Such a weird departure for Fiat. It's the most un-Fiat like Fiat. They dumped so much money into the Stilo that it was certainly part of the reason why the company started looking for a buyer. All that 90s success down the drain! Thank you for bringing us this rarity, sir!
Yes, it's OK to drive, but not as characterful as the Brava. Same old issues with quality as some previous Fiats (but by no means all), probably seems worse as something like a Mark V Golf or Focus Mark II would have had a much nicer interior by 2007.
I had a new Stilo Multiwagon dynamic trim (estate.) It was a 1.9 JTD. I had the car 11 years and it was one of the best cars that I have owned. Zero rust. The only thing that went wrong in 150k miles was that the rear part of the exhaust and battery need replacing at year 10. I just kept it well serviced and it was an amazing car. I replaced it with a 3 year old SEAT IBIZA estate and instantly regretted my decision. The IBIZA was not a very good car let down by poor reliability and typical poor VW service.
I remember when Citroen, for a brief period, tried to be more Teutonic with their styling due to declining sales but it didn't really work so they've gone back to concentrating on comfort and style. This Stilo seems to be a similar attempt by Fiat; dumbed down styling and anaesthetised driving experience. Sometimes it's better to stick with what you do best.
Yes, the second generation Citroen C5 was most certainly an attempt to take on the Germans at their own game. The Stilo was an attempt to take on the Mark IV Golf, and it did not work especially well, sadly.
There was really nothing wrong with the Stilo. I think it simply didn't look as striking as the Brava and Bravo when they were released. The Stilo was exceptionally practical and very spacious with some fine engines. That 1.8 seems very useful. The best Stilo was the Multiwagon which was cavernous inside and very attractive outside, much prettier than the hatchbacks. Still it is a lovely rare retro classic now.
They aren't very good cars, sadly. Even the people at the Fiat Motor Club GB don't really seem that bothered about them at the moment. They aimed at the Golf, and failed. The Multi Wagon is more interesting, although they are almost non-existent now.
Ex Stilo Abarth owner here, what can i say about the Stilo well in Abarth Trim a right sleeper car and i enjoyed it when it worked, the downside make sure you do not get a selaspeed autobox, get the manual A excellent review as always Sir.
I always liked them. The market hated them. Mind. Never seen rust on them BUT haven’t seen one in the trade in 5/7 years. The 3 door especially as the 2.4 HGT looked brill and the 5 door , hmmmmmm. The rear styling isn’t that great on the practical 5 door. Always liked them mind. The interior was nicely styled and felt premium enough for it’s period. City steering is hateful. Yet to meet anyone who likes or used it. I am an arm rest fan. Like your beige leather love. I do like an arm rest. Yup the back pocket only on one seat back. Oh those £3 savings for manufacturers when banging out new 10/12k cars back in the day. Citroen even removed self cancelling indicators on low spec AX’s. Looks very modern to me. Amazing how cars have. And have not moved on since about a 2003/53 ish period. The A3 MK3 coming out on a 53 Reg was amazing. The rusty Golf MK5 also on a 53 was a truely excellent honest car. They take a nice considerate owner what with rust and door locks and everything those older VAGs
When I heard they were getting one of these in at Langley Prestige, I actually got quite excited. As you say, these are extremely rare in this country now, as they weren't that popular, and the depreciation on them was absolutely catastrophic. Most have been scrapped now, and I imagine lots of the rest of are going rusty like this one. Not surprised you haven't seen one in the trade since at least 2019.
Thank you for this video! That is serious rust for a car that age. Still an interesting car. These were rare in New Zealand and the only one I have seen was a souped-up Abarth version. It looked amazing in yellow. Did this model replace the Marea?
It really replaced the Bravo and Brava, really. The Marea was replaced by a car called the Fiat Linea, which was actually based on the Grande Punto platform.
It's a little bit early for that, having come out in 2002, but certainly the Grande Punto and Alfa 159 (both launched in 2005/6) were very much influenced by it.
It's a car that sort of missed the mark for Fiat, really. They tried quite hard, but reliability problems and the fact that people just kept on buying Golfs, Focuses and Astras, etc, meant that it never quite appealed to buyers to the extent they hoped
cars with rattly dashboards are terrible grrrr. is the fiat stilo really dynamic? that car is bad on rust/ corrosion. one plus its a 1.4. does not use much fuel eco means hopefully.
