1.4 16v Active 5dr Auto People Carrier

The IdeaL car?

Since purchasing this car last year (2012), I have covered over 24k in it running all over the country to see my kids and grandkids.

It has dealt manfully with everything I have asked of it, a genuine MPV in all respects. It is quite Tardis like inside swallowing people and kit with surprising ease. I particularly like the rear seats for passengers; For a car of this size, it outstrips all of the larger estate and four wheel drive cars I have owned in the past ten years for access and comfort.

The engine is a peach, happy to potter along B roads or give a good account of itself on fast A roads and motorways. As with all small Fiat petrol driven cars, they are happy being revved. The 1.4 petrol engine suits the car very well and returns a respectable 44 mpg regularly. This can easily be improved using the eco button on the Semi auto box gaining a few more mpg for the more careful driver.

Now I know that a lot of people who have owned cars with the Semi-auto box have had problems with it. Firstly, I love the way the gearbox works; full auto, manual with sequential up and down shift, eco. Lovely! Combine this with variable power assisted steering and you have a very nice and easy to drive car. Which is fine by me, as having arthritis in both ankles means an easier life. As far as reliability of the gearbox, it has never given any trouble. The exception to this is it started to crunch into second and third recently. As it was due a full service, I asked the garage to replace the clutch. Since then, it has been sweet and easy, though if I am honest, the mechanic warned me the gearbox actuator was starting to leak oil. I have bought some and at the moment, touch wood, I am topping it up once a month without any problems.

The car is easy to get in and out of in both the front and back. I'm 6'3" and find it comfy on long runs front or rear. It has all the stuff I would expect on a modern car, I even like the central binnacle once I got used to it. The useful computer provides good information and is easy to use. All the other stuff works well and is well thought through and executed. Yes, there is a lot of plastic, but that is what the insides of cars are made with.

As this is the base model, it is without any of the frippery that only ends up causing trouble in the long run on mass market cars. I don't miss any of the stuff that most manufacturers think passes for useable extras, and in my humble opinion this only makes for a better vehicle in the long run as the bills will be less and not as frequent.

No other major issues, everything has worked as it should, nothing has broken or fallen off and everything is still pretty much as when we got it at 40k. Some minor rust on the inside seam of the rear door and a quick look underneath at the garage confirmed it will need rustproofing if I keep it (which to be honest, I probably will be).

I have towed my 800kg caravan with this without any dramas, yes, it did need working a little harder, but then petrol engined cars always do. Think about it, This car produces more power than my 2.0 Cortina in the eighties and it managed to drag a caravan to Spain and back! (Yes, it is within the recommended and legal limits!).

All in all a good package for the every day motorist. Cheap to keep, easy and nice to drive, not beyond the capabilities of most DIYers and looks okay to boot.

I have owned several Fiats over the years with no major problems, this one is in the same vein. Probably the IdeaL car?

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