Tardis for modern families (Fiat Multipla in general)

Member Name: FraserP

Product:	Fiat Multipla in general
Date:	11/02/01 (701 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good to drive, economical to run, good sound system and fun

Disadvantages: quirky looks get you noticed, slightly wider than standard

It is perhaps no coincidence that it is a popular taxi in Italy. This car at first recoils you with its looks, and I for one thought that Fiat had made a mistake and nobody in their right minds would be seen in it! We are a family of 5 and needed a family car, we looked at large saloons (we had an Alfa Romeo 164 before, and liked it greatly). We tried the Seat Alhambra deisel (noisy and slow) and Renault Scenic and looked at the Renault Espace (too expensive). Eventually we were persuaded to go for a test drive in the Multipla. We liked it but told the garage that we would think about it. They kept offering it to us for weekends, and even though my wife only likes automatics, having only ever driven them since passing her test, she was won over by the easy to drive multipla.

We tried the petrol and the turbo diesel. The Diesel is better suited to this car as it has more low down pulling power, and it fairly quiet and much more economical. We get up to 50 mpg on a country run and 44 mpg on average, provided you use all 5 gears and change up as soon as you can. Consumption drops off quite quickly if you cruise above 80 mph, but where can you do that?

The kids love it as it gives them a good view out (especially for the little one sitting between mum & dad in the front) and they can have friend along in the back. The deluxe model is worth having with airconditioning and twin electric sunroofs making it light and airy all year around. I would specify the optional side airbags next time.

Boot space is adequate, and good for the type of car. If we need more we take out one of the spare rear seats, which is easy enough.

Insurance costs are low (about £250 fully comprehensive) and services are every 12,000 miles and so far not too expensive.

New cars now come with 3 year manufacturer's warranty, which is worth having.
The only faults are the tall design makes it difficult to wash, at least if you are not tall, an
d it is about 3 or 4 inches wider than a normal car, so it can be a squeeze in some multi-storey car parks, but the large side mirrors can be retracted from inside the car and we have always managed to get in, even if it means that we all have to get out on one side only.

I have shown it to a friend with a similar sized family and even though they always have a Volkswagen Passat estate, they were won over and bought one in record time.
MY advice is to put aside your prejudices, try it and you may be won over too!

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