Fiat 500 - your opinion?

Sambucus_Nigra

Happy_Shrimper wrote: »

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!

My version of long trip is 250-330 miles each way - not 50! However I do agree it's a great car...but after 3-4 hours in the drivers seat it can get the back cracking a little.

bigjl

Kilty wrote: »

Isn't it just a Panda with a fancier exterior for twice the price?

The floor plan is basically the same but would you also say that an (original) Audi TT was a Seat Toledo('99 onwards, saloon model).

The same could be said with the Alfa 164 and the Saab 9000.

Also the Vectra and the Saab 95, plus the Cavalier and the Saab 900/93.

I think the Fiat 500 is much more closely related to the Ka than the Panda.

What needs to be considered is that the sharing of floorplans etc meads to cheaper cars.

Also ask somebody if they thought a Mondeo mk3 drove like a Jag X-Type? The Jag drove much better and has better residuals, but underneath a Jag XType is a Mondeo mk3 floorpan, in fact the engines and gearboxes on some where the same aswell.

Unlike folk our age Kilty some people still consider the looks of a car as part of the reason for buying.

bigjl

Happy_Shrimper wrote: »

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)

I believe the Mito was based on a Punto not the Pand/500/Ka.

Tilt

bigjl wrote: »

I believe the Mito was based on a Punto not the Pand/500/Ka.

Absolutely right. I've had one on demmo (I'm a Punto owner currently) and found it a cracking little car but too small for me. If I did go for one, it would be the Abarth version!

As for the Panda, not sure about production being stopped but the 100hp Sport version would be worth a look.

problemcashback

the mito is based on a punto but Alfa didnt even bother to change the suspension and they say this is why it drive isnt as good as its expected to be.

Happy_Shrimper

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

My version of long trip is 250-330 miles each way - not 50! However I do agree it's a great car...but after 3-4 hours in the drivers seat it can get the back cracking a little.

Wow, that is a long trip! You'd do well to get out of most cars and feel spritely after that journey.
I can claim to have been sat in the car for about 5 hours on said 50 mile journey once when the motorway was shut just in front of me, but guess that doesn't really count
My point is, I'm doing 500 miles (pun intended ) on the motorway per week and find its up to the job. No discomfort to me or the car at motorway speeds. But I get your point, one continuous long journey will take its toll.

Happy_Shrimper

bigjl wrote: »

I believe the Mito was based on a Punto not the Pand/500/Ka.

Ah, ok. Must be the 1.3 multijet diesel engine thats shared with the 500/Panda then?

mikey72

I wouldn't mind the Abarth.

KierNet

Have a look around here:

http://www.fiatforum.com/500/

I use it for when I had a Punto, very helpful with most things!

Sambucus_Nigra

Happy_Shrimper wrote: »

Wow, that is a long trip! You'd do well to get out of most cars and feel spritely after that journey.
I can claim to have been sat in the car for about 5 hours on said 50 mile journey once when the motorway was shut just in front of me, but guess that doesn't really count
My point is, I'm doing 500 miles (pun intended ) on the motorway per week and find its up to the job. No discomfort to me or the car at motorway speeds. But I get your point, one continuous long journey will take its toll.

My other car is a Mazda! And I travel alot with work.....