To ask you about the FIAT 500?

[Dramatical]

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

My mum has one and it's a fuel guzzler. She loves it though.

Do 19,000 miles a year and have had one for 4 years - it’s economical on fuel, efficient etc. Would recommend

I love mine, it’s cheap to run and nippy. The door handle did stop working though and I was told it was a common problem. Great car, I’m on my second. You can park in any space easily.

It’s not know for it’s safety and I would discount it immediately especially if I had the funds to buy a new car.

I had a rental one once. I had to do all the driving during that holiday as 5'11 DH couldn't press the accelerator without getting his foot stuck. It drives like a lawnmower.

I had one of the first 58 plates 1.4 sport and I loved it! Fab to drive, easy to park and made me smile a lot even after 8 years. Broke my heart when I changed it. Only changed it as needed one more seatbelt but stuck with Fiat and have a 500X now. Not as much fun but a great substitute. The onlyissues my 500 had were it needed a new battery and changed bushing due to speed humps. AA guy said how reliable they are, generally only the batteries that go (Italian style over function!😁) Definitely buy one 💖

since found out it's the most vandalised car by a long shot.
Do you have a link to that?

According to the research, by Churchill Car Insurance on claims from 2013-2017, Smart cars and Minis are the most highly targeted vehicles. Alfa Romeos, BMWs and Mazdas round out the top five vehicles targeted by vandals.
It found that more than one in every 100 Smart cars is vandalised each year - the most out of any car.

According to that 500's don't even make the top 5!

Wait, I've found it. It's an old survey from 2011:

The Fiat 500 had a 3.62 per cent chance of becoming a victim of vandals

As the survey from Churchill covered 2013-17 it seems that vandalism is no longer an issue.

Check that it has a Euro Ncap rating of 5 stars, if not, don’t buy.

I had one before sencond child. Loved it for my needs of short distances.
Awful on the motorway no cruise control and very basic inside.

Although may seem appealing as a first car. I would think... how likely is it they will have a little bang or crash etc in it and consider the crumple zoneetc. I’ve onky thought about this since I got my new big car for two kids... my doors are probably twice as thick now as my fiats

I LOVED mine. I miss it. I’d have another but DH is too tall to fit.

Pros: Great for city driving and parking. It fits in ALL the spaces so easily and the turning circle is great. So much fun to drive and very econimical too, I used to get around average 45 mpg on fuel, city driving too.

Cons: stupid men making stupid jokes about it being a spoiled teenager’s car (I was in my late 20s and I could only wish my parents had bought the car). Very small boot, pretty useless really.

I got mine new and it held its value well (sold after 3 years) but if your DD can, then maybe look at leasing? Works out much less expensive when compared to depreciation and she isn’t responsible for maintenance etc.

Absolutely love mine. Had it about 5 years. no problems at all and it's 10 years old now

Ps mine is the abarth version so extra oomph

I had my heart set on one, but went for a test drive and found the seating position really uncomfortable for me. I still feel sad when one trundles by, but it wasn't for me at all.

I ended up with a mini which I find much more comfortable and has been trouble free.

May i suggest instead of new she looks at a pre registered one? She might save an absolute packet doing that.

May i suggest instead of new she looks at a pre registered one? She might save an absolute packet doing that.

She is. I did mention this upthread.

Sorry didn't mean to be rude (just in case that is also taken to be)

Thank you, she looking at pre reg, is what I should have written.

Wish I never started a thread tbh, I have been accused of being a troll, constantly had to ask that people don't derail and everyone thinks I am rude!

I'm not rude, I just stick to the facts. I ask for personal experience of FIAT 500 and get multiple relies about how X, Y and Z are better options. I wasn't asking for options and I really don't think it's rude to say to people 'actually, that's not my question, my question is A'

I have even been questioned on why I want to know since my DD has already made her choice, I didn't t think it was strange to be interested. I have been told that I somehow embody a stereotype (genuinely don't understand that one) simply because my DD is buying her first car and has chosen a 500. I haven't done anything to embody any stereotype.

Mumsnet is crackers, but thanks to all who took the time to reply, I do appreciate it.

One thing to be aware of with the pre reg is that you might end up having to have the first service stupidly early. This happened with mine, bought at end March but started getting service chasers in September! Spoke to dealer and Fiat who both confirmed that they used the registration date for determining when servicing was due, and that if I left it until March I'd void the warranty.

Still a massive saving buying pre reg but just thought I'd mention it. Oh, and if it's Arnold Clark make sure the car you get is the one on your paperwork, the fuckwits sent me home in a car with the reg number one digit different to the one I was meant to have. Drove around uninsured for 24 hours before I spotted it and went back to swap it!

Not really relevant, but i learned to drive on one over 50 years ago. In those days they were very primitive. No synchromesh on the gears - my double-de-clutching is a wonder to behold!

I loved mine. I've had two - a convertible and a coupe. Also had the Abarth version which was really nippy.

It was always our second car, and really just mine for doing a short work and back run each day. Coped well on longer trips and motorways though. And you can get more in the boot than it looks.

I've moved to electric now, but may consider the Fiat 500 electric once it's out here properly.

Have to say though we have had 4 adults in and live in Sheffield which is very hilly. It managed fine though obv the Abarth version managed even better as has bigger engine.
The leg room isn't great in the back if you've adults in the front though so wouldn't really recommend it for anything bar a short trip.

I loved mine. I love the retro interior, the comfort of the seats, everything about it. I had to let it go because dh (in his 80s) couldn’t get in and out of it comfortably. I’d have it back tomorrow if I could.

Just a note on NCAP. PP's are saying don't buy the Fiat 500 as poor rating, BUT, be aware that the VW Up has not been retested since 2011, when they both achieved 5 Stars. The new Fiat 500 will never get a top rating as it doesn't have all the new kit, neither does the VW Up. You now have to have all the air bags, and "assist" features, which will be hard to achieve for any small, cheap, car.

Posted too soon, the Aygo only gets 3 star too.

Brilliant little car. Let room not great in the back but otherwise a great car.