I've just driven the New 500
Discussion
My local dealer Mervyn Stewarts have got a red 1.4 Sport in, and I got to drive it earlier today.
First off I'm completely biased I am towards all, well most Fiats, but I was completely blown away by it. I like a lot of people had started to think it looked like the Micra but as soon as I seen it in the flesh, it just screamed Old 500 to me.
The build quality is like nothing I've seen on any other Fiat. The doors are nice and heavy and close with a proper "thunk". The funky little touches are brilliant to. The instrument binicle is a lovely touch with the centre the digi readout, middle dial the rev counter and the outer the speedo. There is chrome on the gear lever (6 speed in the Sport) the door handles and the 500 badge on the dash. The front seats hug really well and for such a small car there is plenty of room in the back unless your really tall.
Driving wise it felt like I was driving a far bigger car. Even with the 16" wheels I found it taught but smooth to drive. Even over bumps it was quiet. It has the same engine as the Panda 100HP which is excellent. It's a really nippy car which gets even better when you put it into Sport mod. The steering has really good feedback and the gear stick is positioned almost perfectly (the Pandas in perfect) I just felt like I'd be driving it for ages after about 5 mins of being in it because it's such a lovely place to be.
I can now see what all the hype is about the New 500 and it's well founded. If Fiat haven't got a reall winner with this there's no justice in the world. If you know anyone at all who's thinking of a small car, point them in the direction of the 500, they will not regret it.
It's an absolutely fanastic little car and I want one more than ever now, in white with the red Abarth side stripes, 16" wheels, white dash, white steering wheel, and, and, and!.
First off I'm completely biased I am towards all, well most Fiats, but I was completely blown away by it. I like a lot of people had started to think it looked like the Micra but as soon as I seen it in the flesh, it just screamed Old 500 to me.
The build quality is like nothing I've seen on any other Fiat. The doors are nice and heavy and close with a proper "thunk". The funky little touches are brilliant to. The instrument binicle is a lovely touch with the centre the digi readout, middle dial the rev counter and the outer the speedo. There is chrome on the gear lever (6 speed in the Sport) the door handles and the 500 badge on the dash. The front seats hug really well and for such a small car there is plenty of room in the back unless your really tall.
Driving wise it felt like I was driving a far bigger car. Even with the 16" wheels I found it taught but smooth to drive. Even over bumps it was quiet. It has the same engine as the Panda 100HP which is excellent. It's a really nippy car which gets even better when you put it into Sport mod. The steering has really good feedback and the gear stick is positioned almost perfectly (the Pandas in perfect) I just felt like I'd be driving it for ages after about 5 mins of being in it because it's such a lovely place to be.
I can now see what all the hype is about the New 500 and it's well founded. If Fiat haven't got a reall winner with this there's no justice in the world. If you know anyone at all who's thinking of a small car, point them in the direction of the 500, they will not regret it.
It's an absolutely fanastic little car and I want one more than ever now, in white with the red Abarth side stripes, 16" wheels, white dash, white steering wheel, and, and, and!.
Thanks for that, I will have to try one asap.Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff