Can a Fiat 500 ever be a blokes car??
Discussion
LeighW said:
Is it the engine you don't like, or just in general? We hired a 1.4 sport in Lanzarote last year, and I thought it was a cracking little car.
Yes, I suppose in fairness 'horrible' was a bit too strong. These things are always relative to your own experiences, and I would suspect compared to similar cars in its class, it might be very good. Don't get me wrong, I love the ethos of the car, the styling, the quirkiness or dare I say 'cuteness'. I just find it not-very-good to actually drive. Without going into tedious detail, I don't like the seating position, I don't like the very harsh ride, I don't like the alarming lack of cornering grip, I don't like the steering, I don't like way I can't reach the indicator stalks without taking my hands off the steering wheel, I don't like the electric window switches being in the centre console, I don't like the way my foot bounces on the accelerator pedal, I don't like diesels anyway, but that is not the Fiats fault, and... Oh is that the time?On the other hand I DO like everything else about it, but to summise, it's everything ergonomic, everything I interact with as a driver is pretty much what I don't like. I would love to try a petrol 500C lounge and see if I would get on any better with that.
She bought it primarily because a)she had got a new job with a 150 mile round commute, and b)she just wanted one because they are cute.
Once she relocates her job closer to home again, the diesel will be going.
Apologies from digressing from the main thread focus, which is whether it is manly or not. And that is just a silly thing to be concerned with.
ambuletz said:
a 'bloke' maybe not, but a man yes. A man wouldn't feel emasculated by whatever he drives.
True but it won`t stop him from looking emasculated driving a cute little girls car however manly he feels in his head.So many guys claiming that you would have to be insecure etc to care but I bet that there is an owner of almost every colour of car possible in this thread but very doubtful anyone has a pink one...............................
Does that make everyone insecure or does that just mean Men and Women generally like different things?
For me a new Fiesta is hardly a macho car but I would much rather it over a 500 as it doesn`t look so "cute" and "fashionable". They are both a bit girly but one is just overstyled with the intention of making it look stupidly "cute" because Women are into that. Well and a Fiesta drives better imo.
If you like the looks then fair enough (I imagine most blokes prefer the looks of almost any other little car) but its not my cup of tea in the same way one of those stupidly tiny little dogs that quivers if you look at it would not be top of my list of dogs to buy.
A matter of taste I guess. I`m not into "cute" stuff.
Alucidnation said:
Absolutely loved thrashing our little Abarth 500 around when we had it.
Used to see more blokes stopping and looking at it when it was parked up, than women.
That's kind of the point though isn't it?Used to see more blokes stopping and looking at it when it was parked up, than women.
They weren't checking the car out, they were waiting for the driver :P
rb5er said:
ambuletz said:
a 'bloke' maybe not, but a man yes. A man wouldn't feel emasculated by whatever he drives.
True but it won`t stop him from looking emasculated driving a cute little girls car however manly he feels in his head.So many guys claiming that you would have to be insecure etc to care but I bet that there is an owner of almost every colour of car possible in this thread but very doubtful anyone has a pink one...............................
Does that make everyone insecure or does that just mean Men and Women generally like different things?
For me a new Fiesta is hardly a macho car but I would much rather it over a 500 as it doesn`t look so "cute" and "fashionable". They are both a bit girly but one is just overstyled with the intention of making it look stupidly "cute" because Women are into that. Well and a Fiesta drives better imo.
If you like the looks then fair enough (I imagine most blokes prefer the looks of almost any other little car) but its not my cup of tea in the same way one of those stupidly tiny little dogs that quivers if you look at it would not be top of my list of dogs to buy.
A matter of taste I guess. I`m not into "cute" stuff.
A proper petrolhead/PH will find the reasons to justify purchasing a fiat 500 over a 5-6year old performance car. Being a PHer isn't necessarily about owning a TVR or 911 or monaro. It's a state of mind.
ambuletz said:
A proper petrolhead/PH will find the reasons to justify purchasing a fiat 500 over a 5-6year old performance car.
I assume you got that bit backwards? Either way I wouldn`t flat refuse to drive one if I had no option but like I said I don`t like "cute" stuff as highlighted in my post and the 500 and those stupid little dogs are about as cute as it gets so I prefer the looks of almost any other car.
F1GTRUeno said:
Alucidnation said:
Absolutely loved thrashing our little Abarth 500 around when we had it.
Used to see more blokes stopping and looking at it when it was parked up, than women.
That's kind of the point though isn't it?Used to see more blokes stopping and looking at it when it was parked up, than women.
They weren't checking the car out, they were waiting for the driver :P
king nails so your argument doesn't stack up. Want some?These threads remind me of the ones in watch forums that say things like "should I wear my Rolex to a job interview?"
There then follows a huge debate about what a Rolex says about you, whether its too flash, or whether it makes the wearer look successful etc.
Meanwhile, in the real world, no interviewer is ever going to spot the 5mm high "Rolex" logo, and couldn't care less even if they did.
OP, if this sort of thing concerns you I suggest you need to get a sense or perspective and a life. Take up a hobby or a sport, travel, get a more interesting job. Pretty soon you'll realise that the people who care about this sort of thing are exactly the sort of people that you couldn't care less about their opinion.
There then follows a huge debate about what a Rolex says about you, whether its too flash, or whether it makes the wearer look successful etc.
Meanwhile, in the real world, no interviewer is ever going to spot the 5mm high "Rolex" logo, and couldn't care less even if they did.
OP, if this sort of thing concerns you I suggest you need to get a sense or perspective and a life. Take up a hobby or a sport, travel, get a more interesting job. Pretty soon you'll realise that the people who care about this sort of thing are exactly the sort of people that you couldn't care less about their opinion.
I would have one and am considering an Abarth 500.
My girlfriend thinks I am completely mad, as I would probably sell the Alfa and Maserati given I don't really don't need 2 cars anymore, just 1 reasonably practical one. Though I adore both, so might just add this!.
I consider practical to be something with a reasonably secure roof and side windows.
One of my colleagues had a GT3 and an Abarth 500 (after having that roll caged Megane, the R26?). He loved it.
My girlfriend thinks I am completely mad, as I would probably sell the Alfa and Maserati given I don't really don't need 2 cars anymore, just 1 reasonably practical one. Though I adore both, so might just add this!.
I consider practical to be something with a reasonably secure roof and side windows.
One of my colleagues had a GT3 and an Abarth 500 (after having that roll caged Megane, the R26?). He loved it.
I don't mind driving my wife's red 1.2 and would happily drive it to work every day (it would certainly be cheaper to run than my Impreza). The 500 is fun to drive in its own way and you don't feel like you're slumming it for buying a cheap car! Yes, I prefer driving my Impreza because it is more comfortable on longer journeys, faster and rides and handles better. I suppose a red Fiat 500 with red and white interior is a little bit girly, so probably wouldn't buy one for myself but a black Abarth 500 with red graphics is one of the few new cars that really speaks to me and offers reasonable value!
Lagerlout said:
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