Fiat Mulipla

When it comes to moving people, six is the magic number. Any one with 2 children will understand my point. Picture a family day out to the zoo. My eldest child Olivia wants to take best friend Hannah. My youngest child Poppy wants to take pal Beatrice. Our family of four becomes six. The same thing happens on Sunday, a trip to the pub for lunch with the grand parents. I need to transport six people. Not five. Not seven. Six.

A family saloon won’t do the job, a people carrier will, but a spare seat and an extra couple of feet is a lot to lug about. What I, and most people with 2 kids needs, is a car with 6 seats. What we all need is a Fiat Multipla.

Introduced in December 1999 the car has been around 3 years so used examples are starting to appear and with prices starting at £5,500 it could be a relatively cheap way of solving the family transport problems.

So much has been said about the way that it looks that I am not going to bother. If you like it you like it, if you hate then nothing I say will change your mind. What is undeniable is the cars Tardis like qualities, three seats in the front, three in the back and a usefully large boot yet it’s a full 6 inches shorter than a VW Golf. Okay the cars a bit wider than most but with a high driving position, short overhangs and great visibility it will sneak into spaces with ease.

Choose from a 1.6 litre petrol engine that produces 100bhp or a 1910cc diesel Turbo. Power from the diesel Turbo has increased since its launch, early cars had 105bhp but this was quickly increased to 110bhp and in the summer of 2002 it gained a further 5bhp.

The nicest to drive is the diesel; the engine’s more powerful than the petrol and the extra torque is welcome especially if the car is heavily loaded. Fuel consumption on the petrol is mid 30’s but expect over 40 mpg from the diesel.

Inside the Multipla unusual styling continues, large round binnacles house essential dials and doors and dash are covered in a fabric similar to nylon! The cabin may look a little flimsy, but high mileage examples are wearing well, and unlike many Fiats of the past that had a reputation for dubious electrics the Multipla has no such issues. The dash mounted gear stick falls easily to hand and both the clutch and steering are nicely weighted.

The Multipla comes in two trim levels SX and ELX. The SX sits on steel wheels but does have electric height adjustment on the drivers’ seat, central locking and three front air bags. The top spec ELX gains climate control, alloys, twin electric sunroofs, central locking and folding door mirrors. Best buy is the ELX; expect to pay about £700 for the extra goodies.

Servicing is every 12 months or 12,000 miles, which ever is sooner, and most jobs can be undertaken by local garages once the car is out of warranty.

Finding a used Fiat Multipla is getting easier but most remain within the Fiat network so you’re best off trying a Fiat dealer first. Fiat approved used cars also come with a comprehensive warranty and guaranteed mileage and service history. If you buy privately you could save £750 but remember to HPI the car before parting with any cash

Check the following

An ELX costs £2,000 more than a SX when new, but second hand you’ll only pay about £700 extra for the better specification

Sunroofs – twin electric sunroofs on ELX adds light to the cabin

Alarm – standard on ELX although all cars do get immobilizer

Gearbox – no automatic option available

Bumpers – minor facelift to bumpers and alloys in summer 2002

Clutch – should be light, if not then expect a bill

Service history – 12month/12,000mile interval

Dashboard – trim may seem flimsy but generally proves to be durable

Colours - metallic blues and silvers are most sought after

Rear Seat – can be removed completely giving a truly van like space

The one to buy

Fiat Multipla 110 JTD ELX

2000 ‘X’ plate with 30K miles

Pay £8,775 at a Fiat main dealer or £8,000 privately

Values - Fiat Multipla - 110JTD ELX

SX models worth £700 less than ELX

Petrol cars are worth £1,000 less than equivalent diesel models

© Jason Dawe Productions Limited February 2003