Off Topic A little 'thump' today on the pearlescent...

[Chrisilda]

How do you feel though? So, what are you going to buy next?

 

[rkt2003]

Spent a little while rubbing the FW done this morning with a new chamois so that it was gleaming when I handed it over the its new owner. Wrote a little essay on how to get the most out of it and how to care for it. It was happiest coming on cam on the motorway in Sport mode and had a nice little bit of zip in its step getting about the town. OH said that she watched it from the window upstairs pulling away and followed it down the road - something that she said she has not done before. She commented that the new owner looked very happy. In the 9 months that I have this baby it only cost me €300 on depreciation but I was fortunate enough to be able to reduce the 'hit' of the upkeep costs of €250 on the service and the €380 for the wheel refurb as a business expense. All in all a very cheap car to run.

Well cared for and passed on in style

 

[loveshandbags]

How do you feel though? So, what are you going to buy next?

Thank you for asking Chrisilda.

I have a 'open' garage which I can see into from the kitchen area of the house and it's a little 'empty' with it 'missing'. I have the old 'trusty' Marea to cart me around in still but the original 500 Sport was the 'first love' and 2nd time around it isn't as hard. I knew it wasn't going to a 'long term relationship' and was either going to be past on to the OH or it would be sold.
All the paint spraying, etc. was really an exercise to see if I should get another FW and I have posted a pic below of one that sold yesterday. I had emailed the seller for some history and said that I would fly over to him - but I got no response.
There is one for sale here at the moment (it had a roll cage in it - owned by Fiat.ie as a 'hospitality' car) a A500 esseesse in BNW with a checkered roof (OH hates it and thinks I would be the laughing stock of the neighbours) but I kinda like it mid life crisis and all. I posted another pic below of how it would look but it would have the esseesse wheels. Even though it is not as desirable as a FW with a glass roof I wouldn't be as concerned about getting a few stone chips if I went go for a blast across the mountains on the far side of the city.
So that FW white baby that I had might live on after all !

 

[Melanabb]

Good wishes to the new owner of your FW Michael. Out of the two Abarths I have to say I prefer a plain white, its a turn head and does not need extra special paint job to get noticed. But as always its completely down to you and what you like better...

 

[Chrisilda]

I think that neighbors will laugh with the roll cage and not with the chequered roof. To be honest i prefer the funk white BUT you're aware now for its respraying issues so, it would be good to NOT go for it. (again)

 

[loveshandbags]

Good wishes to the new owner of your FW Michael. Out of the two Abarths I have to say I prefer a plain white, its a turn head and does not need extra special paint job to get noticed. But as always its completely down to you and what you like better...

That's probably the last thing that I want to do with the 'boys in blue'.
I like the plain look in the Black but on the white I think the stripes make it otherwise it looks a bit naked - but I take your point.

I think that neighbors will laugh with the roll cage and not with the chequered roof. To be honest i prefer the funk white BUT you're aware now for its respraying issues so, it would be good to NOT go for it. (again)

The OH loves the FW but I would be worried about it on the Abarth and kinda prefer to leave the 'memory' intact on the last one.

I hope you don't mind if I 'throw this out there'. Prefer to 'hide' this in the 500 section. I generally don't hang about so I will be closing on this fairly quickly.

Option 1. Do nothing and wait 2-3 months until the christmas & new year 'rush' is over.

Option 2. BNW 1.4 Lounge Euro 4 149grs/km. Unregistered couldn't sell model over the emissions for the scrappage (max 140grs/km). Cash price of €15,500 before 31.12.11 will get the proposed 5 year bumper to bumper warranty and will have a 2012 reg. Attracts an annual road tax of €330 same as the A500. Black ambiance, no climate, black chequered. Will not be as nice as the last one.

Option 3. May 2010 A500 esseesse. Covered the 'issue' in Ahmetts thread.
Have a wee spin in this. Very impressed with the ride - not hard like the other esseesse I tried in a 'cheap...' in the Abarth section. Very comfortable. Nice and 'subdued' and no whine from the gearbox as in a previous example at 21K. Spent quite some time in showrooms so exhaust sounds intact. Michelins on the front look a bit worn on the shoulders. Small bit of kerbing but loved the wheels. 'Light' in the hand. Tiny bit of damage on the front bumper with a little 'crack' possibly from a speed bump. Average mpg readout 27. Felt nice and felt me. Like the city reg and love the leather. Major resistance from the OH. Broke it to her 'gently' this evening and got a response that I'm mad. Wants the roof stickers off and I have agreed to take 'em off if I get it but will probably keep them.
Garage wants €16K cash. No guarantee. No wash. No service. Just take it. It was advertised in a different garage for 19K 2 months ago. Garage have to 'give' €15.5K to Fiat for the car and their profit is €500 for their troubles. There's no room for negotiation. VAT receipt possible.
Heart says yes. Wallet says I'm crazy. This car will have no Fiat warranty since it has not stuck to the service schedule nor has it had an oil change and it did have a roll cage in it. Fiat own it. Orginally imported from Platts Battesea from new. Car gave me a good 'gut' feeling and felt 'right' despite the poor tell tale signs.

 

[Chrisilda]

I would say wait!

 

[Melanabb]

I'd go for the hearth but make sure that you can cram in as much 'head' as possible. It is a hard one Michael, the easiest way to decide is to think what would make you more sad to loose out of the two (imagine you are on a sinking ship and can save only one car ) Take the car that makes you happy. That feeling of happiness will persist every morning you walk up to it and turn the ignition on so be sure you've chosen right. Good luck!

 

[Chrisilda]

I totally agree with you Melanie but i chose wait between of 3 because it's very likely in the near future to find a very good offer. For instance, an Abarth with no minor damages and a roll cage in it.

 

[loveshandbags]

I totally agree with you Melanie but i chose wait between of 3 because it's very likely in the near future to find a very good offer. For instance, an Abarth with no minor damages and a roll cage in it.

I have looked at quite a few and I thought I wanted this one thinking that it woudn't attract the 'boys in blue'. It didn't leave me with a feeling of wanting it when I hopped back into the FW. Finding a A500 that has not been thrashed isn't easy because all A500 models here are imported. I reckon the BNW SS had a roll cage for 'show' put then there was quite a few Fiat reps seeing what it was capable of. All here are all stupid money and if I import one it would have to be a basic one because of the VRT implications on extras - they crucify leather, fancy wheels, esseesse upgrade kits, etc.

I'd go for the heart but make sure that you can cram in as much 'head' as possible. It is a hard one Michael, the easiest way to decide is to think what would make you more sad to loose out of the two (imagine you are on a sinking ship and can save only one car ) Take the car that makes you happy. That feeling of happiness will persist every morning you walk up to it and turn the ignition on so be sure you've chosen right. Good luck!

I would be very disappointed if I lost the A500SS but I would consol myself with mental pictures of the underside of the oil cap. If I got it for €15.5k it would leave room in the future for camoulflaging the existence of a roll cage, extra oil change and some 'corrective' work on the wee crack on the bumper. I did bring my brother along yesterday who drove the car seperate to me. 2 trips 2 up each time and he thought the scum was indicative of a blown gasket. I had to 'contain him' a little in dealing with the sales rep who was filling in for the guy who has the final decision (a more senior guy that's primarily based in HQ).

 

[loveshandbags]

I would say wait!

Sorry to be pushy on this one. Would appreciate any 'techie' input on this - I promise not to hold it against you - seriously ! Thinking in terms of squeezing the head factor into it. Really want to make a last pitch before it goes 'off colour'.

These are the prices out there along with the price of a Gucci TA not that I would be buying one.

EDIT:

I found the original ad for the car...
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Fiat/500/1.4-Abar/713237654325060/advert?channel=CARS
Attached a few pics before the ad is taken down.

Had a little chat with the garage and they maintained that it was used for a bit of fun. He said that they would have changed the oil when it was in their possession. They have a PE Abarth with the multi-air engine and he reckoned it was a better car but was stuck on €18K - way outside the 'budget' but I prefer the look of the 500.
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Fiat/Punto/Abarth-P/713237653603690/advert?channel=CARS

 

[jrkitching]

Sorry to be pushy on this one. Would appreciate any 'techie' input on this - I promise not to hold it against you - seriously ! Thinking in terms of squeezing the head factor into it. Really want to make a last pitch before it goes 'off colour'.

These are the prices out there along with the price of a Gucci TA not that I would be buying one.

Well, I've said it before but this is a good opportunity to say it again - the 'book' pricing system undervalues good cars and overvalues bad ones. And this is a very bad one. Although it looks like it would be a lot of fun, there are too many worrying negatives for me to feel comfortable with anyone buying it. No service history, no warranty, bodywork damage, knackered wheels - and every reason to believe that it's spent its whole life being thrashed to within an inch of its life by all & sundry.

The A500SS is by design surely going to be pushing most of the drivetrain components to their limit & whilst I think the concept is fine for a meticulously-serviced daily drive that's occasionally driven very hard for a bit of fun, this one sounds like it's spent much of its time being used as if it were on a racetrack & I wouldn't be in the slightest bit surprised to find this car is by now the mechanical equivalent of a Cat C writeoff.

Sorry for being so negative but I think you could be buying into something which could easily cost you north of £5k in repairs in the first year alone.

 

[arorat]

I would wait, hold your cash for a few months. The car below is for a much younger guy, when I see this I see maintenance... unless you have multiple cars and this is going into the stable.

Sorry the age thing is not meant to be offensive, case in point the chap who had that funky red 500 and he turned out to be 22 or something, that image suited him, a great body kit on that car.

 

[tingtang1]

In the words of my husband, leave it where it is. You sound like you've already made your mind up but are just waiting for someone to agree with you. Another better car will soon come along. Hope that's not too harsh.

 

[loveshandbags]

Well, I've said it before but this is a good opportunity to say it again - the 'book' pricing system undervalues good cars and overvalues bad ones. And this is a very bad one. Although it looks like it would be a lot of fun, there are too many worrying negatives for me to feel comfortable with anyone buying it. No service history, no warranty, bodywork damage, knackered wheels - and every reason to believe that it's spent its whole life being thrashed to within an inch of its life by all & sundry.

The A500SS is by design surely going to be pushing most of the drivetrain components to their limit & whilst I think the concept is fine for a meticulously-serviced daily drive that's occasionally driven very hard for a bit of fun, this one sounds like it's spent much of its time being used as if it were on a racetrack & I wouldn't be in the slightest bit surprised to find this car is by now the mechanical equivalent of a Cat C writeoff.

Sorry for being so negative but I think you could be buying into something which could easily cost you north of £5k in repairs in the first year alone.

I may not have painted the right picture of the car I drove - marks on the wheels are slight - slight kerbing - nothing like the ones that were on the FW originally ; crack is tiny but the inside of the bumper is a bit loose under the passenger wheel like it came down at speed off a speed ramp (guessing).
Warranty - funny one - I was told May 2013 and when I challenged them on this they checked and said May 2012 - only 2 years on 'imports' despite Fiat owning it. I can imagine the scenario in having to deal with Fiat on a warranty claim but I'll come back to that later on.
When I test drove a black esseessed one that looked immaculate it had 15.5K miles on clock and had no history in that it had no oil change in the 14 months that it had been registered. I didn't buy it because the suspension felt too stiff (brother reckoned that the shocks had been changed to possibly a set of Bilsteins). The Dealer realising that he was going to lose the sale and offered to do something that did not sit too comfortably with me to keep the Fiat 2 year warranty in check. Needless to say I walked but the car sold shortly afterwards and I reckon I know how.
I would be a good judge of cars and aside from getting 'stung' on one auction car and another that I nearly got sued over (a previous owner - a farmer had stopped the clock) - on the whole I've been lucky with the cars I've picked. This one feels lucky and to it lasting 100K or even 60K - well that's a different story. Gearbox rebuilds are getting a 'mention' on the Abartisthi.

 

[loveshandbags]

I would wait, hold your cash for a few months. The car below is for a much younger guy, when I see this I see maintenance... unless you have multiple cars and this is going into the stable.

Sorry the age thing is not meant to be offensive, case in point the chap who had that funky red 500 and he turned out to be 22 or something, that image suited him, a great body kit on that car.

How did you guess my age ?

Just to clarify the A500 SS in question - the car currently being sold is the one in post # 66 but it used to be post # 71. So the rally seats are out and so is the roll cage so the original leather is back in - the rally seats are also the reason why the interior is good - not too sure about the engine.
Pictures don't do the car justice. You have to be in the car and feel the throb of the engine and with the proper ECU chip IMHO it earns the chequered roof even though for most it takes away from the car. I can understand your interest in a Red one with black leather - it's a bit more civilised or is it ?

 

[oldAlbert]

I'd say if it 'really' is still owned by FIAT and not a knock up then email FIAT, Im sure they will honour their own warranty if they own the car, just cos they havent stamped the book.
I think the dealer is wiping one.
reading some of these posts again,
I seriously dont think this is the same car,
why would FIAT NOT service their own car?

 

[loveshandbags]

In the words of my husband, leave it where it is. You sound like you've already made your mind up but are just waiting for someone to agree with you. Another better car will soon come along. Hope that's not too harsh.

Thank you for the feedback and I see that you're also on the hunt for a new car as well. I'll interested in what suggestions will be posted.

For the other postings above - seriously many thanks for the frank inputs including those that responded on the PMs.

On a more serious note...

when I saw the car in a different Fiat dealership last October it was advertised for €18,995 and I was offered the car for €10K plus the 1.4 Lounge Funk white (recently sold for €9.5K). This was later reduced to 9K. It was been sold as a 'looked after' example and would be serviced before 'handed on'. No warranty was been given but it was not a 'trade sale'.

I would imagine that for another buyer looking at the pledge on the wall with the 'Code of Ethics' one could take a view that misrepresentation was taking place but I wouldn't for a moment state that. I would have had to ask 'Has it been rallied' and the reply would have had to be - NO. I was told that it was a 'hospitality car' and it was me who queried the dealer on the missing felt in the boot where the roll cage has been installed.

If this car was being sold through a non-SIMI dealer then I would say 'Buyer beware'. I bought last time off an Audi dealer and got great 'piece of mind' with the Mapfire warranty (probably no good) thrown in. If I had paid the net price that was being put 'on the table' for the esseesse then I would be feeling pretty sore now.

With the currrent dealer he wanted to 'build a lasting relationship' - agree on a sensible price and avail of the 'special offer' on the servicing. This 'special relationship' has taken on a new meaning. I wonder if they will be 'forced' to properly advertise the car. I happened to come across this car looking to organise a different dealer (than the last one) that would replace the shocks in the FW that was just recently sold. At one point I was jokingly referred to as an 'Anorak' in trying to thrash out a price which was said in the most pleasantly way possible. Unless something drastically changes with the price / warranty / 'missing evidence' of an oil / service I wouldn't be going ahead with this.

I wonder how many more Anoraks are there out there ?

 

[loveshandbags]

I'd say if it 'really' is still owned by FIAT and not a knock up then email FIAT, Im sure they will honour their own warranty if they own the car, just cos they havent stamped the book.
I think the dealer is wiping one.
reading some of these posts again,
I seriously dont think this is the same car,
why would FIAT NOT service their own car?

It's the same car. I've posted pictures with the registration number which I had previously blanked.

In relation to Fiat not servicing their own car...I came across an 'issue' before in another Fiat garage where a 'Fiat owned' 2008 1.4 Sport was being sold in Feb 2010 and they wouldn't valet it or even wash it (at that time - they eventually did) to sell it. There was an issue with - who pays for it. I ended up buying another 1.4 Sport off a Honda dealer (it was washed !) which didn't really work out. I had a little hunch that the passenger wing wasn't original when buying it and when I questioned him he said that he had no knowledge of it being involved in any accident. That dealer promised to send on the service history but never did. I later got it re-instated by going directly to where the car was originally bought from and found it needed a major service and that over €1200 was spend on a new passenger wing. I wasn't a happy bunny.

 

[jrkitching]

It's the same car. I've posted pictures with the registration number which I had previously blanked.

So, reading between the lines, this could be a car which FIAT Ireland have put some track day safety mods in & 'loaned out' to various 'customers, friends & press' to 'have a bit of fun with' both on & off the track. Having finished with it, they've removed the track day mods & are selling it through their franchised dealer network without full disclosure of its history.... :nono:.

I've often wondered what happens to all those demonstrator cars we see being thrashed around the circuit on the motoring programmes .

Thanks for publishing your 'uncensored' pics as a warning to others .