Fiat 500
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From: Sheffield
Fiat 500
My GFs car is a deathtrap ('99 Fiesta Ghia) and shes looking to get the scrappage deal on something new and i've been with her looking at these. Got to admit, very nice little car if only because its ideal for girls! Plenty of options available although standard equipment on the Lounge version is pretty good (bluetooth, alloys, aircon, glass roof, chrome kit etc) and all for less than
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I work with someone who has one and, as stylish as she thinks it is, it has been a constant PITA mechanically and back and forward to the dealer with monotonous regularity.
I was recently looking at a second car, for SWMBO, and thought the Alfa MiTo was probably what we'd go for if/when we get one. I know it's the same chassis as the Grande Punto but it drives alright, by all accounts, and I think it looks good.
I was recently looking at a second car, for SWMBO, and thought the Alfa MiTo was probably what we'd go for if/when we get one. I know it's the same chassis as the Grande Punto but it drives alright, by all accounts, and I think it looks good.
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From: Sheffield
Originally Posted by Lurking Lawyer,Aug 19 2009, 06:49 AM
I work with someone who has one and, as stylish as she thinks it is, it has been a constant PITA mechanically and back and forward to the dealer with monotonous regularity.
I was recently looking at a second car, for SWMBO, and thought the Alfa MiTo was probably what we'd go for if/when we get one. I know it's the same chassis as the Grande Punto but it drives alright, by all accounts, and I think it looks good.
I was recently looking at a second car, for SWMBO, and thought the Alfa MiTo was probably what we'd go for if/when we get one. I know it's the same chassis as the Grande Punto but it drives alright, by all accounts, and I think it looks good.
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From: Hertford
Originally Posted by Lurking Lawyer,Aug 19 2009, 02:49 PM
I work with someone who has one and, as stylish as she thinks it is, it has been a constant PITA mechanically and back and forward to the dealer with monotonous regularity.
I was recently looking at a second car, for SWMBO, and thought the Alfa MiTo was probably what we'd go for if/when we get one. I know it's the same chassis as the Grande Punto but it drives alright, by all accounts, and I think it looks good.
I was recently looking at a second car, for SWMBO, and thought the Alfa MiTo was probably what we'd go for if/when we get one. I know it's the same chassis as the Grande Punto but it drives alright, by all accounts, and I think it looks good.
You're assuming that the ALFA is going to be less of a PIA than a FIAT, why?
They are both acronyms; the former has an expletive in it.
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From: Soham Cambridgeshire
The Fiat 500 is a joint developement with Ford, the new KA is the 500 with different clothes on amd i believe also a Lancia . The Fiat has encap 5 rating for safety. I seem to remember it is supposed to be getting in due course a "V" twin 900cc engine with solonoid operated exhaust valves. the engine is supposed to be designed for economy and is very F1 with valves of that ilk. and balancer shafts.
I thought that when it was first launched, pretty much all of the press were suitably impressed with the build quality etc. Although some thought it was a tad uncomfortable and not as much fun as a Panda, for more money, captian slow had these opinions on TG
I thought that when it was first launched, pretty much all of the press were suitably impressed with the build quality etc. Although some thought it was a tad uncomfortable and not as much fun as a Panda, for more money, captian slow had these opinions on TG
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She bought one saturday, had a problem with getting scrappage as her Fiesta isnt 10yrs old until Nov this year so doesnt qualify. Ended up with an 08 plate, mint condition in white and with the 1.4 engine as well. That gets you a 'Sport' button 
, rear discs and 100bhp! Looking forward to taking it for a spin... 
, rear discs and 100bhp! Looking forward to taking it for a spin...
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From: In Bed..... fordshire
Had one for a fortnight as a courtesy car and it was hilarious.
Very entertaining to drive if a little wallowy.
Best to keep the momentum going.
The drivers seat was a very pleasing place to be aesthetically. Light and airy. Decent amount of room in the back. Only PITA was the cigarette lighter which was a slightly different size to my Road Angel so it kept wobbling out.
I thought they were supposed to be cute and lovely but a lot of drivers seemed to be quite aggressive to me, maybe they expected a girly to be driving?
The Ka version looks fugly but if you want the same car for a cheaper price get a Panda.
During my fortnight with the car there were not technical problems. Nothing broke inside although I did keep pulling the seat adjust instead of the handbrake.
Very entertaining to drive if a little wallowy.
Best to keep the momentum going.
The drivers seat was a very pleasing place to be aesthetically. Light and airy. Decent amount of room in the back. Only PITA was the cigarette lighter which was a slightly different size to my Road Angel so it kept wobbling out.
I thought they were supposed to be cute and lovely but a lot of drivers seemed to be quite aggressive to me, maybe they expected a girly to be driving?
The Ka version looks fugly but if you want the same car for a cheaper price get a Panda.
During my fortnight with the car there were not technical problems. Nothing broke inside although I did keep pulling the seat adjust instead of the handbrake.
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From: Sunny Norf*ck
Cool car. Options pricy.
1.4 petrol is nippy but not very refined.
Brakes very sudden and fierce but this is Fiat apparently.
To me the seats were hard and you tended to roll about the place a lot.
They never really mastered the wind noise from the
sunroof despite a late change saw-toothed deflector.Even with the seat max adjusted at 1.8m (5'9") small I could only just sit low enough to see out the rear view mirror ... and then only after removing the dealer's well-placed advertising sticker.
You will still need the passenger's help to pop the bonnet open (release catch is by their left foot!)
Watch out for software bugs. After our's 1st annual service the mileage wouldn't stop flashing. At least it didn't disable the car, unlike some horror stories - there's a forum, inevitably. I only had cause to seek it out after that 1st service fortunately.
Made selling it a bit problematical but the tasteful options won the day (a young trendy lass
)We still miss our R reg Ford Ka - see other thread.