The growth in popularity of MPVs like the Renault Scénic, Citroën Picasso and Vauxhall Zafira makes it easy to forget that in days gone by families that wanted space bought estate cars. Today the lack of interest in estates has resulted in depressed second-hand prices across the class.

One of the best examples is the Fiat Marea. Launched in spring 1997, the Marea took its underpinnings from the more compact Fiat Brava and Bravo models. Targeted to go head to head with the Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Vectra and Peugeot 406, it never sold in big numbers and was hampered by Fiat’s reputation for dubious reliability and patchy build quality. With early examples now coming up to a decade old you can join the Marea club for as little as £500. Even models half that age struggle to top the £3,000 mark.

Available as a saloon or so-called Weekend estate, its dimensions may not be monstrous but its interior space is certainly generous. Weekend models boast a 500 litre boot and with the rear seats folded flat that grows to a massive 1,560 litres. The saloon is 4in shorter than the estate but the 439 litre boot is still impressive.

Under the bonnet the Marea came with a range of petrol and diesel engines. The smallest petrol unit, the 1.6 litre, produces 103bhp and the 1.8 113bhp. In late 2000 the 147bhp 2 litre made way for a 150bhp 2 litre variant, which although only marginally more powerful makes a delicious sound and has noticeably more low-down torque.

The Marea diesel engines may lack a little of the refinement we now expect from the most modern offerings but the introduction of common rail technology from spring 1999 improved power and economy. The pick of the bunch is the 130bhp 2.4 litre unit produced from spring 1999 to November 2000 and now costing as little as £3,000.

In terms of reliability the Marea outperforms the Brava and Bravo in surveys. That said, the Marea is now approaching middle age so careful checks are recommended to avoid expensive repair bills. In particular check that the air-conditioning works on the top spec models and that minor electrics such as the rear wash wipe, radio cassette and electric door mirrors are all functioning.

Servicing is annual and should cost around £100, with a big service every two years costing around twice that. The Marea also needs a new cam belt every 72,000 miles, although many owners suggest this should be done more frequently. While the cam belt is not a big job on the four-cylinder cars it is a much trickier task on five-cylinder models, so expect to pay around £500.

On the road the Marea offers a surprisingly sporty drive. All models get power steering as standard with top spec models also getting ABS. Factory sunroofs were also a popular addition, along with alloy wheels and metallic paint.

With second-hand values now so low it is tempting to spend just a few hundred pounds more on a top spec model than a base version. But my advice is to choose your Marea on condition and service history rather than the list of toys it comes with. That way you should end up with a decent used car at a reasonable price that is unlikely to cost you the earth to run.


Engines Cam belt requires changing every 72,000 miles, a £250 job on four-cylinder models but twice that price on the five-cylinder

Boot space Weekend models have a huge boot and the saloon is generous too

ABS Standard on top spec models so check the dashboard indicator light illuminates briefly when the ignition is first turned on

Front tyres Prone to heavier wear on five-cylinder models

Stereo Most models have radio cassette only. Check all the speakers work properly

Servicing A comprehensive service history becomes rarer on cars as they get older but ask for copies of service invoices if the owner has them

Driver’s seat Electrically adjustable on top spec models, it rarely goes wrong but motors are hugely expensive to replace if they do

Sunroof Where fitted, check the headlining for signs of water ingress

Clutch Check for wear by trying to pull away in third gear. If the car stalls the clutch is fine; if it pulls away then it is badly worn

VITAL STATISTICS

Model Fiat Marea 2.4JTD 130HLX Weekend
Engine 2387cc, turbodiesel
Power 130bhp
Transmission Five-speed manual
Fuel 41.5mpg (combined cycle)
Acceleration 0-60mph: 10.3sec
Top speed 121mph

THE ONE TO BUY

A 2000 X-registration Fiat Marea 2.4JTD 130HLX Weekend with 50,000 miles. Pay £3,150 from a dealer or £2,250 privately

OR FOR THE SAME MONEY...

1997 R Volkswagen Passat 1.9TDI S
1998 R Peugeot 406 1.9 TD GLX
1998 S Vauxhall Vectra 2.0DTi CDX
1999 T Ford Mondeo 1.8TD Ghia

VALUES



Saloon worth £300 less than equivalent Weekend. Source: estimates based on confidential CAP black book prices. ‘Trade’ is what a dealer would pay to buy your car; ‘Retail’ is what you would pay a dealer