General Looking for a fun 2nd car (£5k max) to drive around Yorkshire Dales in at the weekends. Talk me out of an old high mileage 2011-ish Fiat 500 TwinAir!

[Piccolo Nero e Bella]

So @anyone who has experience with a 500c following this thread - what's the turbulence and cabin wind noise like at speeds above 40mph with the top down? I've seen mixed reports and a few videos online that say it's actually pretty horrible at anything more than city speeds, but other posts that say with the little front roof spoiler thing popped up it's not bad at all. Anyone got any additional tips or anecdotes to share on this? Anyone regret getting a 500c and just wish they'd gone a for a regular hatchback?

I've had my 500C Twinair for eight and a half years now and I love it as much as the day I bought it. It's my first non-Mazda in fifty years of driving and I was a bit apprehensive about owning a FIAT, especially a convertible, given the brand's reputation in this country in the not-too-didstant past but the car has been an absolute joy to own and drive.

There's a lot less buffeting with the roof open than I expected and normal conversation is possible at most speeds. The front spoiler is essential at anything over about 25mph because you get an unpleasant vibratory buffeting without it. The spoiler eliminates it but it can appear occasionally in crosswinds. Having the windows open as well can make for some interesting hairstyle malfunctions... The car's certainly noiser than a tin-top when the roof's closed of course but not overly so. You can't use the rear shelf for anything as the glass folds down flat over it.

The roof should slide almost silently back and forth so beware any hesitation and/or grinding noises. I treat mine with a dry lubricant and it works smoothly and quietly, even after the thousands of times it's been operated. The lower edge of the back window is a dirt trap and I've seen cars with a decidedly green growth around there - it'll show whether someone looks after their car or not! As I've stated before, I'd recommend a cover, especially if parking under trees; I have a Sila top cover for casual use and a full FIAT OEM cover for when mine's not in the garage.

Attached is my pdf scan of the manual supplement for the cabrio - everything's in there.

 

[AC43]

I went for a 1.2 as I wanted a city car with bomb-proof mechanicals. The FIRE engine has been around since the Uno and seems to be virtually unbreakable. It's also well known in the trade and they're happy working on it - not always the case with the TA.

I would have had the 1.4 had that been available in a 65 plate car but it had been discontinued a few years previously.

Anyway, the 1.2. Although it only has a piddling 69bhp (my other car has 386bhp....) it's still a lot of fun to punt around. I picked it up in Huddersfield and thoroughly enjoyed throwing it around the backroads on the way to the M1.

I haven't tried the 1.4 but I assume the additional torque and power will make quite a difference. Same bomb-proof engine.

 

[AC43]

Re the 500c vs the hatch. I've got a Lounge which all come with a glass roof section at the front. It's virtually half the roof. On mine it opens (although that's a fairly rare option). A mate has a 500C.

The big difference is that mine feels sunny inside all year round; his only lets the light in when the roof's back (obvs...). Personally, I find his a bit claustrophobic in comparison.

If I were you I'd sit in a Lounge with just the fixed glass roof and see what you think.

 

[DutchWheels]

Re the 500c vs the hatch. I've got a Lounge which all come with a glass roof section at the front. It's virtually half the roof. On mine it opens (although that's a fairly rare option). A mate has a 500C.

The big difference is that mine feels sunny inside all year round; his only lets the light in when the roof's back (obvs...). Personally, I find his a bit claustrophobic in comparison.

If I were you I'd sit in a Lounge with just the fixed glass roof and see what you think.

Good point about maybe feeling a bit dark when the c's roof is closed (at least in comparison to a non c) - I can really see how a small car like the 500 would benefit from a glass roof! And I didn't realise all those nice big 500 sunroofs didn't open, that's a shame. A lot of the 500s I've seen for sale all have that panoramic roof specced - is it called something different in the if it's a fully opening one? I'm guessing there's a button I could probably look for on the internal photos to work out if it's a sliding one or not? Not a deal breaker but if I go for a hatchback would be nice to be able to slide it back.

 

[mj2k]

Re the 500c vs the hatch. I've got a Lounge which all come with a glass roof section at the front. It's virtually half the roof. On mine it opens (although that's a fairly rare option). A mate has a 500C.

The big difference is that mine feels sunny inside all year round; his only lets the light in when the roof's back (obvs...). Personally, I find his a bit claustrophobic in comparison.

If I were you I'd sit in a Lounge with just the fixed glass roof and see what you think.

It does definitely rob headroom though (over 4cm, which is quite a lot in such a tiny car) so might not be ideal for taller people, unless they're all arms'n'legs

On the plus side, if you go for a dark-coloured 500 (my Abarth is black) it's almost completely invisible until you slide it back.

 

[DutchWheels]

I went for a 1.2 as I wanted a city car with bomb-proof mechanicals...

I would have had the 1.4 had that been available...

Well as my post title requested I've been successful talked out of buying a second hand TwinAir, so yep, a 1.2 seems like it's on the cards. Maybe 1.4 if I spot a good one.

All-too-sensible me says I'll end up with a 1.2 though, given that the 1.4s I've seen are all 2010 at the latest (I assume they stopped making them after that year?) and generally much higher mileage.

Seems to make most sense to get something like a 2014 500 1.2 that's been looked after - if only to try get one with 4 years less corrosion on for example. Plus, a 2014 means I might get that snazzy little LCD screen speedo

 

[Piccolo Nero e Bella]

The big difference is that mine feels sunny inside all year round; his only lets the light in when the roof's back (obvs...). Personally, I find his a bit claustrophobic in comparison.

By the same token the cabrio's roof opens completely, or as much as you want, when it is open.

The 1.4 was available here, in the Lounge and Sport only, up until 2013.

 

[AC43]

By the same token the cabrio's roof opens completely, or as much as you want, when it is open.

The 1.4 was available here, in the Lounge and Sport only, up until 2013.

Yes of course, being able to peel back the cabrio roof part way or all of the way is a great thing.

 

[AC43]

Well as my post title requested I've been successful talked out of buying a second hand TwinAir, so yep, a 1.2 seems like it's on the cards. Maybe 1.4 if I spot a good one.

All-too-sensible me says I'll end up with a 1.2 though, given that the 1.4s I've seen are all 2010 at the latest (I assume they stopped making them after that year?) and generally much higher mileage.

Seems to make most sense to get something like a 2014 500 1.2 that's been looked after - if only to try get one with 4 years less corrosion on for example. Plus, a 2014 means I might get that snazzy little LCD screen speedo

Mine is a Lounge and was an August 2015 build (one of the early facelifts).

It came with the "orange" speedo like the one below - I think the "colour" version with better graphics came out a few months later but others on here will know the correct answer.

 

[AC43]

It does definitely rob headroom though (over 4cm, which is quite a lot in such a tiny car) so might not be ideal for taller people, unless they're all arms'n'legs

On the plus side, if you go for a dark-coloured 500 (my Abarth is black) it's almost completely invisible until you slide it back.

LOL re the headroom, I'm not tall but have a long upper body. My head sits under the middle of the glass rather than under the frame of the sunroof - which is just as well as, you're right, it does come relatively low.

As Richard Porter recently commented, sitting in a Fiat 500 "is a bit like sitting with your head inside a dome". Made me laugh. If I get too close to a set of traffic lights I have to duck to see them properly.

In my other car, I have the seat as low as possible and it's completely different. In now way does this put me of the 500, though. Still love being in it. It just cheers me up in the that small Italian cars always have.

 

[TrevC]

Have you tried a 1.2? We had a twinair hatch then a 1.2 cabrio, and the latter seemed really lacklustre compared with the former. We didn't have any problems with the TA in 6 years, but JRK and others make valid points concerning the quirks of the TA and knowledge base. The 1.2 was reliable for the 2 years we had it, but we had to shell out about £300 for a cambelt change, which the TA wouldn't need.

If you want reliability as well as fun, the Swift is a good suggestion. German reliability is a bit of a myth if you look at surveys by Which, What Car, etc. Kia and Hyundai always do well, and their long warranty gives confidence that they build to last.

 

[Troubles with 500c]

We have a 1.2 500c and it is slow, but it’s a very reliable power unit. When she eventually agrees to change it, I will push for a TA.

 

[DutchWheels]

Have you tried a 1.2? We had a twinair hatch then a 1.2 cabrio, and the latter seemed really lacklustre compared with the former...

Chances are that whatever used car I end up with - regardless of model of brand - could be in good running condition and treat me well for the duration of my ownership, TwinAirs included. But it sounds like if a TwinAir does go wrong, if I buy a lemon from someone who's missed an oil change or two for example, then fixing that becomes potentially much harder and more expensive to fix than one with a more tried and tested engine.

I suppose a TwinAir isn't completely off the table I guess, but other options seem to be the safer bet for where to put my money in a second hard car. If I was buying new with a warranty I'd jump at a TA

A Suzuki Swift is still tempting too - a little more practical but still small and reportedly fun to drive - it's just a bit more boring looking than a 500, at least in my eyes.

 

[mj2k]

A Suzuki Swift is still tempting too - a little more practical but still small and reportedly fun to drive - it's just a bit more boring looking than a 500, at least in my eyes.

Modern one looks a bit like a modern Mini to me, for better or worse. Can't say Suzuki's really floated my boat though since this little maniac Kei thingy from the 1970s - the SC100 'whizzkid':

Bizarrely they still pop up from time to time for under £5k in useable condition, though since they're over 40 years old I suspect finding parts might be a little tricky...

 

[vexorg]

Can't say Suzuki's really floated my boat though since this little maniac Kei thingy from the 1970s

Could never connect suzuki cars with the GSX-R and RGV ranges of their other branch.

 

[AC43]

Chances are that whatever used car I end up with - regardless of model of brand - could be in good running condition and treat me well for the duration of my ownership, TwinAirs included. But it sounds like if a TwinAir does go wrong, if I buy a lemon from someone who's missed an oil change or two for example, then fixing that becomes potentially much harder and more expensive to fix than one with a more tried and tested engine.

I suppose a TwinAir isn't completely off the table I guess, but other options seem to be the safer bet for where to put my money in a second hard car. If I was buying new with a warranty I'd jump at a TA

A Suzuki Swift is still tempting too - a little more practical but still small and reportedly fun to drive - it's just a bit more boring looking than a 500, at least in my eyes.

When my OH was looking I tried to get her to look at Swifts, Ups, Citigo's, etc etc and she only had eyes for a 500.

To be fair it's a brilliant piece of industrial design inside and out. Other than a MINI, there's nothing in the same ball park style-wise.

 

[TrevC]

Chances are that whatever used car I end up with - regardless of model of brand - could be in good running condition and treat me well for the duration of my ownership, TwinAirs included. But it sounds like if a TwinAir does go wrong, if I buy a lemon from someone who's missed an oil change or two for example, then fixing that becomes potentially much harder and more expensive to fix than one with a more tried and tested engine.

I suppose a TwinAir isn't completely off the table I guess, but other options seem to be the safer bet for where to put my money in a second hard car. If I was buying new with a warranty I'd jump at a TA

A Suzuki Swift is still tempting too - a little more practical but still small and reportedly fun to drive - it's just a bit more boring looking than a 500, at least in my eyes.

Dutchwheels, I think you've captured the Twinair situation perfectly!

 

[mj2k]

Could never connect suzuki cars with the GSX-R and RGV ranges of their other branch.

Agreed but there is a solution to that issue - stick a modern bike engine in the back of a Whizzkid and you get this impressive beastie (albeit it's got a Kawasaki in the back and a few slightly non-standard bodywork and suspension mods. Well, to be honest so many modifications it resembles the base car about as much as I resemble an onion)

 

[DutchWheels]

When my OH was looking I tried to get her to look at Swifts, Ups, Citigo's, etc etc and she only had eyes for a 500.
To be fair it's a brilliant piece of industrial design inside and out. Other than a MINI, there's nothing in the same ball park style-wise.

Couldn't agree more! I know there are many more sensible options out there - I could buy a 5 year old Kia with a couple of years warranty left on it for less, and the Up!/Mii/Citigo all review very well and do everything I'm after. Or I could get a Panda (the 4x4 is a little tempting actually!) which is way more practical. So I'm well aware I'm paying a bit more for a 500, just because I think it looks fantastic!

 

[mj2k]

Couldn't agree more! I know there are many more sensible options out there - I could buy a 5 year old Kia with a couple of years warranty left on it for less, and the Up!/Mii/Citigo all review very well and do everything I'm after. Or I could get a Panda (the 4x4 is a little tempting actually!) which is way more practical. So I'm well aware I'm paying a bit more for a 500, just because I think it looks fantastic!

Totally agree with that

There are a select few cars which are still desirable despite looking hideous through raw ability (Type B Senator 24v and late-90s Subarus do it for me) but generally speaking I find I enjoy a car far more if I like the looks of it. Otherwise you're forever looking at the object of your desire when you see one go by, and compare your current ride unfavorably to it, which can only end up one way...

One of the rare exceptions, with a front end only it's creator could love: