Fiat 500 - your opinion?

bigjl

roadiegirl wrote: »

I had considered the Twin Air version, but its just that bit more expensive, and I'm still a student at the end of the day and have to cope with stupidly high insurance costs, so I'm trying to be as MSE as possible, although in the long term the twin air might save me more money, I'm going to have to have a think on that one! The london congestion charge doesn't affect me either (live in the north), but its worth bearing in mind!

NO worries, the Fiat 500 will still have good residuals.

Just though it worth a mention, from what I have read the 1.2 isn't brill on fuel, but I was looking at the car being used for work and the difference would have been more relevant when doing 25k a year.

If you are doing 5 or 6k a year then it won't make much difference.

The Fiat 500 is definately a nice choice for city driving.

Another consideration was that the car we got was to be handed down to my daughter when she attends Uni, this won't be for five years so getting it now would be perfect timing.

bikebarbie

Actually a friend that works in Ford told me that the Fiat 500 (and Panda which they stopped production) shares most components off the Ford KA and come off the same production line.
A bit like the Toyota Aygo and Citroen C1...

Kilty_2

Have they stopped production of the Panda?

Happy_Shrimper

We have one and I use it daily for 100 mile round trip on the motorways. Disagree its uncomfortable. I've had 2ltr V6 Rover last, a 3ltr straight 6 and now this mini diesel car. Its comfortable and effortless up to 80mph. Fun to drive and quite pokey.
Won't be changing any time soon!
Had 4 adults in the car and they were surprised how much room it had in the back.
I get about 67mpg average.
I recommend you take one out for a test drive. They are great cars!
Only negative I can think of, is coming from large cars, looking over your should is a bit obscured because the pillars are all closer together. Not really a problem, just something I had to get used to.
I think the twin air isn't very economical but very low emissions (was on topgear - and they love them too - except James)
I only pay £20 road tax too!

roadiegirl

bikebarbie wrote: »

Actually a friend that works in Ford told me that the Fiat 500 (and Panda which they stopped production) shares most components off the Ford KA and come off the same production line.
A bit like the Toyota Aygo and Citroen C1...

I've drove a new Ford KA and didn't like it so much. felt big on the outside but small on the inside (if that makes any sense?!) I've set my heart on a Fiat 500 now, I just need to do some more research of what is going to be one of the biggest purchases of my life!

bikebarbie

Yes I think the Fiat 500 is more classy if I have to be picky I dont like cars with the gear stick raised in the middle of the dashboard

Happy_Shrimper

bikebarbie wrote: »

Actually a friend that works in Ford told me that the Fiat 500 (and Panda which they stopped production) shares most components off the Ford KA and come off the same production line.
A bit like the Toyota Aygo and Citroen C1...

That is true. It is the same chassis as a KA and a Alfa Mito. It is a Fiat designed and built chassis and engine that both Alfa and ford use (ford may use their own engines though) so the KA is a Panda rather than Panda/500 a KA ;-)]

Built in poland BTW, and when we got ours, there was a 3 month waiting list (18 months ago)

bikebarbie

Kilty wrote: »

Have they stopped production of the Panda?

Im sure I read somewhere that they did

or maybe not cant find anything on Google... sorry

Happy_Shrimper

asbokid wrote: »

Who needs a back seat?!

Our first-born Dylan was conceived on the bonnet of a Mk3 Fiesta!

http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/fiat/500/
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/fiat/fiat-500-road-test/
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/fiat/fiat-500-long-term/

Remember the Honest John review. Sure I remember he liked it so much, he bought one too!

eslick

the 500 is based on a panda, the Ka is based on the 500.

one thing to watch out on the 500, the major service according to the press takes its price from the name of the car, shocking