...I have had a Fiat Marea 2.0 HLX for over 15 months now and am truely impressed by the specification in a car that costs so little on the used market. In keeping with the Fiat tradition, first year depreciation is astronomical, with £18K of car selling for a mere £9K 12 months later, which is good news for second-hand purchasers (and conversely not good for owners from new).
The size (c.Rover 400 size) is adequate for a moderate-sized family and ... ...for rear-seat occupants (although 6'2" adults in the back would definately feel cramped). Mine came with climate control, all-round electric windows and mirrors, 6-speaker RDS stereo with CD controller and steering-wheel controls, power-steering, alloy wheels, ABS, front and rear fog lamps, electronic outside-temperature thermometer, tamper-proof digital tachometer and comfy-seats! Side impact rotection, driver's airbag and pretensioned seatbelts ...
nickhurst 28.09.2000
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Advantages: Economical, reliable, fast Disadvantages: Choppy ride, anonymous image
...on ill-maintained suburban roads (a Fiat characteristic, I think), and the brakes are good rather than brilliant. The ABS cuts in a little early sometimes if the suspension is overwhelmed on rough surfaces. And of course it's rather anonymous. That's good when you're parked up on some inner city factory estate: no-one's going to nick it. But your neighbours and colleagues won't be green with envy. The bank manager will be your friend, though! ...
Consumerfiend 21.02.2006
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Advantages: Excellent road-handling, good fuel economy, roomy Disadvantages: Costly major service
I have no complaints about the Marea from a driving perspective but major services can be nightmarish to the wallet.
I recently parted (sadly in some ways) with the 2 litre 20 valve ELX model and as far as driving was concerned I was in love with the car.
The relationship started to turn a little sour at the first major service which involved the changing of the timing belt. No biggy you say? Only about £70 - £80 for a timing belt change?
Think ... ...engine has to be removed. Total time allotted to the job according to my dealer was 14 hours. You work it out at the standard rate. Let me put it this way -- I decided that it would be as well to have the clutch done at the same time rather than go to all the trouble of having to take the engine out twice. The totla bill for clutch and timing belt change £1500 all barring the loose change.
Needless to say this had me wondering whether I should consider ...
divvydend 08.06.2006
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Advantages: Fabulous engine, thats it! Disadvantages: Pretty much everything else!
My Fiat Marea 2.0 5cyl 20v ELX enchanted me with its fabulous engine, pleased me with its frugal average of 32 mpg, soothed my fevered brow with the aircon and comfy seats, made my left leg ache with the too high set clutch pedal, terrified me with its instablity over 75 mph, and made me wonder why there was only a few revs between 4th and 5th gear, so the engine boomed on the motorway and the fuel consumption dropped to 26 mpg, I bought this car ... ...18 month later with 52k on the clock for £750, having spent £1400 on a service, cambelt change ( you have take the engine out, same if clutch goes), repairs, and 4 new tyres, so thats a loss of £2650 in 18 months. Ive had 4 Fiats and loved them all, except the Marea. DONT DO IT! ...
jaspersilus 30.08.2008
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