Fiat 500 - opinions please!

flyingscotno1

I have to say I'd waver on the Swift's side, too. I think it is a cracking car and one of the lowest kerb weights in class is refreshing- not another bloated smaller car! 9000 service intervals are a pain- however is it 1yr/18,000 assuming or variable service indicator? The Fiat 500 is nice, but I couldn't see a bloke like me surviving if I drove to work in it- perhaps my work place is a bit hostile! :rotfl:

For me Fiat have improved massivily in the past few years, and Japanese are super reliable.

uberalles

Bought my missus a brand new Panda last october as a run around town car but we have both been very impressed by it.

In fact it has done over 10k miles since and mainly because we use it now on a lot of long journeys rather than our big car.
It can sit easily on a motorway at 80mph, if that way inclined, and delivers 48mph to the gallon.

Not had it serviced yet but if the £350 Fiat Service Price, mentioned earlier, is standard then it will be a visit to a local garage using Fiat parts.

Happy_Shrimper

Drove the 500 this morning. Managed to hit 65 on a local single carriageway (short road) and it was fine. Good to drive. Went to look at the Mazda 2 as suggested here, but our local dealer has closed down :eek:
Went back to Suzuki to have another look. Might be popping back down there today as they have a show room one in Black Metallic that they are prepared to do a deal on. Its not registered and is elligible for scrappage. Its the one I test drove and has about 12 miles on the clock.
Only have a 3 week waiting list anyway. Not my first choice colour, but would be close second. If the deal is right...

Happy_Shrimper

uberalles wrote: »

Bought my missus a brand new Panda last october as a run around town car but we have both been very impressed by it.

In fact it has done over 10k miles since and mainly because we use it now on a lot of long journeys rather than our big car.
It can sit easily on a motorway at 80mph, if that way inclined, and delivers 48mph to the gallon.

Not had it serviced yet but if the £350 Fiat Service Price, mentioned earlier, is standard then it will be a visit to a local garage using Fiat parts.

Panda is tempting but had heard not so good on MWAY due to thinner tyres.
Also, the 500 is meant to be one of the top deals on scrappage as they aren't discounted normally, therefore 2000 off is really 2000 off. Swift can be got for about 800 less without scrappage

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

I like the 500, its a lovely little car (especially in that cream colour), and the Abarth variant looks excellent

JoeyG

Slightly off topic, but heres my car for anyone who thinks Fiats are embarassing



12 years old, over 100K on the clock, no rust, and will still blow away most cars on the road when it wants to!

(all within the legal limit of course)

emmell

I went to look at the 500 when it was launched but they were too busy handing out brochures to take people out on test drives. They kept comparing it to the Mini so I went round the corner to the Mini dealer to compare it myself and guess what! I bought the Mini cooper and I love it and no regrets.
ML.

flyingscotno1

emmell wrote: »

I went to look at the 500 when it was launched but they were too busy handing out brochures to take people out on test drives. They kept comparing it to the Mini so I went round the corner to the Mini dealer to compare it myself and guess what! I bought the Mini cooper and I love it and no regrets.
ML.

As much as the Mini is a nice car- although too many of them on the road for me these days- I can't get past the £12,300 tag for the base Mini One and £13,700 OTR for the Cooper. Discounts at Mini as well are not exactly forthcoming. Too expensive a car for me- when you see the range topping Suzuki Swift Sport 1.6 at £11,900.

As for the Fiat coupe, it is a very nice car. The Peugeot 406 coupe was equally stunning at that time too.

Happy_Shrimper

Well, having settled on the Swift on Sunday, when I got to work and mentioned it to a Audi A6 driver who I thought would scoff at the Swift and even more so at the 500, I was suprised to hear that he loves the 500 and would drive one without hesitation. Then followed a straw poll of other blokes in the office and nearly all said go for 500. Only one said wouldn't buy either.
back to the drawing board comparing plus's and minus's it now looks like I'll be ordering the 500.
The wife and kids love the 500, where I love the 18000 service interval, slightly better economy, resale value and the kit inside the cab; particuarly the Blue&Me system. the interior of the 500 is nicer, but it will come at the expense of 5 doors and keyless entry/start which I liked on the Swift.
I think I can get over the image of the 500 as its not as if I'll have to stop often to fill up

drayton44

Just traded in a Swift for a Grande Punto. Swift at three years old was very tired. Mechanics good, but interior falling apart. Glove box hanging off, rear axle out of alignment, a known fault but Suzuki would not fix, drivers seat material frayed, and full of rattles. Good engine, great fun to drive, but spend your money elsewhere.