Does anyone own or have experience of owning a Fiat Ducato 206 'Elegance' conversion. We have seen one which is J reg (92) with 55k on the clock. It's for sale at £6995. Looks to be in good nick bodywork wise and comes with a safari room however it is a petrol with no pas. Will be test driving soon but would really appreciate any thoughts on this make.
sorry no experience with the conversion but i wouldnt touch a petrol with a barge pole, you would be lucky to find a dealer who would touch one either.
No experience with the elegance but I have a Fiat Ducato 2.5 diesel version with 5 speed tranny. I have no problems with it but I am aware of a typical Ducato "glitsch" in the 5th gear. This one will sometimes go shifty (pun intended!)
I agree with mNeil and wouldn't go for a petrol either. A testdrive is okay, but keep your wits and rethink before you decide.
Diesel gives you more miles to the gallon (or kilometers to the liter, nowadays) and they are more reliable than petrol engines. Diesel engines are made to perform under stressfuller conditions than petrol. I also chose diesel because of the lower price over petrol. Mind you though, having a dieselengine costs me twice the roadtax in the Netherlands than petrol but as mine is a Motorhome, I get a 75% discount as the gov'ment seems to think I use mine only a ¼ of the year...yeah, right.
You'll also get used to the smell of diesel, too. (I love it...)
Ever wondered why HGV's all have diesel engines? They are designed to pull weight (more torque), unlike petrol engines which are better for accelerating (more horsepower). A well looked after diesel engine will easily reach 250,000 miles, you'd be lucky to get 150,000 out of a petrol engine. Unlike John however, we have to pay more for diesel, but the trade-off is the extra miles per gallon so it all balances out in the end.
Personally, I would only have a diesel in a motorhome.
Good luck with the m/home hunt, whatever type you end up with.
Phil
------------- Our motorhome loves Rock'n'Roll... it rolls all day and rocks all night ;0)
Thanks again...all very helpful stuff. Our basic requirements were for a diesel however thought we would look at this one as it's local. We have plenty of time to look around as plan to buy in April/May.
Quote: Originally posted by Freebird on 22/02/2005
On the other hand, you probablt want to go anyway so you'll loose that profit on you hollidays and you're none the better off...
But better to have a holiday and a motorhome, than just a motorhome. Though I agree about buying in the 'off season' as I bought in January, so saved money and got some practise trips done while the weather is bad. Can only get easier from here on.
------------- Our motorhome loves Rock'n'Roll... it rolls all day and rocks all night ;0)
Told you you'd like it! And so right you are. We bought ours in September, camped almost through the winter an have tried everything, from whipping hailstorms (couldn't sleep a wink!) to sweating like &$#@! in the upperbunks.
As Sixwheels said: Ït can only get easier from here on, and better"!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Fiat Ducato "elegance"
