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Original poster

Talk to me about Fiat Multiplas please

16 replies

Kayzr · 21/10/2011 18:26

We have DC3 on the way and need a car we can fit 3 car seats in as the DSs will be 5 and 3 when baby arrives.

We like the Fiat Multipla but wanted to know more about it please.

Thanks

OP posts:
fivegomadindorset · 21/10/2011 18:27

I haven't got one but my friend does and raves about it. Roomy, very economical on fuel, she has the diesel version.

wigglybeezer · 21/10/2011 18:32

We had one for years, we loved it but have replaced it with a fiat Doblo 1.6 diesel, cheaper and (a little) more economical. Its not easy to find lowish mileage Multipla's for sale and I think they have ceased production of new ones this year. the doblo has a huge boot and three full size seats in the back. Other "van" type cars like berlingo's and kangoos also fit three car seats and are good value.

heather1980 · 21/10/2011 18:35

i have one, i love it but i have had a few problems with it, mainly the electronics.
the fact that i mainly do town driving means that the engine doesn't often do high speeds and the engine warning light keeps coming on. it needs to go at 60mph for 20 min to do a full engine check via the on board computer, if it can't do one the light comes on, drives me batty.
that said i like the car, i can get the 3dc in the back and the pram and a weeks shop in the boot. we took ours camping in france in the summer and got the whole lot in the boot.

StellaAndFries · 21/10/2011 18:35

We have one of the older "bug" style multiples and love it, we have 4 dd's under 10 so have 3 car seats plus another child and there is plenty of room. We like how all of the seats are full size with 3 point seatbelts, they also move forward and backwards and can be folded or removed completely. Ours is a diesel and is very economical.

lostinwales · 21/10/2011 18:37

I had the diesel version, we've just replaced it as it was getting on, but this summer we drove from here (West Wales) to the Alps, into Italy and down to the Med then across to France and back home, over three weeks. With three children and two tents Shock. The car did us proud and I notice now I have a different car I get through a lot more diesel (although that may be down to my 2l turbo engine!)

It's not a glamorous car and the boot isn't huge nor is it the drive of your life but if you have three DC's and want a car that will fit them all and the shopping (and two tents and all your camping equipment - we took a seat out) then it does the job. Not really selling it am I, it's a lovely car, fits the kids and can drive up here loaded until it bursts without complaining, can't say more than that.

nightshade · 21/10/2011 18:38

know a few owners, great room but they are a fiat. at ten years everything tends to break down.

40notTrendy · 21/10/2011 18:38

A friend had one, a car crashed into whilst it was parked outside their house and it was written off. She was beyond gutted, it was her perfect car.
We have a Honda FRV which has 6 proper seats and a big boot. More £ tho.

nightshade · 21/10/2011 18:44

second the honda, would have liked one but not at present. have another japanese make. have stuck with second hand japanese for the past 10 years with great success.

Original poster
Kayzr · 21/10/2011 18:44

It does sound quite good. We looked at Galaxy's but they look huge and I wouldn't feel comfortable driving it as I've only been passed a few weeks.

OP posts:
nightshade · 21/10/2011 18:45

sorry. pressed enter before finishing, my only fiat (not multipla) was a terrible, terrrible car, that had to be scrapped at 6yrs old due to horrendous engine design fault failures.

wigglybeezer · 23/10/2011 15:54

My Multipla died at 110k, the gear box went, too expensive to fix.

I don't think FIATS are any worse than any other car these days, Volvo's used to go on forever but i know several people with unreliable Volvos. The experts say that if you want major reliability you have to go Japanese. Honda FRV's are much more cramped than Multiplas and are also hard to come by. (I did loads of research when our Multipla was getting elderly.)

I learned to drive in our Multipla, I still get a pang when a "bug" style one drives past.

Peachy · 23/10/2011 15:56

We have one, it's way voer 110k but very relaible- have it services etc a lot though which always matters. We do ++++++++ mileage and with 4 kids I an only rave aboput it.

Diesel next time (always buy old as we run into ground anyway) I think

Peachy · 23/10/2011 15:59

Fiat still making em here

Ours over ten years now as well.

Showing some rust which will be death of it but DH wouldn;t have another family car (has a matiz which we use whenever possible to cut fuel / emissions and for his commute)

scotgirl · 23/10/2011 16:00

I looked a one but decided against. Doesn't score well in crash tests - check out the NCAP site.

There are quite a lot of normal cars that fit 3 car seats. Do a search on here for "3 car seats" and i'm sure you will find loads..

My friends who had 4,2,0 bought a volvo with a built in booster seat.

wigglybeezer · 24/10/2011 14:16

I can't remember who told me they were stopping making them, probably someone who was trying to sell me a different car!

Definitely avoid a new diesel (of any make)as they all have particulate filters fitted now which leads to the engine warning light problem as mentioned above if you tend to drive mainly short distances at slow speed eg. school runs.

We would have bought another Multipla if we could have found a lowish mileage secondhand one in Scotland before ours died but it died when we were on holiday so we had to get what was available at the time!

Peachy · 24/10/2011 16:48

Honda stopped making teh FRV, maybe the person who told you was confused?

We'd have a diesel but living in wales and regualrly commuting between the valleys, Somerset and East Devon- we'd be OK!

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