I bought my 1972 Fiat 500 two years ago for £425. It was advertised as a non-running project, but the car was right hand drive and 100% original, which makes it quite rare as a large number of left hand drive models have been imported from Italy over the years.
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A review by Andmc136 on Fiat 500 February 12th, 2004
Author's Car rating:
Safety
Satisfactory
Comfort
Satisfactory
Road Handling
Excellent
Looks
Excellent
Features
Good
Advantages:
Fun, Inexpensive, head - turning
Disadvantages:
Slow, Noisy, Hard to find in UK
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full car review
I bought my 1972 Fiat 500 two years ago for £425. It was advertised as a non-running project, but the car was right hand drive and 100% original, which makes it quite rare as a large number of left hand drive models have been imported from Italy over the years.
If you are still wondering what on earth a Fiat 500 is, take a look at the original 'Italian Job' film, it's jam-packed with them.
Having owned a newer Fiat 127 and found it a struggle for parts I was really worried about what I was letting myself in for. Surprisingly there are a number of places who still distribute parts for these little motors, often quite cheaply. A simple internet search usually brings up a collection of bargains and contacts with people who are usually only too happy to help you.
If you can get an un-modified 500, you should find that the tiny 2-cylinder aircooled engine is both reliable and responsive, though with an all-out top speed of around 60mph and an old-fashoned gearbox it wont win any speed records.
For this reason, you will find a number of these cars have had engine-transplants, often with air-cooled Fiat 126's. This gives a little more power, a higher top speed, and, if the gearbox has also been swapped, a much easier ride around town as 126 gearboxes had synchromesh on all but first gear.
The engines are very economical and hard wearing, so long as you can resist the temptation to drive flat-out all the time, but unless the car has been specially modified you should use a fuel additive with unleaded petrol.
I cant really say much on the safety aspect of these cars - being a very small classic car with the engine in the rear I certainly wouldnt think it would hold up very well in any kind of collision, most models have front seat belts though, and to be fair, Fiat did add numberous other safety features from time to time, just remember they were designed long before air bags came out!
The interior is spartan, with vinyl covered seats and fitted carpets on the 'L' models. Beware of split upholstry and broken switches on the dashboard - it can be difficult to get replacements that match.
Visibility is superb, but you can feel quite vulnerable in heavy traffic as the car feels very low.
The handling is also superb for a car of its age and price, beware of the drum brakes if you drive like a demon as they suffer from 'brake fade' with repeated heavy use.
On ice the car can behave in unexpected ways - being rear-wheel drive and having most of the weight at the back means you get lots of traction, but cornering can be very exciting if you get it 'a bit wrong'
In summer the huge fabric sunroof provides excellent ventilation and great views, if you dare to drive in winter then make sure the heating system is working - it relies on 'wafting' cooling air from around the engine up the central floor-tunnel to vents in the dashboard. Any air leaks and it just doesnt work!
Check check check the body for rust / filler. When these cars came out they were the cheapest 'proper cars' you could buy, so many were neglected or bodged at some time.
Sills and wheelarches can be replaced with new(at a price) as can most of the front of the car, thanks to its simple construction but if there is serious rust in the floorpan then I would walk away.
If you want to drive a classic car on a budget, and you arent in too much of a hurry, then its definately worth a look-in.
Advantages: small, economical, nippy, looks cool Disadvantages: no fifth seat
I bought a new style fiat 500 in January 08. I loved the idea of being able to customise my own car - fiat had so many different options for colours/interiors/decorations. HOwever, on looking at the small print, it was clear that a lot of the add-ons are unnecessarily expensive, so I ended up goin for quite a basic model - the 1.2litre pop.
I've been overjoyed with my car since I got it - the fuel consumption is excellent: I can average 48mpg in ... ...it's so small it's really nippy, perfect for difficult corners and tight parking spaces. However I often call my car the tardis, as despite it's small exterior size, with the back seat down it's HUGE inside! I have been on a two week camping trip, moved house, and bought a variety of furniture, all of which has fitted in the back of the car. If you push the passenger seat right forward you can even fit a full size bike in without taking it apart. ...
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Advantages: Excellent value for money, really cool retro looks, tons of options Disadvantages: High ride position, gear change a bit notchy, limited rear space
...haved owned my new 2008 Fiat 500 now for one month and it's adoreable! It's the first Fiat in years - actually, make that ever, that I've really liked the looks of. It is a head turner. The dash is one of the car's most unique points. Interior and exterior styling is fantastic and there are tons and tons of options to go for. Alloys are a must, but stick to the smaller ones for better handling.
Okay, economy wise it's fantastic. Mine is a 1.2 petrol ... ...I do stick it in 5th gear whenever I can to go easy on petrol). On the runs I've had out of town it's returned about 55 mpg. Tax is lowest band. Insurance is really low. Performance is fine for engine size, but not quick. Ideal for town or city driving.
The car got a 5 star NCAP rating, which is excellent for it's size.
Gear change is one of my gripes, could be more refined. Also steering wheel makes a subtle, but annoying, ratchet type noise when ...
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Advantages: Cute design, good on fuel, lots of features Disadvantages: None
I bought a Fiat 500 1.4 Lounge in Cha Cha Azure (baby blue) just over a year ago and I can genuinely say I love it more than any other car I may have had. Its small, cute and quite nippy. Definately appears to be a girly car but due to its high spec is still admired by men. So far not had too many problems with it, the computer went slightly crazy and wouldnt find media files etc but took it to the garage and within minutes of the system being updated ... ...an old classic with a few new high tech options such as media slot (great for plugging a memory card in to play all music off) bluetooth, voice recognition which responds to commands to use bluetooth play media. Overall an amazing car that I love to pieces and would 100% reccommend to anyone wanting a new car! ...
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Advantages: Fun, Funky, Cheap and Easy to Drive! Disadvantages: Small Boot
...I have had the new Fiat 500 since it first came out, and it is the best thing EVER! I am a busy mum of two young children, and they also love my car, All their friends at school consider me to be 'way cool' - which believe me, in the world of 5 and 6 years, is a big deal! I admit I am a rubbish parker, but somehow this car seems to be magic, and allows me to park in the smallest of gaps, and it is soooo easy! Its very cheap to run, very, very cheap ...
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Advantages: cute, small, rare, noddy's company car Disadvantages: not good 4 long journeys
hese are cracking little cars with bags of character. They're slow as hell, so don't expect to go anywhere quick - average speed in hilly surroundings is 30mph, flat out is about 55mph (with a tail wind) and you have to stop every 80 miles or so to give the little air-cooled engine a breather.
That said, we drove ours from Milan to London in 4 days without any dramas. It's comfortable enough, surprisingly roomy, the engine has a pleasant two cylinder ... ...boat engine, so isn't hard on the ears.
And most importantly this car is the cutest thing on four wheels! We originally bought it to sell on at a profit (our €2,000 would have converted into about £3,500!) but it was so much fun we kept it. It's such a head turner. We drive it around London sometimes and people go mad for it. It's so funny. God knows how many photos we're in without even knowing it.
Anyway, economical, fun, cheap (ish) to maintain ...
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Advantages: Excellent Resale / Service Package / Looks Disadvantages: Waiting time
...I own 2 BMW Minis a Cooper manual and a One Automatic, I run a driving school and find them not only easy to drive and fun but also easy to teach in and of course the pupils love them. The reason I went for the Minis was based on a number of factors, but resale value was a huge factor, I traded back a 2 year old Mini One and had lost very little money on it. The other factors that make this a great car to buy are the looks, reliability and of course the TLC package, this allows the car to be serviced a number of times by a main dealership. Finally I would like to say that I will continue to buy the Mini until there is a serious competitior, I have looked at the Fiat500 and Suzuki Swift but have to say that after an extended test drive they were no match...
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Advantages: Roomy, great looking, reliable and solid Disadvantages: too big to really be a SMALL car (parking in cities), too pricey for good ones.
...I recently bought one of these for town and a vectra for work (it was CHEAP) - neither of which I would buy again. The Punto is great but just not as thrilling as it used to be in it's original guise. Too heavy and therefore unable to have a small peppy engine that is both cheap to run and yet still fun to drive quickly. The 1.4 (mine) comes close, the 1.4 turbo is great but insurance is too high and so is the asking price, the diesels just too much to run. Sadly, it's time to get either a Bravo 1.4 turbo (at least it's bigger and value for money) or a Suzuki Swift Sport - soooo good to drive and so cheap to run in every way.
I really really like this new Punto and really wanted to give it 5 stars but it seems manufacturers can no longer make that elusive small, cheap, fun car nowadays. the Fiat500 is way too much money, the C1...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: Reliable, comfortable, solid, powerful and fairly fuel-efficient Disadvantages: No air-bags, and some of the interior trim could have been finished a bit better
...(fingers crossed I never will!), but good to know they're there. The car doesn't have air-bags, which is a bit unusual I suppose in a car of its age and size, but that's only one negative amongst many positives.
Obviously, with such a large car, parts and servicing will be a bit more than say, a Fiat500! That said, it is possible to find cheaper parts and servicing if you are prepared to shop around. Insurance wise, I pay £13 per month for fully comprehensive insurance, so can't grumble at that!! Road tax runs at appriox £200 per year, but at least this car will not be affected by the Government's henious proposed tax-hikes (blame the 4x4 owners for all the country's ills why don't you!) as it is a pre-2001 model, for which I am most grateful!!
In summary, I love, love, love this car and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, nor to have...
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