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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I really want a Fiat 500

130 replies

Afternooninthepark · 24/12/2019 16:30

I really, really want one. I love small cars (easy to drive/park etc) and love their quirky, retro look. My friend has one and says they are really economical and great to drive etc. However, dh says they are crap (he likes big vehicles and drives a discovery). He keeps putting me off saying they are shit looking and a crap car in general and if I get one I’ll regret it.
I only drive about locally so not likely to be regularly driving miles or on motorways etc so I think it would be perfect.
Any Fiat 500 owners out there, are they any good?

OP posts:
honeyloops · 24/12/2019 16:31

My sister's had 5 now and they keep breaking - god knows why she keeps buying them! And although I've never owned one, I've driven a few of hers and I really didn't like them. For a small 'cute' car that doesn't drive like shit, I'd go for a VW Up personally :-)

floffel · 24/12/2019 16:32

Book yourself a test drive OP

DramaAlpaca · 24/12/2019 16:33

I don't have one but I agree they look cute. I love the pastel coloured ones.

As for are they any good, all I can say is that apparently FIAT stands for Fix It Again Tomorrow Wink

MereDintofPandiculation · 24/12/2019 16:33

He keeps putting me off saying they are shit looking and a crap car in general and if I get one I’ll regret it. Well, it's not like it's a lifetime purchase, is it? If you don't like it, you can sell it and get something else.

NDN seems happy with hers, and small cars really come into their own when you're trying to park more than one car on a driveway.

DeadyBear · 24/12/2019 16:34

I want one too but my DH is of the same opinion as yours. I’ve told it’s my money I’m buying it with and I’m driving it so tough.
Friend of mine has one and loves it, really easy to drive and great on fuel and tax! If it’s what you want, get it!

MereDintofPandiculation · 24/12/2019 16:34

And she's had it 2 years and it hasn't broken down yet.

NoMorePoliticsPlease · 24/12/2019 16:35

We have had them several times as holiday rentals, I love them, feel more solid than most small cars

Singlebutmarried · 24/12/2019 16:35

I’ve had a 500 lounge convertible (twin air engine) and the 500 arbarth.

I’d steer clear of the standard engines and go for the twin air (900cc but awesome) the standard engine ones somethings have trouble uphill.

Aragog · 24/12/2019 16:38

I've had a couple and also an Abarth version over the years and have loved them. Never had an ounce of problems with them. Easy and fairly fun to drive, great for city driving but also do well on a motorway.

We have bought dd one too which she is using to practise her driving lessons and will drive after. Dh is driving a fair bit too. Again it's been great.

We've bought all ours brand new and traded them in within three years and never had an issues.

ScorpionQueen · 24/12/2019 16:39

I've had mine for 10 years from new. It's been a great car and I'd like to keep it longer but may trade it in for a newer model as I've done a lot of miles. I've never struggled up hills, it's cheap to run and feels a lot more solid than somr small cars. It's fairly high up too, which is good for my back getting in and out.

Original poster
Afternooninthepark · 24/12/2019 16:40

I love small cars and the Fiat 509 and Mini are the only ones that really appeal to me. I have had 5 mini’s but they are so thirsty I gave up on them and now drive a very, very boring Peugeot. I love fun looking small cars and there aren’t many on the market (or within my budget) that catch my eye. I’ll have a look at the online reviews but if they are mainly negative I’ll have to go back to a mini I suppose.

OP posts:
eveshopper · 24/12/2019 16:41

DD has one. She loves it. I drive a VW Sharan and I love it when I get a shot of her 500! It's a basic entry level pop but for under £9k brand new it was perfect for her.

MadisonMontgomery · 24/12/2019 16:43

I’m on my second Fiat 500 - only time I’ll get a different car now is if they stop making them! I’ve never had a single problem with either of mine, and they are economical to run and fun to drive. I’ve had several people tell me what a crap car they are, but once they’ve actually been in one they change their tune.

everythingcrossed · 24/12/2019 16:43

Rented one when I was in Italy this autumn - admittedly it was a semi-automatic which was an absolute horror to drive but it also had almost no room in the boot (we had to book the back seat down for two wheelie-style hand luggage-sized cases), it wasn't terribly nippy and it was wider than I expected so not great on the mountain roads I was on. On the plus side, it was very fuel efficient. Not in a hurry to drive one again.

MeetmeinParis · 24/12/2019 16:44

I have one, bloody love it, turns on a sixpence and slots into the smallest parking space, my DH (has a huge Audi) often takes it into town as he knows he can park it no bother. It costs less than £40 to fill the tank, which lasts me ages as I don't have a long commute.

UncomfortableSilence · 24/12/2019 16:48

We got one recently as a second car and I hate it, it has no power in second, feels very tin can like but is great for parking around town.

But they are just so popular I must be in the minority feeling like that.

Sausagerols · 24/12/2019 16:49

I know its far from a fiat 500 but i hvae a older shape nissan micra... Its as solid as a rock... 2005 year... Paid 500 quid for it.... I love it!! So cute

nespressowoo · 24/12/2019 16:50

I've had two and loved them!

NC2020 · 24/12/2019 16:52

I had a fiat 500 and worked with 2 other girls who had them. At any one point one of them would be in the garage. None of them were more than 3 years old; clutches, hand break, suspension, start motor. Those are just some of the problems we had between the 3 of us. Also I worked closely with the police at the time and a traffic officer told me they do not fair well in crashes and he didn't think they were very safe, sold mine the next month!
Held its value well though!

Original poster
Afternooninthepark · 24/12/2019 16:53

I’ll have a look around and see if I can hire one for a day or two get a feel of it myself. I really, really do want one!

OP posts:
PostNotInHaste · 24/12/2019 16:55

Friend has one which has cost a fortune in repairs so they are having to get rid. Never again was the phrase used recently.

BarkandCheese · 24/12/2019 16:57

I’ve got a standard engine one, as a pp said they struggle on hills, but other than that I like it. It’s perfect for what I use it for, lots of shortish journeys in mostly urban areas. I wouldn’t have one if I lived in the middle of the countryside or did a lot of long distance driving.

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 24/12/2019 16:58

I was going to get one, but then I watched the Ncap safety test videos and read their report and that was enough to put me off.

Grandmi · 24/12/2019 16:59

I had a Fiat 500 until recently...had to go for a 4 door because of new grandchild. I absolutely loved my little fiat and recommend one unless you need 4 doors!

Parker231 · 24/12/2019 16:59

I’ve had one - looked great, economical and reliable but I didn’t feel safe on the motorways. Too small.

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