I drive a Lancia Musa from 2007 in The Netherlands. It was first sold in Germany then someone imported it into Poland, where my father in law bought it and gave it to me and my wife. I then imported it into The Netherlands. I have only seen one other Musa of the same age here, I sometimes see a newer model. We enjoy it quite a lot. We've driven it between The Netherlands and Poland already a few times, and went on a Europe trip all the way to the Balkans with it, and the amount of space it amazing. My wife is always surprised how much stuff I manage to fit into it. It has an issue where the onboard computer is broken, so I cannot reset the clock and the "service required" symbol/text, but that's ok, the trip computer part of it still works. I discovered that the Blaupunkt audio system has a hidden AUX setting, when you press the CD button. So I bought a cable so I can connect my phone through an Auxiliary cable. When we were in Italy on that Euro trip there were a lot of Musa's, so it felt like a homecoming, that was fun. If you're ever in the area and want to check it out, let me know ;)
Wonderful, Matt! Such a fun-looking car! I am the atypical American who LOVES small cars. Despite being raised on a steady diet of the gigantic pre-Malaise and Malaise-mobiles (which admittedly I have a great nostalgic fondness for), my first car ended up being a Honda hatch, and I was completely hooked. "Small" and "hatch" are not what the car manufacturer product planners for the US have in the front of their minds when devising a new vehicle. This car is so logical: functional with and emphasis on FUN!!! Why else would you decide to buy this vehicle and profile it with such enthusiasm! Despite the departure of the Beetle, this is an infinitely more intriquing vehicle to us "average car" nerds!
My everyday car is a fully loaded Lancia Musa 1.3 diesel automatic. Best car ever for many many reasons. There is no new car better for real life use...
All of these Supermini based hatchbacks and small MPVs in particular were the movers and the shakers of the motoring world for the last 40 years. We need to buy up as many of the last Fiestas, Corsas, Micras, Yarises, Rover 200s, Polos, Clios, 106s, 206s, Merivas, Puntos, Pandas, Ideas ( if we can find one ), Saxos, Mitos, Aveos, Yaris Versos, Moduses, Ibizas, Getzs, Metros even, before they all become a symbol of a bygone age and then disappear completely. The Mercedes Benz A Class was a masterpiece of space efficiency also.
The Palio is a car I'd love to see a good English language review of on RU-vid. I remember seeing them, and the Palio Weekend estate, when on holiday in Europe back in the '00s. Like the original Twingo, the Lancia Ypsilon and Kappa, and the estate version of the phase 2 Mégane 1 they were the exciting forbidden fruit you didn't see here in the UK.
Got an '02 MPV, 7 seater (kiddie seats really), with seat down you can fit loads of stuff, washing machines with space to spare. Put a washer and a cooker in back before now, not ideal probably however, they are much more practical than an SUV. That thing is amazing for space, I've had a larger one, but never looked at a smaller one. Great little, big car and review 👍
Much much better than the 500L, I'd prefer this to the 500x too. But above all, the best would be a Lancia Musa 1.6 Multijet with Poltrona Frau leather interior
The speedo console and stalks are the same as the fiat Ducato of the same era, lovely bit of parts bin engineering. I’d really like one of these, I’m going to tell the wife that’s she’s got no Idea 😅
Well done Matt a great review i remember them new but never seen around one until now what an amazingly versatile car and it’s a shame fiat don’t make something similar now its amazing how some styling cues such as the dashboard bins and instrument centre binnacle was used in the Picasso The dash display looks like the one out of the grande punto looking forward to seeing this come back to life Daniel
You're right about the change in design from practical to flashy. I'll say it again, cars haven't got better in the last twenty years, they've just got heaveir and gained more useless stuff that breaks.
Brought my first ever Fiat 6 months ago. The Panda 100hp and I absolutely love it. Interesting to see how the engine can handle a more heavy body . Great stuff
Great review Matt, yes a very useful, practical little mpv, I had one last year, same colour and on an 07 plate, but mine was a 1.3 Multijet Diesel, having the same engines given to the Vauxhall Combo and Corsa C. I think the Eleganza is the top of the range, mine was the “Dynamic” model with no sunroof/s I like that centre console idea with the gear change and those centre clocks, reminds you of the Renault Scenic. Sadly mine was scrapped by the new owner I sold it to this year due to multiple expensive issues. Great cars though, I don’t really understand why they didn’t sell as well as the scenic or the Meriva.
I find they go much better if you take them to 5,750rpm ( maximum power ) in second and third, they land right at the start of the power band for the next gear up. I use the term ‘power’ loosely.
We had the 1.2 16 valve 85bhp in a Punto cabriolet and it was fun to rev. Not much power low down but surprisingly quick at the top end. The mini convertible that replaced it (1.6 litre cooper 2nd generation) felt dull and gutless in comparison. The polo 8 valve 1.3 I had at the time incredibly forgiving at low revs, could use 5th at 30 but horrible to rev out with no gain in power. Total opposite of the Fiat. Can see the appeal of the small Italian revvy engine.
I really do like that car, I'd have one in a heartbeat. By contrast, I spent Tuesday travelling in the back of a 2013 Mercedes A-class with doors so low I banged my head getting in and windows so narrow I had a view akin to peering through a letterbox. I miss light and airy cars like this.
Had one as a hire car in Italy and really liked it. Shame they didn't really catch on in the UK and that they ended production, as I'd interested in owning one, but not at this age with the scarcity of spares.
@@SportFury1966 originally would have been a left hand drive for Italy and mainland Europe where most of the sales would have gone. Can't tell from the videos if the console points to the driver or centre
Lived near a Fiat Dealer in the late eighties and Pandas Unos, Regattas and even Cromas were everywhere. Funny how as the 90's/00's progressed you stopped noticing them really. Pretty as the Marea, Brava, Bravo etc were, they just seemed to come and go unnoticed.
I have a petrol Musa here in Almeria, Spain and love it! Not a lot of Musas in Spain, just had a look and only about 20 currently on sale in the whole country. Cruising on the motorway at a genuine 120kph (75mph) it returns 34mpg. It's always willing to go faster, but I get the "Beep" to keep it down. Only criticism is that on the long climbs we have on some parts of the Autovia Mediterraneo here it needs dropping down to 5th gear which is quite a lot lower. Cruising at an indicated 130kph in 6th it's revving at under 3500rpm.
Terrific practical small car, the only thing I don't like about it is the central instrument binnacle. Not seen one for years almost a collectors item!
I just found one for a friend , A 2003 1.3 diesel for 1000 euros , drove it back from Madrid to Albacete and was suvh a fun little car . i didn't want to hand it over. I enjoyed it way more than all the vans that are going for silly prices here
I just looked to see if there are any for sale here in Croatia. I found just one, a 2008 1.3 MJET with 154,000 km and it was listed at €4,490 but cars are very expensive here.
That’s interesting info about it not being related to the Meriva. Such a fun little car and definitely one that would be hard to part with. Great video as always Matt
You’re not going to believe this, Matt, but I passed yet another Idea in the village a couple days ago and this one came from Eure-et-Loir, west of Paris…
I remember these - sadly FIAT's were not on our company car list but these were great - baffling why they were in such a short production run - as I recall thanks to company car lists and the provision via Motability meant the mk1 Meriva soaked up the market which is sad because when I drove a Meriva the front visibility from the drivers seat was borderline dangerous. I recall a car magazine tested most of the worst in Europe and the Meriva's view out was by far the most obstructed and worst
Idle thought....Do any cars have the rear seat squabs folding up from the front so the rear upright drops down behind, so creating a flat extended boot floor, any more? Always thought that was the neatest way of doing it.
I know some cars sold new in Japan (e.g. Toyota Corolla E120, Mazda BJ Familia/323F, and some kei cars) have the front passenger seat fold all the way forward flat, and there is a plastic/table (with intended cupholders) on the front passenger seat.
Always talks about the wonders of a spare wheel. Have you ever needed one? I’ve never needed on - because all and EVER puncture I’ve had has been small, and slow. Enough time to order a new tyre, drive to the fitters have it fitted -or- have them come to me to fit the new. Even if I had a spare, I’d never be bothered to use it because this is why I pay more on my recovery plan.
Yes, several times and never a puncture that could be fixed by spray goo. Last time a pot hole cut the full width of the tyre side to side, at 6pm, 150 miles from home. Had a spare, went home. Would have been in a tow truck all night and off work next day without a spare
The more I see of it, more Multipla DNA I notice. Gear lever placement, centralised instruments, dash-top cubbies etc. And the Multipla nosejob front end, obviously.
Hi Matt, I usually understand your videos completely normally 🤔 but this one got me a little perplexed ? What is a sit down shower seat and also a Werthers sweet 😂, obviously your a little older than me 👨🏻🦳and more au fait with such essentials of old age 😂. Seriously though I do like this car and so practical 👍🏻.
Brings back memories of the summer I worked at the local fait dealers and had an idea as a car… they couldn’t sell the idea for love or Money.. they were like 40% more than punto and top heavy
Suppose these are a bit like the European Ford Fusion but with some more style. I say some more as if the fusion had any style to begin with. Interesting things
Did you say a 1.9d? Like the 1.9d jtd in the 147, 156 and Gt AR models at the time? That engine is a peach! Remapped it's a hoot too....probably scary as hell in that wee sardine tin 😂
Fiat are so good at the small budget friendly family car. Just a shame that their dealer customer service is so utterly woeful, otherwise they would probably sell a lot more cars in the UK.
I wondered why Fiat did the Idea when they had the Panda and aha, the Idea is actually bigger, though I own the 169 Panda and I pass by a Idea every time I walk my dog and I wouldn't tell the Idea is actually bigger 😁
Matt the only car you can make puns about it because of its a Fiat ldea l know the Fiat motor company but never knew about the Idea what a great name for this small MPV better than an SUV
Who actually cares about the 0-60, it's the 0-30 that's important for the TL GP, for those wishing to be first at the next set or to get there whilst still green. Although linked lights are based on an average of about 18 - 20 between them.
I think it is something like that, instead of getting 1/10 of a penny from an ad we would get that from Premium,, but its not clear whether the amount is more, less or the same!
Very very similar to my 2019 Honda. But I think the Honda is a bit bigger (since the mk3) and a bit more relaxed to drive. Rear seats tho with similar multi-way folding design do not slide. Yea the odd ball FIAT 500 XXL or whatever it’s called doesn’t look anywhere near as nice. Ugly version of the otherwise cute 500.
