Opinions please on this Fiat 500's brown leather interior
Discussion
mikeswagon said:
The seats look the same main colour as my daughters Vintage 57. She loves the colours, and I'm pleased to report the seats and steering wheel seem to be staying reasonably clean.
Excellent, thanks for sharing.Meanwhile, it's looking more likely by the minute that I'll be booking a day off this week to go and get the car myself.
Louis Balfour said:
AC43 said:
Excellent, thanks for sharing.
Meanwhile, it's looking more likely by the minute that I'll be booking a day off this week to go and get the car myself.
You could always hire a delivery firm. That is how ours arrived.Meanwhile, it's looking more likely by the minute that I'll be booking a day off this week to go and get the car myself.
Louis Balfour said:
AC43 said:
Excellent, thanks for sharing.
Meanwhile, it's looking more likely by the minute that I'll be booking a day off this week to go and get the car myself.
You could always hire a delivery firm. That is how ours arrived.Meanwhile, it's looking more likely by the minute that I'll be booking a day off this week to go and get the car myself.
Could be worse.
Louis Balfour said:
AC43 said:
Yes, been looking into that too. There's one lot that could bring it down on Thursday. More expensive but more convenient.
We paid £160 from somewhere in Norfolk to Nottingham.But it's not mine until I actually pay for it and they didn't want a 3rd party shunting their stock around.
It's no biggie as I was going to have to take a half-day off anyway to get it back from MK. And I've got two weeks to use up between now and the end of the year and no plans.
So (a) I get a day off to play cars and (b) I don't use up a chunk of my weekend. And (c) I get my hands on
Had a great drive home yesterday. I spent a bit of time at the dealer working out the infotainment then set off from Huddersfield for the 20 mile or so cross country run to the M1 (J37?).
First impreseeions were great. I had Talksport crystal clear on DAB plus directions from the (very good) built-in TomTom. I was also getting loads of what I now know to be speed camera warnings but was still getting to grips with the car and hope I didn't get nicked in one of the villages (I was staring at the instruments trying to work out why the car was beeping at me, not looking out for the forwarding-facing Yorkshire cameras....).
The lack of power was only noticeable of one or two of the steeper back roads and the hilariously slow way it tackled the slip road onto the motorway but after that it was just fine. It'll cruise all day long at motorway speeds. More to the point I found it incredibly comfortable and planted - I was expecting it to be bouncing around all over the place - quite the opposite.
I did another 20 miles or so then pulled over for something to eat just south of Sheffield. Read the manual a bit more to see if I'd missed anything then resumed the rest of the three-hour drive home.
Got out fresh as you like, showed it to my delighted wife who immediately jumped in and drove us to Queen's Park where one of her best mates lives. I was turfed out and they went off for a spin. 10 minutes later various mums and daughter were cooing over it metallic teal blue paint and funky brown leather. It was a massive hit - LOL.
Much to my surprise, though, I really really enjoyed driving it. After reading all the road tests I was really expecting it to be far more compromised than it actually is. It's a great little package with a fantastic interior and some really cool tech. It's a great city car, it's the cheapest car I've ever insured and taxed and it's by far the most economical. AND, surprise, it can do big distances with ease.
Thanks all who gave me advice and helped me narrow the search down. I'm very happy with it.
First impreseeions were great. I had Talksport crystal clear on DAB plus directions from the (very good) built-in TomTom. I was also getting loads of what I now know to be speed camera warnings but was still getting to grips with the car and hope I didn't get nicked in one of the villages (I was staring at the instruments trying to work out why the car was beeping at me, not looking out for the forwarding-facing Yorkshire cameras....).
The lack of power was only noticeable of one or two of the steeper back roads and the hilariously slow way it tackled the slip road onto the motorway but after that it was just fine. It'll cruise all day long at motorway speeds. More to the point I found it incredibly comfortable and planted - I was expecting it to be bouncing around all over the place - quite the opposite.
I did another 20 miles or so then pulled over for something to eat just south of Sheffield. Read the manual a bit more to see if I'd missed anything then resumed the rest of the three-hour drive home.
Got out fresh as you like, showed it to my delighted wife who immediately jumped in and drove us to Queen's Park where one of her best mates lives. I was turfed out and they went off for a spin. 10 minutes later various mums and daughter were cooing over it metallic teal blue paint and funky brown leather. It was a massive hit - LOL.
Much to my surprise, though, I really really enjoyed driving it. After reading all the road tests I was really expecting it to be far more compromised than it actually is. It's a great little package with a fantastic interior and some really cool tech. It's a great city car, it's the cheapest car I've ever insured and taxed and it's by far the most economical. AND, surprise, it can do big distances with ease.
Thanks all who gave me advice and helped me narrow the search down. I'm very happy with it.
AC43 said:
Had a great drive home yesterday. I spent a bit of time at the dealer working out the infotainment then set off from Huddersfield for the 20 mile or so cross country run to the M1 (J37?).
First impreseeions were great. I had Talksport crystal clear on DAB plus directions from the (very good) built-in TomTom. I was also getting loads of what I now know to be speed camera warnings but was still getting to grips with the car and hope I didn't get nicked in one of the villages (I was staring at the instruments trying to work out why the car was beeping at me, not looking out for the forwarding-facing Yorkshire cameras....).
The lack of power was only noticeable of one or two of the steeper back roads and the hilariously slow way it tackled the slip road onto the motorway but after that it was just fine. It'll cruise all day long at motorway speeds. More to the point I found it incredibly comfortable and planted - I was expecting it to be bouncing around all over the place - quite the opposite.
I did another 20 miles or so then pulled over for something to eat just south of Sheffield. Read the manual a bit more to see if I'd missed anything then resumed the rest of the three-hour drive home.
Got out fresh as you like, showed it to my delighted wife who immediately jumped in and drove us to Queen's Park where one of her best mates lives. I was turfed out and they went off for a spin. 10 minutes later various mums and daughter were cooing over it metallic teal blue paint and funky brown leather. It was a massive hit - LOL.
Much to my surprise, though, I really really enjoyed driving it. After reading all the road tests I was really expecting it to be far more compromised than it actually is. It's a great little package with a fantastic interior and some really cool tech. It's a great city car, it's the cheapest car I've ever insured and taxed and it's by far the most economical. AND, surprise, it can do big distances with ease.
It's a hit.
Built in Tom Tom you say? We don't have that. Is it after-market?First impreseeions were great. I had Talksport crystal clear on DAB plus directions from the (very good) built-in TomTom. I was also getting loads of what I now know to be speed camera warnings but was still getting to grips with the car and hope I didn't get nicked in one of the villages (I was staring at the instruments trying to work out why the car was beeping at me, not looking out for the forwarding-facing Yorkshire cameras....).
The lack of power was only noticeable of one or two of the steeper back roads and the hilariously slow way it tackled the slip road onto the motorway but after that it was just fine. It'll cruise all day long at motorway speeds. More to the point I found it incredibly comfortable and planted - I was expecting it to be bouncing around all over the place - quite the opposite.
I did another 20 miles or so then pulled over for something to eat just south of Sheffield. Read the manual a bit more to see if I'd missed anything then resumed the rest of the three-hour drive home.
Got out fresh as you like, showed it to my delighted wife who immediately jumped in and drove us to Queen's Park where one of her best mates lives. I was turfed out and they went off for a spin. 10 minutes later various mums and daughter were cooing over it metallic teal blue paint and funky brown leather. It was a massive hit - LOL.
Much to my surprise, though, I really really enjoyed driving it. After reading all the road tests I was really expecting it to be far more compromised than it actually is. It's a great little package with a fantastic interior and some really cool tech. It's a great city car, it's the cheapest car I've ever insured and taxed and it's by far the most economical. AND, surprise, it can do big distances with ease.
It's a hit.
With regard to performance, you need to forget all about the little shift arrow on the screen. And the fuel gauge. They will go quite well if you rev them out. Drive it like you're Italian.
Louis Balfour said:
AC43 said:
Had a great drive home yesterday. I spent a bit of time at the dealer working out the infotainment then set off from Huddersfield for the 20 mile or so cross country run to the M1 (J37?).
First impreseeions were great. I had Talksport crystal clear on DAB plus directions from the (very good) built-in TomTom. I was also getting loads of what I now know to be speed camera warnings but was still getting to grips with the car and hope I didn't get nicked in one of the villages (I was staring at the instruments trying to work out why the car was beeping at me, not looking out for the forwarding-facing Yorkshire cameras....).
The lack of power was only noticeable of one or two of the steeper back roads and the hilariously slow way it tackled the slip road onto the motorway but after that it was just fine. It'll cruise all day long at motorway speeds. More to the point I found it incredibly comfortable and planted - I was expecting it to be bouncing around all over the place - quite the opposite.
I did another 20 miles or so then pulled over for something to eat just south of Sheffield. Read the manual a bit more to see if I'd missed anything then resumed the rest of the three-hour drive home.
Got out fresh as you like, showed it to my delighted wife who immediately jumped in and drove us to Queen's Park where one of her best mates lives. I was turfed out and they went off for a spin. 10 minutes later various mums and daughter were cooing over it metallic teal blue paint and funky brown leather. It was a massive hit - LOL.
Much to my surprise, though, I really really enjoyed driving it. After reading all the road tests I was really expecting it to be far more compromised than it actually is. It's a great little package with a fantastic interior and some really cool tech. It's a great city car, it's the cheapest car I've ever insured and taxed and it's by far the most economical. AND, surprise, it can do big distances with ease.
It's a hit.
Built in Tom Tom you say? We don't have that. Is it after-market?First impreseeions were great. I had Talksport crystal clear on DAB plus directions from the (very good) built-in TomTom. I was also getting loads of what I now know to be speed camera warnings but was still getting to grips with the car and hope I didn't get nicked in one of the villages (I was staring at the instruments trying to work out why the car was beeping at me, not looking out for the forwarding-facing Yorkshire cameras....).
The lack of power was only noticeable of one or two of the steeper back roads and the hilariously slow way it tackled the slip road onto the motorway but after that it was just fine. It'll cruise all day long at motorway speeds. More to the point I found it incredibly comfortable and planted - I was expecting it to be bouncing around all over the place - quite the opposite.
I did another 20 miles or so then pulled over for something to eat just south of Sheffield. Read the manual a bit more to see if I'd missed anything then resumed the rest of the three-hour drive home.
Got out fresh as you like, showed it to my delighted wife who immediately jumped in and drove us to Queen's Park where one of her best mates lives. I was turfed out and they went off for a spin. 10 minutes later various mums and daughter were cooing over it metallic teal blue paint and funky brown leather. It was a massive hit - LOL.
Much to my surprise, though, I really really enjoyed driving it. After reading all the road tests I was really expecting it to be far more compromised than it actually is. It's a great little package with a fantastic interior and some really cool tech. It's a great city car, it's the cheapest car I've ever insured and taxed and it's by far the most economical. AND, surprise, it can do big distances with ease.
It's a hit.
With regard to performance, you need to forget all about the little shift arrow on the screen. And the fuel gauge. They will go quite well if you rev them out. Drive it like you're Italian.
Yes, it's happy being driven Italian-style. The engine feels unburstable. But in the city all you need is 2,000rpm to 2,500. That's enough to keep up with the flow.
AC43 said:
Louis Balfour said:
AC43 said:
Had a great drive home yesterday. I spent a bit of time at the dealer working out the infotainment then set off from Huddersfield for the 20 mile or so cross country run to the M1 (J37?).
First impreseeions were great. I had Talksport crystal clear on DAB plus directions from the (very good) built-in TomTom. I was also getting loads of what I now know to be speed camera warnings but was still getting to grips with the car and hope I didn't get nicked in one of the villages (I was staring at the instruments trying to work out why the car was beeping at me, not looking out for the forwarding-facing Yorkshire cameras....).
The lack of power was only noticeable of one or two of the steeper back roads and the hilariously slow way it tackled the slip road onto the motorway but after that it was just fine. It'll cruise all day long at motorway speeds. More to the point I found it incredibly comfortable and planted - I was expecting it to be bouncing around all over the place - quite the opposite.
I did another 20 miles or so then pulled over for something to eat just south of Sheffield. Read the manual a bit more to see if I'd missed anything then resumed the rest of the three-hour drive home.
Got out fresh as you like, showed it to my delighted wife who immediately jumped in and drove us to Queen's Park where one of her best mates lives. I was turfed out and they went off for a spin. 10 minutes later various mums and daughter were cooing over it metallic teal blue paint and funky brown leather. It was a massive hit - LOL.
Much to my surprise, though, I really really enjoyed driving it. After reading all the road tests I was really expecting it to be far more compromised than it actually is. It's a great little package with a fantastic interior and some really cool tech. It's a great city car, it's the cheapest car I've ever insured and taxed and it's by far the most economical. AND, surprise, it can do big distances with ease.
It's a hit.
Built in Tom Tom you say? We don't have that. Is it after-market?First impreseeions were great. I had Talksport crystal clear on DAB plus directions from the (very good) built-in TomTom. I was also getting loads of what I now know to be speed camera warnings but was still getting to grips with the car and hope I didn't get nicked in one of the villages (I was staring at the instruments trying to work out why the car was beeping at me, not looking out for the forwarding-facing Yorkshire cameras....).
The lack of power was only noticeable of one or two of the steeper back roads and the hilariously slow way it tackled the slip road onto the motorway but after that it was just fine. It'll cruise all day long at motorway speeds. More to the point I found it incredibly comfortable and planted - I was expecting it to be bouncing around all over the place - quite the opposite.
I did another 20 miles or so then pulled over for something to eat just south of Sheffield. Read the manual a bit more to see if I'd missed anything then resumed the rest of the three-hour drive home.
Got out fresh as you like, showed it to my delighted wife who immediately jumped in and drove us to Queen's Park where one of her best mates lives. I was turfed out and they went off for a spin. 10 minutes later various mums and daughter were cooing over it metallic teal blue paint and funky brown leather. It was a massive hit - LOL.
Much to my surprise, though, I really really enjoyed driving it. After reading all the road tests I was really expecting it to be far more compromised than it actually is. It's a great little package with a fantastic interior and some really cool tech. It's a great city car, it's the cheapest car I've ever insured and taxed and it's by far the most economical. AND, surprise, it can do big distances with ease.
It's a hit.
With regard to performance, you need to forget all about the little shift arrow on the screen. And the fuel gauge. They will go quite well if you rev them out. Drive it like you're Italian.
Yes, it's happy being driven Italian-style. The engine feels unburstable. But in the city all you need is 2,000rpm to 2,500. That's enough to keep up with the flow.
I found, when I first started driving the 500 in the city, that other drivers were somewhat discourteous towards me. So now I make sure that the 500 is the fastest moving vehicle in the immediate area!
Louis Balfour said:
Built in Tom Tom you say? We don't have that. Is it after-market?
With regard to performance, you need to forget all about the little shift arrow on the screen. And the fuel gauge. They will go quite well if you rev them out. Drive it like you're Italian.
Yup, I thought the wife's was a little slow, then I started to drive it hard revving it out and its pretty nippy, feels solid even when you push it hardWith regard to performance, you need to forget all about the little shift arrow on the screen. And the fuel gauge. They will go quite well if you rev them out. Drive it like you're Italian.
Louis Balfour said:
AC43 said:
Louis Balfour said:
AC43 said:
Had a great drive home yesterday. I spent a bit of time at the dealer working out the infotainment then set off from Huddersfield for the 20 mile or so cross country run to the M1 (J37?).
First impreseeions were great. I had Talksport crystal clear on DAB plus directions from the (very good) built-in TomTom. I was also getting loads of what I now know to be speed camera warnings but was still getting to grips with the car and hope I didn't get nicked in one of the villages (I was staring at the instruments trying to work out why the car was beeping at me, not looking out for the forwarding-facing Yorkshire cameras....).
The lack of power was only noticeable of one or two of the steeper back roads and the hilariously slow way it tackled the slip road onto the motorway but after that it was just fine. It'll cruise all day long at motorway speeds. More to the point I found it incredibly comfortable and planted - I was expecting it to be bouncing around all over the place - quite the opposite.
I did another 20 miles or so then pulled over for something to eat just south of Sheffield. Read the manual a bit more to see if I'd missed anything then resumed the rest of the three-hour drive home.
Got out fresh as you like, showed it to my delighted wife who immediately jumped in and drove us to Queen's Park where one of her best mates lives. I was turfed out and they went off for a spin. 10 minutes later various mums and daughter were cooing over it metallic teal blue paint and funky brown leather. It was a massive hit - LOL.
Much to my surprise, though, I really really enjoyed driving it. After reading all the road tests I was really expecting it to be far more compromised than it actually is. It's a great little package with a fantastic interior and some really cool tech. It's a great city car, it's the cheapest car I've ever insured and taxed and it's by far the most economical. AND, surprise, it can do big distances with ease.
It's a hit.
Built in Tom Tom you say? We don't have that. Is it after-market?First impreseeions were great. I had Talksport crystal clear on DAB plus directions from the (very good) built-in TomTom. I was also getting loads of what I now know to be speed camera warnings but was still getting to grips with the car and hope I didn't get nicked in one of the villages (I was staring at the instruments trying to work out why the car was beeping at me, not looking out for the forwarding-facing Yorkshire cameras....).
The lack of power was only noticeable of one or two of the steeper back roads and the hilariously slow way it tackled the slip road onto the motorway but after that it was just fine. It'll cruise all day long at motorway speeds. More to the point I found it incredibly comfortable and planted - I was expecting it to be bouncing around all over the place - quite the opposite.
I did another 20 miles or so then pulled over for something to eat just south of Sheffield. Read the manual a bit more to see if I'd missed anything then resumed the rest of the three-hour drive home.
Got out fresh as you like, showed it to my delighted wife who immediately jumped in and drove us to Queen's Park where one of her best mates lives. I was turfed out and they went off for a spin. 10 minutes later various mums and daughter were cooing over it metallic teal blue paint and funky brown leather. It was a massive hit - LOL.
Much to my surprise, though, I really really enjoyed driving it. After reading all the road tests I was really expecting it to be far more compromised than it actually is. It's a great little package with a fantastic interior and some really cool tech. It's a great city car, it's the cheapest car I've ever insured and taxed and it's by far the most economical. AND, surprise, it can do big distances with ease.
It's a hit.
With regard to performance, you need to forget all about the little shift arrow on the screen. And the fuel gauge. They will go quite well if you rev them out. Drive it like you're Italian.
Yes, it's happy being driven Italian-style. The engine feels unburstable. But in the city all you need is 2,000rpm to 2,500. That's enough to keep up with the flow.
I found, when I first started driving the 500 in the city, that other drivers were somewhat discourteous towards me. So now I make sure that the 500 is the fastest moving vehicle in the immediate area!
Re city driving, it's great fun.
My other car is 5.5 E Class and I love the contrast. The 500 beats it hands down in town. I'm also amazed how good it was tackling 37 junctions of the M1 yesterday - wasn't expecting that.
For such a diminutive car it's a surpisingly-good all-rounder.
Roboticarm said:
Louis Balfour said:
Built in Tom Tom you say? We don't have that. Is it after-market?
With regard to performance, you need to forget all about the little shift arrow on the screen. And the fuel gauge. They will go quite well if you rev them out. Drive it like you're Italian.
Yup, I thought the wife's was a little slow, then I started to drive it hard revving it out and its pretty nippy, feels solid even when you push it hardWith regard to performance, you need to forget all about the little shift arrow on the screen. And the fuel gauge. They will go quite well if you rev them out. Drive it like you're Italian.
This car is full of Easter eggs.
The salesman called today to check that everything was OK and I was able to get some more data on the infotainment.
Basically, he reckons that the TomTom in that car is live by default - ie it doesn't need a subscription or anything. That's brilliant. The system in my (2010) Merc is rubbish in comparison so I end up using Google Maps or Waze on my phone instead.
Secondly, I've started exploring Uconnect Live. I've set up my Uconnect account, Deezer account & TuneIn account and have linked them up.
Fingers crossed I can now add streaming music and podcasts to the already excellent DAB radio.
It's great to finally have a car that's set up for this generation of tech.
I think it's too early for Android Auto but this would be a very good second best.
ETA; it's got Android Auto!!!!
This makes me VERY happy :-)
The salesman called today to check that everything was OK and I was able to get some more data on the infotainment.
Basically, he reckons that the TomTom in that car is live by default - ie it doesn't need a subscription or anything. That's brilliant. The system in my (2010) Merc is rubbish in comparison so I end up using Google Maps or Waze on my phone instead.
Secondly, I've started exploring Uconnect Live. I've set up my Uconnect account, Deezer account & TuneIn account and have linked them up.
Fingers crossed I can now add streaming music and podcasts to the already excellent DAB radio.
It's great to finally have a car that's set up for this generation of tech.
I think it's too early for Android Auto but this would be a very good second best.
ETA; it's got Android Auto!!!!
This makes me VERY happy :-)
Edited by AC43 on Friday 9th October 18:53
Two weeks in today and I absolutely love it.
I've barely driven my 2010 E500 since I got the little Fiat but I had to use it today. In the gloomy weather today the Merc cabin seemed really dark (no sunroof - sigh). The dash that I previously thought was really classy looked really dull (like really dull). And the infotainment system looks like it was created in the 1970's. I even prefer the seats in the Fiat.
What's happened to me?
I've barely driven my 2010 E500 since I got the little Fiat but I had to use it today. In the gloomy weather today the Merc cabin seemed really dark (no sunroof - sigh). The dash that I previously thought was really classy looked really dull (like really dull). And the infotainment system looks like it was created in the 1970's. I even prefer the seats in the Fiat.
What's happened to me?
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