Any experiences of Fiat 500L?
Discussion
following another month of no returns on my premium bonds, and with the classic car market as it is, I feel the time is right to cash in some bonds and plump for another classic. Been thinking about another Series Land Rover but then something the other day made me look at Fiat 500's and I've seen a few about for not much money and the insurance, even including my youngest son, is a pittance.
Anybody here got any experience of running one? Anything I should know? Do's and don'ts etc. Would very much appreciate the usual bits and bobs of advice.
Many thanks.
This is one that caught my eye: http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C448523
Anybody here got any experience of running one? Anything I should know? Do's and don'ts etc. Would very much appreciate the usual bits and bobs of advice.
Many thanks.
This is one that caught my eye: http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C448523
Why would you want to put your kid into a death trap
like that.
Don't get me wrong. I run classic cars myself. But
those 500s provided basic transportation to people
who'd otherwise have had to walk.
They are "cute". If you feel the urge to adopt one
place it in the hallway of your house as a piece of
art, but don't let a teenager drive it in todays
traffic. End of rant.
http://www.designboom.com/design/ron-arad-in-rever...
like that.
Don't get me wrong. I run classic cars myself. But
those 500s provided basic transportation to people
who'd otherwise have had to walk.
They are "cute". If you feel the urge to adopt one
place it in the hallway of your house as a piece of
art, but don't let a teenager drive it in todays
traffic. End of rant.
http://www.designboom.com/design/ron-arad-in-rever...
Martin 480 Turbo said:
Why would you want to put your kid into a death trap
like that.
Don't get me wrong. I run classic cars myself. But
those 500s provided basic transportation to people
who'd otherwise have had to walk.
They are "cute". If you feel the urge to adopt one
place it in the hallway of your house as a piece of
art, but don't let a teenager drive it in todays
traffic. End of rant.
So you wouldn't let your kids cycle on the road or have a scooter? Do you work for the HSE?like that.
Don't get me wrong. I run classic cars myself. But
those 500s provided basic transportation to people
who'd otherwise have had to walk.
They are "cute". If you feel the urge to adopt one
place it in the hallway of your house as a piece of
art, but don't let a teenager drive it in todays
traffic. End of rant.
No we design and engineer technical work equipment and
freequently do ergonomic and safety studies.
I do not cycle on busy roads and wouldn't allow my
daughters riding a scooter or motorbike.
Now you can officially call me an "Angsthasen":
Angsthase {m} [ugs.]
Milquetoast [esp. Am.] [coll.]
yellowbelly [sl.]
fraidy cat [coll.]
scaredy-cat [coll.]
scaredy-pants [coll.]
pussy [pej.] [timid male]
pussycat [pej.] [timid male]
pussy cat [hum.] [timid male]
freequently do ergonomic and safety studies.
I do not cycle on busy roads and wouldn't allow my
daughters riding a scooter or motorbike.
Now you can officially call me an "Angsthasen":
Angsthase {m} [ugs.]
Milquetoast [esp. Am.] [coll.]
yellowbelly [sl.]
fraidy cat [coll.]
scaredy-cat [coll.]
scaredy-pants [coll.]
pussy [pej.] [timid male]
pussycat [pej.] [timid male]
pussy cat [hum.] [timid male]
Back to the OP's question 
Yes, we run a '66 Fiat 500F that we imported from Italy last year having driven it back from Florence.
Check everywhere for rust and then rustproof the life out of it would be my first bit of advice. Lift carpets etc. and check the footwells.
Mechanically they are pretty simple and most things are available off the shelf from specialists such as Ricambio. That doesn't make parts cheap, though, and worn trunnions are a common issue.
Driving-wise it depends on the condition of the oily bits and which engine and gearbox are fitted. Ours now has a 650engine from a Polish 126, which gives a lot more flexibility (it can pull over 70mph in top now, although you are heading into valve bounce territory) and off the motorway it keeps up (and regularly overtakes) modern traffic with ease unless you find yourself starting on a hill, when it gets a bit leisurely.
Motorways and fast dual carriageways are not fun to be frank (and the French autoroutes were downright scary with the original 499cc engine - think a 45mph cruising speed...).
We kept the original crash gearbox as my other half enjoys the challenge (don't ask) and that takes a bit of learning and can be slow 1st to 2nd. The brakes are absolutely fine in terms of stopping power but are tiny drums so you don't want to ride them down a long hill.
Handling is quite good and the steering full of feel and pretty sharp once loaded up. My advice is don't go barreling into a bend and then brake hard...
I wouldn't consider it for long journeys or everyday use but it is fun for the short trips it was designed for and my partner adores it. People just smile when they see it but it certainly isn't like driving any modern car.
Hope that helps!
Bob
Yes, we run a '66 Fiat 500F that we imported from Italy last year having driven it back from Florence.
Check everywhere for rust and then rustproof the life out of it would be my first bit of advice. Lift carpets etc. and check the footwells.
Mechanically they are pretty simple and most things are available off the shelf from specialists such as Ricambio. That doesn't make parts cheap, though, and worn trunnions are a common issue.
Driving-wise it depends on the condition of the oily bits and which engine and gearbox are fitted. Ours now has a 650engine from a Polish 126, which gives a lot more flexibility (it can pull over 70mph in top now, although you are heading into valve bounce territory) and off the motorway it keeps up (and regularly overtakes) modern traffic with ease unless you find yourself starting on a hill, when it gets a bit leisurely.
Motorways and fast dual carriageways are not fun to be frank (and the French autoroutes were downright scary with the original 499cc engine - think a 45mph cruising speed...).
We kept the original crash gearbox as my other half enjoys the challenge (don't ask) and that takes a bit of learning and can be slow 1st to 2nd. The brakes are absolutely fine in terms of stopping power but are tiny drums so you don't want to ride them down a long hill.
Handling is quite good and the steering full of feel and pretty sharp once loaded up. My advice is don't go barreling into a bend and then brake hard...
I wouldn't consider it for long journeys or everyday use but it is fun for the short trips it was designed for and my partner adores it. People just smile when they see it but it certainly isn't like driving any modern car.
Hope that helps!
Bob
I'm no expert in the classic car movement but as a casual observer it seems that values of many models have been on the up for a while and my guess is that as the wider economic picture continues to brighten this trend will continue.
I too was recently asking myself the question of how to enjoy a classic and at the same time make an investment choice that gave me a good or reasonable prospect of capital appreciation. One of the triggers for me was finding something that was built in low numbers and hence survived in proportionally lower numbers. The simple gambit being that limited supply will more likely encourage growth in value.
With the 500 there is always going to be a plentiful supply and indeed as the ad shows cars are being imported as gains in value make it economic to do so. If new supply can satisfy demand it may follow that growth in demand is less likely to trigger increases in value to the same degree as might otherwise be the case.
Nice car mind you, I could be tempted too!
I too was recently asking myself the question of how to enjoy a classic and at the same time make an investment choice that gave me a good or reasonable prospect of capital appreciation. One of the triggers for me was finding something that was built in low numbers and hence survived in proportionally lower numbers. The simple gambit being that limited supply will more likely encourage growth in value.
With the 500 there is always going to be a plentiful supply and indeed as the ad shows cars are being imported as gains in value make it economic to do so. If new supply can satisfy demand it may follow that growth in demand is less likely to trigger increases in value to the same degree as might otherwise be the case.
Nice car mind you, I could be tempted too!
I'm not really worried about the investment potential, I'm keener just to use it and have some fun.
Thanks for the advice so far, rust is obviously something I need to look particularly carefully for, any known weak spots?
Sounds like driving one from London to Norfolk wouldn't be the best idea anyones ever had?
As to the safety obsessed chap, my children regularly do much more dangerous things than drive small old cars so I think I'm happy running the risk.
Thanks for the advice so far, rust is obviously something I need to look particularly carefully for, any known weak spots?
Sounds like driving one from London to Norfolk wouldn't be the best idea anyones ever had?
As to the safety obsessed chap, my children regularly do much more dangerous things than drive small old cars so I think I'm happy running the risk.
Re: where to look for rust.
Start with the underside (from under and inside the car) and work up... Floorplans, arches, outriggers, bottoms of doors, valances, screen surrounds, sunroof surround are all likely starting points.
Ours was perfect in Italy and within weeks had surface rust on the underside having been introduced to Blighty. Cue plenty of Dinitrol. Still looking good 18 months later
Oh, and London to Norfolk ain't as far as Florence to Maidstone! I'd stay off the motorways and you want to allow plenty of time and hope for a nice sunny day - much more fun with the roof open. Oh, and don't go near the road if they've been laying salt down.
Start with the underside (from under and inside the car) and work up... Floorplans, arches, outriggers, bottoms of doors, valances, screen surrounds, sunroof surround are all likely starting points.
Ours was perfect in Italy and within weeks had surface rust on the underside having been introduced to Blighty. Cue plenty of Dinitrol. Still looking good 18 months later
Oh, and London to Norfolk ain't as far as Florence to Maidstone! I'd stay off the motorways and you want to allow plenty of time and hope for a nice sunny day - much more fun with the roof open. Oh, and don't go near the road if they've been laying salt down.
Edited by bstark on Tuesday 5th November 20:08
My first car at 17! quite an achievement given I'm 6 3 and powerfully built, my head used to stick out of the sunroof. Came in rust brown so my friend and I removed all the chrome and set about it with black spray paint!!! If nothing else as a learner car it was great as you could not afford to touch the brakes as it took so long to build speed back up therefore anticipation was key to maintaining progress! Simple to work on, cheap as chips to run, the only downside being that on long runs she would overheat and you would have to pull over for a while and let her cool off!!! Two levers by the handbrake for choke and starter motor, and such a great response on the road from other users! Need to go and find a picture now!
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