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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Am I mad to want a Fiat 500 (with 2 children)?

32 replies

lexie01 · 08/09/2013 18:49

My dh thinks so! I have been admiring (from a distance) these cars for soooo long and am now in a position to buy a new car. I would absolutely love to buy the fiat 500s but I have 2 children of primary age and my dh thinks rear space would be very cramped. I currently have a Beetle so am used to 3 doors but would I regret my decision?

OP posts:
Original poster
lexie01 · 08/09/2013 22:31

Bump

OP posts:
thereinmadnesslies · 08/09/2013 22:40

My friend went from a Beetle to a Fiat 500 and she has two DC age 3 and 7. She loves it. If you are used to the size restrictions of a Beetle I'm sure a Fiat 500 will be fine.

Original poster
lexie01 · 09/09/2013 11:00

Thanks for this. Are there any other mn's who have made the switch to a 500?

OP posts:
MrsApplepants · 09/09/2013 11:09

I have one, 2 kids are fine. If you are used to a 3 door then it wont seem like a problem. Boot surprisingly roomy. A dream to park and squeeze through gaps. I love my little car!

janeyjampot · 09/09/2013 11:15

I've also switched from a Beetle to a Fiat 500.

The headroom in the back of the 500 is much better than the Beetle (my DDs are 14 and 15 and both quite tall, so headroom was becoming an issue).

I had a Beetle convertible. The boot in the 500 is much more practical. It might be smaller than the Beetle boot in actual litres, but it's much more accessible and thus I find I can get more in it.

The legroom is OK. Not brilliant when there are 4 of us in the car, as we are all adult-sized, but it's certainly possible.

Parking is much easier than in a Beetle because you know where all the corners are!

The biggest improvement is in fuel economy. My Beetle was incredibly thirsty and was becoming very expensive to run with rising fuel prices. 500 is much, much better, even though I have a sporty one.

Original poster
lexie01 · 09/09/2013 14:07

Phew! All the responses sound very positive. Jameyjam - I have the same problem with my Beetle. I don't travel long distances but I spend an awful lot on petrol and road tax. Could I ask you what spec of the 500 you have? Fiat don't seem to make the 1.4 engine any more so I was going to look at the twin air engine with the Sport spec. Do you have similar?

OP posts:
littleducks · 09/09/2013 17:39

I hired one for a few days away with kids, lovely car. Space in back OK but boot is teeny tiny.

janeyjampot · 10/09/2013 10:32

I actually have the Abarth 500 which I think still has a 1.4. This is my second Abarth 500 - they are really nice :) In terms of body shape and interior space they are the same as the Fiat 500, but I don't know how different the engine is, I'm afraid. I had a 1.8T Beetle and the Abarth feels much faster, but that's probably partly due to size and weight. Technically the Beetle had the greater BHP, but you wouldn't know. The engines in the Beetles were very old fashioned, which is why I didn't buy another one. I was also reluctant to drive my Beetle to its full capacity, given the fuel consumption issue!

jennyjohns · 13/11/2013 21:12

Hi just wondering if you got the 500 in the end? Im consideting getting one have a two yr old and four year old just worried about how practical it will be but I do love them!

MNHQ
AlexMumsnetCars · 14/11/2013 11:06

Jennyjohns, have you looked at the 500L? Basically a bigger version of the 500.

AKAK81 · 14/11/2013 12:17

Both the 1.8T VW and the 1.4T Fiat engines are pretty ancient. The VW traces it's roots back to the early 70's and the Fiat FIRE engine was designed in the mid 80's. I'd avoid the Fiat Twinair engine due to its poor real world fuel economy.

jennyjohns · 15/11/2013 10:09

I have looked at 500l just a bit out of budget unfortunately so tempted with 500 as getting good price just might be a squeeze with 2 kids. Other more pratical option for same price is skoda citigo but I prefer the look and spec of 500. Really torn tho as think I may get sick of lack of space with 500 once novelty worn off. Any feedback appreciated! X

lljkk · 15/11/2013 10:16

I got a 500-Lounge 11.5 months ago.
yabvu.

You need at least FOUR children before you are allowed to covet a 500. Wink

Kids & Teenagers fold up nicely. It's my elderly parents who don't fit inside.

I think the Nissan Micra (2007-2011?) is a better looking car, though, and a bit more room, too.

Original poster
lexie01 · 28/11/2013 09:18

Hi jennyjohns, just spotted your question. I haven't chosen any car yet! I have decided to wait until the New Year.

I am still looking at the fiat 500 twinnair though. I plan to test drive this and the audi a1 sport back which has 5 doors. Weirdly though when I have sat the kids in the back of the fiat there seems to be more legroom than in the audi! I will keep you posted.

OP posts:
MillyMollyMama · 28/11/2013 17:24

In answer to your original question...no. Nowhere near enough space. Your children will have limited legroom and hardly any room for school stuff. Minis are way better, or a Polo. I like the quirkiness of the Fiat 500 but only as a single person car.

Original poster
lexie01 · 28/11/2013 18:15

I know the mini hatch is a larger car but internally it is much smaller than the 500 and I don't like the countryman.

OP posts:
Hulababy · 28/11/2013 18:21

I currently have a 500C, had a normal 500 before that. Also had a Beetle in the past to. I am about to swap my 500C though for a Mini Cooper next month.

I have an 11y DD and she can fit in the back of the 500 no problem, as can all of her friends. We have had adults sit in the back. If I am driving there is no problem. If DH is driving there is limited leg room for whoever is behind him. If he is in the passenger seat this is less of an issue though. It is quite high for a little car so head room is no probem at all.

The boot is okay. I can get a full shop in there no worries. The convertibe has less boot, but still managed fine, the normal 5000's boot is a little bigger.

I am due to get my Mini in a fortnight. It looks like a bigger car on the outside. Reality is that inside it is not much bigger at all, and it feels lower down too. The boot is also no bigger from what I can gather. The Mini is also a dearer car once you add on options - the vbasic one comes with very little.

BlueSkySunnyDay · 28/11/2013 18:23

Mate - I get where you are coming from - I love them. But they are not even vaguely practical if you have children unless you also have the use of a bigger family car. I do feel your pain though, I have had the same conversation myself quite a few times, they are wonderful.

BigBoobiedBertha · 28/11/2013 18:28

How tall are you and your husband and how long do you expect to keep the car? I am trying to ascertain whether your children will fit in it for many more years. If you or your husband have long legs and have to push the seats back or if your children are going to be going through their teenage growth spurt before you are planning to change it, it is probably a no-no.

No way does my 13 year old fit in it - he has long legs and a few more growing years yet. DH really loves them and is looking for an excuse to get one again (he had a cinquecento years ago and the original 500 as a student) especially as I am in the market for a new car but DS won't fit in. We have tried but short of cutting off his legs at the knee we will have to pass. It is a shame as they are quite cute.

ValentineWiggins · 28/11/2013 18:32

I love my mini but its very tight inside - even my 7yo struggles to sit comfortably behind me driving - and certainly couldn't if dh was driving!

Eastpoint · 28/11/2013 18:36

I have a 500c as a runaround. It fits my 3 DC and is v easy to park, uses only a little petrol & fits through narrow gaps. DH feels he is treated badly by other men when he drives it. My DC are all at secondary school & if it had 3 seat belts in the rear I would be able to fit them all in.

Hulababy · 28/11/2013 18:41

Long legs are, ime, only an issue if the person in front of you also has long legs.

I have pre teens in mine a lot and it isn't an issue, but that's because I don't have long legs. They can still sit behind DD is over 6 foot if he is in the passenger seat though.

We have had 4 grown aduts, inc two 6 foot+ males in it too, though wouldn't want to go on a long journey that way!

We do also have a large family car too for long trips.

IamInvisible · 28/11/2013 18:43

We test drove a Fiat 500. When DH was driving, he's 6ft4, there was no way on this earth any person would fit behind him. It was a shame, I really wanted one. We settled on a Polo in the end.

Hulababy · 28/11/2013 18:43

Easypoint - DH quite likes driving mine as he finds other cars are far more likely to let him out in traffic and give way to him more, than when he s in his big car.

I love that I can park anywhere pretty much. The C has prking sensors so I can get into the most ridiculously small spaces. This is a necessaity though due to parking on tight narrow streets with n oad parking only. I am hoping the Mini will manage fairly too; hve had parking sensors added to it to try t make sure.

Hulababy · 28/11/2013 18:45

DH is 6 foot 2. We can just get behind him when he is driving, but no leg room to spare! Can get behind him in passenger seat as he can sit further forward.