Fiat 500C 0.9L Auto - What To Look For?

[Ikemi]

My girlfriend is after a Fiat 500C 0.9l automatic and we're going to garage this afternoon to look at one. Amongst the usual things, as well as checking the retractable roof works, is there anything else I should look/listen for? Any potentially big/expensive faults? It's a 2011 model with 40,000 miles. Cheers!

[angels95]

I would avoid the Dualogic gearbox Fiat offer on the 500. It's not a proper auto, it's basically an automated manual gearbox with an automated clutch. Very indecisive and jerky, particularly at low speeds. It also has a tendency to over-rev when pulling away, shortening the lifespan of the clutch.

If you want a Fiat 500, get a manual. If you want a small auto, I would seriously suggest looking elsewhere.

[Ikemi]

... and the 2 cylinder TwinAir sounds like a bag of spanners on idle! Bought it! Overall, the car was in very good condition and everything seemed to work.

Unfortunately, my girlfriend has moved from Canada and needs to re-take her driving test in order to drive a manual car. It's a bit annoying from her perspective, as she has driven manual cars before. However she loves the 500C ... and it's a huge saving in terms of tax, insurance, fuel and servicing in comparison to her current car.

We will see how it goes with the auto 500C. The plan is for her to take her manual test fairly soon, whereby she can then either change the car for a manual 500C, or look at upgrading to an Abarth.

Thanks again!