Fiat 500 - 1.4 sport - any good?

[Ray Singh]

It will be my wife's (21st - ahem) birthday this December. I have racked my brains thinking about what I should get for her. She has most things, but finally decided that she would like to go on holiday to Iceland. She has been saving for this and we finally booked this and will be going just after Xmas. Thinking about it, she saved for this and hence its not really a gift from me to her.....

Yesterday, my neighbour showed her his new (64 plate) Fiat 500. Its a convertable finished in Rosso Corsa. My wife was delighted with the car and has made suggestions that she would like one.

Looking at autotrader last night, I noticed that these are good value. I saw a 08 plate 1.4 sport with circa 43k miles, with leather, finished in black for around £4k. So - I am in the market for one of these, with the intention of having it delivered to my door whilst I am in Iceland, so when we return, its there for her! I am a big romantic arent I?

So,

What does one look out for on these cars?
Are they actually any good?
What goes wrong?
How many miles is too many?
Any models to avoid?
Is the 1.4 engine strong?

Thanks!

R

[stephen300o]

Mum's 1.4 is great, not overly frugal, but a nice engine with enough fo for fun, and fun handling for three wheeling roundabouts. Also not a thing has gone wrong with it since bought new in 08.