Fiat Idea Review Covering 2004

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Quick Summary of the Fiat Idea

OVERALL

If you like the way the Punto drives but could use a little more acreage in the back, the Idea is the perfect solution. With a little more personality and brio than many of its rivals, it makes a decent used choice, as the public hasn’t really cottoned onto this one yet. Way merrier than a Meriva and less laughable than a 1007, the Idea has a lot going for it.

FRESH FROM THE FIAT IDEAS FACTORY?

Fiat are rarely short of ideas when it comes to appealing small cars and with the explosion in MPV-style utility vehicles, it was only a matter of time before they slotted in a model beneath the Multipla. Although other rivals beat the Punto-based Idea to the punch, few can come anywhere close to its sense of fun and style. A used Idea may be a little tricky to track down, but if you want a small MPV-style vehicle but don’t want to forgo a little personality, this is one Idea well worth further investigation.
Used Fiat Idea for sale

History of the Idea

The Idea doesn’t pack a whole lot of history into its curriculum vitae. Basing it on the Fiat Punto, a car whose fundamental underpinnings can be traced back to 1994, didn’t seem the most effective way of introducing a fresh face to the supermini-MPV arena but the results were a good deal more effective than expected. The Punto had long been one of the more effervescent cars to drive in its class and the Idea took that ‘spirito’ and translated it to a class notably lacking such qualities. Two engines were offered from launch, a 1.4-litre petrol and the preferable 1.3-litre Multijet diesel. The petrol was offered in Active, Dynamic and Eleganza trim levels though the diesel was never available in Eleganza specification. In the Spring of 2006, the Idea got a facelift. The more recent cars are easily spotted by their chrome grille and the indicators integrated into the headlamp clusters. Inside, they feature a two-tone dash and lots of chrome detailing. The 1.4-litre engine was revised to reduce noise in the cabin at this stage and two versions of the 1.3-litre Multijet became available, buyers could choose 70bhp or 90bhp power outputs. The last UK market Ideas were sold in the early part of 2007.
Used Fiat Idea for sale

Fiat Idea Road Test

The Idea had the pick of the Punto’s engine range and plucked two of the best in its 94bhp 1.4-litre petrol unit and 70bhp 1.3-litre Multijet turbodiesel, although this was later supplemented by a 90bhp Multijet option. Of the two engines, the Multijet is where the smart money goes, returning excellent fuel figures and boasting enough torque to really punch the little Idea forward even when it’s fully laden. The petrol unit comes to the fore when you’ve got the Idea to yourself and there’s a twisty road ahead. Around town, you can toggle the Dualdrive button to take the effort out of twirling the wheel.Expect to see 45.6mpg around town in the 70bhp 1.3-litre car with a sprint to 60mph detaining you for 15.2 seconds and a top speed just nudging three figures. Opt for the more powerful 90bhp version of the same engine that arrived later and you’ll be looking at 44.8mpg, 0-60mph in 12.3s and a 108mph top speed. The petrol-engined Idea is a bit quicker, zipping to the benchmark sprint in 11.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 109mph. Fuel economy is a bit heavier in the urban sprawl and crawl, the 1.4 seeing 33.2mpg but it can’t match the diesel car when it comes to carbon dioxide emissions, chuntering out 157g/km of CO2 versus the Multijet’s 135. The ride is firm, courtesy of a very stiff chassis and the chunky windscreen pillars obscure visibility when negotiating tight roundabouts but aside from that the driving characteristics are much as you’d expect from a Punto – in other words lively but strangely loveable.
Used Fiat Idea for sale

Buying a Fiat Idea

If you’re expecting the Idea to highlight the gulf in quality between Italian and Geman marques, think again. The cabin of the Idea is well appointed and very nicely finished. Both engines have proven reliability while fitted to the Punto and the rest of the running gear is also tried and tested stuff. Distributor caps on the petrol car have been known to go on the blitz, but other than that there’s little to beware of. Just check the service book has been kept up to date.
Used Fiat Idea for sale

Fiat Idea Typical Pricing

Prices start from about £5,00 for a higher mileage 04-plated 1.4 Active, with the Dynamique trim level not faring so well in the depreciation stakes. These plusher models open at just under £5,400 while the well-specified Eleganza version can be yours from £5,700. The diesel models are a bit trickier to find, despite them being convincingly superior cars to drive. Again, £5,200 seems to be the opening point for a diesel and Active and Dynamic models don’t actually vary hugely in price. Insurance ranges from Group 4 to a modest Group 6.
Used Fiat Idea for sale

Fiat Idea Parts

(approx based on an 1.4 Active inc VAT) An alternator is around £78, front brake pads are around £35 for a set, a rear exhaust section should be about £61 and a headlamp is around £82. Expect to pay around £7 for an air filter and about £15 for a fuel filter, about £6 for an oil filter and about £4 for spark plugs. Servicing is required every 10,000 miles.
Used Fiat Idea for sale

Fiat Idea Rated

Performance Performance 3 out of 5

Comfort

Handling

Economy

Styling

Equipment

Build

Depreciation Depreciation 3 out of 5

Insurance

Value

Fiat Idea Review2004 - 2007