Hey guys, my wife is interested in a Fiat 500 car. She can't drive stick shift so the auto is the only choice. Does anyone here have one or ever rent/ride in one? I hear they are pretty good cars except for being slow getting going. Personally I have ZERO interest them. The Fiat brand is totally unknown to me. I am a GM car/truck owner with a beater '91 Camry too. Her current '05 Chrysler 300 has become a rattle trap with 21mpg average. I give it credit for being reliable so far but were on the verge of dumping some money into it in a year or so, so the Fiat sparked interest in her. I think the Cruze or new Focus would be a better choice myself. Thanks for any ideas.
2013 Fiat 500 Pop?
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I had one as a rental. Tons of people checked it out and told me it was cool, but it was not that pleasant of a car. It was quite slow and on the highway it was all but invisible to other drivers. With only 7k on the clock, the horn didn't work and the driver's door hinge was all messed up. I know that rentals get beat on a lot, but I've never seen problems like that on any rental with <10k...even at 20k most rentals just have dirty seats and scratched interior parts.
Good luck when you get in an accident with anything bigger then a Smart Car. Honestly a Cruze or Focus would be a better choice
Focus feels like a much more expensive car, as if it could compete with something a segment above. It really is that good. (I've had it as a rental a few times)
Slide one of the front seats all the way back and see the 2.5" of legroom the rear passenger has.
Yes, the Cruze or Focus would be 100X better. I would also look at the 2014 Mazda3 with it's 30 city, 41 highway Skyactiv engine and 6 speed automatic for the same money.
Yes, the Cruze or Focus would be 100X better. I would also look at the 2014 Mazda3 with it's 30 city, 41 highway Skyactiv engine and 6 speed automatic for the same money.
Alot of better choices..focus, cruse, civic, corolla, i could go on...my advice have her test drive the other options and see if she takes a liking to something else..
Fiats have never been noted for reliability or durability.
The Fiat fans should feel free to flame away.
This car is probably no better nor any worse than other cute retro cars, like the Mini or the Beetle.
It is very nicely priced and it is really cute.
How does she plan on using the car?
As a local driver, I'd bet that the Fiat would be fine.
As a long distance highway commuter, I think she'd be less than thrilled and would find some other small car more acceptable.
From one of the largest and heaviest cars out there to one of the smallest and lightest would be a big change.
Maybe rent one for a week and let her drive it to see whether she'd really be able to live with it?
The Fiat fans should feel free to flame away.
This car is probably no better nor any worse than other cute retro cars, like the Mini or the Beetle.
It is very nicely priced and it is really cute.
How does she plan on using the car?
As a local driver, I'd bet that the Fiat would be fine.
As a long distance highway commuter, I think she'd be less than thrilled and would find some other small car more acceptable.
From one of the largest and heaviest cars out there to one of the smallest and lightest would be a big change.
Maybe rent one for a week and let her drive it to see whether she'd really be able to live with it?
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Fiats have never been noted for reliability or durability.
The Fiat fans should feel free to flame away.
This car is probably no better nor any worse than other cute retro cars, like the Mini or the Beetle.
It is very nicely priced and it is really cute.
How does she plan on using the car?
As a local driver, I'd bet that the Fiat would be fine.
As a long distance highway commuter, I think she'd be less than thrilled and would find some other small car more acceptable.
From one of the largest and heaviest cars out there to one of the smallest and lightest would be a big change.
Maybe rent one for a week and let her drive it to see whether she'd really be able to live with it?
At least the Beetle uses engines found in tons of other VWs.
Fiats have never been noted for reliability or durability.
The Fiat fans should feel free to flame away.
This car is probably no better nor any worse than other cute retro cars, like the Mini or the Beetle.
It is very nicely priced and it is really cute.
How does she plan on using the car?
As a local driver, I'd bet that the Fiat would be fine.
As a long distance highway commuter, I think she'd be less than thrilled and would find some other small car more acceptable.
From one of the largest and heaviest cars out there to one of the smallest and lightest would be a big change.
Maybe rent one for a week and let her drive it to see whether she'd really be able to live with it?
At least the Beetle uses engines found in tons of other VWs.
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Fiats have never been noted for reliability or durability.
The Fiat fans should feel free to flame away.
It's all I think when they advertise Fiat as the "new" thing. They've had to run with their tail between their legs from the US market in the past and their reputation in Europe even now is hardly stellar.
Here, and this time, they again seem to be marketing themselves as something exotic and exciting, but it's really just an econobox with fancy styling and a stiff suspension.
Fiats have never been noted for reliability or durability.
The Fiat fans should feel free to flame away.
It's all I think when they advertise Fiat as the "new" thing. They've had to run with their tail between their legs from the US market in the past and their reputation in Europe even now is hardly stellar.
Here, and this time, they again seem to be marketing themselves as something exotic and exciting, but it's really just an econobox with fancy styling and a stiff suspension.
Lots of misinformation here.
We own two, and both have been excellent. Other owners say the rear seats are fine. They are pretty useless. Think of them as emergency seating and you get the idea.
Reliability does seem better with the 2013 models, but the 2012s aren't bad either. Everyone who pulls the Fix It Again Tony analogy is clueless. Every manufacturer made junk in the 70s- some more than others. Get over it. It's a different world now. Yes every manufacturer- while Toyota had the Corolla (great car)- they also had the Corona- junk. And what Toyota made back then compared to now is just as irrelevant as it is with Fiat. Don't even get me started on American cars from back then. Junk- Aspen/Volare, Monza, Vega, Pinto- I think you see the point.
Although Fiat has recently returned to the US, the 500 has been made for other markets since 2007, with over a million sold.
Also Fiat owns Chrysler. Chryslers market share and reliability has improved since Fiat took over.
Take your wife shopping. While its not for everyone, it is a lot of car in a small package, reliable, safe, and great on gas.
Edit: and ours have been infinitely more reliable than the Mini I traded- the only thing the Mini couldn't pass was the repair shop.
We own two, and both have been excellent. Other owners say the rear seats are fine. They are pretty useless. Think of them as emergency seating and you get the idea.
Reliability does seem better with the 2013 models, but the 2012s aren't bad either. Everyone who pulls the Fix It Again Tony analogy is clueless. Every manufacturer made junk in the 70s- some more than others. Get over it. It's a different world now. Yes every manufacturer- while Toyota had the Corolla (great car)- they also had the Corona- junk. And what Toyota made back then compared to now is just as irrelevant as it is with Fiat. Don't even get me started on American cars from back then. Junk- Aspen/Volare, Monza, Vega, Pinto- I think you see the point.
Although Fiat has recently returned to the US, the 500 has been made for other markets since 2007, with over a million sold.
Also Fiat owns Chrysler. Chryslers market share and reliability has improved since Fiat took over.
Take your wife shopping. While its not for everyone, it is a lot of car in a small package, reliable, safe, and great on gas.
Edit: and ours have been infinitely more reliable than the Mini I traded- the only thing the Mini couldn't pass was the repair shop.
People say that auto would be quicker on non turbo models.
I love mine, yes it's bumpy(mine is lowered now also), yes it is noisy. It's a city car which meant to be zippy and park in tight spots.
It's good on gas, even if floor it and drive with "sport mode" and my MM piggy back set on "Race mode"fro most time, I still get 30mpg avg.
And it stands out from the crowd and gets a lot of attention, even if it's sits near Lambo or Ferrari (judging by car shows).
Reliability -- I can leave with it. All new models have their "glitches" in first couple of years. It's not new in europe, but for US it is made in Mexico, with US built engines which are little different than original, different suspension and other little things.
My TPMS system is glitching for the first minute after start up. ( Will be fixed under warranty)
One side skirt is peeling a little, will be fixed soon too.
Safety-- 7 airbags are standard, and crash test are not worse and even better than other econoboxes.
I love mine, yes it's bumpy(mine is lowered now also), yes it is noisy. It's a city car which meant to be zippy and park in tight spots.
It's good on gas, even if floor it and drive with "sport mode" and my MM piggy back set on "Race mode"fro most time, I still get 30mpg avg.
And it stands out from the crowd and gets a lot of attention, even if it's sits near Lambo or Ferrari (judging by car shows).
Reliability -- I can leave with it. All new models have their "glitches" in first couple of years. It's not new in europe, but for US it is made in Mexico, with US built engines which are little different than original, different suspension and other little things.
My TPMS system is glitching for the first minute after start up. ( Will be fixed under warranty)
One side skirt is peeling a little, will be fixed soon too.
Safety-- 7 airbags are standard, and crash test are not worse and even better than other econoboxes.
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Overpriced. If you want a car that small, buy a spark. It's a few thousand cheaper and has a usable back seat.
I was rear ended in my work van. The leasing company let me choose 1 of 4 places to have the van fixed. I picked the one closest to home. Then they forwarded the info to an Enterprise franchise down the street. They had some sorta van waiting for me. I'm a paper pusher these days not a real tech anymore. All I need is a spot for my coffee mug and 3 manila folders. Total shot in the dark. I asked how about a Fiat? They had a 500. Wicked awesome! I drove bugs for 20 yrs and the 500 is an uber '67 Bug only with WWD. Automagic, of course.Better stereo than the truck. It had a sport or economy button ,which I didn't touch. Handled well, The last few times I cruised to the office from the Cape and was running at 80. This is keeping up with traffic and keeping right. Only using the left hand lanes for passing. I would stomp on it going up ramps. Compared to the Transit, it was a sporty ride with good handling traits. Very nimble just like the bugs. Therein was your only hope, avoiding crashes by getting out of the way. The van has about turn in miles on it and the FIAT had only 10k miles when I rented it. It was OK for what I used it for, a mix of freeway and 2 lane about 1k miles weekly. I was in my 20s and immortal when I drove bugs. The 500 didnt give me that feeling. I drove it with the headlights on all the time. And I was paying extreme attention to my surroundings.
I read somewhere that they had a pretty abysmal crash safety rating.
Originally Posted By: otis24
I read somewhere that they had a pretty abysmal crash safety rating.
NHTSA 2013 test revealed otherwise:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwkjQaiNeQA
IIHS: 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwrL-7GUihY
EuroECAP (not totally relevant to N.A.' standard but nevertheless, still significant:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yom9ggrI_g
I'd buy a Fiat 500 in a heartbeat if I didn't get a 07 fit back then.
Q.
I read somewhere that they had a pretty abysmal crash safety rating.
NHTSA 2013 test revealed otherwise:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwkjQaiNeQA
IIHS: 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwrL-7GUihY
EuroECAP (not totally relevant to N.A.' standard but nevertheless, still significant:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yom9ggrI_g
I'd buy a Fiat 500 in a heartbeat if I didn't get a 07 fit back then.
Q.
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
From one of the largest and heaviest cars out there to one of the smallest and lightest would be a big change.
Maybe rent one for a week and let her drive it to see whether she'd really be able to live with it?
Excellent advice. We can debate whether or not the Fiat is a good or bad car, but in the end, she's looking at small cars and currently drives a limo compared to what she thinks she wants. She ought to rent something small for a while to see if small is what she really wants. And it may be; I'm not saying that it's not. But a 300 to a 500, despite the larger number, will be a big change.
From one of the largest and heaviest cars out there to one of the smallest and lightest would be a big change.
Maybe rent one for a week and let her drive it to see whether she'd really be able to live with it?
Excellent advice. We can debate whether or not the Fiat is a good or bad car, but in the end, she's looking at small cars and currently drives a limo compared to what she thinks she wants. She ought to rent something small for a while to see if small is what she really wants. And it may be; I'm not saying that it's not. But a 300 to a 500, despite the larger number, will be a big change.
Originally Posted By: HyundaiGuy
Lots of misinformation here.
We own two, and both have been excellent. Other owners say the rear seats are fine. They are pretty useless. Think of them as emergency seating and you get the idea.
Reliability does seem better with the 2013 models, but the 2012s aren't bad either. Everyone who pulls the Fix It Again Tony analogy is clueless. Every manufacturer made junk in the 70s- some more than others. Get over it. It's a different world now. Yes every manufacturer- while Toyota had the Corolla (great car)- they also had the Corona- junk. And what Toyota made back then compared to now is just as irrelevant as it is with Fiat. Don't even get me started on American cars from back then. Junk- Aspen/Volare, Monza, Vega, Pinto- I think you see the point.
Although Fiat has recently returned to the US, the 500 has been made for other markets since 2007, with over a million sold.
Also Fiat owns Chrysler. Chryslers market share and reliability has improved since Fiat took over.
Take your wife shopping. While its not for everyone, it is a lot of car in a small package, reliable, safe, and great on gas.
Edit: and ours have been infinitely more reliable than the Mini I traded- the only thing the Mini couldn't pass was the repair shop.
I agree 100%; I'm seriously considering a 2013 Abarth with just a couple of options as my daily driver. Nothing I've read or heard has led me to believe that the Abarth's reliability is anything less than above average.
As for the size of the 500, that is a big plus in my book. My two favorite cars to drive are my Club Sport and my '02; I honestly find my MS3 to be a bit big and heavy for a hot hatch.
Lots of misinformation here.
We own two, and both have been excellent. Other owners say the rear seats are fine. They are pretty useless. Think of them as emergency seating and you get the idea.
Reliability does seem better with the 2013 models, but the 2012s aren't bad either. Everyone who pulls the Fix It Again Tony analogy is clueless. Every manufacturer made junk in the 70s- some more than others. Get over it. It's a different world now. Yes every manufacturer- while Toyota had the Corolla (great car)- they also had the Corona- junk. And what Toyota made back then compared to now is just as irrelevant as it is with Fiat. Don't even get me started on American cars from back then. Junk- Aspen/Volare, Monza, Vega, Pinto- I think you see the point.
Although Fiat has recently returned to the US, the 500 has been made for other markets since 2007, with over a million sold.
Also Fiat owns Chrysler. Chryslers market share and reliability has improved since Fiat took over.
Take your wife shopping. While its not for everyone, it is a lot of car in a small package, reliable, safe, and great on gas.
Edit: and ours have been infinitely more reliable than the Mini I traded- the only thing the Mini couldn't pass was the repair shop.
I agree 100%; I'm seriously considering a 2013 Abarth with just a couple of options as my daily driver. Nothing I've read or heard has led me to believe that the Abarth's reliability is anything less than above average.
As for the size of the 500, that is a big plus in my book. My two favorite cars to drive are my Club Sport and my '02; I honestly find my MS3 to be a bit big and heavy for a hot hatch.
Originally Posted By: HyundaiGuy
Lots of misinformation here.
Everyone who pulls the Fix It Again Tony analogy is clueless. Every manufacturer made junk in the 70s- some more than others. Get over it.
I'm not trying to pull a Fix It Again Tony here, but the 500 is still behind most of its key competitors for reliability. Look at how it ranks in some of the European reliability standings behind the Fiesta, the Honda Fit, the Civic, and the Yaris to name a few. I don't think there are cars sold today of any make or model that will fall apart in the same manner of Fiats of old, and I don't think anyone here is implying that.
I would agree that the Mini is a reliability fiasco, but if it came down to just wanting a fun small car I think there are better proven choices out there than a 500. It, much like the Mini, is a car to be purchased because you love the styling (although I suspect the Mini is a lot faster than a 500 on a drag strip or around a track). If it comes down to analyzing numbers and data and reports, there are better choices out there.
Lots of misinformation here.
Everyone who pulls the Fix It Again Tony analogy is clueless. Every manufacturer made junk in the 70s- some more than others. Get over it.
I'm not trying to pull a Fix It Again Tony here, but the 500 is still behind most of its key competitors for reliability. Look at how it ranks in some of the European reliability standings behind the Fiesta, the Honda Fit, the Civic, and the Yaris to name a few. I don't think there are cars sold today of any make or model that will fall apart in the same manner of Fiats of old, and I don't think anyone here is implying that.
I would agree that the Mini is a reliability fiasco, but if it came down to just wanting a fun small car I think there are better proven choices out there than a 500. It, much like the Mini, is a car to be purchased because you love the styling (although I suspect the Mini is a lot faster than a 500 on a drag strip or around a track). If it comes down to analyzing numbers and data and reports, there are better choices out there.
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