I really want a Fiat 500

[Afternooninthepark]

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?

I got mine this year and it did not go up hills.

Then you need to take it for the software update. It's an issue with the Euro 6 1.2 engine that didn't have ESC (stability control). If that isn't fixing it you need to see your dealer as there shouldn't be any problems after the updates.

Going forward all engines now have ESC and have had for about 4 years.

I’ve got an Abarth version blooming love it

I'm on my second Fiat 500 now (nothing wrong with last one, just an upgrade) - and I LOVE them. They're very reliable, I think they look great, they're a good size if it's mainly you driving and you don't have to carry lots of people around. I would recommend one definitely.

You need a fiat spider 124, but get the Abarth version. Your husband will thank you for it. Best little car ever!!

No longer available new in the UK I believe.

To be fair the very best small car (assuming you don't need 4 seats) is the Mazda Mx5.

A friend has one (the base model with the 1.5 ltr engine) and it's brilliant fun to drive, economical, boot big enough for shopping/weekend away and looks amazing.

I had one about 4 years ago. I had always wanted one and was made up when I finally got one, It was only 3 years old.
I would say the standard ones are only good for driving around a town or city. They are good if you just want a car to nip to the shops in. Mine was annoying to drive on the motorway and awful up hill. I only had a 1.2 though.
It was reliable and never broke down. I traded it in after 2 years as I wanted something that was good for driving long distance.

Had one until last month and loved it - we decided to go down to one car and it wasn't quite big enough to be our only car or we'd still have it. We live in a busy city centre and it was the perfect car for it, nippy, turns on a sixpence, parks in teeny spots. I miss it

I am driving a kia picanto at the moment as soon as that does, but I am buying a 500. I love them do much.

Never mind property porn, I spent my nights looking at used car sites for 500s

I am on my 5th one and have never had a problem, I just like to change them every couple of years. I’ve had a lounge, the 500C, 500L (was a bit of a tank but got loads in it) another lounge and now have an Abarth - love the power this one has and the sound of the engine. Downside is middle aged men and boy racers like to try to race you.

I have a Fiat 500 Abarth and I love it, went from a big mum car to my little 500 and best decision ever!
I originally wanted a 500 but my husband wanted me to get an Abarth and I'm so glad I did, it has the look I love and a bit more welly so more fun.
My mum bought a 500c 2 weeks after I got mine because she fell in love

I've driven a 500 Abarth and it was great around town but a on brief motorway trip it felt very vulnerable around HGVs. Wouldn't take much of a bump to be crushed.

I still miss mine! (We went from two cars to one as DH no longer has a commute and we got a dog).

I wouldn't have it for my 'only' car unless you never drive to your holidays or do a big shop or do significant motorway driving. But nipping around town, school run, I also regularly did a two hour journey to a friend's - no problems at all.

I had a 1.4 sport so there was a bit of oomph there (it was also an automatic and did this amazing sort of double declutch thing, believe me I could get away at the lights) - that said, I don't think I'd be happy in any 1.1, I like having a bit of acceleration.

I had a lovely lilac one for 6 years, I loved it and never had any trouble with it. I’m really sad that it’s gone (kids are very big!) and I want it back 😢

The VW up, Seat Mii, Skoda are all the same car & great cars for round town, cheap to run, low on tax. The boot isn’t gigantic but the back seat goes down for extra room (6 ft Xmas tree) and if your 6f7 there is not a problem fitting into drive

It’s not so cutesy as the Fiat

Definitely book a test drive. I got a 500 as a hire car a few years ago, and I absolutely hated the thing. It was cramped, slow, uncomfortable and it felt cheap and tinny. Minis are just better in every way, but they are more expensive, obviously.

YANBU mine is brilliant, never had any problems with it, it's cheap to run and I can park it anywhere!

Have you looked at the Vauxhall Adam? They’re not dissimilar to Fiat 500s in shape. I’m not sure specifically of the Adam’s reliability but I have a Corsa which has been great thus far!

I have one(last 2 years) and previously always had VWs. It is not as good a build quality as VW but I love it’s style, ease of parking and it real cheap to run. I’d get another one.

I was going to get one, but kept seeing so many..... I ended up with the newer version KA. It is fab - plenty of oomph, comfy seats and £30 tax😄

Oh and I can get a week’s food shop for 4 in the boot!

Tax is about £30pa.

I should add, mine is 6 years old, had it 2 years and no problems.

I was put off fiat 500's as everyone seems to have them, they are everywhere! I have a citroen c1 and love it, only downside is the lack of power

Dds has been in one and yes to looking cute but she found the whole 20 minute journey fearing for her life.

Absolutely petrified that if some one nudged them they would all be dead.

I do mostly short journeys around town and it’s great. I have done a 4 hour motorway journey in it non stop and it was great. Once it gets speed up it motors along just fine.