Something for the Weekend? (Fiat Marea in general)

Member Name: shelleyzie

Product:	Fiat Marea in general
Date:	04/01/01 (455 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Italian ride and handling

Disadvantages: Italian ride and handling

My husband recently gave up a company car (Vauxhall Vectra 2.0TD Est), and replaced it with a year-old Marea W'end 1.8TD Estate.

I'm the primary user, and it's used to transport kids and dogs (and everything else that goes with them). At first, I missed the luxuries of the Vectra (climate control, remote controlled multidisc CD, etc), and found the dashboard controls a bit boring (lack of buttons and lights), I soon got used to it.

The clutch and steering are heavier than the old car, which is actually quite reassuring - I actually feel as though I'm driving the car.

However, I find the suspension a bit stiff, and occasionaly noisy - sometimes you have to fight around corners - it does lean quite hard.

Performance is fine for town driving, but country roads can be a bit of a struggle.

The stereo that came with the car soon got replaced with something better, too.

But all in all, I'm very happy with the car - considering the fact that children and dogs deny me the pleasure of an Alfa GTV.

Jeff writes:
I like this car. I like Italian cars - but they're not forgiving creatures like Deutschwagons and Repmobiles.

I hate diesels, but they're cheap to run and maintain. I hate estates, but they're a necessary evil if you have kids and animals.

My only complaint about this car is that I think the power-steering is still too powerful, and that I have time things more carefully to get the benefit of the turbo. The common complaint about the ride and suspension stiffeness is fair, if you're used to driving cars which isolate you from the road. Personally, I like it, as it gives me quite a lot of feedback.

The guy who complained about the car chucking his passengers around - he was cornering too hard and fast for an estate car.

If you like regular cars in the German-style, or in Ford/GM flavour, think twice about this.

If you like ca
rs that give feedback, and require some attention, the the Marea W'end is a top bargain.

Summary: