NovaGTE2
Member
Registered: 26th Sep 06
Location: Peasedown St John, Bristol Avon
User status: Offline
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My wife now has decided she would like a fiat 500! Had a look at one in a local garage to check they would be big enough for our needs and was suprise how big they felt and the boot was!
Initially looked at the 1.2 lounge with the view to buy new; or nearly new. Im not sure I would really want to drive that myself as a bit camp and just think its going to sound like a washing machine on full spin on a run!
I have now been looking at the Abarth and found a private 12 plate with 6500 miles for a good price at the top end of our budget which I would prefer; but still not 100% convinced on a Fiat!!!
She currentley has a 120d M Sport which I love to drive; but now we have a 3 series estate she thinks she can get away with something smaller  I just think it will feel crap compaired to the BMW!
Not really had first hand experince with a fiat; or never been in or driven a 500 so wondered what peoples thoughts were on them
[Edited on 25-01-2013 by NovaGTE2]
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Tomnova16
Premium Member
Registered: 21st Jan 06
Location: Gerrards Cross Drives: Porsche 911
User status: Offline
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overpriced, better off with a mini
http://www.lemass.co.uk/ for all your automotive/bodyshop needs
Located in Chalfont st Peter
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NovaGTE2
Member
Registered: 26th Sep 06
Location: Peasedown St John, Bristol Avon
User status: Offline
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The mini feels smaller inside and also the boot is too small for what we need
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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Eh? Mini is like twice price of a 500!!
500's are awesome. My aunty has a 500c lounge (1.2)
I adore it. Brilliant little car, an experience every time you drive it 
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SteveoBC
Premium Member
Registered: 22nd Feb 07
Location: Bucks
User status: Offline
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not a fan of 500
basically a panda with a new exterior panels to make look like a 500
one of my friends had one as a loan car, we both hated it, she ended up buying a new fiesta zetec s diesel in white, miles better than the fiat
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Tomnova16
Premium Member
Registered: 21st Jan 06
Location: Gerrards Cross Drives: Porsche 911
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by SteveoBC
not a fan of 500
basically a panda with a new exterior panels to make look like a 500
one of my friends had one as a loan car, we both hated it, she ended up buying a new fiesta zetec s diesel in white, miles better than the fiat
this is what i mean, you are paying for the hype, not for a good quality car.
http://www.lemass.co.uk/ for all your automotive/bodyshop needs
Located in Chalfont st Peter
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Graeme
Premium Member
Registered: 26th Jul 04
Location: Northampton
User status: Offline
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Don't get the 1.2. So slow. Missus has a lounge 1.4 and was nice. Pretty nippy with the sport button. 100bhp I think.
Good cars but I would get one in warranty and the boot is tiny.
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Scotty_B
Member
Registered: 11th Jun 03
Location: East Kilbride
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by SteveoBC
not a fan of 500
basically a panda with a new exterior panels to make look like a 500
one of my friends had one as a loan car, we both hated it, she ended up buying a new fiesta zetec s diesel in white, miles better than the fiat
This makes more sense and the new re-styled Fiesta is 
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SteveoBC
Premium Member
Registered: 22nd Feb 07
Location: Bucks
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Scotty_B
quote:
Originally posted by SteveoBC
not a fan of 500
basically a panda with a new exterior panels to make look like a 500
one of my friends had one as a loan car, we both hated it, she ended up buying a new fiesta zetec s diesel in white, miles better than the fiat
This makes more sense and the new re-styled Fiesta is
quote:
Originally posted by Tomnova16
this is what i mean, you are paying for the hype, not for a good quality car.
Exactly tom, a turd with a bow on it doesnt come away from the fact its still a turd lol
Plus the new diesel in them is nippy plus give way better fuel economy than the 1.2 petrol which you will end up revving the nuts off to get anywhere
plus just to add insult to injury for the fiat, she had the 500 for a few days and the rear exhaust started falling apart literally, had to call up the hire car firm let them know and put all the bits in the boot lol
[Edited on 25-01-2013 by SteveoBC]
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pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
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It's not THAT bad 
It's a nice looking car that's popular... Mini's are stupidly overpriced for a car that rides like shit, are noisy and have uncomfy seats.
They will be reliable - 100000 times more than they were 10 years ago, the Alfa is now over 50k and hasn't put a foot wrong really!
1.2 is crap though, get a 1.4 or the 1.3 JTD
[Edited on 25-01-2013 by pow]
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corsa - gus
Member
Registered: 8th Jan 07
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
User status: Offline
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What about a new shape swift sport  I was very sceptical but test drove one and ended up buying one. And I'd say its definitely the most fun car I have ever had Bit brutal on fuel right enough and not all that quick but its nippy enough. Also a fair bit cheaper than the 500's
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SteveoBC
Premium Member
Registered: 22nd Feb 07
Location: Bucks
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by pow
It's not THAT bad
It's a nice looking car that's popular... Mini's are stupidly overpriced for a car that rides like shit, are noisy and have uncomfy seats.
They will be reliable - 100000 times more than they were 10 years ago, the Alfa is now over 50k and hasn't put a foot wrong really!
1.2 is crap though, get a 1.4 or the 1.3 JTD
[Edited on 25-01-2013 by pow]
I cant complain about my cooper D company car, handles alright to me, not noisy and never had a noisy seat?? but then again mines a 62 plate an iv only put 8k miles on it from new tbf
but on the other hand i probs wouldnt pay the amount they are after for a new one lol, thats why i said the new fiesta, not badly priced for what they are and feel better put together than the panda/500
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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500 is a competitor to the KA not a fiesta. Like comparing a 3series to a Eclass?
500 is a small city car, that has great visibility, tiny dimensions and a large interior (given size of car)
Its not a large vehicle, so unsuprisingly it has a small boot. Unsuprisingly its not a sports car and yet more unsuprisingly its cheap as its a small Fiat.
Looks way cooler than any other small car (KA, Picanto etc)
Pointless comparing to larger rivals. You need the Punto for that.
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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My Aunty has had her lounge (1.2) from new and not had a single problem with it in a year to add to internetting going on here.
Can lease one for the price of some peoples mobile bills:
http://www.contracthireandleasing.com/car-leasing-companies/independent-brokers/solent-vehicle-leasing/fiat/500/11701512/
[Edited on 25-01-2013 by Jambo]
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Toby
Premium Member
Registered: 29th Nov 05
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Tomnova16
overpriced, better off with a mini
funny you should say that. One of my ex's was looking at 500's and ended up in a mini.
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Brett
Premium Member
Registered: 16th Dec 02
Location: Manchester
User status: Offline
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Doesn't matter what model it is, you'll look like a puff in a 500.
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BeetleGav
Member
Registered: 27th Jun 10
Location: lancashire, nelson
User status: Offline
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Sister got the diesel when they first came out. Was such a shit car, cut out on the motorway in the fast lane, endless oil leaks, bad fuel economy. Spent most of the ownership in the garage while driving a panda.
Such a shame because they look fantastic
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Edges 58
Member
Registered: 30th Mar 10
Location: Nottingham
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Missus had a 1.2 pop.. She rolled it twice into a ditch and was a total write off. She got out straight away without a scratch so they're pretty safe. Also did 52mpg average and was nippy enough round town.. No problem sitting at 80-90 on the motorway (obviously takes longer to get there than a bigger engined car) Only bad point was the seats aren't comfy when going longer than an hour or so journey.
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AndyCorsaSport
Member
Registered: 12th Feb 06
Location: Horsforth, West Yorkshire
User status: Offline
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Mates GF has an Abarth, great fun car. I took it for a blast on some country roads last summer and was quite suprised! Was fun.
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kennySRi
Member
Registered: 12th Nov 10
Location: Lancashire
User status: Offline
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I'd just keep the 120d. I can't see one thing that a 500 would be better at than one of them, and as for the looks there isnt anything much nicer than a 1 series coupe imo.
Saying that if it's a hatch, then yes get rid
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pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
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The above lol
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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I want an Abarth
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A2H GO
Member
Registered: 14th Sep 04
Location: Stoke
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Toby
quote:
Originally posted by Tomnova16
overpriced, better off with a mini
funny you should say that. One of my ex's was looking at 500's and ended up in a mini.
Same we looked at both, there surprisingly wasn't much in the the used price, not double as Jambo says.
For looks, reliability, and build quality, performance, economy and residuals you're better off with a mini, even if it's a slightly older one (but still the new, shape).
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Chris x
Member
Registered: 11th Sep 08
Location: Bexhill
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Jambo
I want an Abarth
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baza31
Member
Registered: 19th Apr 03
Location: yorkshire
User status: Offline
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Fiat 500s are more of a retro fashion accessory IMO. Well over priced. Also don't know ncap rating but they don't like bumps . Go test drive a new polo, I bought a new one for mrs last Xmas and its by far the best small car I've drove ,1.2 3 cylinder , cheap to run. Ill guarantee you will be shocked. I've just taken a deposit on hers only has 1400 miles on . Avoid the 500
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