General More than city driving

[JodyAlex]

I've just bought a dolcevita mild hybrid. I really like the look of it, and thought it will be fine for the driving I do, but I'm worried now I've seen the posts, that it won't be up to the job. I don't use it for commuting, more for leisure. And distances between 20 miles and 120 mile trips. I'm also in my 50s so worried the headlights won't be good enough.

What do people use their 500 for? Thanks

 

[Greasytrucker]

I've just bought a dolcevita mild hybrid. I really like the look of it, and thought it will be fine for the driving I do, but I'm worried now I've seen the posts, that it won't be up to the job. I don't use it for commuting, more for leisure. And distances between 20 miles and 120 mile trips. I'm also in my 50s so worried the headlights won't be good enough.

What do people use their 500 for? Thanks

I think you’re worrying about nothing, those sort of distances would be fine for an EV so a mild hybrid will be more than up to the job. Just use it and enjoy it. If the headlights aren’t up to scratch for any reason (although can’t imagine why they wouldn’t be) you can always look at bulb upgrades for a start

 

[RichardH13]

I've just bought a dolcevita mild hybrid. I really like the look of it, and thought it will be fine for the driving I do, but I'm worried now I've seen the posts, that it won't be up to the job. I don't use it for commuting, more for leisure. And distances between 20 miles and 120 mile trips. I'm also in my 50s so worried the headlights won't be good enough.

What do people use their 500 for? Thanks

Our first 500 was a 500 Twin Air, we went all over the place in it, including a trip from Hertfordshire to The Lake District.
No problem at all.
Just don't think about it, go for it!

 

[The Panda Nut]

Whats all the fuss about. Our ancestors used to go all over the world in old cars that had less power and much less reliability.
Look up https://www.amazon.co.uk/Colemans-Drive-Buenos-vintage-Austin/dp/1872410065

If the Fiat wont do what you want its not the car! Just enjoy it. Dont expect high speed antics and you will not be disappointed.

 

[jrkitching]

And distances between 20 miles and 120 mile trips

I've used one for those sort of journeys for 15 years with no major issues; it'll be just fine.

I find the seats are good for the first couple of hours, but then I start to get backache, so perhaps think about stopping for a break on the longest journeys if you find that bothers you.

Mechanically, the car will handle it just fine at any road legal speed in the UK, but if time isn't pressing, I find dropping back a little on the cruising speed is more relaxing; this will both reduce noise and improve fuel economy.

 

[A3jeroen]

Every year I drive my 500 Abarth from Holland to Croatia and back (towing a boattrailer as well) without problems.

gr J

 

[rmjbn1]

We hired a 1.0 mild hybrid dolcevita 500C for a week.

Its engine definitely feels designed for sitting in urban traffic

For my type of rural lanes driving I'm convinced the old 1.2 would be better suited and more economical.

But the 1.0 Firefly was fine really, just needed working a bit harder.

 

[TrevC]

Back in 2011 just after I'd bought a 500 Lounge with the Twinair engine, we took it on holiday to Norfolk from Berkshire and it was fine. Not driven the 1.0 but I'm guessing it has similar performance to the 1.2 we now run, not so much in reserve on the motorway as the TA, but still perfectly OK. Brighter headlight bulbs a good idea with the newer projector headlights.

 

[varesecrazy]

I've just bought a dolcevita mild hybrid. I really like the look of it, and thought it will be fine for the driving I do, but I'm worried now I've seen the posts, that it won't be up to the job. I don't use it for commuting, more for leisure. And distances between 20 miles and 120 mile trips. I'm also in my 50s so worried the headlights won't be good enough.

What do people use their 500 for? Thanks

Mine is a 2018 1242cc 4 cyl fire

I've changed jobs and now do 75 miles each way,

Early start it's 1.5 hours, coming back is 3, seats are ok

The Headlights are OK

DIP beam isn't great, but you are not blinding anybody

Fuel range is the worst feature

I struggle to get 2 days, 75 mile return leg uses plenty of fuel as its running 3 hours

MPG says 52 though

I only have it because it has Cruise

 

[rmjbn1]

Not driven the 1.0 but I'm guessing it has similar performance to the 1.2

I was immediately struck jumping from one to the other how different they are in character.

I think the 1.2 FIRE is great, pulls surprisingly well for a small engine. The 1.0 Firefly feels a bit gutless by comparison, it lacks the low down torque that makes the FIRE feel so flexible.

After a week I felt I was still trying to understand the 1.0 Firefly, using bootfulls of revs pulling away to avoid bogging down, having to keep the revs up going uphill, even having to drop a gear on motorway inclines where the old 1.2 wouldn't need to.

Also found the variable amounts of engine braking hard to predict on downhills as the BSG regeneration cuts in and out. The effect is quite strong, then you find yourself accelerating again.

But I didn't really mind it, I'm used to small engines and having to work them hard The 1.0 Firefly copes absolutely fine on the open road.

I think I've just been spoiled by the surprisingly good 1.2, it pulls better than some 1.4s I've driven, and it would be my preference for out of town driving.

 

[steveras57]

I was immediately struck jumping from one to the other how different they are in character.

I think the 1.2 FIRE is great, pulls surprisingly well for a small engine. The 1.0 Firefly feels a bit gutless by comparison, it lacks the low down torque that makes the FIRE feel so flexible.

After a week I felt I was still trying to understand the 1.0 Firefly, using bootfulls of revs pulling away to avoid bogging down, having to keep the revs up going uphill, even having to drop a gear on motorway inclines where the old 1.2 wouldn't need to.

Also found the variable amounts of engine braking hard to predict on downhills as the BSG regeneration cuts in and out. The effect is quite strong, then you find yourself accelerating again.

But I didn't really mind it, I'm used to small engines and having to work them hard The 1.0 Firefly copes absolutely fine on the open road.

I think I've just been spoiled by the surprisingly good 1.2, it pulls better than some 1.4s I've driven, and it would be my preference for out of town driving.

Truth is fiats are at there best when you keep things simple! these micro engines with turbos and the hybrid's are all very well when new but how many are gonna still be running in 15 years time i wonder?

 

[jrkitching]

Truth is fiats are at there best when you keep things simple

Cheap, simple and owner maintainable used to come as standard with a Fiat.

Sadly no longer; IMO the last of the really good ones was the Euro4 Panda, last seen new in 2010. For the owner wanting a long term keeper they could take care of without needing to go anywhere near a garage except at MOT time, it had all the things you needed, and none of the things you didn't. It was also one of the cheapest new cars you could buy at the time, and certainly the best value for money.

Unfortunately Fiat found with the 500 that in the new car market, form is more profitable than function.

 

[steveras57]

Cheap, simple and owner maintainable used to come as standard with a Fiat.

Sadly no longer; IMO the last of the really good ones was the Euro4 Panda, last seen new in 2010. For the owner wanting a long term keeper they could take care of without needing to go anywhere near a garage except at MOT time, it had all the things you needed, and none of the things you didn't. It was also one of the cheapest new cars you could buy at the time, and certainly the best value for money.

Unfortunately Fiat found with the 500 that in the new car market, form is more profitable than function.

Ah vanity vs value strikes again!

 

[rmjbn1]

these micro engines with turbos and the hybrid

Just to clarify the 1.0 in the 500 'mild hybrid' isn't turbo (it probably wants one) and it isn't hybrid

But yes, I agree
The FIRE was from that brief period where we had reasonably efficient engines that would run indefinitely with basic servicing

 

[steveras57]

Just to clarify the 1.0 in the 500 'mild hybrid' isn't turbo (it probably wants one) and it isn't hybrid

But yes, I agree
The FIRE was from that brief period where we had reasonably efficient engines that would run indefinitely with basic servicing

I know -just mocking the manufacturers trend towards producing we did not ask for and dont want!.
I swear blind if im still here when i turn 70 im gonna sell me "modern" cars and look an see if Mathewson's have an half-decent triumph herald in stock! to last me till im ready for me box!.