Great, but some reservations (Fiat Stilo)

Member Name: Paul_Whittle

Product:	Fiat Stilo
Date:	01/07/03 (2476 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Performance, Comfort, Economy

Disadvantages: Alert-system problems, Poor rear legroom, Low-gear intervals too wide

I have had my Fiat Stilo 3-door JTD 115 for 9 months. I have done 24,500km, commuting between my homes in Provence and Brussels and for local and other trips. I am mostly very pleased with it. I find it stylish, lively, comfortable, economical, very good value, and in general a pleasure to drive. It feels safe and solid on the road and in its construction. It is excellent on motorways and on the rural roads of Provence, which are often narrow and steep. Ok in the city. As an early review said, the Stilo is 'a European inter-city cruiser'. Other pros: the seats are the most comfortable I've ever had, and there is no wind noise at all at high speed.
Cons: (1) Not enough legroom for rear passengers. (2) I have had irritating faults in the electronics that monitor oil, bulbs, doors etc. The annoyance was compounded by the fact that you can't switch the audible alerts off. I drove 1000km recently (Sunday, no garages open) with two beeps and a visual display telling me I had faulty rear bulbs every time I pressed the brake pedal or engaged reverse. No joke. The bulbs were fine; it was a 'bad connection' in the alert system. (3) The car has got through its first set of front tyres already, by 24000km. The local French tyre firm say this is a problem with Fiats in general (and others), and they have made slight changes to alignment to improve it, but we shall see. (4) My model needs six gears. In fifth the revs are quite low at high road speed, which makes for quiet and economical motorway cruising (a big plus), but this means the intervals between the low gears are large and I still find it hard to drive smoothly at low speed. (This is why I say only 'ok' in the city.) Having three gears rather than two below the present third would improve this. (5) In Provence my local Fiat garage has closed. There are plenty in Brussels, but if I were living only in Provence this would prevent my buying another. As it is, I
just might, in spite of grumbles.

Summary: