New Fiat 500L: Why?

[matrignano]

MC Bodge said:

Ah, so you didn't discover the extra pedal travel then?

That thing needs 2 extra pedals and a fking rocket booster!
And an invisibility cloak to protect you from the shame of driving it

[Nikko 40691]

I work for a rental car company and these things are freakin' awful.

Huge blind spots, slow as and yes I do know about the 'kickdown' just like in the 2008 and the awful shift motion.

They do have DAB though which is rather nice!

[anonymous-user]

Nikko 40691 said:

I work for a rental car company and these things are freakin' awful.

Huge blind spots, slow as and yes I do know about the 'kickdown' just like in the 2008 and the awful shift motion.

They do have DAB though which is rather nice!

Agree with all of the above. The only thing I liked was the multimedia/touch screen stereo. Paired with my phone easily enough to play music.

[dxg]

0llie said:

skyrover said:

hideous thing... does poorly in crash testing as well

That's shocking

If you think that's shocking have a look at some of the current-model Hyundais on the same youtube account...

[TooMany2cvs]

skyrover said:

hideous thing... does poorly in crash testing as well

EuroNCAP 5*, though.

TBF, that "small overlap" test looks like an absolute bd.





...and this is why...

[skyrover]

TooMany2cvs said:

EuroNCAP 5*, though.

TBF, that "small overlap" test looks like an absolute bd.

Indeed it's a toughie... but most manufacturers seem to have it cracked now.

VW Golf



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2apWN173D4A

A3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXa-TeBOkk0

BMW 2 series

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5jsy5EQtlM

Mercedes e-class

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkX16uDkHm8

Volvo S80

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6H0UctkKSc

Volvo XC90

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPL0Vi_8fiI

Mercedes M-class

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke7ROdt7FDA

[MC Bodge]

Having now had the pleasure of a cross-country (in both senses) jaunt on a 500L, it is a mixed bag.

The ergonomics and switchgear layout are pretty terrible.
The steering wheel buttons are too easily pressed accidentally by the base of the thumbs when holding the wheel 9-3. The cruise control switching is a bit vague.

The instruments are obscured by the steering wheel unless it is tilted up quite high.

The 1.6 diesel is quite Pokey (but rough at higher rpm) and it is quick enough.

Steering is vague around centre, devoid of feel and weights up too much in turns.

Handling is actually better than expected, if you get it settled before cornering hard. Ride is quite firm (probably to counter body-roll).

Brakes feel sharp, but aren't very powerful and the hazard lights kick in with only moderately hard braking. it also squirms around whilst doing it.

I don't think it is really a 500. It Must be just a Fiat van with a car body.

I would never buy one. Even a previous rental Zafira was far better.

Edited by MC Bodge on Wednesday 25th February 08:19

[MC Bodge]

Are all of these are rentals?