General Please help me decide between 0.9 105ps and the 1.2 500 Riva!

[LewisCinquecento91]

Save up a little bit more.....

Haha. I also am not as keen on the interior. It loses the Riva styling

 

[AnthonyH]

I think you should buy an Abarth 695 Rivale.......View attachment 455287

I don't want the car. I want to holiday where the picture is taken!

I presume that's Italy somewhere?

 

[icheatatscrabble]

Haha. I also am not as keen on the interior. It loses the Riva styling

Some had the "Mahogany veneer" dash. When I was first looking to buy an Abarth about four years ago, the Rivale is what I wanted, Akrapovic exhaust the blue leather seats.... But ended up with a newer Comp as I preferred the Sabelt seats (although a lot of people don't).

There is one on Autotrader currently:

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

 

[icheatatscrabble]

I don't want the car. I want to holiday where the picture is taken!

I presume that's Italy somewhere?

Christ knows? I copied it from Google!

 

[LewisCinquecento91]

Some had the "Mahogany veneer" dash. When I was first looking to buy an Abarth about four years ago, the Rivale is what I wanted, Akrapovic exhaust the blue leather seats.... But ended up with a newer Comp as I preferred the Sabelt seats (although a lot of people don't).

There is one on Autotrader currently:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-de...barth&model=695&postcode=PO1 2up&fromsra[URL]

Yep that’s lovely, but out of budget and too expensive for me to keep! Maybe next time!
And as for my options, any advice to help me decide?

 

[rmjbn1]

But isn’t the fun and going with your heart and buying the lovely charming engine part of the 500 philosophy? I’ve heard people say its the true soul of the car? Or is this all too romantic and idealistic?

I'd really like to *try* a TwinAir
Maybe for a quick touring holiday and hand it back
I wouldn't want to live with one

 

[Piccolo Nero e Bella]

I can see why you'd go for safe and sensible (dare I say 'boring'...?) 1.2 - the wife had a 1.2 alongside my 0.9 for six years so I was able to compare them directly, albeit hers was a DL. My Twinnie is the 85, not the 105 which as far as I know never got to Oz.

The Twinair isn't about acceleration by the way, anyone who bought it with that in mind would be quickly disappointed. It's lively, responsive and sounds fantastic but it's no Abarth. Nor is it especially frugal, despite the claims - I struggle to get 38mpg but that's largely due to the engaging nature of the engine which encourages one to drive in a 'spirited' manner.

Don't discount the cabrio if you can keep it under cover. Mine's opened on almost every drive unless it's actually raining. It never leaks, slides smoothly and quietly and, with due care (and a garage), the fabric looks almost new after 11 years.

 

[icheatatscrabble]

Yep that’s lovely, but out of budget and too expensive for me to keep! Maybe next time!
And as for my options, any advice to help me decide?

Only ever driven a 1.2 500, so can't really comment on the Twin Air. All I understand is that the TA has to be serviced on the button, with the correct Fiat oil and likes to be revved - but that'll affect fuel economy. I'd go with a 1.2.

 

[A3jeroen]

Probably too expensive, but I think the Riva is also made as 595 Abarth. That would really put smiles on my face. + the Tjet is pretty reliable.

gr J

 

[icheatatscrabble]

Probably too expensive, but I think the Riva is also made as 595 Abarth. That would really put smiles on my face. + the Tjet is pretty reliable.

gr J

Yep the Rivale, I mentioned it on page one. Lovely car.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

I don't want the car. I want to holiday where the picture is taken!

I presume that's Italy somewhere?

I think it might be to the RHS of Monte Carlo port, which is just off frame to the left.

 

[AnthonyH]

I tried to find some webcams of the locality, but they were all down. Still a nice pic.

 

[LewisCinquecento91]

So an update on my decision in the end, for those who might find this thread in the future!

I went for the Riva with the 0.9 105 twinair engine. I didn’t ignore the good advice offered, in fact I used it to look into both of the cars more thoroughly using vehicle check apps, getting in touch with the garages they were serviced at and probing in every way I could.

I found the 1.2 to have some inconsistencies in its history that didn’t feel right to me. Its story was patchy and not assuring. And its condition was not as good as I initially thought.

The twinair on the other hand, had oil changes every year, or every 2-3 k miles, 7 services in 7 years, confirmed to have had the correct oil used and had a 1 owner, thorough history and story. If I’m ever going to go down the twinair route, this seems to be the example to do it with and I’m feeling good about it. So excited to experience its character! I have also been in touch with a Fiat specialist nearby and feel confident that I will have a good place to take it if something does go wrong! Wish me luck! And thanks for your help in understanding the risk and knowing what to look out for!

 

[AnthonyH]

If you have any problems be sure to let us know. Hopefully you'll have plane sailing for years to come. Why not buy another fiat aswell? You could treat yourself

 

[nicholasb]

Congratulations on the Twin Air. I love the Riva model and would love to own one. I drive an 85 Twin Air and it is fantastic. I would not hesitate to go with Twin Air again.

 

[icheatatscrabble]

Nice one and enjoy it. Maybe in a few years time get yourself the Rivale to go with it…

 

[LewisCinquecento91]

If you have any problems be sure to let us know. Hopefully you'll have plane sailing for years to come. Why not buy another fiat aswell? You could treat yourself

Haha I wish. If I ever have a house with a garage, 100%! A gorgeous convertible of some kind!

And Thankyou, I will do!

 

[LewisCinquecento91]

Nice one and enjoy it. Maybe in a few years time get yourself the Rivale to go with it…

I absolutely love that silver/blue colour. It’s incredible. I wish I could afford it or able to justify it! Also, I would never want to use it to drive to work! I’ll keep this for the “garage car” dream!

 

[AnthonyH]

Haha I wish. If I ever have a house with a garage, 100%! A gorgeous convertible of some kind!

And Thankyou, I will do!

I've recently lost one of my Fiats, so I'm down to two. So I have space for one more. It'll probably be a 500 L, but we'll see.

 

[Piccolo Nero e Bella]

So an update on my decision in the end, for those who might find this thread in the future!

I went for the Riva with the 0.9 105 twinair engine. I didn’t ignore the good advice offered, in fact I used it to look into both of the cars more thoroughly using vehicle check apps, getting in touch with the garages they were serviced at and probing in every way I could.

Congratulations. If you're gonna buy a used Twinnie that's the one to get; one owner and a good service history.