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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask you about the FIAT 500?

199 replies

Dramatical · 15/03/2019 10:07

Just wondering if anybody has one and if you would recommend it?

OP posts:
Rkay2 · 15/03/2019 11:27

I owned one! It was a great car and I miss it. Had to change car due to having a baby.

No problems with the car at all.
Cheap to run
Great to drive
Great to park

I wouldn’t hesitate!

Miktonol · 15/03/2019 11:27

Ps it sounds like a lawn mower and the way the power is delivered is very addictive - you have to be careful to keep the speeds down.

I should have mentioned about the fuel economy - real world in mine is about 35mpg or so but they advertise it much higher than that and my view is 40 or so is the max.

I’ve turned off stop/start though and do drive it briskly :-)

Pk37 · 15/03/2019 11:33

They’re very much “first driver/teen girl” cars.
I wanted one but changed my mind at the last minute as not only are they tiny (perfect for a first car ) but they all seem to be driven by 17/18 year old girls . At 37 I am now well and truly too old !

Bootikin · 15/03/2019 11:34

Posts about 0.9 version being less powerful than 1.2 are wrong. The 0.9 is a twin air - that is, a two cylinder turbocharged engine. It has more torque and is much better to drive than a four cylinder normally aspirated 1.2.

I have owned three twin airs over 7 years as company cars (owned by my ltd co) and they are excellent. Free road tax, free parking in Richmond borough. Very low cost services, tough and very very reliable little cars.

Two points:

  1. Buy a low mileage car second hand - the depreciation is terrible making 2nd hand prices very good value
  2. Do not allow quick fit type tyre changers to jack up the car on a trolley jack - this will dent the sill which looks awful cosmetically but doesn’t affect the integrity of the structure

The 85bhp twin airs are available for the duo logic box, the manual twin airs have a choice of 105bhp which is plenty.

Highly recommend (I have no affiliation with the car company).

19lottie82 · 15/03/2019 11:36

You can get something a lot better for the money. If you’re looking for a small car, a Vw Polo is a lot better choice.

Original poster
Dramatical · 15/03/2019 11:40

You can get something a lot better for the money. If you’re looking for a small car, a Vw Polo is a lot better choice

She doesn't want a polo, if she were going VW she would be looking at the UP, because it's on a similar level.

I specifically asked about the 500, not about small cars in general.

OP posts:
SmellsLikeAdultSpirit · 15/03/2019 11:40

I read that it is essentially a Ka with a different body and a higher price tag
I'm practical so I'd go for the Ka
I have a picanto. It's a great small car and I refuse to manage with only 3 doors

Original poster
Dramatical · 15/03/2019 11:42

Two points:

1. Buy a low mileage car second hand - the depreciation is terrible making 2nd hand prices very good value

Considered, but decided on new for this one. If it were for me or I was advising I would say the same!

2. Do not allow quick fit type tyre changers to jack up the car on a trolley jack - this will dent the sill which looks awful cosmetically but doesn’t affect the integrity of the structure

That's something I never do! I have an incredible mechanic so we have no issues there.

OP posts:
AnneOfCleanTables · 15/03/2019 11:43

I've never had any issues with either of my Fiat 500s but can't say the same for Minis. The latter were much more expensive and much more temperamental.
Fuel economy on the 500 is great too.

KnobJockey · 15/03/2019 11:43

I have one, in the gorgeous Italian Green colour, and I love it. It's very much a girls car though, and my neighbour laughs at DP driving it!

Mines an 09 plate, and it's been fantastic. I've had it 4 1/2 years, done about 25-30,000 miles, and I've maybe spent £600-700 on repairs in that time. Mainly on replacement tyres, but a bit to the suspension/ bushings. Basically speedbump related stuff! It costs me £40 to fill the tank to full, which lasts me for about 350 city miles (3 weeks of driving to work and general shopping). We often have 2 adults in the front and either 1 adult in the back/ 2 teens.

The annoying bits are the height of it, as it's quite low and there are a lot of SUVs on the road nowadays, you can be at dazzle height for the headlights, and sometimes it struggles to get up to speed- you need to be in a lower gear, which is fine, but my DP often forgets as he's used to driving a turbo van that can come off a roundabout in 4th and go straight up to 60, definitely not the case for the Fiat 500! There also were some reports of hill starts not being fantastic, but I've not seen any issues.

All in all, I've LOVED my car, it's been a fantastic bargain and a right workhorse, and I should be able to sell it for very similar to what I bought it for. I'm only planning that as I'm pregnant and don't fancy wrestling with a 3 door!

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 15/03/2019 11:43

They are super cute but grossly overpriced for what you get.

Original poster
Dramatical · 15/03/2019 11:46

They are super cute but grossly overpriced for what you get.

They are coming in at the same price as similar sized/trim cars. We are looking at pre reg stock and there is little difference between the 500 and anything else on its level.

I do recall them having a higher ticket, but I was surprised when we looked that this is not really the case.

OP posts:
LeoTimmyandVi · 15/03/2019 11:49

I have had one for nearly two years from new and I genuinely still adore driving it. Nippy, cheap to run and a dream to park. I work locally so do not do much motorway driving so may feel differently if I did Smile

runningtogetskinny · 15/03/2019 11:51

We bought one new in 2008 when they came out, was DH car (he traded in a 3.2 sports car for it so quite a change) he absolutely loved it. Gave it to DD when she passed her test, in the 10 years he had it I think he spent less that £500 on it and drove it daily. DD then got another one for 21st and I've replaced my Mini with the Abarth 500. DH now has a new Mini but still loves the 500s - excellent value, top reliability in our experience!

Furrydogmum · 15/03/2019 11:51

My friend had 1 but went for Citigo when it came to buying for her teen - think it was a higher ncap rating..

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 15/03/2019 12:04

I tend to like Top Gear Or Honest John reviews when considering cars:
www.topgear.com/car-reviews/fiat/500

kalopali · 15/03/2019 12:05

Very average at best, a Yaris is a MUCH better car.

sackrifice · 15/03/2019 12:18

My son calls them ' Daddy buys me everything' cars as they seem to be the brand new first car for so many young girls around here.

Wow, and you are proud that your son is a sexist twat?

Wheretheresawill1 · 15/03/2019 12:23

Mine has spent more time in the garage getting repaired

Original poster
Dramatical · 15/03/2019 12:26

Very average at best, a Yaris is a MUCH better car.

That's great. But she has chosen a 500, not a Yaris. Have you/do you have a 500? Or do you just think a Yaris would be better?

OP posts:
Original poster
Dramatical · 15/03/2019 12:28

Very average at best, a Yaris is a MUCH better car.

Also if she were going for Toyota the AYGO would be similar level, not the Yaris.

OP posts:
amusedbush · 15/03/2019 12:28

My son calls them ' Daddy buys me everything' cars as they seem to be the brand new first car for so many young girls around here.

Your son sounds like a dick. Good job.

I really, really want a Fiat 500 but DH is 6'3 and built like a brick shithouse so I'm not sure it would be practical Grin

Original poster
Dramatical · 15/03/2019 12:29

Mine has spent more time in the garage getting repaired

You are the second person to say that, but can you tell me why? It could be age related wear and tear or it could be ridiculous bad mechanics.

OP posts:
MapleSpice · 15/03/2019 12:39

I had one for eight weeks before I sold it. 17 plate 1.2 lounge, the 1.2 is ridiculously underpowered. The 0.9 is much quicker but I'd still never go near one again.
They're basically a cute tin can, the safety rating is hideous and even driving it I felt so vulnerable on the road as if someone hits you, it will just crumple. A teen girl had one as her first car near me and was hit by a minibus and died, after being in one there's no way I'd ever go in one as a passenger or consider letting a child of mine drive one.
If she wants one she'll buy one, but compare the safety and build quality to a Citigo or similar. Also, other drivers will cut you up and pull out on you all the time in one because of their reputation for being slow which is an absolute nightmare.
You seem pretty set on one but I really wouldn't go for it just based on its cuteness and that she wants one, not having seen how flimsy they are in a crash.

girlwithadragontattoo · 15/03/2019 12:42

I had one and i wish i still had it. It was a lounge, baby blue and i had everything white inside. I loved it, i loved the city steer option on it, though i hated start stop. If it wasnt for living in a different country and needing to be legal over here i wouldnt have sent it back.
Miss my fabio lol