well, we got a house in SW France, and I realised that keeping on shelling out between £400 and £700 a week for hiring a van wasn't too bright, and a MPV would probably be a good idea. Tried a Berlingo-- lot of noise, no aircon option,other than that great car. Tried a Kangoo-- hated it , too small, but my missus wants an automatic and they offered an option on petrol cars. Fortunately, she who must be obeyed also didn't like the Kangoo. So, trawling the net, and not wanting to shell out TOO much on a Doblo, I came across MAURICE-- so named by SWMBO after the salesman. She fell in love with the car, overlooked the lack of auto box option, and we were Doblo owners.Maurice is a Polka green, 02 reg 1.9JTD ELX with 51k miles. Well equipped-- rear parking sensors, aircon, mud flaps, alloys, Sony CD,and the all-important towbar and electrics. All in all, pretty good, and we love it. I p/xed the Marea 20v, which has been virtually bullet proof for it's whole 49k miles, for a pittance,despite having just done the cambelt in accordance with the 6yrs requirement (a good car out there for somebody if you see it) but saved having to MOT it and fix a few niggles-- well, we cant use three cars, which is why the Dedra went in the first place, and I'm working on SWMBO to let me get a Barchetta too (though she hasn't realised that yet),
So, I'm green "van" man--- they used to be car-derived vans, now they're van-derived cars!-- impressions so far are good, around 50mpg on mixed roads usage. Unsurprisingly, already a problem-- tried removing the roof mounting plastic grommets, three sheared off so had to drill 'em out, get the trusty Draper bradawl into the threads, then run the bolts of my bars down the holes with plenty of WD40 to clear out the plastic detritus. Got a nice roof rack,bolts to the front roof mountings, which I'm repainting from the horrible grey to matching colour, and a new set of triple FIAT roof bars (a bit hasty there I think, but heyho). WHY do I now have FOUR different fitting sets of roof bars, I wish the manufacturers would standardise!-- anybody needs Marea/Brava (or is it Bravo, the 5 door anyway) bars at a good price drop me a line. Spending like there's no tomorrow-- ebay's profits will soar-- new mats front and rear, boot liner etc etc etc.
Well, that's it for the BRIEF (!) intro. Very informative site-- thanks.
So, I've had an X1/9 before, and recently disposed of my beloved Lancia Dedra 2.0ieSE with only 40+k miles, because it was languishing in a garage. For the past 5 years I've had a 2001 Marea HLX150 20valve-- awesome car, even if not highly thought of.
SO,WHY A DOBLO I almost hear you ask. Well, we got a house in SW France, and I realised that keeping on shelling out between £400 and £700 a week for hiring a van wasn't too bright, and a MPV would probably be a good idea. Tried a Berlingo-- lot of noise, no aircon option,other than that great car. Tried a Kangoo-- hated it , too small, but my missus wants an automatic and they offered an option on petrol cars. Fortunately, she who must be obeyed also didn't like the Kangoo. So, trawling the net, and not wanting to shell out TOO much on a Doblo, I came across MAURICE-- so named by SWMBO after the salesman. She fell in love with the car, overlooked the lack of auto box option, and we were Doblo owners.Maurice is a Polka green, 02 reg 1.9JTD ELX with 51k miles. Well equipped-- rear parking sensors, aircon, mud flaps, alloys, Sony CD,and the all-important towbar and electrics. All in all, pretty good, and we love it. I p/xed the Marea 20v, which has been virtually bullet proof for it's whole 49k miles, for a pittance,despite having just done the cambelt in accordance with the 6yrs requirement (a good car out there for somebody if you see it) but saved having to MOT it and fix a few niggles-- well, we cant use three cars, which is why the Dedra went in the first place, and I'm working on SWMBO to let me get a Barchetta too (though she hasn't realised that yet),
So, I'm green "van" man--- they used to be car-derived vans, now they're van-derived cars!-- impressions so far are good, around 50mpg on mixed roads usage. Unsurprisingly, already a problem-- tried removing the roof mounting plastic grommets, three sheared off so had to drill 'em out, get the trusty Draper bradawl into the threads, then run the bolts of my bars down the holes with plenty of WD40 to clear out the plastic detritus. Got a nice roof rack,bolts to the front roof mountings, which I'm repainting from the horrible grey to matching colour, and a new set of triple FIAT roof bars (a bit hasty there I think, but heyho). WHY do I now have FOUR different fitting sets of roof bars, I wish the manufacturers would standardise!-- anybody needs Marea/Brava (or is it Bravo, the 5 door anyway) bars at a good price drop me a line. Spending like there's no tomorrow-- ebay's profits will soar-- new mats front and rear, boot liner etc etc etc.
Well, that's it for the BRIEF (!) intro. Very informative site-- thanks.
