Test Drive FIAT MAREA 1996 - 2002 Sedan
Nepipical "Italian"
As a rule, typical Italian models are rarely left indifferent, dividing everyone on their supporters and opponents. Fiat is a folk brand, as if created for reconciliation of opponents, and its representative - Marea is the same car that is very successfully equalizing at least emotional extremes in the assessments. Classic forms, calm style, good recognition. Created in 1996, he confidently occupies his segment in the Russian market and has changed little since then, unless he adapted to our conditions.
WHAT IS THE PRICE As it should be the modern car of this class, Fiat Marea has a very extensive range of modifications. Two types of body - sedan and station wagon, a family of gasoline and diesel engines with a capacity of 75 to 182 hp, two gearboxes are mechanical and automatic. However, all this for another life. Russian equipment implies mainly machine with a 1.6 l dust motor, the body of a sedan with two degrees of equipment SX and ELX.
Sedan Marea 1,6 SX costs $ 12,700. This package includes a sufficient set of civilization benefits, including power steering, central locking, front power windows, adjustable in height driver's seat and steering column, naturally, Russian package for bad roads, not counting Small things.
ELX version is distinguished by heated front seats, climatic installation, folded back seat, exterior mirrors with electric and heating, fog lights and audio pieces medium. But this option will arrive at $ 13,500-14,000.
The list of additional equipment is small and concerns mostly your safety. Front pillows will cost 163 USD. Each, side - in 183, and the ABS in the drive of the brakes - already in 800. So in concerns about your health Marea is significantly gaining in price.
Marea in the city Moderate dimensions, good visibility and maneuverability, convenient controls - Marea easily fits into the intensive flow of the metropolis. Under these conditions, you first pay attention to dense, sometimes even harsh suspension, which will not particularly think about the quality of the road surface. Pits, hatches, tramways and other irregularities - all this is easily overcome and without consequences. Adapted to the 92nd gasoline engine in character - a classic Italian. He loves high speed, at first he reacts with Lenza to the driver teams and everything becomes temperamentally as the tachometer arrow approaches the maximum stamps. So in the city it is often necessary to neglect the highest fifth transmission, giving preference to more residual options.
Marea on the highway
Here, the engine turnover and a rather stretched box are not so visible. A bit thoughtful, but stable car responses allow no voltage to maintain high speed speeds, easily laying the speedometer arrow at 180 km / h. Of course, this is not a sports projectile and sometimes it felt that 100 liters. with. For this car, it is not enough, but quickly and confidently move in the Marea space allows without problems. Perhaps, it is outside the city another Italian line of the character of a car is shown - noise. As soon as the 3500-4000 rpm in the motor wakes up temperament - it begins to dominate all the other sounds in the cabin, it is annoyed by hearing. At high speeds, the whistle of dissectable air is added to this - in general, with acoustic comfort intensely.
Marea for passengers and cargo In the cabin, there are convenience cars, although you do not feel the re-fulfillment. The front seats are spacious, moderately rigid and at the same time not devoid of lateral support. Only the rights of inclusive drivers are increasing - the range of longitudinal adjustment is insufficient.
Rear, in general, too, without delight, but enough space for legs, knees, spacious and upper body. Here are quite comfortable two adults. The size of the luggage compartment does not deceive expectations. Smooth floor, convenient configuration, the wide possibilities of transformation of the reverse seats allow you to transport a wide variety of cargo. Their envelope limits only the size of the luggage opening.
Marea on the village
It is hardly off-road - the true role of this car. However, looking at the powerful aluminum protection of the engine and not at all the European road clearance in 170 mm, it is already much calmer to leave the roads with an improved coating. And Marea does not deceive expectations, easily overcoming rustic bumps, as if created specifically for such a life.
Marea broke
Of course, the Italians sometimes sin with the quality of manufacture ... But in this case, we have before the smallest detail of the exhaust design, which is given one year warranty without limiting the run. Well, if anything happens, the service developed in large cities service with moderate prices and good provision of spare parts. So it should not be repaired. Volkswagen Bora (1998 debut) is a four-door sedan, a five-door wagon; Engines - gasoline 1.6-2.0 l, diesel 1.9 TDI.
Price - from $ 17,000.
Nissan-almer (debut 1995, in 2000 - update) - three-five-door hatchback, four-door sedan; Engines - gasoline 1.5-1.8 liters.
Price - from $ 13,400.
Ford Focus (1998 Debut) - four-door sedan, five-door hatchback; Engines - gasoline 1.6 L-2.0 l.
Price - from $ 13,900.
Text / Sergey Voskresensky
Photo / Alexander Budkin
A source: Journal "Behind the wheel"
