Anyone have a Fiat 500?

[Tim M]

Looking at the 1.2 Sport model for my girlfriend. Cheap tax, 55mpg, cheap to insure, looks cool. Haven't been on a test drive yet. Anyone got one and can offer an opinion?

[SteveHall]

My other have has one, she loves it - and to be honest I dont mind driving it.. Its on the small side though..

[Mextli]

The Fiat Panda is about the same but has more room.

[SteveHall]

We got an offer on a Punto - saving loads and it worked out cheaper than the 500 - so it was the right option to get one.. but it wasn't a Fiat 500, so she didnt want a punto or a panda - or any other car...

[Scaramanga]

I've got a panda diesel and it's awesome! I can squeak 80mpg out of it and it costs nothing to run. Build quality on it (and the 500) is ace, no squeaks or rattles. My mate was so impressed that he bought one exactly the same.

S/

[Markyboyo]

Mate has a 500 twinair. Surprisingly nippy, sounds like a motorbike and loves to rev (875cc V-twin Turbo) and its zero road tax. I regularly get the 1.2 500 as a hire car and the twin air has so much more character.

Dunno how they compare on cost as they haven't been out long compared to the 1.2.

Mum has a panda 1.2 petrol which is a good little motor too. The panda 100HP could be fun.

[Tim M]

Not too worried about size - it's simply to get her to work. In fact the smaller the better - she keeps driving her current 206 into things!

[Tim M]

Indeed - looked for a twin air on auto trader purely for the 68mpg economy, but more expensive as not been out so long. Currently looking at a 60 plate 1.2 sport, all the toys, 2 years warranty for £6k! Not sure I fancy the idea of a 2 cylinder engine much either. I was amazed to see it can tow 800 kgs.

[Ian Austin]

The wife has a Punto 1.2 active sport and she will not sell it or trade it in even for a 500, she had a cinquento sporting and kept that for 7 months even though she had a brand new Mini Cooper S, she thought the Mini would break down at some point, she hated the Mini and then bought the Punto.
Fiats all the way luv emm

[Markyboyo]

Originally Posted by Tim M

Indeed - looked for a twin air on auto trader purely for the 68mpg economy, but more expensive as not been out so long. Currently looking at a 60 plate 1.2 sport, all the toys, 2 years warranty for £6k! Not sure I fancy the idea of a 2 cylinder engine much either. I was amazed to see it can tow 800 kgs.

68 MPG is pie in the sky unless you drive everywhere in 5th at 50mph. I think my mate manages 55 ish on a sensible run and nearer 40 overall though it gets allot of stick all the time. Saying that Mums panda should do 53 mpg and manages 43 overall though thats allot of local driving.

The twin air would tear the 1.2 a new one, the torque is much greater and the way it piles the revs on is surprising.

The noise may not be to everyones taste but I'd still say to try one. Its actually pretty refined when cruising along and a hoot when you want to cane it. It will cost a few more £ to buy but I reckon the Zero road tax and novelty could make it hold its money better than the 1.2 maybe.

[Peter_C]

Fiat 500 is too big. Think much more efficient for towing the boat.

[Cookee]

We recently found a 1.2 Sport for a customer and she's delighted with it - she has a 3 year old and she finds it suits her perfectly for local use especially in the Devon lanes. She wouldn't have anything else as she just loved the styling!

Ian - That's a bit of a turnaround thinking a mini (BMW) would break down before a Fiat!

[Ian Austin]

Originally Posted by Cookee

Ian - That's a bit of a turnaround thinking a mini (BMW) would break down before a Fiat!

The Punto has never failed to start in 7 years of ownership.

also the Mini was horrible to drive, best mpg i got was 29.7 on a run and managed to get it down to 14 mpg, not bad for a 1.6ltr engine.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Tim M

I was amazed to see it can tow 800 kgs.

So am I - I had one as hire car recently (not sure which model) and it was noticeably working very hard to maintain 60 going up hill with 4 adults in it. No way I'd have towed my boat (a lot less than 800kgs) with it - especially with any passengers on board.

[Mextli]

The Panda tows 800kgs as well, though we went up a steep slope with 500kgs and it could only do so in 2. Gear.

[John Kennett]

I haven't tried a 500, but we've had a couple of 1.9 diesel Puntos which were easily the best small cars I've driven. Surprisingly roomy, and even more surprisingly reliable too!

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by Tim M

Indeed - looked for a twin air on auto trader purely for the 68mpg economy

... then I think you'd be disappointed if that was your expectation. Whilst the two cylinder engine is clearly derived to have 'green' credentials, it can't overcome the laws of physics. Under laboratory conditions of the EU fuel consumption tests I'm sure 68mpg is achievable, just like all the other cars that post 50/60/70mpg. The reality of everyday driving is always different and always lower and usually significantly lower. Best to just use the EU data for comparison purposes - car A versus car B - and judge the difference, rather than for the absolute numbers. If you Google Fiat 500 fuel consumption you'll find lots of disgruntled punters (but that goes for most makes and models!)

My experience is that the official numbers are about as accurate and realistic as those from folks who claim their car does 70mpg

PS: not sure who posted it but the twin air is a straight twin not a V twin.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Tim M

Looking at the 1.2 Sport model for my girlfriend.

Seems like a fair swap, got any photos?

[JamesF]

On Fiat 500 fuel economy — Honest John's Real MPG survey: FIAT 500C 2009 - Real MPGs | Honest John

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Seems like a fair swap, got any photos?