Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy a fiat 500

82 replies

Brabble · 02/03/2020 15:24

As title says really, looking to buy a small car just for driving to work and back do about 7000 miles a year, been looking at fiat 500s but been told there rubbish, does anyone have one and like it ? What are they like for mpg and fuel ? I think there really cute and funky, not really AIBU but posting for traffic 👀

OP posts:
amazedmummy · 02/03/2020 15:26

Some people love them, I test drive one and wasn't a fan. Best thing to do is have a go of it. I ended up with a smart forfour, I like a small car (although I have a bigger one just now).

cliodh · 02/03/2020 15:32

Oooh don't do it!! I drive hire cars a lot and hated it. You might love it though - test drive it!
Kia Rio is a decent one, or Vauxhall Astra.

MondeoFan · 02/03/2020 15:34

They look cute but feel very plastic I thought. I had Mini's years ago that felt much stronger. My friend has one I used to drive it. My other friend has fiat 500+ which seemed sturdier

Comefromaway · 02/03/2020 15:34

Don't. Dd started to learn to drive in one and said it was awful.

We bought her a lovely little hyundai i10. I've driven it and its a fab little car.

LouisaJenny · 02/03/2020 15:35

I really wanted one but had one as a hire car once and it was really plasticy on the inside. I was so disappointed!

ShyTown · 02/03/2020 15:35

I drive hire cars a lot and hated it. You might love it though - test drive it!
Funny, I also drive a lot of hire cars and actually really like it. So much so we’ve booked a convertible one for our summer holiday in France. I think it’s a bit of a marmite car so agree that you definitely need to go and test drive it and see if it’s for you.

Pangur2 · 02/03/2020 15:36

I have an automatic fiat 500 and I love it. Admittedly I don't have much to compare it to though! The only thing that annoys me is the indicator clicks off way too easily.

MrsCasares · 02/03/2020 15:36

I love my fiat 500. I’m picking up a new one in a few weeks time. It will be my third. So easy to drive/park. Very economical on fuel. Whats not to like?

Had a mini in between 2 of my fiats and just didn’t like it. It was too low to get in/out comfortably.

Cacaca · 02/03/2020 15:38

Best car I’ve driven - love them

Abelino · 02/03/2020 15:39

Definitely test drive. I've had one as a hire car and liked it a lot, while an i10 (mentioned above) was hideously uncomfortable for me; seems it's very individual.

HighOnStilts · 02/03/2020 15:42

I needed a small run about so I ended up with a three door Mitsubishi Colt CZ1. I absolutely love it, you can get them second hand well under 3k.

BarbaraofSeville · 02/03/2020 15:43

You could also look at a Skoda Citigo, VW Up! or Seat Mio as just about everyone who's had one of those (all the same car) says they're great.

LunaL0veg00d · 02/03/2020 15:44

I used to have one and loved it! It's a great run around car. I do miss it now. It's small, easy to park and only cost about £35 to fill the tank (as opposed to the £75 it costs me now 😰).

caffeinefix · 02/03/2020 15:48

I had two and absolutely loved them! I then got a Mini and regretted it so much. I've had children since and now have a Qashqai but will get another 500 when they grow up Grin

lenalove · 02/03/2020 15:52

I have one and adore it! Nice and nippy if you're in a city!

Robuns · 02/03/2020 16:00

I love mine, but I would say go for a post 2014 one when they made some changes to make them more reliable on hills! Fun to drive, ridiculously economical, cheap to insure, I found maintenance affordable and it is really reliable. That said, I would definitely recommend a test drive as they do split opinion.

Beau20 · 02/03/2020 16:04

I loved my Fiat 500 (however wouldn't have one now as too small for me). Great car, very economic. Agreed they do feel a BIT plasticy but mine was a 2012 model and I've driven a newer one and it's much nicer.

I was in a 100mph head on collision in mine - it saved my life! The whole car crumpled around me and inside, other than the deployed airbags, it was like nothing had happened. The other car, a 206 was totally destroyed and crumpled in on to the driver who suffered a broken back, hip, sternum and others. I walked out - I couldn't believe such a small car would be so safe.

Honestly fab little run around car - do it!

Dixywitch19 · 02/03/2020 16:06

It was my first car 6-7 years ago and I absolutely loved it. I had to get rid as bought it when I was pregnant (daft move) and struggled getting his baby carrier in and out of the back massively.

YouDoYou18 · 02/03/2020 16:23

I had a Fiat 500 lounge edition, 1.0 turbo and honestly I adored that little car! If I didn’t have three children now I’d buy another one in a heartbeat!

FartingInTheFence · 02/03/2020 16:47

FIAT - Fix It Again Tomorrow.

Colossal pile of shit from the ground up. Like all European cars.

Get yourself a Kia Picanto, Honda Jazz, Hyundai i10. Korean or Japanese is the way to go.

Inaquandry19 · 02/03/2020 16:51

Yabu, get a Hyundai i10. More practical, more reliable and much cheaper.

Beau20 · 02/03/2020 16:57

Hyundai i10 is the worst car I have ever driven...

latheritup · 02/03/2020 17:33

Try a Vauxhall Adam. Still funky but a much better car. I recently traded mine in for the Micra N Sport, also funky Wink

nevermorelenore · 02/03/2020 17:41

I had one as a hire car and felt squashed in it. I'm only 5ft7 and have previously owned small cars like Fiestas and a Corsa but for some reason the 500 was like driving Barbie's car! They are cute though and I like the design.

UncomfortableSilence · 02/03/2020 17:52

I got one in the summer as we needed a second car so thought I would use it when DH has our main car for work.

Honestly it's shit, it feels like driving a tin can, when I go over a speed bump I feel like the back might fall off, it also has a really horrible driving position.

Plus points are it's easy to park and fuel economy is good...DD has her eye on it for a couple of years time but it will be long gone by then Wink