1st Motorhome

cully

Guest
Hello everyone
I am looking at buying my first motorhome have seen a Fiat Ci Carioca 635 ( 2007 ) 2.3 JTD diesel its done 6500 miles in great condition and would suit our family.
Has anyone had this model or can give me any advice ?
Regards George
 
That would seem quite high mileage to us - we bought our first mh two years ago, it's 2001 Autocruise and it had only done 14,000 miles.

Don't buy the first one you see - look around and do a lot of research online. You need to work out what layout would work best for you, do you want fixed beds, a full oven, etc, etc. Also the length is very important - are your usual holiday places down tiny country lanes in the wilds of Scotland - if they are then remember the length of your vehicle may restrict where you want to go.

Good luck.
 
Hi regarding mileage we have a Burstner Aviano 2008 we have had it from new which is 2 years in August and we have done 20,000 miles.
we are away almost every weekend and travel Europe 2-3 weeks twice a year so we would certainly be high mileage.
If the van you are looking at is on a Fiat base make sure you test drive it in reverse on a gradiant to check for the Judder, or check to see if the van has had the fix from Fiat.
We had ours done although we had never experienced the judder just the thump on start up,but for resale it needs to be done.
Why not have a look at the Northern Motorhome show next week, there will be lots of choice-have fun looking, and happy travels. Sue
 
They are commercial vehicles and as such they are build for high mileage.... You will have more chance of wearing out the habitation area.....
Better a higher mileage vehicle with little habitation use than a low mileage with lots of habitation use....
 
1st motorhome

Thank for all your replies
Just read the reviews of the fiats reversing judder and now worried !
When i test drive it i will try reversing up a hill
Thank you for your very good advice
George
 
cully said:
Thank for all your replies
Just read the reviews of the fiats reversing judder and now worried !
When i test drive it i will try reversing up a hill
Thank you for your very good advice
George
Click to expand...

try a steep hill as it will still be running light as the vehicle is not loaded up with all the bits and bobs which actually are quite heavy.....
 
we do approx 5,000 mls per year.
we use camper all year round whenever we can.
tony
 
The only 'problem' with the cheaper makes such as the CI is they use a smaller engine, such as the 2.3 which can be a little underpowered on long drags up hill, other than that the interiors stand up well. Not all Fiats judder up hill, mainly the latter face-lift 2007-, again not so bad on the larger 2.8 engines.
 
I agree with Basil, When it comes to mileage, Commercial vehicles are built for high mileages. They have large low revving diesel engines which can go on to 300,000 miles or more whereas a car might knackered at 150,000.

I bought an ex commercial Movano last year with 62,000 on the clock after 3 years. 20,000+ a year is typical for a commercial vehicle. It's performed perfectly... only just run in!

In fact I'd be suspicious of something which had only done 1-2,000 miles per year. Letting vehicles stand around can lead to quicker rusting and all kinds of hidden faults. They are meant to be used, within reason ;)
 
A point of view from a man working within the motor trade.
Modern cars, vans and in the last 10 years Diesel engine and Electronic Control Systems have come on in leaps and bounds, it wasnt all that long ago that diesel engine would only do about 70 mph with a following breeze.
Developments in engine oils and technology have made modern Diesels so reliable very few major issues occur, if faults occur they tend to be related to failiure to correctly maintain the van, remapped a Merc Sprinter last week with 235000 on the clock, well maintained it went like a rocket. A First Bus depot in South Wales has a Vito with 527000 on the clock and counting, same engine from new, but serviced correctly. The point is that these things are built to expect a good thrashing, most motorhomes are based on van chassis from all the major manufactures, if it was me I would buy German but
thats my biased opinion, I was VW Audi trained
 
cully said:
Hello everyone
I am looking at buying my first motorhome have seen a Fiat Ci Carioca 635 ( 2007 ) 2.3 JTD diesel its done 6500 miles in great condition and would suit our family.
Has anyone had this model or can give me any advice ?
Regards George
Click to expand...

Hi cully I am now on my second CI, they are Italian made but yours will have uk hab door which means in this country the door is curb side, mine is not:eek:

Have you got the new fiat cab:confused: because 2007 is the change over year for the new style.
I have ci cipro which has 2.8 power also 2007 on the the old cab style and have done 12000 miles, I bet that makes you feel better:D

Ci is classed as a budget motorhome and part of the trigano group based at Grimsby personally I think you get a lot of van for your money.:cool: dyor

things to look at
The seats have velcro strips on them check they have not worn through

Check cabinet doors because the hinges are stronger than the wood surround and can break on the joins

Tip for all when buying have a look at the tyres the date on yours should say at best 07 but probably 06 also make mich xc camping with that millage you should have original tyres on and will need changing after 5yrs maybe.
happy camping
 
Hi cully have you had any joy in buying the greatest thing in your LIFE :eek:

anything specific you need to Know we will try our best to help :D

All the best Tim
 
Hello
I'm with Vera on this one. Can't see the point in spending loads of money on a motorhome and then not using it.Ours has done 12,000 miles in 7 months.
Its a Rapido 709 based on the 2.3 Fiat and we had the reverse judder and thump on start up. We had the fiat fix under the warranty and now no hint of a thump or judder even reversing up quite steep incline. Its 6 speed(1 too many in opinion) and if you don't thrash it fuel consumption is excellent which is another reason why we use it so much.
 
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