Fiat Multipla

I dare to own up to it. We have one that is now nearly 9 years old and has done nearly 140000 miles. We bought it second hand 4 years ago. As you can imagine, at that age and mileage, we've had a few big costs on it, but they have been worth it. We actually love the car. It is extremely practical, amazing how much stuff you get into it. Comfortably takes 6 adults without anyone getting squashed as all the seats are proper full seats. The huge windows give you an excellent view (to the point that we now find that the windscreen on any other is too small and the view isn't that great). We have a petrol model, with a 1.6 engine, and it's surprising how fast it can accelerate, you wouldn't imagine a car like that to be able to accelerate properly.

Are you buying a new one or second hand? When we got ours we took it the Fiat dealership a couple of times for services and repairs. We thought that as it's an unusual car that it might be best to take it to the Fiat experts... BIG MISTAKE. The Fiat dealership was rubbish, couldn't even change a lightbulb (literally in our case!) and we've heard the same story from other Multipla owners. Now we take it to our local independent garage, brilliant mechanic there.

Oh, and every year, there's the Ugly Bug Ball, a rally for Multipla owners. We managed to go once (been busy every other time), details on www.multiplaowners.co.uk

Isn't it a bit late asking now, when you're picking it up at the weekend/ ?

A-ha KTC - haven't handed over the cash for it yet though!!!!

Well done NeoShoegal - that's a big step you've taken in admitting your Multipla fetish ?

We've found a 2002 ELX model 1.9 diesel 69k on the clock and in good nick on the inside and outside and it drove well too. We're no mechanics, but it was the best option of 3 that we test drove last weekend.

It's the picnic table option that sold it to me!

Be aware though that the car is wider than a normal car, so it takes some getting used to when parking and driving through narrow streets.

I have one and it is fab - bit ancient now but brilliant - the boot space is a bit tight with 5 of us so we got a grand picasso in the summer - i like the multipla better though in lots of ways

you may joke about the picnic table but many an impromptu lunch has been put together on ours - we certainly bemoan the lack of it on days out in the other car

driving position is great, seats are great, windows are great etc and so on - only thing that is a problem is the smallish boot - oh and it is a bit slow going up long hills

I borrowed one from my ex H's company car pool when my car was being repaired. I was driving along happily chatting to the kids, changed down gear to go round a corner and the gear lever came off in my hand! ? Caused a major panic at the time and nearly an accident! Apart from that (which I am sure is not typical!) I loved it and would have got one if I could have afforded a new car.