Italian Beauty at Home - Pre-LOVED Linea MJD Emotion. (Now Sold)

[Mr.Boss]

Here is the start

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...ain-preloved-2007-city-zx-v-tec-sold-now.html

http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...-honda-city-zx-vtec-vs-used-diesel-sedan.html

Finally after a week hunt got home a pre-loved Linea MJD, details below

Make: Fiat
Model: Linea
Engine: 1.3 MJD
Variant: Emotion
Color: Flamenco Red
Year: 2009
Ownership: Single
Mileage: 38k
Condition: Good (except few minor things, explained below)
Price: 5.0L

Buying Decision:
After riding NHC Vtec for around 6 months with increase in fuel bills for every fill (thanks to the govt) decided to go for a diesel car. Requirements were very clear,
- Should be a Sedan at-par or above NHC (Etios & DZire ruled out)
- No Fiesta (Roads are flooded with Fiesta, I don't want to add one more)
- No Maruti / Tata (Manza is out of list due to shape and looks, SX4 difficult to find used ones)

Finally left with only 2 choices, Chevy Optra Magnum or Fiat Linea MJD.

Last week I was about to finalise a Magnum deal, but my mechanic gave a RED flag against oil leakage in Steering gear and Turbo.

Sunday I was roaming around the city in search of car and finally saw this Italian beauty parked with a dealer. Had a short TD, negotiated from 5.75L to 5.0L, paid 10k advance and yesterday settled the balance and got her home.

What I get new & better w.r.t NHC
- Diesel heart
- ABS (most important)
- ACC
- better MID
- Rear & under seat aircon vents
- Electric & Remote boot opener
- Center arm rest
- 3 Adjustable rear head rest
- Dead pedal

What I miss from NHC
- Honda & vtec
- Peppy and refined engine
- Butter smooth gear shift
- Feather touch steering
- Roomy interiors
- Rear seat space & comfort
- Alloys

What is same as NHC
- Size
- Low GC
- 500L boot

Initial Experience
Some crisp review, detailed review let me add after a long drive this weekend.
- Not a peppy & Fun to drive car.
- Best suitable for highway cruising
- Engine is noisy and clearly audible inside
- Steering and overall handling gives confidence to push beyond 150kmph
- Rear seat is cramped
- AC is chiller

Overall I'm satisfied with the vehicle.
Detailed review to follow soon.

Cheers.

 

[visran]

re: Italian Beauty at Home - Pre-LOVED Linea MJD Emotion. EDIT: Now Sold

Congrat's on your Italian Lady,5.0L is an unbelievable price. you can sort out the GC issue by changing the suspension to the newer 2012 version.

 

[Mr.Boss]

re: Italian Beauty at Home - Pre-LOVED Linea MJD Emotion. EDIT: Now Sold

Congrat's on your Italian Lady,5.0L is an unbelievable price. you can sort out the GC issue by changing the suspension to the newer 2012 version.

Thanks dude.
No mods planned as of now. Planning to invest on appreciating assets rather than depreciating asset. I can live with low GC as I got used with City & Civic.

 

[Iron Rock]

re: Italian Beauty at Home - Pre-LOVED Linea MJD Emotion. EDIT: Now Sold

Congrats Mr.Boss on acquiring an Italian maiden, even though not a virgin she looks in excellent shape
Your comparison to the NHC is spot on, indeed you will miss that refinement initially but i am sure you'll get used to the diesel heart your new maiden offers you!
Regarding GC issues, may you could get the bushes fitted to the coil springs, its a cheap effective solution, its available for the hondas , i think it should be available for linea as well.

Looking forward to the detailed review.

 

[Fazer]

re: Italian Beauty at Home - Pre-LOVED Linea MJD Emotion. EDIT: Now Sold

Congrats on the Linea. She looks nicely maintained.

Anyways, The sticker on the windscreen says "LENIA SPORT" which should have been "Linea Sport".

 

[Mr.Boss]

re: Italian Beauty at Home - Pre-LOVED Linea MJD Emotion. EDIT: Now Sold

Congrats Mr.Boss on acquiring an Italian maiden

Congrats on the Linea. She looks nicely maintained.

Thank you guys

Regarding GC issues, may you could get the bushes fitted to the coil springs, its a cheap effective solution, its available for the hondas , i think it should be available for linea as well.

I'm looking for the same solution. May be after this weekend trip should start hunting for the coil spring spacers

Anyways, The sticker on the windscreen says "LENIA SPORT" which should have been "Linea Sport".

Planning to get it removed.

 

[Surfer]

re: Italian Beauty at Home - Pre-LOVED Linea MJD Emotion. EDIT: Now Sold

COngrats buddy, Very well maintained car. Great find.
Have you checked mileage ?

I'm looking for the same solution. May be after this weekend trip should start hunting for the coil spring spacers

Check this - http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/technical-zone/5190-stepper-installation-zen.html

 

[Mr.Boss]

re: Italian Beauty at Home - Pre-LOVED Linea MJD Emotion. EDIT: Now Sold

COngrats buddy, Very well maintained car. Great find.
Have you checked mileage?

Thanks dear.
Yet to confirm the actual mileage from A.S.S
But she is still running on her stock shoes. So 90% I trust the odo reading

Check this - http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/technical-zone/5190-stepper-installation-zen.html

I'm not looking for the steppers / spacers over or under the springs. Sometimes they may end up with negative impacts. Better to stick with coil spacers (inserted between the coils)

 

[Akash]

re: Italian Beauty at Home - Pre-LOVED Linea MJD Emotion. EDIT: Now Sold

Congrats for your Linea buddy. Her bodyline looks fine, however the Steering seems to have lost some vitamins. Waiting for the pics of engine bay. IMO run the car on stock rims and rubber, and switch to alloys while getting new shoes.

 

[Mr.Boss]

re: Italian Beauty at Home - Pre-LOVED Linea MJD Emotion. EDIT: Now Sold

Congrats for your Linea buddy. Her bodyline looks fine, however the Steering seems to have lost some vitamins. Waiting for the pics of engine bay. IMO run the car on stock rims and rubber, and switch to alloys while getting new shoes.

Thanks dude.
Steering has lost not "some vitamin", lost a lot (read loooooot)
Have a close look

 

[bharathi4747]

re: Italian Beauty at Home - Pre-LOVED Linea MJD Emotion. EDIT: Now Sold

Here is the start
Mileage: 38k
Condition: Good (except few minor things, explained below)
Price: 5.0L

5L!!!.. unbelievable price, that too sedan with emotion model. I have to appreciate your negotiation skill (5.7 to 5). Good deal..

 

[visran]

re: Italian Beauty at Home - Pre-LOVED Linea MJD Emotion. EDIT: Now Sold

any plan's for replacing the steering cover? it would look good if you do that.

 

[Fazer]

re: Italian Beauty at Home - Pre-LOVED Linea MJD Emotion. EDIT: Now Sold

Seeing the steering, It looks like the previous owner drove with NAILS! (No offence)

Any plans to rectify the problem?

 

[Mr.Boss]

re: Italian Beauty at Home - Pre-LOVED Linea MJD Emotion. EDIT: Now Sold

5L!!!.. unbelievable price, that too sedan with emotion model. I have to appreciate your negotiation skill (5.7 to 5). Good deal..

Thanks dude. Started my offer from 4.5L stating all the negative points (expired insurance, steering wheel worn out, dealers offer fabulous discount for new 2011 Linea, etc etc) and finally settled for 5.0L

any plan's for replacing the steering cover? it would look good if you do that.

Seeing the steering, It looks like the previous owner drove with NAILS! (No offence)

Any plans to rectify the problem?

Quick remedy, planning to get her a decent cover (may be this weekend)
Latter should think about bringing her to stock shape (i hate steering covers)

OT: came across few of my friends car with same issue. root cause: Sweating hands

 

[Mr.Boss]

re: Italian Beauty at Home - Pre-LOVED Linea MJD Emotion. EDIT: Now Sold

Guys, anyone got duplicate flip keys from Fiat?
My current key fob is bit damaged (buttons) and requires a hard press (sometimes 2 or 3 press) Planning to get another flip key from Fiat.
Any pointers? or any other options? (getting flip key shell from eBay, etc)