Fiat multipla - pros and cons please

[allatsea]

Am thinking of needing a multi-seat car, but would like to avoid a full size MPV
What's the original Multipla like? Can the rear seats be folded over to increase boot space? What's the rear leg room like, especially behind the middle seat?
If not this, what should I get for Dh, 4yo DD, 1 yo DS, 73 yr old, 6'2" grandfather and 5'2" arthritic grandmother????

I've never really had any problems although I do try to park with an empty space on at least one side and to avoid really cramped spaces.

We looked at the Mazda MPV at the weekend. It really is only a 6 seater - the middle seat in the middle row is just a small fold down seat - the base folds down into the base of the adjacent seat and the back becomes a sort of arm rest. It cant be removed. Our skinny 5yo could just sqeeze past it into the third row. Basically it woudl do for a short journey but not much else. Suspect its too small for a booster seat but didnt try.
HTH

I had a W reg multipla, so that was orig model. Firstly I'd like to answer the comment that it's wider than other cars. Actually it isn't. The difference is that it retains its width for the whole height of the car, whereas many other cars are wide at the bottom and then narrow off as they get higher.

Secondly, I'll answer the questions about room to open doors. I found it needed far less space between it and the next car than any other car I've ever had! I think it's related somehow to the fact that it's higher and there's so much space to move inside it that you can get into a position that lets you get out with virtually no room without even thinking about it.

Also surprised by the comment about fuel efficiency. DH will prob remember better than I the exact efficiency, but sure we got over 30 mpg from it.

And yes, you can remove or fold down the rear seats in the old model too, which makes tonnes of room for carting furniture etc about.

I find that people who don't like them are people who haven't been inside one.

I had an old style one and loved its design. As it's so short it's very easy to park, and I never had a problem getting children out etc. Even with us all in (family of 6) there was plenty of room for luggage, legs and child seats.
Major downside was that the build quality was not great, and the attitude of the service staff at the local Fiat dealer was terrible, which made Dh decide to sell it. We had problems with the handbrake freezing on in cold weather, and even worse was when the brakes froze off, and didn't work unless pumped (and as we live in a hilly area brakes are fairly important).
I am now fantasizing about the Honda FR-V, a copy of the Multipla, but perhaps with better quality.

fabulous website, thanks Janh

Test drove one a few years ago and loved it, but decided that it was too wide for london which is full of width restrictions on residential streets. Ended up getting a landcruiser instead which we adore.

had a multipla, loved it - now have a new Honda FRV. they don't compare, the multipla was far far better.

OOh Mabs, can you say more? we are looking at both of these just now. Also the Kia sedona. Whats wrong with the Honda and why do you prefer the Fiat? I have a Honda Accord now and its been very reliable but too small for growing family

If you look on what car (I think the link is below ) and compare the two, the fiat comes out so much better.