Any fiat 500 owners on here?
Discussion
I've just been to test drive a new Fiat 500 and was really impressed but before I put an order in I wanted to see if any of the PH massive had one and what they thought? I'd be going for the 'lounge' trim (1.2ltr) and drive about 25 miles a day which is mainly sitting in traffic or plodding along at 40mph.
Don't worry, there will be a weekend toy as well!
Don't worry, there will be a weekend toy as well!
I had a Fiat 500 Sport 1.2 for nearly three years, and I have had no issues with it apart from a broken sensor (replaced under warranty) and I covered nearly 26,000 miles equally split between daily commutes and long distance trips.
There is a feel good factor about it and you will never stop smiling.
I now have an Abarth 500c.
There is a feel good factor about it and you will never stop smiling.
I now have an Abarth 500c.
If you can stretch to the Arbath then do.
I had a 1.4 Lounge for 6 months. I found it fun around town but uncomfortable and uncivilised on long journeys. And slow. And not very economical.
Very much style over substance as far as I can see. Great for pootling round town but I really wouldn't want to do a daily 25mile commute in one.
I had a 1.4 Lounge for 6 months. I found it fun around town but uncomfortable and uncivilised on long journeys. And slow. And not very economical.
Very much style over substance as far as I can see. Great for pootling round town but I really wouldn't want to do a daily 25mile commute in one.
Edited by Gruber on Sunday 24th April 08:24
We have had the diesel for 2.5 years & 9500 miles (it was my wife's turn to choose a car - honest guv) .
We ignored the 1.2 when test driving due to too small an engine for open road journeys - IMO of course, (which we do a few but mostly city driving), so drove the 1.4 & diesel. The 1.4 came across as a high rev engine - things only really happened over 4000rpm, the diesel was the far better engine for our needs due to the low down torque & far better economy, my Aunt has the 1.4 Sport and gets 100 miles less on the same sized tank (we both tend to be a little heavy footed so no economy driving advantage to me there), at the time the 1.4 Sport & 1.3 diesel Sport were nearly the same price.
Have never had any problems on the open road overtaking and find the handling not too bad, I don't tend to hang around either - it isn't a sports car, but it sounds like you have that base covered.
Only problem we have had was the external passenger door handle stopped working, after 2 weeks on a brand new car! Quick fix under warrantee. No rattles, only a slight occasional squeak from the drivers seat when changing gear and we have to deal with the speed hump infested roads of London every weekend.
I have looked at the Fiat comparison site and notice the 1.2 is £2400 cheaper than the diesel, so that buys a lot of fuel, depends on how long you plan to keep the car I guess.
P.S. my apologies for mentioning the 'D' word on PH
We ignored the 1.2 when test driving due to too small an engine for open road journeys - IMO of course, (which we do a few but mostly city driving), so drove the 1.4 & diesel. The 1.4 came across as a high rev engine - things only really happened over 4000rpm, the diesel was the far better engine for our needs due to the low down torque & far better economy, my Aunt has the 1.4 Sport and gets 100 miles less on the same sized tank (we both tend to be a little heavy footed so no economy driving advantage to me there), at the time the 1.4 Sport & 1.3 diesel Sport were nearly the same price.
Have never had any problems on the open road overtaking and find the handling not too bad, I don't tend to hang around either - it isn't a sports car, but it sounds like you have that base covered.
Only problem we have had was the external passenger door handle stopped working, after 2 weeks on a brand new car! Quick fix under warrantee. No rattles, only a slight occasional squeak from the drivers seat when changing gear and we have to deal with the speed hump infested roads of London every weekend.
I have looked at the Fiat comparison site and notice the 1.2 is £2400 cheaper than the diesel, so that buys a lot of fuel, depends on how long you plan to keep the car I guess.
P.S. my apologies for mentioning the 'D' word on PH
Here is my Abarth 500 next to the M5. Its one of the most fun cars I have ever had. I have added a TMC tuning box which has taken the power to around 160-170bhp and it is a hoot.
I had a nice drive last weekend to Camber Sands the followed the coast all the way to Margate - a trip of around 150 miles and I loved every minute. The normal Fiats are good town cars but the Abarth is in a different league.
I had a nice drive last weekend to Camber Sands the followed the coast all the way to Margate - a trip of around 150 miles and I loved every minute. The normal Fiats are good town cars but the Abarth is in a different league.
I've had my 1.2 Pop for a month now. I think it's a great little car. The engine is plenty nippy enough and I've never felt it underpowered. It's also comfortable on longer journeys. In many ways it feels like a grown-up small car as it's quite refined (for what it is) - in mine the road noise is more noticeable than the engine note. And it's surprisingly capacious if you fold the seats down.
I'm a fan.
I'm a fan.
hora said:
It makes it look huge!. She has a 60 plate lounge 1.2, the car is great, good on fuel (45 mpg), reliable, handles well, plenty fast enough and most impressive in the snow oddly enough. The only car she would replace it with is the volante convertable that prince william drove yesterday, according to her. Praise indeed.
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