General hi a few questions before i decide to buy a 500

[TwinAir Newbie]

I wonder what the fuel consumption would be like in a four up 500.

Much as I love our 500 I'd get a bit hacked off with it carting three others around on a regular basis.

I think you might stand a better chance in a five door Aygo, like my daughter has, but that's not really on either.

PS I have a five door Citroen C3 1.6 HDi going spare.

 

[TrevC]

Before I got my TA, I trawled the data pages in What Car for anything else with similar performance and fuel consumption that was a similar price. One of the few that fitted the bill was the diesel Yaris - in fact it's real-world consumption is almost certainly better than the TA. A sensible choice then, but I fell asleep looking at it.

 

[muffin8118]

Before I got my TA, I trawled the data pages in What Car for anything else with similar performance and fuel consumption that was a similar price. One of the few that fitted the bill was the diesel Yaris - in fact it's real-world consumption is almost certainly better than the TA. A sensible choice then, but I fell asleep looking at it.

I test drove the Yaris before I decided on the 500. It is a safe, sensible if not boring choice. The 500 is great fun and more entertaining. It certainly is less bouncy round corners than pre 2010 models and feels more sure footed, go-kart like.

 

[JTD_Liam]

Having recently gone with my Parents to test out the 500 as a replacement for our 9 year old Renault Laguna i'd have to agree that if you want to take more than two adults in the car on a regular basis the 500 won't be the best option.

We're all fairly short (all under 5ft11 tall) and it was OK with 4 of us in there, but i wouldn't wanna be in the back for more than 20 mins without getting out for a break & an accident wouldn't be pretty.

Apart from the size issue the Parents loved it, we tried a 1.2 Lounge Convertible & a TwinAir Pop Hatch. Of the two the Convertible was the fave. The handling felt more secure as a passenger and (according to Dad) as a driver. It also felt abit better for headroom even with roof up and the 1.2 engine was alot quieter. I dunno if the TA we tried was a rogue one but to me it sounded way too loud.

When you factor in what Fiat are charging for them now we just couldn't justify the compromises so after much deliberating we've decided to look at a Punto Evo and a Renault Clio, both of which have pretty decent offers on them currently.

The new Yaris isn't rated that highly i didn't think. Having driven one i thought it was OK but lacked any wow factor, and although reliability might be better in the Toyota i actually think some of the plastics feel nicer in the Fiat (and Renault). With Fiat if you get a good dealer then i think that's half the battle. We seem to have found one, albeit over an hours drive away in Warwick. Give the Evo a try for size & see if that suits.

 

[RobW]

All the discussion about safety here is the truth

http://www.euroncap.com/tests/fiat_500_2007/298.aspx?dontlaunchmobile=1

Looks like the testing doesn't include rear seat passengers

 

[Super Uwe]

All the discussion about safety here is the truth

http://www.euroncap.com/tests/fiat_500_2007/298.aspx?dontlaunchmobile=1

Looks like the testing doesn't include rear seat passengers

Ta for that.

So...if you're about to get knocked down by a 500, try and aim your body just to the right of the front bumper and you should be fine then

 

[TrevC]

I was being a bit unkind about the Yaris - it's no more boring than many other cars in its class. The 500 is a car bought with the heart rather than the head, although the values are holding up well so far. I have the luxury of having mine as the second car. Our practical car is an '08 Renault Grande Modus - very unsexy but cheap to buy and run, with good performance and economy from the 1.2 TCE engine, and so far 100% reliable.

 

[306maxi]

Having recently gone with my Parents to test out the 500 as a replacement for our 9 year old Renault Laguna i'd have to agree that if you want to take more than two adults in the car on a regular basis the 500 won't be the best option.

We're all fairly short (all under 5ft11 tall) and it was OK with 4 of us in there, but i wouldn't wanna be in the back for more than 20 mins without getting out for a break & an accident wouldn't be pretty.

Apart from the size issue the Parents loved it, we tried a 1.2 Lounge Convertible & a TwinAir Pop Hatch. Of the two the Convertible was the fave. The handling felt more secure as a passenger and (according to Dad) as a driver. It also felt abit better for headroom even with roof up and the 1.2 engine was alot quieter. I dunno if the TA we tried was a rogue one but to me it sounded way too loud.

When you factor in what Fiat are charging for them now we just couldn't justify the compromises so after much deliberating we've decided to look at a Punto Evo and a Renault Clio, both of which have pretty decent offers on them currently.

The new Yaris isn't rated that highly i didn't think. Having driven one i thought it was OK but lacked any wow factor, and although reliability might be better in the Toyota i actually think some of the plastics feel nicer in the Fiat (and Renault). With Fiat if you get a good dealer then i think that's half the battle. We seem to have found one, albeit over an hours drive away in Warwick. Give the Evo a try for size & see if that suits.

The only plastic in the 500 that is nice is the body coloured panel. Everything else is cheap.

 

[Murano16v]

The only plastic in the 500 that is nice is the body coloured panel. Everything else is cheap.

The cowling round the speedo isn't too bad, but you are right all of the plastics on the 500 mark way too easily. Bear in mind that you can pay up to 40 grand and still get the same stuff in the Tributo.

 

[306maxi]

The cowling round the speedo isn't too bad, but you are right all of the plastics on the 500 mark way too easily. Bear in mind that you can pay up to 40 grand and still get the same stuff in the Tributo.

Yeah.... Fiat have really done a good job with that one. Imagine the profit marging on a tributo. Abarth + Sabelts + Brembo brakes + better turbo = CHA CHING!!!!!

 

[Stu DemonD]

I had a 500 and a Panda 100HP both at the same time - and now both gone.
I always thought the Panda was a much much better car in every respect. More room, better handling, visibilty, 4 doors and a bigger boot. Better value too. If you sit in the back of a 500 there is about 2 inches between your head and whatever might hit you in the event of an accident.

Indeed

I went in the back of a 500 for the first time a few weeks back - and I was horrified at the lack of space there was back there as a passenger. I prefer the back of my 100HP any day I have had 4 adults in it with no problem.

 

[306maxi]

Indeed

I went in the back of a 500 for the first time a few weeks back - and I was horrified at the lack of space there was back there as a passenger. I prefer the back of my 100HP any day I have had 4 adults in it with no problem.

You can get 4 adults in a 500, you just don't want to be the poor sod in the back

Sat in the back of a few Panda's and they were MUCH more agreeable

 

[RobinPJ]

All the discussion about safety here is the truth

http://www.euroncap.com/tests/fiat_500_2007/298.aspx?dontlaunchmobile=1

Looks like the testing doesn't include rear seat passengers

I wonder how long it will be until they test cars by hitting them from the rear as well as the front and side. I used to have an ML with the "family pack" 6th and 7th seats, the head rests of which were almost touching the rear window. Didn't like anyone being in there any more than necessary.

 

[Neil Surrey Labs]

there's no way I would buy a Yaris over a FIAT 500
Reasons:-

1. the 500 is a beautiful piece of kit, a jewel, somethign to treasure
2. It has character the Yaris is a soulless washing-machine with wheels
3. I've been to specsavers !!! :yuck:

 

[306maxi]

there's no way I would buy a Yaris over a FIAT 500
Reasons:-

1. the 500 is a beautiful piece of kit, a jewel, somethign to treasure
2. It has character the Yaris is a soulless washing-machine with wheels
3. I've been to specsavers !!! :yuck:

I take it character = badly built?

 

[Murano16v]

I take it character = badly built?

Hey Maxi - you seem to be having a real downer on your 500 at the moment.

 

[306maxi]

Hey Maxi - you seem to be having a real downer on your 500 at the moment.

Not really. I just think that people should get the full story and not just the shiny dashboard panel and cutesy wootsey looks.

 

[Andy Monty]

Hey Maxi - you seem to be having a real downer on your 500 at the moment.

Think he has seen the light and likes the Punto Evo


(you get the 500 sorted in the end maxxi?)

 

[306maxi]

Think he has seen the light and likes the Punto Evo


(you get the 500 sorted in the end maxxi?)

Airbox is sorted yup.

Intermittent cold start issue didn't happen for them and they say everything looks OK so I'll have to wait till it gets a bit colder and take it back in.

I like the Punto Evo, but the outside is so darn ugly

 

[Andy Monty]

I like the Punto Evo, but the outside is so darn ugly

no its called character