General Why buy a Fiat 500 when I can get an Alfa Romeo Mito?

[306maxi]

I wish the Fiat 500 models could have some of the Alfa Mito engine and gearbox options......
As were the cheaper end of Fiat SPA, Its never going to happen

I think you'll find that they do.

There's the 1.4 which is in the 500 - multiair will follow
The 1.4 turbo which is in the 500 in more powerful versions -multiair will follow
The 1.3 turbo diesel is in the 500 albeit in a slightly less powerful version probably due to the rating of the gearbox. - multijet 2 will follow
The 1.6 turdo diesel will just be physically too big

 

[olopboy]

So if there is a 4 month waiting list for the Mito as you say. If you ordered one in January and then the scrappage scheme ended in Feb 3 months before you had received the car, would that cause any problems?

I'm fairly sure the car has to be deliverable in x weeks to be eligable (I believe that is 16 weeks) and has to be in the total quota of 400,000 vehicles or the deadline and the car has to be registered before the 28/02/2010 to qualify. I have no idea what would happen if a delay snuck your car out of that but your example would be a no as they couldn't possibly deliver in time. Waiting until Jan to order would be a little silly as you'd end up paying the 17.5% vat rather than the current 15%.

Realistically you need to be ordering 1st may 2nd week December to hope to qualify of course they could extend it yet again.

 

[pearce_jj]

Waiting until Jan to order would be a little silly as you'd end up paying the 17.5% vat rather than the current 15%.

The VAT rate paid will be the prevailing rate in force at the time of delivery - when it's ordered is irrelevant.

 

[dave]

i try an spec a mito and it only letting me have a manual box

 

[olopboy]

The VAT rate paid will be the prevailing rate in force at the time of delivery - when it's ordered is irrelevant.

That is absolutely true, but I always negotiate the price to change on delivery

 

[jnoiles]

That is absolutely true, but I always negotiate the price to change on delivery

I would imagine that the VAT would be payable on the amount in full being settled. So if you're comfortable paying full in advance then you've bought it. No hassles, the transaction is done at lower VAT.

 

[FiddyThe500]

So if there is a 4 month waiting list for the Mito as you say. If you ordered one in January and then the scrappage scheme ended in Feb 3 months before you had received the car, would that cause any problems?

Bet you wouldn't be able to buy one on scrappage when you tried to order it...

 

[juliecully]

Just looked online at the Mito. DOesnt do it for me at all. Looks like its trying to be a Jag at the front... then it is just ugly side on. Aesthetics just arent there for me. I know thats not EVERYTHING but I think its ugly.

 

[dave]

if i had seen it in pics before real life i dont think i would have liked it, but it looks a lot better in real life. i was following a yellow one the other day looked real nice

 

[Scrogg]

The 500 doesn't look like a dog that's been sick on itself.

 

[juliecully]

A bit OT but took a friend from work out in the 500 today .. she is going to scrap her old Ka and was thinking of the new Ka, but now she wants a 500. Was stroking my leather seats and coo-ing!

 

[zanes]

A bit OT but took a friend from work out in the 500 today .. she is going to scrap her old Ka and was thinking of the new Ka, but now she wants a 500. Was stroking my leather seats and coo-ing!

Is it just me or is the back end of the new Ka horrendous, especially in white? Did test drive one before ordering the 500 though, not a bad little car at all, although imho the 500s interior is nicer (certainly the sport and full leather interiors

 

[Nickmitbm]

Alfa is a FIAT company. Also the Corsa is a sister car to the Mito and GP.

So??Alfas are the least reliable cars-and FIATs are better at this department.Rover was a BMW's company.Did it ever match the reliabillity?SEAT,SKODA,VW,AUDI,Lamborghini.Do they all have the same reliabillity??Ford vs Volvo??MB vs Chrysler?

 

[RubyCalla]

I can give an honest opinion (although with the usual caveat of only being my opinion) as we have a 1.6 Veloce MiTo and a Fiat 500c.

Both cars are fabulous but in different ways. I understand the Marmite argument with the MiTo and that is purely down to personal preference but it is a brilliant car to drive and huge fun, especially the "big" diesel. My other half does a long communte everyday and the MiTo is excellent for this as it has the comfort and grunt for long journeys accompanied by a big-ish boot for er... stuff. The interior in the Lusso & Veloce spec models is plush and has all the toys you would expect. All in all, a lovely car (and looks fab in Alfa Red! IMHO).

The 500c is again a hoot to drive but in a smaller package. Much cheekier around town and as I only have a short drive to work (although I use my car during the day for work too), it is nippy and fun to drive with all the toys too.

I can understand the OP's question though as the price difference between the models is small but I guess, as others have said, it depends what you want from a car and what kind of driving you do. If considering the MiTo though, I would definitely try to save up a few more pennies to get the Lusso spec rather than the Turismo.

I believe that Alfa, much like Fiat (I know they are one and the same) are really pushing the quality and reliability up from their past reputation and I think both are moving further and further away from the "Fix It Again Tomorrow" reputation. We just need better dealers now as I travelled 15 miles to get better service when there was a Fiat dealer half a mile from home.

 

[Puma Boy]

Well I discounted the 500 after seeing the price has risen £400 but now the Mito has risen £500 and apparently they are raising the price again in November so the Mito is now out of my price range. After researching a lot of other cars on the scrappage scheme most of them seemed to have raised their prices so the 500 is at the top of my list now.

Yesterday I test drove a Renault Clio and a 500. No contest. I would rather keep my Puma than have the Clio for £6700.

I was impressed with the 500, the only quibble I had was the lack of elbow room due to the driver`s door as it is such a small car and that`s from someone who owns a puma. There will be no resting my arm on the door while driving, it`s simply not possible.

The salesman agreed with me on the size issue and says he would choose a grande punto every time so I am test driving one next week. I will probably still go for the 500 though I think.

The only thing is I don`t want one in white and when I asked if there was any chance of another colour without paying the £375 extra if I paid for the car in cash he said "There is no discount on any of these cars even if your pound is worth 60 normal pounds!"

If I trawl the internet for deals is it possible I could get a black one without paying extra or would I be wasting my time?

 

[306maxi]

I was impressed with the 500, the only quibble I had was the lack of elbow room due to the driver`s door as it is such a small car and that`s from someone who owns a puma. There will be no resting my arm on the door while driving, it`s simply not possible

You will find a lot of cars are already like this or will be in the future because the tops of the doors are getting higher as this offers more protection in side impacts. If you see a 500 parked up alongside a 4 door saloon from the early to mid 90's you'll see what I'm talking about. It's all about getting as much metal around the occupants as possible.

 

[306maxi]

If I trawl the internet for deals is it possible I could get a black one without paying extra or would I be wasting my time?

Also you're wasting your time with this. On scrappage you might get free mats and a tank of fuel. Dealers don't get discount on options and neither will you.

 

[Scrogg]

The salesman agreed with me on the size issue and says he would choose a grande punto every time so I am test driving one next week.

Best of luck finding one.

Other than what is already in dealership showrooms the only Grande Punto left are 1.4 Active 3dr/5dr in silver, grey, blue or black.

The only thing is I don`t want one in white and when I asked if there was any chance of another colour without paying the £375 extra...

Rock 'n' Roll Blue is free

If I trawl the internet for deals is it possible I could get a black one without paying extra or would I be wasting my time?

You will most likely be wasting your time.

New 500 is now January/February 2010 delivery (unless you buy a showroom car/find a cancelled order somewhere) so even if any of the internet sites are offering discounts they won't be able to get you a car.

 

[nicholas]

Rock 'n' Roll Blue is free

£250 on the configurator!

 

[kevin88]

Re: How do i remove the driver's door interior in a fiat 500 09 plate ?

can sum one plz tell me