2001 Fiat Marea HLX from UK and Ireland - Comments

Anti-roll bar link started to rattle and was replaced.

Air con started to leak after my wife reversed out of garage and bashed the side!

This is the most overlooked used car bargain in Britain.

I picked up my second HLX 20V at 1 year old,9000 miles for...£5500!

The looks are elegant and understated, but,in certain colours, turn heads.The profile, for example, is exceptionally handsome and the front view undoubtedly sporting.

The rear view is far too sober - encouraging more aggressive types to pull up behind expecting a dullard cap-wearing Sunday driver.This provides great entertainment, however, as you engage the 150 bhp,20 valve mid-range surge and absolutely astonish your pursuer.

I frequently take family and luggage (in the cavernous boot) to France and arrive fresh and relaxed.I have often covered 800 miles in one day with no aches of any sort!

The equipment and ease of use is remarkable:remote cental locking/alarm/immobiliser, electric windows and mirrors, steering wheel stereo controls, ABS,alloys.

unfortunately I have to now consider selling as the cam belt change is fast approaching and this means a garage job of 10 hours work!

Does anyone know why car makers still use these silly belts for the camshaft drive instead of an (almost everlasting) timing chain?

Is it to encourage us to sell the car and buy a new one?

HI, I have just read your review on the Marea, I also hav a Marea 2.02 20v saloon! I agree, a very under rated sports saloon! However you have commented on the 10hour cambelt change... this is not necessary. You can take it to a Fiat specialist and it will cost you £400 all in, including tensioners too. I am looking to get my cambelt changed soon, and will be taking it to PowerFiat in essex. if this is not too far from you, it is definately worth using them.

Don't tell no one about this beast, my 5cl 2.0 20v is a dream and no one looks at you, Yes it's a mans car. You only see it when it leaves your 150bh golf standing Hi Hi I only paid £1.200 and it can do 155mph its fast. Regards John.

I agree, this vehicle is the most under rated saloon car. theres no way any boy racer under 25 will have thought about this car. but ill tell you this, mine is chipped, spoilered, lowered,17wheels and runs 195bhp.try beeting that mid range, it revs for ever chris cheshire.

Sorry I meant to add the car cost me £500 plus £150 cambelt change. if you live in the north west might be able to price your cambelt change cheap slyrye07@yahoo.co.uk. but it wont as cheap as mine

A shame I didn't read this earlier perhaps. I had a choice of metallic blue or green HLX cars for £1,700 in Leeds. I liked the looks and the idea of that lovely engine, but was put off by the cam - belt change. Even my expert mechanic mate refused to change it for me, having had the dubious experience previously. Even the fiat specialists were only doing coupes due to demand. However, there was another year 2000 bargain car superior to the old - shape Astras I was thinking I might have to settle for. Nissan Primera Sport - a well equipped (air con, alloys, 4 air bags etc.) and better quality motor car, with a cam chain that reliably lasts for the life of the vehicle. This might be for you?