General Has anyone actually bought one?

[Dr_Pepper]

Well?!

"The new rules are very simple, the FIA will keep them to themselves until such a time as Ferrari needs them" Patrick Head

 

[lally]

yeah! I've seen a couple around coventry, which means that must be sellin!!![8D]

 

[John_K]

Not brought one - I have a Ulysse, but I've had one as a courtesy car, and they're not bad (or at least the one I had wasn't).

The internals remind me a bit of the Ulysse - centre console sweeping around to each side, but I don't like the fact that one the centre-mounted instrument panel the speedometer is on the far left which means you don't see it in your normal field of view.

Other than that, it's quite smart for a mini-MPV.

John

 

[StiloBoy]

Had one as a courtesy car for 3 days, very nice, interior not of the best quality i thought compaired to my Stilo. But a nice wee car non-the less!


53 plate, Stilo 3-door, Sassy grey, Alloys to follow, 1.2 Active, 5-Disc CD-Changer -- 45mpg!

 

[Enzo]

The instruments block is the same for the LHD and RHD vehicles, so on the 2nd ones the speedo will appear on the farthest side[^]


Do I turn fast enough!?

 

[Stu DemonD]

Well, got the Ulysse booked in next week for some warranty work [a new cat being one of them, not bad on a car 11 months old and only 9k on the clock????!]

But I requested a larger-type courtesy car from main dealer, and have been offered the use of their Idea for a day - will let you know how it goes! Always interesting trying out new cars

 

[Gav]

I was looking this morning about hiring an MPV for transporting equipment and people next month, and noticed that Hertz offer Idea's for hire from my local branch. Well, they say an Idea or similar. And they don't do MPVs and the nice special Mercedes E class estate doesn't seem to be available for me.


I'd like to try the Idea, and thought about hiring one for a weekend. Perhaps soon I will. Of course if I got a Meriva or Ford Fusion I wouldn't be so impressed. Hiring would mean not a dealers demo car which is probably hand picked to not have faults, be quiet etc, and then you get to drive for all of a few miles at most... Hire it and do a few hundred...

 

[Stu DemonD]

Well, once I have it in my hands next week, I will give it a good road test, plus take some pics out of interest.

Not sure what spec I am gonna get, mind, but fun all the same......

Bet it will feel sluggish

 

[MiniG]

I've got one at the moment as a loaner, and it's ok, some nice touches but nothing hugely exciting.
The speedo is on the wrong side for me though, but I can see the point of it being there as to cut down on the cost.

MiniG

 

[joecinq]

Anyone else????

29-09-2004 last post, some one there must be one?!

 

[Dr_Pepper]

Well 6 months on and I've yet to see one outside of a FIAT showroom. I still don't see why anyone would buy one over a punto since you don't get any extra useable space. I could have told FIAT they wouldn't sell any before they released it it's no wonder they're in financial trouble!

 

[Vin]

I've seen a few round Leeds, and I saw one in queuing traffic on the M62 this morning. It was in black and looked very nice

 

[StiloBoy]

I'd consider a trade in when they start buying the Idea in bulk to sell cheap, but my one biggest gripe is no 6-speed box on the 1.4, also depends on what diesels are on offer? Anyone know? Is it the 1.3 or the 1.9?

 

[Steven]

It's the 1.3 Multijet diesel.

 

[Stu DemonD]

I have driven one a few months ago, as a courtesy car.

Can't remember engine size, but I tried to overtake and decided not to, lol. BUT it all depends what you are used to. Had a few toys to play with, but nothing to write home about - again, can't recall version.

Saying that, got a NEW JTD Multipla today to play with - now that's a bit more pokey.

 

[Koa]

I talked my parents into getting a Fiat, and my mum fell in love with an Idea.. not an Idea as such but an Idea..you know what I mean... lol stupid name for a car.. The only thing wrong with it is the service she's had from the local Olympian dealer.. The cars a 1.4 active and for a small engine its pretty nippy, she's well pleased with it, its not my cup of tea, but as long as she's happy thats ok by me. Very small boot for this type of car.
Also after a 30 mile trip it made my 18 month old daughter throw up all over the back seat because she was car sick...Its the 1st time she's ever threw up in her life for whatever reasons, so there must be something about the car that don't agree with her.

 

[Steven]

I doubt it was the car, the ride isn't that bad. I test drove one and it drove very like a Punto IMO which is no surprise as it uses a Punto chassis. If I was in the market for this type of car I'd probably buy a Multipla instead.

 

[fraguzz]

http://www.cadamurodesign.it/en/listino.php?Costruttore=5&Modello=63
check this idea out!

 

[raton_laveur]

http://www.cadamurodesign.it/en/listino.php?Costruttore=5&Modello=63
check this idea out!

Fiat sells similar stuff as dealer accessories. The rear spoiler costs €207 VAT in but without painting and mounting. I don't know what the same stuff costs from your local Fiat garage.

 

[raton_laveur]

I doubt it was the car, the ride isn't that bad. I test drove one and it drove very like a Punto IMO which is no surprise as it uses a Punto chassis. If I was in the market for this type of car I'd probably buy a Multipla instead.

My Idea rides very well, especially for a short wheelbase car. Problem is the soft suspension creates some handling problems if you like to drive it briskly and the 1.9 MJTD encourages you to drive briskly.