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Original poster

Anyone have a Fiat 500?

24 replies

Dontgiveamonkeys1350 · 18/07/2019 10:30

I need a new car. I have problems with my arms and legs. So need something that is light. The only one near me in my price range is fairly far away so before I drive all that way and find it is unsuitable can anyone help.

My car I have the steering wheel is fairly heavy and so is the accelerator. How are these on this car. In my head I’m thinking it’s small so must be lighter to use ?

OP posts:

han01uk · 18/07/2019 10:39

Light,easy to drive and reliable. Whereabouts are you and what age/budget are you thinking? My sister is selling hers to get something bigger as she is pregnant...

JoJoSM2 · 18/07/2019 10:44

Steering will be light on any modern car so it’s more down to how old/good you’re considering rather than the weight of the car.

MsRinky · 18/07/2019 11:01

I think most Fiat 500 models also have City mode which makes the steering even lighter - it is intended for really tight manoeuvres, but think it could be left on if helpful to you.

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cloudyinjune · 18/07/2019 11:08

I think most Fiat 500 models also have City mode w
Wait what! I have City mode in my Fiat (not 500) and had no clue!!!!

Soola · 18/07/2019 11:24

Not great if you do a lot of motorway driving and a lack of power going up steep hills.

My step daughter loved hers but it wasn’t for her.

They are great for city driving and of course, parking.

Teddybear45 · 18/07/2019 11:30

I find the Yaris, Mini, and Panda more reliable and useable if you just have the one car. Steering wheels aren’t heavy at all if you go for something that is no more than 8-10 years old.

Breastfeedingworries · 18/07/2019 11:32

Issue with my fiat is I found the doors very heavy to open and close. My citron was much easier and I got a 5 door the same size as a 3. That being said fiat does have city mode. Make sure you test drive one x

Breastfeedingworries · 18/07/2019 11:33

Oh and just to add a drive a family Nissan car now and find the doors easier to open!

Theimpossiblegirl · 18/07/2019 11:35

What I really love about my fiat 500 is that the seats are quite high so getting in and out when I suffer from back pain is a lot easier than most cars.
I don't find motorway driving a problem and just found I have to go into a very low gear if I'm going anywhere hilly but I live in Somerset so that's quite unusual.

amusedbush · 18/07/2019 11:53

I have a Fiat 500 and I bloody love it. I work locally so I just pootle around, little to no motorway driving and it's perfect for me. It's a breeze to park as it's so small and as above, you can put city mode on to make the steering even lighter than it already is.

Mine is a 2014 model so it's only £20 a year to tax as well!

Moonsick · 18/07/2019 12:21

I found it fine for town driving, short trips and shopping etc.

For me it needed a heavy foot to drive, which meant my leg and back hurt after anything longer than about forty minutes. I was constantly rejigging the seats etc and never got completely comfortable. The seats weren't very supportive either for long distances.

It's one of several reasons I traded it in after 18 months.

Original poster

Dontgiveamonkeys1350 · 18/07/2019 13:06

Thanks for your opinions. I think it’s worth me going

OP posts:

CardinalCopia · 18/07/2019 13:13

lack of power going up steep hills

This was a software issue that affected a small amount of engines and was fixed within that small amount by flashing the ECU. That was back in 2014 from memory. It's long fixed.

@cloudyinjune you'll have a button in the middle of the console with a steering wheel on it.

City mode automatically disengages at 30mph (might even be 25)

DaveMinion · 18/07/2019 14:27

It was light steering. I had a twin air so didn’t have city mode but sport mode instead. Someone wrote mine off. My twin air also had no problems with hills. It was only a 0.9 but easily had the power of a 1.6. Never loved it though.

I now have a Citroen ds3. It’s so much better. Much lighter to drive and a much better clutch and gearbox.

LeoTimmyandVi · 18/07/2019 14:57

Adore mine, it is two years old and I still love driving it! I am a community worker and it is light on petrol and a dream to park! Love it!

SlocombePooter · 18/07/2019 16:32

Citroens tend to be very comfortable. I have an elderly C5 and it is really light to drive, the DS3 sounds good too!

Aa5050 · 19/07/2019 22:28

Hey,,
From reading your post the best for you would be a fiat 500 pop diesel. Why? Fiat 500 generally is wide spread around the UK so you can get a used 1 for a good price in good condition. The more simple design Pop version (less things can go wrong) and with more comfortable interior, also has the city option steering which makes the wheele really light. The reason I say diesel is because the engine is more powerful, which is especially important when you are buying a used car at a tight budget, also diesel engines are made to be used and driven for more miles than petrol, which makes it more economic to live with as tax is only £20/year. Finally it must be manual, as it is very risky to buy a used automatic transmission, especially of high mileage. This is a link for an example of such car I am talking about. I hope I was somewhat helpful.
m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/359982694903552/?search_query=inventory_management

CardinalCopia · 19/07/2019 23:14

Your car by any chance? 😂
How do you reach the conclusion that a diesel would be best for OP given you have no idea on her daily driving patterns ? She might do lots of short journeys.

musicposy · 19/07/2019 23:31

Mine's very light to drive and surprisingly nippy. I'd had a lot of health problems that left me quite weak not long before I got it and I found it easy to drive. I have a manual but it changes gear like a dream.

I think it's nippy because I had a Fiat punto before and this is the same size engine in a smaller, lighter car. I love mine, though it was vandalised not long after I bought it which put a downer on it. I think a certain type of misogynistic bloke can't bear seeing a woman in a car she likes. I now park by other Fiat 500s or similar cars. Still, it's a good way to sort out who the arseholes are when you tell them what car you have.

Another big plus is that it rarely seems to need petrol, and my road tax was £30 for the year. I think if I had the smaller engine version that would be free.

Benjispruce · 19/07/2019 23:37

I have a 2013 lounge. Super fuel economy, great around town, city mode means light steering and £20 pa tax is fab. Can get a family food shop in the boot too!
Downside is build quality not like a VW and loss of power uphill.But, would buy another because I love it’s looks and practicality.

Original poster

Dontgiveamonkeys1350 · 21/07/2019 18:37

Thanks for all your replies. I’m a cleaner so would have to get my hoover in the back. So not sure if the boot would be big enough. But u have all given me things to ponder

OP posts:

Benjispruce · 21/07/2019 18:41

I have a Henry hoover and that would fit. I guess you’d need to visit a fiat dealer and have a look inside one.

MrsCasares · 21/07/2019 18:48

I’ve got a duologic fiat 500. I love it. Have got back problems, and this car is a breeze to get in and out of.

lljkk · 21/07/2019 18:59

I could get a vaccuum cleaner easily in back of mine (2011 Lounge).
Can get 2 bicycles in there or an entire (uninflated) kayak with pump, oars, towels, shoes, inflatable kayak seats...

Cleaning mine today I think it might be carbon fibre not plastic. Which cheers me up. Like others said, they are a bit rubbish for speed on long hills is main thing against them.

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