Fiat 500 and teens

[TheNightingalesStarling]

Currently looking a 2nd hand cars. DH has a test drive for a Fiat 500 car today. This isn't the main family car. But occasionally teens will be in them (girls, above average height but not massive!)

2 questions... has anyone insured a teen on a Fiat500 (eldest only 14 but looking a head)... was the insurance okish fir a new driver? We know its kot exactly cheap on any car. Also us it an easy drive for a new driver?)

Secondly... occasionally teens will be transported. (Up to 3 of them)... is this manageable?

DH and I both have "fond" memories of getting half a dozen teens in small cars as teenagers. Makes me shudder a bit now... but are they OK fitted into proper seats

Hi, yes I’m on my second Fiat 500. Both DC drove them to practise and when passed their tests. We are all average height though. BUT DH is 6ft 4 and drives it occasionally without issue( but a smaller person would need to be behind him). Recently I drove to take us and another couple out and they are larger than me in height and all was good. They are fantastic cars. Had my latest for 5 years and was thinking about a new one but it’s so reliable, cheap to run and easy to park it would definitely be a new 500. I can fit a family shop in the boot too. Good luck!

I’d go with a Toyota aygo or Hyundai i10 for a more reliable small car.

I’ve not had any luck with fiats.

LOVED my Fiat 500!!

Great little cars that are surprisingly roomy. I remember my friend had a Micro around the same time I had my 500 and mine felt a lot more spacious.

I think they’re really stylish and as long as they’re not taking 4 people back-packing round Europe they’ll be fine 😀 I went from driving a 500 to an Audi A4 and may have put the shopping in the boot then tried to get into the back as it was a bit longer than I was used to 😂

My dd has just bought a fiat 500 as its the cheapest car she could find insurance wise.

3 people in it is fine, actually 4 is ok as long as you don’t all have suitcases

Both of mine have been super reliable. Current one is a2016reg. Only has 40,000 miles though. Hardly any tax, low insurance, fine for ULEZ etc. Depends if you’re into the aesthetic of a car.They just look so good!

i did want one but they are a bit on the snug side, unsuitable for 5, no rear doors, otoh my current car can't take 5 of us, but it does at least have 5 doors

My daughters insurance passing her test just before she was 18 fully comp with Hastings Direct was £1100. Lovely first car.

Thanks. Our other car is a Landrover, so definitely not trying to go on holiday in it! Just local driving really.
The above average height will only be 5ft8 rorso.. fortunately DH is also this height and he will be the one commuting in it!

Its a bit or am urgent purchase due to the sad demise of DHs motorbike on Saturday. We needed to car next year, but thought we had more time to plan.

Thanks again.

I've had a couple and they've been very reliable, although they were both from brand new. They are roomy enough.

They’re great cars and you can fit a surprising amount in them.

So, we got an insanely cute rose gold, electric convertible to try for a weekend and my 6’2” husband drove it which was particularly hilarious. He could reach the parcel shelf but had head height/leg room. All 4 of us could fit in it.

They’re actually very comfortable. I once had two car seats & a 6’4” passenger in mine.

There are some super funky limited edition ones I’d have a hunt for.

Yea, we got one in the pandemic when there were no driving tests, not that there are any now of course, so dd could learn and do her test in it without having to use the instructor’s car. The insurance was good, relatively. They seem to be good little cars. Also the citron c1. That’s the other cheap to insure and reliable car it seems.

i like my Citroen C1

Not to be downer but have you seen the stats on them on in crashes, they literally crumble, I would not want my fresh driving teen having one. Sorry, I know they are lovely cars and cheap to insure but they aren’t safe.

I thought this, am sure i remember reading some bad reports when Dd was begging for a fiat 500. I got her a Skoda fabia instead which definitely seems solid in comparison.

Cute cars but they are basically a crumple zone.

I had a couple of Fiats - first a Punto which was fine, then a Panda.

Despite being well maintained with low mileage and only about 5 years old, it's axel snapped on a bend randomly when I was taking 17yo DD on her third practice drive (I'd got a new car by then and was planning to pass the Panda onto her).

We were unable to straighten, hit a tree and the car flipped. Miraculously we were both uninjured but it was a horrible experience and I doubt I'll ever drive another Fiat.

DD went on to pass her test and now has a Hyundai i10 which she loves. My mum has the same (she leant hers to us for driving practice and DD really wanted the same) and hers has been going for years.

In my experience of Italian cars generally, and small ones in particular, it makes a big difference what shape you are, rather than purely about height. My BIL is 1.85m tall and has no trouble driving a 500 or a Panda, but I struggle and I'm only 1.78m. Italian cars are optimised for short legs and long arms; long legged people less so.

If I recall correctly, the last 500 I had as a hire car was a strict four seater.

Check the power steering column is not an issue, or has been sorted on the 500. that was the biggest unexpected expense on mine, common fault. Only some years affected.

Also the clutches are notorious for going & needing replacement... mine was failing when I sold it.

6'3" tall DS fit fine in mine.

My 2016 500 has had very little spent on it in 5 years. Had air con re- gassed this year. Passes MOT fine so far. One year had advisory on break pads.
My DD went on to get a mini and in comparison it is much more solid, I agree. I do take my 500 on the motorway occasionally but mainly it’s to and from work around town- 10 mile round trips not above 50 mph generally

Love my Fiat 500, had it 10 years, trouble free driving at very low cost. Plenty of teens, plus car seats have gone through it.

Came here to say this. Not a chance in hell I would let my daughter even be in one. There are many other cute cars that don’t fall apart from a stiff wind.