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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To really want a Fiat 500L?

83 replies

RingRingHello · 09/05/2017 20:13

I'm looking at changing my car. Basic requirements are 5 doors, enough boot space for a pushchair and to be as economic/reliable as possible. I've just seen the Fiat 500L and think it would be a nice change from a boring looking car. AIBU to want to buy one just because they're so cute? I realise they're a bit like marmite, so they're probably not everyone's idea of cute.

Does anyone drive one? I'd appreciate any good/bad things anyone has to help with the decision. Thanks

OP posts:

Original poster

RingRingHello · 09/05/2017 21:17

It's great to hear everyone's opinions, no one I've asked has ever seen one close up. Sounds like it would be worth going to see and testing one out to see if it would suit us.

Does anyone have any alternatives I should consider before being completely drawn in by the cuteness?

It has a 5 star crash rating so no concerns there.

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honeysucklejasmine · 09/05/2017 21:17

I think some people are talking about the 500, not the 500L.

Love mine. It's spacious, smooth, comfy. Room for my 6'2" DH in the back seat, spacious boot. Decent user interface, I have the Pop model, nothing fancy. Bonnet isn't too long and as it's a hatchback it's easy to park.

The only issue is I had to lower the driver's seat so I could see the speedo properly, as the steering wheel was blocking my view. Still a nice height and comfy though.

Oh, actually... We had to get a longer seatbelt put in the back as it wasn't long enough to go round our infant carrier. However, other friends seats fit in it easily, and if you use isofix it's a non issue.

Chloe84 · 09/05/2017 21:18

They're very popular in London, I see them a lot.

Chloe84 · 09/05/2017 21:19

Mazda 2 has never needed a repair since I bought it new 9 years ago. Even without any servicing

Paperdove87 · 09/05/2017 21:19

I have one! I have a 1.6l diesel. I love it! It's been very reliable so far, although I've only had it a year. It was a 2014 model. I can fit a decent amount of stuff in it. No kids but went on a trip and stopped at IKEA with my DH and my 6ft3 brother and still managed to fit an armchair, our suitcases and various other 'essential' ikea purchases in it. It's very comfortable as well.

I have heard that the smaller engine Ines can be a little sluggish but no experience of that.

And I don't know what PP means about people not pulling over, I think I'm a v polite driver!

SleepFreeZone · 09/05/2017 21:20

honeysuckle I've put the seat on the lowest setting and I still can't see the dash properly. It's a pain in the area!

SleepFreeZone · 09/05/2017 21:20

Arse!

honeysucklejasmine · 09/05/2017 21:21

I thought they didn't do more than 90 km an hour?

😂😂😂 That's less than 60mph!! Where on earth did you hear that?!

NoArmaniNoPunani · 09/05/2017 21:21

I've got a fiat tipo, after years of driving 500s. The tipo is a great family car. Dh has an Audi A4 and my tipo has more internal space and boot space.

Allice · 09/05/2017 21:23

I prefer the 500x much more attractive car imo. I test drive one a few weeks ago (500x) I liked it but in the end bought a Mini Countryman which is the same as my last car.

My latest Countryman was a good deal, I wouldn't discount them.

honeysucklejasmine · 09/05/2017 21:24

sleep that sucks! I'm quite short so it's ok. It was irritating before I managed to get it right.

Original poster

RingRingHello · 09/05/2017 21:24

This is really making me want to go and snap it up tomorrow! I am quite tall so will have to see how the seat height feels. The one closest to me is the Trekking version with a 1.6 diesel. Do I need to worry about buying a diesel? The low tax is one of the plus points to changing the car so wouldn't want it to suddenly get expensive!

OP posts:

SpornStar · 09/05/2017 21:41

I have one and I love it. Really roomy interior, spacious boot, comfortable and economical. It's just a really practical car and I happen to love its looks although I know a lot of people think they're

Mine is the 1.3 diesel Trekking and I'd recommend it without hesitation. I've driven the 1.6 diesel (loan car) and I prefer the better power of it but I got a great deal on mine at the time and didn't want to pay more for the 1.6. I'll probably upgrade to the 1.6 next time. I prefer a diesel but it depends on how you drive the whether or not the DPF (diesel particulate filter??) might be an issue but, basically, as long as you regularly give it a blast at 50mph+ and you're not just tootling around town at 25mph all the time, it shouldn't be an issue.

Prior to buying my 500L I had a different Fiat for 10 years with no reliability issues until the last year I had it and even then it wasn't anything more than you'd expect from a car of that age. Even then, I sold it privately with no problem and had no shortage of interested buyers.

Original poster

RingRingHello · 09/05/2017 21:56

SpornStar we live in a rural area and I work about 10 miles from home doing between 40 - 60mph most of the way. I do occasional duel carriageway/motorway trips too so hopefully that would be okay.

Really hoping it hasn't sold before I can test drive at the weekend now!

OP posts:

SpornStar · 09/05/2017 22:21

That sounds similar to my commute. I do about 4 miles in city traffic and 8 miles on 60mph roads and I have no trouble. DH also drives a diesel with the same commute (but not as often as I do) and no issues with his car either.

I live rurally too and my wee Fiat has had to have a few trips off road and it copes admirably with short distances over rough terrain.

Fingers crossed for you that it's still available to test drive.

lampygirl · 09/05/2017 22:33

I had one as a courtesy car and hated it. It was big in all the wrong places like above your head and below your feet but not in actual leg room or boot space which made it feel squidgy and imprecise to drive like it just wallowed around. I drive a big 5 series estate though so do find anything smaller than this too small for me. I just think the could have made the car longer rather than higher and had more space you could actually use.

If you want room but not massive look at the estate versions of the average hatchback eg golf estate or astra estate as they don't feel big compared to their hatchback cousins and have much more practical boots.

pandarific · 09/05/2017 22:47

We have a renault Captur with a fun coloured roof, if you're open to other cars? We really like it!

Giraffey1 · 09/05/2017 22:49

I had one as a courtesy car while my car was having some repairs and I was very sceptical. But i soon became a convert - it was fast, way better up hills than my Hyundai i20', was good on fuel economy, held the road well and was huge fun to drive. I want one!

JustBeingJobless · 09/05/2017 23:00

I've driven several and they're mint to drive, really surprised how much I like them. My only little gripe was that they're quite bulbous at the front, right in a complete blind spot, and therefore very easy to clonk a post when parking. Not done it myself, but it was a very common prang with customers (car hire company).

Oldraver · 09/05/2017 23:10

I really wanted one..until I had a hire car. It was just so slow, and the boot minute

This is a cabin sized bag...

stationaryace · 09/05/2017 23:15

Love my 500L. Moved up from a 3 door Ibiza for a more family-friendly car and it felt huge initially, but not like a soccer-mom type car or a 4x4, so parking isn't a problem. You just need to remember that it is Italian, so it's easier to find instructions on installing an in-car coffee machine in the manual than how to operate the child-locks on the doors. But had mine for a year now and we like it so much DH bought a (smaller) 500 a few months ago for his commute to work car.

Original poster

RingRingHello · 09/05/2017 23:34

Oldraver is that a 500 or 500L. I'm looking at other cars too but not got excited about any of the others. Is the espresso machine actually a thing? I wasn't sure if it was a wind up.

OP posts:

PinkCrystal · 09/05/2017 23:40

A family member has the 7 seater version. It's great. Back seats not much legroom though, great for occasional use. They've had no issues.

WicksEnd · 09/05/2017 23:45

Those saying you can't see the speedo due to the steering wheel, you do realise the steering column is adjustable don't you? You shouldn't need to lower your seat to check your speed. (It's is in mine anyway, 66 plate)

Hmmalittlefishy · 09/05/2017 23:51

oldraver that must be a 500 not 500L boot. I can get a pram in mine and a weekend bag. Or a travel cot, pushchair, weekend bag and shopping!
I like ours it feels spacious with the high roof and I like being higher up. It's comfy to drive long distance too
My only current issue (beside the speedometer mentioned before) is you can't fit 3 car seats across the back despite how big it looks

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