Lancia Dedra (1990 - 1994) 1.8 SE 4d (1990/H) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Quietly confident, individual, understated, not concerned with status symbols, more about personality than image. Or it could just say 'cheapskate in an old clunker'.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

It confuses people, they all think I've lost the plot trying to keep a 23 year old Italian car on the road, if it was an Alfa Romeo sports car then maybe but a Lancia saloon car that nobody has ever heard of ??

Would you buy this car again and why?

Yes..at the time of writing, if a really really nice Dedra ever came up for sale, I might be interested. While I have owned 'better' cars, I am strangely drawn to this model. I like the fact that its NOT perfect, it has a silly name and some design flaws and while some things can be temperamental the car has always started first time and has never broken down.

What are you likely to buy next?

If talking Italian, I have always admired the Lancia Fulvia 1.6HF Coupe but in reality and budget aside, it would need to be a 4 seater.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£0

When did you buy the car?

February 2012

Did you get a good deal and why?

I had been looking for a Dedra for ages and this was the only MOT'd one I saw advertised.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

From its launch, I always liked the Dedra, it was a more refined and exclusive version of the Alfa Romeo 155 / Fiat Tempra. There were never very many imported, I wish I had bought a nice one years ago instead of waiting until they have virtually all disappeared.I can say that 23 years on it still feels like a quality car.

What was the dealer like?

What's it like to drive?

Very enjoyable, the faster you go the better it drives. The engine is free revving, good close ratio 5 speed gears, adequate brakes and good road holding and nicely weighted steering. I regularly do a 150 mile round trip on 'A' roads and motorways, the Dedra lacks for nothing on the road. I love it when the modern Audi / BMW / Hot Hatch brigade get the red mist and have to nearly commit hari-kari to get passed. It has most of the creature comforts - all electric windows, electric sunroof, electric mirrors, tinted windows, central locking [ but not remote ] etc.

What's it like to park?

Easy, with good all round visibility.

Have you had any problems with the car?

After initially spending more than the car was worth getting it up together, its only needed the usual readily available service items It has a few quirks like the horn gets louder the more its used, it starts off as a squeak but a few dozen pushes later and it would wake the dead. The electric fuel filler flap often refuses to work when I pull up at the pump yet as soon as I pull off the forecourt to investigate it works perfectly. The drivers windscreen wiper blade clears the rain on the downward stroke only for the rainwater to run back up the windscreen as the wiper goes on upward stroke.

What's most practical about your car?

Takes 4 in comfort, good size boot and rear seats fold down like a hatch back. 35 + mpg.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Factory fitted electric slide or tilt sunroof.