mumkin
Minot ND USA
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Joined: 07/16/2004
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Hopefully whichever van (Ducato or Iveco) ends up over here will eventually be built over here and theoretically quality could improve.
Or is that just wishful thinking?
I suspect that the converters will stick to the Sprinter for a few more years.
Mumkin
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boogerbear
Ontario
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Joined: 08/31/2007
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The quality of Fiat in the 1960s is totally irrelevant to their quality today.Does anyone remember the quality of Hondas in the 60s ? They were so bad that Honda closed up shop in North America for a number of years to allow us to forget them.Then they came back.
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david_42
Oregon
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I agree. I saw the first imported Subaru cars. The 360 had a two-stroke 360 cc motorcycle engine and was under 1000 lbs so the auto safety standards didn't apply. A guy at the show tried to open the engine compartment (which was locked) and tore the handle off. One magazine did a road test and the passenger's side door accidentally opened. The hinges were in the back and the door slammed back so hard, one of the hinges broke! I still remember: 0-57 mph 2:37.
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VE3ESN
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 03/08/2002
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Regarding reliability, certainly the old Fiat's were notoriously unreliable. But then again, so were the early Huyandi's (remember the "Pony"?) but now that company produces very reliable products. I don't think we should equate the old Fiat to the new ones, IMHO.
Jerry & Susie
1996 Roadtrek 190 Versatile (Dodge 5.2 L)
FMCA F390585
DON'T MOVE FIREWOOD - IT BUGS ME
www.emeraldashborer.info
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mumkin
Minot ND USA
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Not to be repetitious... but the same can be said about Hyundai. They too had to overcome a bumpy start to become one of the most dependable cars on the market and customer satisfaction even beats the Japanese makers regularly now. Great car for the money... The only reason that I bought the Toyota mini-van to convert rather than the Hyundai was because of the local dealers. The Hyundai dealer has the worst rep in town, while the Toyota has the best.
BUT... and it's a big 'but,' the Ducato has a not-so-good reputation when compared to Sprinter in European surveys.
on edit: (oops... I see someone beat me to the Hyundai)
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topless
Wichita, KS
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Joined: 08/03/2004
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Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.
After Fiat is here for 4-5 years, if they prove to be reliable. Then and only then would I even look at what they have to offer. Besides, I have a lot of years and miles left before I need another van.
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boogerbear
Ontario
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By the way,we saw a Fiat Ducato at Big Meadow camp site on Skyline Drive on the 14th of October. Had German plates and will be going back to Germany.The owner had been over here for quite a while .It was an older model and servicing was of course a problem over here.
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RobertRyan
Australia
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Quote:BUT... and it's a big 'but,' the Ducato has a not-so-good reputation when compared to Sprinter in European surveys.
They are increasingly becoming the basis for motorhomes in Europe and elsewhere. Ask Weymand next time he drops in.
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Patster
Ontario Canada
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Fiat is not an upstart company, if they don't have their act together now they never will. As for Dodge's next van, maybe they will listen to my comments (likely not). Bring back the last version of the B van updated of course and if a diesel engine is a key point then use the 4 cylinder Cummins ISF 3.8 engine.
Cummins
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burlmart
Baton Rouge
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I've a hunch that the standard American van look of Ford Econoline, and Chevy Express are destined to share the fate of the old Dodge, amd all future evolutions and/or replacements (like Transit over Econoline) will be of the more space efficient straight sided style epitomized in the Sprinter. I wonder what will replace the Express.
2005 Trail Lite 213 B-Plus w/ 6.0 Chevy
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