To get a fiat 500?

rebel10

Hi,
Just a few questions.:)

Was thinking of buying a fiat 500. Has anyone driven one? Would it be a good car? I know fiats haven't a great reputation, but the car dealer i was talking to says that they are very reliable.
Anybody with any experience with them?

Thanks (Also i'm female, cause i know men wouldn't be seen dead driving one!)

EPM

Cartman will say no but I like them and 5 year warranty isn't to be sniffed at. Had one as a rental, only a 1.2 but it's a nice place to spend some time and engine is a gem.

I'm a man and would drive one no probs...

testicle

rebel10 wrote: »

but the car dealer i was talking to says that they are very reliable.

Was he, perchance, trying to sell you one at the time?

Have a read of this - http://honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/fiat/500-2007/

rebel10 wrote: »

Thanks (Also i'm female, cause i know men wouldn't be seen dead driving one!)

I would, but it'd have to be a Abarth!

The Recliner

rebel10 wrote: »

Thanks (Also i'm female, cause i know men wouldn't be seen dead driving one!)

I wouldn't necessarily buy one but I do think they are a funky little car

One of the girls in work bought one recently and I had a drive in it last week, nice car inside and out, I liked the inside a lot

The steering is a bit on the light side but nothing you wouldn't get used too

djimi

I cant speak for the reliability or anything like that but from a purely asthetic point of view I think they are one of the coolest and most distinctive cars on the road at the moment; much nicer than the new Mini or Beetle!

crosstownk

It might be no harm to check out the Citroën DS3.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-5gWFInlMA

Owen

Great car, we nearly bought one when replacing our MINI this year. Get the lounge spec, it comes with loads of toys and upgraded interior to make it more comfortable. I'd love an Abarth one some day.

Hertz have them on their rental fleet, go rent one for a weekend, wouldn't cost you much, and you could see if you really like it, not just some 20 minute test drive with the sales person next to you.

Idleater

Was seriously considering one (1.4), whilst also considering the Mazda 3, Ford fiesta, golf gt :rolleyes: mini cooper and Peugeot 207gt.

Drove the diesel 500 as a rental in Italy and found it a fantastic car. Nimble, comfortable on the motorway, easy to park.

Downside was size: I do a decent amount of cycling so have to accommodate that. Sat in/ test drove the others, but always came back to the style of the 500.

Finally decided on an Alfa Romeo MiTo

Oh, and I'm male BTW, but the cyclist part means I don't have an issue with my choice of car :pac:

galwaytt

rebel10 wrote: »

Hi,
Just a few questions.:)

Was thinking of buying a fiat 500. Has anyone driven one? Would it be a good car? I know fiats haven't a great reputation, but the car dealer i was talking to says that they are very reliable.
Anybody with any experience with them?

Thanks (Also i'm female, cause i know men wouldn't be seen dead driving one!)

I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

I don't know where the reliability comment comes from (apart from the usual moaner's, most of whom have never been in, let alone owned, one.......) as I don't see it being any more troublesome than, say, a 1.4 Golf, or diesel Passat.......

It's been a while, but my first new car was a Fiat, in 1996, and it never, ever let me down, which is a damn sight more than I can say about some of the so-called 'premium' brand's I've owned since.......

Oh, if you ever breakdown and call the AA.......take a look at what brand they drive..........;)

coylemj

galwaytt wrote: »

I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

It's been a while, but my first new car was a Fiat, in 1996, and it never, ever let me down

Ditto, I bought a Fiat Bravo in 1996, kept it for five years, it was a blast to drive and it never gave me a minutes' problem. Better still, my 70 year old mother said there was more space in the rear than in my brother's Audi A3!

Just be aware that however unjustified, a reputation for poor reliability is very hard to shake off so a Fiat will depreciate much more than the likes of a Polo or Yaris, you need to factor this into your decision as it will affect the cost of an upgrade a few years down the line.

galwaytt

coylemj wrote: »

Ditto, I bought a Fiat Bravo in 1996, kept it for five years, it was a blast to drive and it never gave me a minutes' problem. Better still, my 70 year old mother said there was more space in the rear than in my brother's Audi A3!

LOL, so do I ! In fact, due to the fact that it's actually worth more to the owner, than scrappage, they still have it, and it's perfect.

Anan1

I'd have one too, and reliability wouldn't worry me.

wing52

OP have a look at the new "twinair" engine

It's a two cylinder turbo, not too much power

but it's as clean as a whistle,carbon/tax wise.

Get a good mid-high spec machine,you'll appreciate the toys.

Just my tuppence worth:)

rebel10

Thanks lads:)
Was looking at a new Polo aswell but think the 500 has won me over, seems to have more features and suppose the fact that every second car in Ireland seems to be a polo/golf, i think i would like something a little more interesting.
The "City" drive function on it will be very handy too when it comes to city driving and parking.
Think i will opt for the lounge model, seems to have alot more going for it than the Pop.
I am delighted that so many males have no problem driving the car, as on the continent the majorty of people i have seen driving them seem to be male, so thought it would just end up being one of these "ok to look at, wouldn't be caught dead in it" type cars in Ireland!!:p

Thanks again:)

keithclancy

rebel10 wrote: »

Thanks lads:)
Was looking at a new Polo aswell but think the 500 has won me over, seems to have more features and suppose the fact that every second car in Ireland seems to be a polo/golf, i think i would like something a little more interesting.
The "City" drive function on it will be very handy too when it comes to city driving and parking.
Think i will opt for the lounge model, seems to have alot more going for it than the Pop.
I am delighted that so many males have no problem driving the car, as on the continent the majorty of people i have seen driving them seem to be male, so thought it would just end up being one of these "ok to look at, wouldn't be caught dead in it" type cars in Ireland!!:p

Thanks again:)

Rented a Fiat Panda while my Volvo was getting some work done.

The City Button just makes the power steering lighter, imo not all that handy unless your feckin uber lazy

Bodhan

I had a 500 convertible on test, I thought it was a great little car. I couldn't park it any where with out being surrounded by people looking at it.

Check out a review on you tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3ClmwamR28

You'll love it.

rebel10

keithclancy wrote: »

Rented a Fiat Panda while my Volvo was getting some work done.

The City Button just makes the power steering lighter, imo not all that handy unless your feckin uber lazy

Well i suppose i must be lazy:o

Also road tax is 100eur p/a. Seems like the little car has alot of things going for it.

TheUsual

You are paying a lot of money for the fashion side of it - and rememeber you have to sell it on again second hand, once the "fashion" side has moved on and died a death. That's a horrible loss when you look at second hand prices.

Same with the Mini - not a great engine or car at all, but cool for some reason with the easily impressed. But the second hand car buyers will not be a fashion victim at all, and will look at reliability and long milage.
Try the Japanese cars if you want small, smart and cheap.

Idleater

TheUsual wrote: »

You are paying a lot of money for the fashion side of it - and rememeber you have to sell it on again second hand, once the "fashion" side has moved on and died a death. That's a horrible loss when you look at second hand prices.

Same with the Mini - not a great engine or car at all, but cool for some reason with the easily impressed. But the second hand car buyers will not be a fashion victim at all, and will look at reliability and long milage.
Try the Japanese cars if you want small, smart and cheap.

I disagree somewhat. I think the 500 has greater longevity style wise because it isn't sold in the same volumes as small smart jap cars.
To be fair to the op, they never specified cost as a major factor, it was style and reliability. The 500 has both.
Similarly, I'd argue that the mini actually does hold its value, certainly the cooper and s. The mini is also renouned for style and performance over practicality.

cjt156

TheUsual wrote: »

Try the Japanese cars if you want small, smart and cheap.

...and boring and soul-less.
Apt user name.

Some of us buy cars for ourselves to keep, not for the future resale value. And while we own them we'd like something with a little flair, style and personality. Besides, there's an Abarth version...

Zubeneschamali

TheUsual wrote: »

That's a horrible loss when you look at second hand prices. Same with the Mini

Have you looked at second hand Mini prices? It's been out for 9 years now, and still has very good residuals. You're simply wrong here.

TheUsual wrote: »

- not a great engine or car at all, but cool for some reason with the easily impressed.

I bought one for the wife, who's easily impressed by cool, and it's actually a brilliant little car underneath, not at all what I expected. It goes, steers and stops like my very first car, a 205 XS: short gears, loud engine, hard suspension and direct steering. Only the notchy gearbox lets it down a bit.

Try the Japanese cars if you want small, smart and cheap

Slow, boring to drive, hideous to look at and nasty to even sit in, no thanks.

lukester

Sounds like you might be buying new. If so, or even if buying second hand, ask the dealer for a 24 hr test drive. Most proper dealerships will have no problem with this. We were looking at a nearly new car recently (1 yr old) and dealer was willing to let us take it for a day. Why should you pay for a rental?

I think the 500 is a great car, I'm a man and I'd have no problem driving one. I've owned a few Fiats, bought a new Uno in 94 which never gave me any problems whatsoever. Various family members have had them over the years without issue. Depreciation from new is pretty savage alright, but perhaps slightly less so on a car like the 500 which seems to have carved out a strong following already. I'd look to buy one second hand, one or two years old if possible.

Zubeneschamali

lukester wrote: »

I'd look to buy one second hand, one or two years old if possible.

Problem: There are a ton of options available on the 500, and most of them are tacky stickers which you do not want, so I'd say ordering a clean new one is your best bet.

Look at a second hand mini with bonnet stripe stickers: after a few years they look like sh1te.

langdang

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Have you looked at second hand Mini prices? It's been out for 9 years now, and still has very good residuals. You're simply wrong here.

I bought one for the wife, who's easily impressed by cool, and it's actually a brilliant little car underneath, not at all what I expected. It goes, steers and stops like my very first car, a 205 XS: short gears, loud engine, hard suspension and direct steering. Only the notchy gearbox lets it down a bit.

Pretty much what I would have said too! There aren't too many fellas out there that can say they enjoy driving the other halfs car, but the MINI is a completely different drive to the-usual-white-goods-jap experience.

Back to the FIAT- I think it has the look and the heritage of the original 500 behind it to keep used values better than other FIATs. Don't go too wacky with the colour and customisations. Old school white is class in my opinion.

It is a cool car, and I'd have no problem driving one, but there won't be too many owners on this forum to help you with reliability experiences. Search honestjohn.co.uk for reliability, and have a look at the review in parkers.co.uk as well. It (probably) won't be as reliable as a Yaris, but .....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz sorry I dozed off there, it happens when I think of owning and driving a Yaris.

As Paintdoc suggested, a rental over the weekend would be well worth it.

rebel10

Thanks again:)
Ya, i might try and rent one or, as Lukester said maybe they might let me test it for 24 hrs.
Don't worry about me getting stickers or any crazy colour! I'll stick to the original cream/white. I have seen plenty of the crazy colours in Italy, and being honest the original white is still the nicest by a long shot, although the metallic red in the Abarth is pretty nice aswell.
Thanks all. (I'm just glad nobody here told me to stick to the Polos!:p)

pburns

Friend of mine bought a Panda (same car under the skin) this year (against my advice as he's a big guy with kids etc.) and he loves it, has surpassed it's expectations.

It's the bigger, more complex FIATs I'd avoid - I'd buy a 500 or Panda no probs. And I'd drive either before something kitsch and hammy like a MINI or something boring and Korean.

O and if I saw a girl driving a 500 I'd definetely look twice:D...

Eric Cartman

rebel10 wrote: »

Thanks (Also i'm female, cause i know men wouldn't be seen dead driving one!)

thank you, for being realistic about the appeal of this car

EPM wrote: »

Cartman will say no ....

my job is done for me

I'm a man and would drive one no probs...

really ? like really ?

sorry op my input will be incredibly biased here , but i thank you for being the only female poster to ask about a fiat 500 who isnt looking at it with rose tinted glasses, the only thing I will say is theres bound to be good bargains on 2010 ones in january as they de-value so quickly , this is also a bad point to be considered if buying new

cnocbui

Eric Cartman wrote: »

really ? like really ?

When Schumacher appeared on Top Gear in 2009, he told Jeremy Clarkson during his interview that the road cars that he drives are a Fiat 500 Abarth, and a Fiat Croma which is his family car.

ytareh

The UK market is getting a SAVAGE 90/95bhp Multijet 500 (still 1.3) to replace the old 70/75bhp version ...are we getting it ?Of course not !!!
Great decision FIAT ,right up there with reintroducing NON 'Open Book' (surely one of the greatest success stories of Irish motoring history -Puntos in every second house at the peak of it )prices/'delivery and related charges' and pricing the Panda 100hp at 17k+ new ...

rebel10

Eric Cartman wrote: »

sorry op my input will be incredibly biased here , but i thank you for being the only female poster to ask about a fiat 500 who isnt looking at it with rose tinted glasses, the only thing I will say is theres bound to be good bargains on 2010 ones in january as they de-value so quickly , this is also a bad point to be considered if buying new

Take your point, you obviously dislike them for some reason. However I am very concious of the new cars depreciation. What i can gather from many sources is that momentarily the Mini Cooper, 500's and any hybrid makes actually are holding their value quite well because of current demands.The 500 is doing very well because of its economical and obvious aesthetic qualities.
Also, I have been enlightened here as to how many men would have no problem driving the car, not thats its an issue really for me.The Irish have always had a problem with anything that stands out, we judge too much, which I think you just need to get over and accept that if someone likes or drives a car, who really cares what the guys in their ordinary VW's and Toyotas think.
Rant over

galwaytt

rebel10 wrote: »

Also, I have been enlightened here as to how many men would have no problem driving the car, not thats its an issue really for me.The Irish have always had a problem with anything that stands out, we judge too much, which I think you just need to get over and accept that if someone likes or drives a car, who really cares what the guys in their ordinary VW's and Toyotas think.
Rant over

...who am I to talk: I bought a new Cinquecento in Sporting Yellow. I also have a red car, and a purple.

I quite fancy something in Viper Green tbh......:cool::cool:

rebel10

galwaytt wrote: »

...who am I to talk: I bought a new Cinquecento in Sporting Yellow. I also have a red car, and a purple.

I quite fancy something in Viper Green tbh......:cool::cool:

Sorry:o

Anan1

EPM wrote: »

I'm a man and would drive one no probs...

Eric Cartman wrote: »

really ? like really ?

I would too. In fact, it looks as though every man on this thread would, bar you. And you drive a Navara.:D

Damie

Anan1 wrote: »

I would too. In fact, it looks as though every man on this thread would, bar you. And you drive a Navara.:D

well you know what they say...big car..................ahem:D

Owen

Big car ... 1 star safety rating? :pac:

langdang

For the same money (new or newish, similar size), what else is there that isn't awful boring or fugly?

OP, if you do buy new or newish from a dealer, try and figure out which of the nearby dealers are the most helpful and accommodating for aftersales stuff. Some FIAT/Alfa dealers have reputations for being pig ignorant, I'm thinking of one in particular in Cork.

pburns

Hey, if it's good enough for the best driver in F1* and his wingman...

(*arguably)

rebel10

langdang wrote: »

For the same money (new or newish, similar size), what else is there that isn't awful boring or fugly?

OP, if you do buy new or newish from a dealer, try and figure out which of the nearby dealers are the most helpful and accommodating for aftersales stuff. Some FIAT/Alfa dealers have reputations for being pig ignorant, I'm thinking of one in particular in Cork.

Oh, its in Cork i'll be buying, well the county. Are you talking about the dealer who is across the river from the college of com? Will stay away. Think the one i'll will be going to is ok, my mom has always bought her cars from him and has never had a problem.

langdang

rebel10 wrote: »

Oh, its in Cork i'll be buying, well the county. Are you talking about the dealer who is across the river from the college of com? Will stay away. Think the one i'll will be going to is ok, my mom has always bought her cars from him and has never had a problem.

Naw different crowd. If you have a dealer that your family have good experience with you may as well stick with them as long as they are not asking a silly price.

cnocbui

pburns wrote: »

Hey, if it's good enough for the best driver in F1* and his wingman...

(*arguably)

Since they were given them as gifts by the team sponsor, it is not a given that they actually bother to drive them, which is why I went with Schumacher. But I have since remembered reading a Sunday Times article which had an interview with Phillipe Massa where he stated that he drives a Fiat 500 in Monaco - where he lives - because it is ideal for zipping around the narrow streets. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/driving/features/article6537067.ece

Then we have Alonso -

“I came to the circuit in a Fiat 500 and people were chasing us through the streets,” he revealed with a smile.

http://www.f1technical.net/news/15388

And Jarno Trulli, who was an F1 driver for Toyota, has an original classic 500.

So far we have a count of at least four F1 drivers who drive a 500.

Not only is the Fiat 500 cool, it would appear you are not a real man unless you drive one

Anan1

Just to be awkward, i'd like to point out that buying a car because F1 drivers drive it makes about as much sense as not buying it because it's 'girly'. I'd buy one because I like it and it's my money.:)

cnocbui

Anan1 wrote: »

Just to be awkward, i'd like to point out that buying a car because F1 drivers drive it makes about as much sense as not buying it because it's 'girly'. I'd buy one because I like it and it's my money.:)

Totally agree. I choose to drive something that is inappropriate and has the wrong image and sends out the wrong message, but I don't care what other people think about what I choose to drive, the only person's opinion I give a damn about concerning my car is my own. Selfish, I know.

I was just having a bit of fun.

rcdk1

rebel10 wrote: »

Was thinking of buying a fiat 500. Has anyone driven one? Would it be a good car? I know fiats haven't a great reputation, but the car dealer i was talking to says that they are very reliable.
Anybody with any experience with them?

Copied from a previous thread (which you might like to look at):

My wife has had a 1.2L petrol Pop model (i.e. base model) for two years. I've driven it alot and despite myself I quite like it.

Pros:
Looks (but that's up to your personal taste).
A very respectable 6.0L/100km (47mpg).
Low tax. €156
Very easy to park. The 'City' function is unnecessary as the steering is light.
Even the 1.2L is very nippy. It'll accelerate continuously all the way up to 160kph (on an unlimited stretch of autobahn... obviously).
Relative to the size/type of car there's a reasonable amount of room for 4 adults.
Would suggest getting the blue&me bluetooth and media system (optional extra).

Cons:
Looks (but that's up to your personal taste). I do find other drivers give me less respect than if i'm driving my own car.
Hard to defog the windows.
Limited visibility behind and to the left/right (e.g. when changing lanes).
Can be prone to crosswinds on Dual carriageways/motorway.
Small boot.
Wipers do tend to"jump" across the windscreen sometimes.

Bigus

there's a new twin cylinder engined 500 on the way, motoring journalists are saying great things about that . Real world 69 mpg and faster than the bigger engined ones and apparently sounds great.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Fiat-500-0.9-Twin-Air/251295/

Raskolnikov

Can you get an Abarth 500 anywhere in Ireland, or would you have to go to the UK?

Bodhan

I've had the 500C 1.2 on test, very cool car it got loads of attention and the soft roof was great because you could let it down while driving.
It's not as economical as you think if you're going on motorways but it's fine around town.
I also had the twin air in Matt black, that was a great car, very cool noise, it sounds like a much bigger car.
Ride was a bit on the firm side but in traffic it only sipped petrol.
The 500 is a very cool car, there is room enough for 4 people on a short journey. The seats are comfy and go for the blue and me because it works.
The boot's not all that small either, try it and you'll love it

j@utis

I've been driving 500 1.4l for two years now. I love everything about it. 1.4 isn't the best for petrol though, I average 6.8l/100km combined (40mpg), managed to get 5.9l/100km some time ago, but I was driving like a granny, normally I tend to have a heavy foot and this car likes high revs.
Front seats are very comfy and there's loads of room at the front in general. Back seats are quite compact and more suitable for kids than adults, but you can expect that for the size of the car. Booth is smallish too but it's good enough for groceries shopping, if you need carry something bigger you can fold the back seat down.
I like hill start help feature, sorry don't know how you call it, USB connection is very handy when taking your music to your car. Bluetooth works but I can't be bothered setting it up properly because I hate phones in general (they interfere with my freedom).
I usually drive on my on and don't need to transport big things. it suits me perfect. I'm not planning to change it for anything else in the future apart maybe a twinAir?

dellas1979

I have a Fiat 500, and I love it.

Couple of things though:
- The wipers (as one other poster noted) are not the best - mine jump also. I reported this to Fiat Ireland at the time, and they replaced the blades etc - but didnt help - think it is a design fault.

- The doors are very heavy for such a small car - you open, they close back on you.

Umm - thats about it really. Excellent on petrol. Excellent road tax (104). Fab design. Nippy on the road.

Just to add, I got the basic pop model and pimped it up (i.e. metallic paint, alloys) and worked out much cheaper - I didnt want the bluetooth thing though. That is almost a grand added to the car for that.

Fizman

GF is looking at buying one of these soon. Have searched a bit and was hoping to find more user experience on here. Has anyone else had a good drive from one so that they could comment on reliability, pros, cons, etc.

She's looking at test driving this one http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201208207065198 at the weekend. Might pop along with her. Anything I should look out for in particular?

Marcusm

Maybe not answering the poster's question but has anyone seen a Tributo Ferrari or heard about the recently announced Tributo Maserati versions of the 500?

They are like the Aston Martin Cygnet version of the Toyota iQ together with £40k price tags. Walking down the street, I saw one of each of the Trib Fer and Cygnet yesterday.


http://www.abarth695tributoferrari.com/

http://www.nitrobahn.com/conceptz/autoshows/fiat-unveils-abarth-695-tributo-maserati/

Fizman

Anyone?

I've read a few user reviews on Honest John and the like and there doesn't seem to be any major issues. Looks like a 5 year warranty too so she'd have 2 of those remaining.