General Which 500 to choose?

[Petrol addict]

Hi people! Newbie here needing some info. Here's the deal. My current wheels have to go to the scrapper in a couple of weeks and I need to find a replacement if I want to avoid becoming a nuisance borrowing the wife's ride. I generally hate all late model cars because they have become computers on wheels and I have always been a hands-on petrol head. Since anything old enough is now considered a Classic and prices have gone through the roof I am thinking I may have to bite the bullet and go for something modern. Most cars are buck ugly clones that look like they have just escaped from a crusher but some "retro" efforts are passable examples of genuine cars. The Fiat 500 in my opinion is the best of the lot. Unmistakeable from any distance in a world where you have to get close enough to read the badge on a car to work out what it is. So the 500 is certainly on my short list, specifically the years from 2007 to 2013. What I was hoping to find here on the forum boils down to two subjects. Of the three dozen variants listed in the Poll, I would like to find out what the differences are. Maybe just a trim level? Or just a different engine? Or something that really sets one apart from earlier versions? The other thing I will need to know is what are the "chronic faults" that everyone secretly dreads. Historically Italian cars have had a bit of a reputation for dodgy electrics and rust but generally fun to drive. Certainly was the case with a Panda 4x4 I once owned. I called it "Pandamonium" but it was great fun effortlessly overtaking a Range Rover full of "toffs" being towed (by a tractor) out of a muddy field car parking area at a Beaulieu Boat Jumble one year. Not all chronic faults would worry me but I just need to be forewarned. Any thoughts, opinions, or warnings will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Edit: I have just had another in depth browse around the forum and stumbled across the Fiat 500 Guide. It gives pretty much all I need to know about equipment levels between models and a useful assessment of suspension issues and engine performance, etc. Many thanks for that to 306maxi.

 

[steveras57]

twin airs and duo logic cars are known to be problematic the basic 1.2 is much more reliable over all and the 1.4 is a good bet if you can afford the insurance difference!

 

[John202020]

2013, 1.2 Lounge would be my choice, check the rear axle for rust, tailgate wires could be an issue, check everything works

 

[Piccolo Nero e Bella]

I can empathize with your comments on modern vehicles. One of the main reasons I didn't buy a new Mazda after 50 years of ownership of the brand was the bland looks of the current crop! I wanted something that stood out from the crowd.

I concur with Steve about the Dualogic - if you enjoy driving give it a wide berth, it'll drive you up the wall - quite apart from the expense if (when?) something goes wrong. I don't think Twinair's are that bad as long as you can get one that's been looked after and properly serviced. Had mine since 2013 and had no issues whatsoever, granting that it's low mileage and somewhat coddled in a relatively mild climate.

 

[Petrol addict]

Many thanks to you all for the very relevant information. It is always more useful to get comments from actual owners rather than salesmen or magazine reviews that are rarely ever honest.

twin airs and duo logic cars are known to be problematic the basic 1.2 is much more reliable over all and the 1.4 is a good bet if you can afford the insurance difference!

Engine size used to be a priority for me but most of my adrenalin has long since been spent on Corvettes and motorcycles. The 500 is a small car and I could be content with a 1.2 if the rest of the car in in good order. Insurance isn't an issue for me because I live in France where it is dirt cheap so a 1.4 would be equally in the list.

 

[Petrol addict]

2013, 1.2 Lounge would be my choice, check the rear axle for rust, tailgate wires could be an issue, check everything works

I will have a good look underneath, etc. Sellers sometimes give me a funny look when I get down on the ground to check things out. I have had to do more than enough rust work in the past and I'm no longer so keen to do it these days.

 

[Petrol addict]

I can empathize with your comments on modern vehicles. One of the main reasons I didn't buy a new Mazda after 50 years of ownership of the brand was the bland looks of the current crop! I wanted something that stood out from the crowd.

I concur with Steve about the Dualogic - if you enjoy driving give it a wide berth, it'll drive you up the wall - quite apart from the expense if (when?) something goes wrong. I don't think Twinair's are that bad as long as you can get one that's been looked after and properly serviced. Had mine since 2013 and had no issues whatsoever, granting that it's low mileage and somewhat coddled in a relatively mild climate.

My wife would rather have an MX5 but there are very few here in France and they are usually carrying very high miles on the clock and the prices are two to three times UK prices so are well beyond my budget. The position is a somewhat similar with the 500 but since I am more than willing to make repairs and maintenance myself I think the Fiat would be easier to work on and source parts for. As long as they don't do stupid things like hide critical sensors in inaccessible places.

 

[jrkitching]

I don't know anything about prices and availability in France, but the Panda will give you the same same driving experience with fewer known issues and more practicality, plus in the UK it's also significantly cheaper than an equivalent 500.

The Panda is superior in all respects save for the cosmetic.

On a 10+yr old car, if you want to minimise unexpected repair costs, stick with the 4 cylinder petrol engines and manual transmission.

 

[Petrol addict]

Thanks J.R. I'll make a note of your comments, although a strong influence in what I buy next is the looks, character, and styling aspect.