New Fiat 500L: Why?
Discussion
We were given one of these as a rental whilst away in the south of France - in white with the mighty 1.3 83bhp diesel! Slow wasn't the word for it, any slight inclines on motorways and 4th was required. It had nothing above 3k or below 2k so you were forever in the wrong gear; classic case of manufacturers putting unsuitable engines in big cars to make out they're good on fuel/low on tax when actually they're no better than the more powerful version due to having to work the engine so hard to get anywhere. I found out they even do a 7-seat version with this engine, how on earth that would get up steep hills fully loaded is beyond me 
I find the whole concept of these cars so wrong - they're merely trying (and failing) to be a fashion statement and Fiat has clearly jumped on the bandwagon started by the hideous Mini Countryman. I'll give the 500L one thing and that is it's slightly less ugly than the Mini.
I find the whole concept of these cars so wrong - they're merely trying (and failing) to be a fashion statement and Fiat has clearly jumped on the bandwagon started by the hideous Mini Countryman. I'll give the 500L one thing and that is it's slightly less ugly than the Mini.
chriscoates said:
We were given one of these as a rental whilst away in the south of France - in white with the mighty 1.3 83bhp diesel! Slow wasn't the word for it, any slight inclines on motorways and 4th was required. It had nothing above 3k or below 2k so you were forever in the wrong gear; classic case of manufacturers putting unsuitable engines in big cars to make out they're good on fuel/low on tax when actually they're no better than the more powerful version due to having to work the engine so hard to get anywhere. I found out they even do a 7-seat version with this engine, how on earth that would get up steep hills fully loaded is beyond me
I find the whole concept of these cars so wrong - they're merely trying (and failing) to be a fashion statement and Fiat has clearly jumped on the bandwagon started by the hideous Mini Countryman. I'll give the 500L one thing and that is it's slightly less ugly than the Mini.
Did you discover that the accelerator actually went past the initial 'stop'/resistance? If not, you were probably using about 50bhp at the mostI find the whole concept of these cars so wrong - they're merely trying (and failing) to be a fashion statement and Fiat has clearly jumped on the bandwagon started by the hideous Mini Countryman. I'll give the 500L one thing and that is it's slightly less ugly than the Mini.
We've got one booked for a trip to Italy next week, frankly as long as the kid seats & bags all fit in & the aircon works I don't give a monkeys what it drives like.
You don't hire one of those busses for its performance.
Having said that, pre kids we took a Lancia 1.1 up the route of the Targa Florio and had a great time until it overheated, still managed to overtake a donkey in limp home mode.
You don't hire one of those busses for its performance.
Having said that, pre kids we took a Lancia 1.1 up the route of the Targa Florio and had a great time until it overheated, still managed to overtake a donkey in limp home mode.
Neil G60 said:
This is a corner impact test though isn't it? It probably looks worse than it would if you were viewing a full frontal impact from side on.
Here's the video... It scored a "poor"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BTkqwL_3-c
Drivers head totally missed the airbag and impacted the A-pillar/dash
Compared to the VW Golf which scored a "good"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2apWN173D4A
I am a Fiat salesman these days, 90% of these things that are sold are Motability cars, I've only ever sold one to someone willing to part with their own money for it.
The new 500X SUV is going to be a huge success. Looks pretty good as well, the OH is already asking for one. I personally prefer the Jeep Renegade, but maybe one of each will be good.
The new 500X SUV is going to be a huge success. Looks pretty good as well, the OH is already asking for one. I personally prefer the Jeep Renegade, but maybe one of each will be good.
MC Bodge said:
chriscoates said:
We were given one of these as a rental whilst away in the south of France - in white with the mighty 1.3 83bhp diesel! Slow wasn't the word for it, any slight inclines on motorways and 4th was required. It had nothing above 3k or below 2k so you were forever in the wrong gear; classic case of manufacturers putting unsuitable engines in big cars to make out they're good on fuel/low on tax when actually they're no better than the more powerful version due to having to work the engine so hard to get anywhere. I found out they even do a 7-seat version with this engine, how on earth that would get up steep hills fully loaded is beyond me
I find the whole concept of these cars so wrong - they're merely trying (and failing) to be a fashion statement and Fiat has clearly jumped on the bandwagon started by the hideous Mini Countryman. I'll give the 500L one thing and that is it's slightly less ugly than the Mini.
Did you discover that the accelerator actually went past the initial 'stop'/resistance? If not, you were probably using about 50bhp at the mostI find the whole concept of these cars so wrong - they're merely trying (and failing) to be a fashion statement and Fiat has clearly jumped on the bandwagon started by the hideous Mini Countryman. I'll give the 500L one thing and that is it's slightly less ugly than the Mini.
s m said:
Noticed the 500Ls were very common in Italy last month as hire cars - saw more there in a couple of days than I've seen over here in years
Yep, saw loads in Sardinia last month too, whilst we didn't hire a car when we were out there, the 500 L was the only car that the wife kept on giving positive comments about. 
Got shafted by Europcar in Italy.
Pre-booked a car of Golf-like category.
Get to the airport and they give me a white 1.3 diesel 500L. I ask what else is in the category.
Answer: Golf, 308, DS4, 500L. Well then, I'll have any but the Fiat.
f
kers only had Fiats! How they can pass them as comparable to a Golf I have no idea! Was so slow and generally stty that it was borderline dangerous! Let alone extremely embarrassing...
I tried to swap it at 3 other Europcar office in Italy and they too only had 500Ls. Talk about misleading advertising...
Pre-booked a car of Golf-like category.
Get to the airport and they give me a white 1.3 diesel 500L. I ask what else is in the category.
Answer: Golf, 308, DS4, 500L. Well then, I'll have any but the Fiat.
f
kers only had Fiats! How they can pass them as comparable to a Golf I have no idea! Was so slow and generally stty that it was borderline dangerous! Let alone extremely embarrassing...I tried to swap it at 3 other Europcar office in Italy and they too only had 500Ls. Talk about misleading advertising...
matrignano said:
Got shafted by Europcar in Italy.
Pre-booked a car of Golf-like category.
Get to the airport and they give me a white 1.3 diesel 500L. I ask what else is in the category.
Answer: Golf, 308, DS4, 500L. Well then, I'll have any but the Fiat.
fkers only had Fiats! How they can pass them as comparable to a Golf I have no idea! Was so slow and generally stty that it was borderline dangerous! Let alone extremely embarrassing...
Ah, so you didn't discover the extra pedal travel then?Pre-booked a car of Golf-like category.
Get to the airport and they give me a white 1.3 diesel 500L. I ask what else is in the category.
Answer: Golf, 308, DS4, 500L. Well then, I'll have any but the Fiat.
f
kers only had Fiats! How they can pass them as comparable to a Golf I have no idea! Was so slow and generally stty that it was borderline dangerous! Let alone extremely embarrassing...Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff