Tell me about Fiat 500's

Herzlos

Smart Car is a great suggestion if you've got another car and need something small for town use; the boot is actually pretty reasonable and there's plenty of passenger space.

F1F93

Have you looked at the Hyundai i10? They're bringing out a new version so you should get a brilliant deal on the outgoing model. It's not really a looker, but it's got a decent boot, relatively cheap to run and you'll get a much newer, lower mileage one for the same price as a Fiat 500. It should still fit in your garage too .

I've recently been trying to get a new car my my MIL2B, and saw an ex-demo Hyundai i10 for (i think) £7000 ish, and this will be virtually brand new with low miles and a 5 year warranty .

pulliptears

I hadn't looked at i10's no, thank you. Something else to put on my list.

I'm being a little selfish in my choice this time, I've always had cars because they were cheap and fitted the bill, I've never been able to say 'I really like x car' and go out and buy one, its always been a case of 'need a car, this is cheap it will do'.
Circumstances have changed a little so I can actually choose something I want rather than make do so as fickle as it seems the 500 is top of my list because it's a bit quirky.

Probably the reason I also love Mini's, C3's and Beetles, I love the quirkiness. I'll take a closer look at the i10 though!

Tiexen

Just to throw another car (or KA) in, the New Ford KA is the built in the same factory as the 500 but in the words of Honest John http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/ford/ka-2008/

"Fun to drive and economical, based on the Fiat 500 but handles so much better it donated its suspension improvements to the Fiat. More room in rear than 500."

jaydeeuk1

If you liked the smart have a look at the toyota IQ. Better in every way and only 2 inches longer, can fit in 4 (well, 3 1/2) and with the rear seats flat it holds a decent amount in there. Has nice big doors too so easy to get in the back. And because its a toyota it will be utterly bulletproof.

I had a fiat once, never again!

tvstudent

If you like the 500, buy it. Life's too short to be stuck with something that isn't quite what you wanted. You'll be less resentful when it goes wrong as well.

(Source: bought a Peugeot 206 hdi 2.0 sport against all advice. Electrics are terrible, but I don't care. Its the car I wanted and all the time I've spent enjoying it makes up for the times when it inevitably goes wrong)

DKLS

I had a 500 for 6 weeks on hire, I did feel like Noddy driving it for the first 10mins then its charms became apparent, it was a total hoot to drive, it was supposed to be an eco model but the mpg wasn't that great if you drove it like you should with a small italian car.

Hintza

spacey2012 wrote: »

Fiat are master of making cars that last 40,000 miles then, well as you have owned a punto, you know that once they go, they go large.

Guess you haven't driven or researched the Panda from your sweeping statement.

Second time in two days you have been picked up for spouting nonsense!

pulliptears

Hintza wrote: »

Guess you haven't driven or researched the Panda from your sweeping statement.

Second time in two days you have been picked up for spouting nonsense!

My fiat owning days were a long time ago, but at the time i did say never again. That said when I first fell in love with the 500 my first thought was "uh oh, it's a fiat"but from my endless research over the last week or so I've found nothing in the build quality that worries me.

I've found a few tales of them being written off and the protection offered by the airbags meaning owners walked away unscathed as well which it's always good to know.

Dh says he followed one home tonight and the stickers were a little worse for wear, but have to say that's not something I've noticed on others so could be down to how the car was washed or maybe even non genuine stickers.

I'm quite happy that I'm yet to find anyone who really criticises the cars.
As I say I'll pop in the dealers when I'm passing and when the cash is in place in a few months time I'll take the test drive.

Thank you all again

bigjl

If you like the look of the 500 and can afford one you will kick yourself if you buy something else.

They handle well and are as reliable as anything else these days.

I would ignore people saying Fiats wear out at 40k.

They might if they are never serviced and driven only on short journeys round town.

But all cars suffer under such usage.

I also wouldn't plan for a wheelchair yet.

That might not happen for 5 or 6 years at which point you will be looking to replace the 500.

And you would have had a car you didn't really like for a few years instead of one you did want.

The auto in the 500 is an automated manual i think and i would not have one of those in a Fiat or an Alfa.

Steering clear of the Twinair or diesel will keep the price down.

I would advise making sure it has aircon to help residuals.

And i have noticed that some of the decals they fit to the 500 seem to fade after a few years so keep that in mind.