One of the (very) few bad points of the 1.4 Fiat 500 is the turning circle, which means you do many more three point turns and parking manuevers than you would expect to for such a small car. I am reminded of this almost everyday, even though I am used to it now.

So when reading this article, I felt a lot of sympathy for the man! I don't know if it's a 1.4 or not, but I felt very connected to this article!


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...almighty-row-breaks-Naples.html#axzz2Jxg7WDuS

Also on the Guardian's website... -- see my post here...!

I had no idea my wife had even gone to Naples....

RobinPJ said:

I had no idea my wife had even gone to Naples....

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She did once mistakenly drive our Mercedes ML down a cycle path and ended up wedging it in as the path narrowed so she couldn't get it out again. She had to "phone a friend" to come and help her get it out. Of course, I never remind her of this event. Well, not more than once a week anyway.

A 1.2 would have gone around in 1

RUI said:

A 1.2 would have gone around in 1

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And an Escalade would have gone through it in 1

306maxi said:

And an Escalade would have gone through it in 1

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A friend of mine called over one day in an escalade with 22"spinners!
If belonged to a premiereship footballer.

We went for a drive. I think it had a six litre motor. If you floored it, it just made more noise, but not much more speed.
What a piece of 5hite it was.

deeyup said:

A friend of mine called over one day in an escalade with 22"spinners!
If belonged to a premiereship footballer.

We went for a drive. I think it had a six litre motor. If you floored it, it just made more noise, but not much more speed.
What a piece of 5hite it was.

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Admit it, you're just jealous.

[Edit - this is going to make no sense at all to anyone who hasn't read the side wind thread.]

What am I missing here, why is the turning circle in the 1.4 worse than the 1.2?

Didge3 said:

What am I missing here, why is the turning circle in the 1.4 worse than the 1.2?

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Coriolis effect.

Come again?

RobinPJ said:

Admit it, you're just jealous.

[Edit - this is going to make no sense at all to anyone who hasn't read the side wind thread.]

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Oops

I hadn't delved much further than page one, but I get it now.

Sorry for any offence, but I have to stand by what I wrote, that Escalade was 5hite:shrug:
Maybe they're better nowadays?

Didge3 said:

Come again?

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Rotation of the planet.

deeyup said:

Rotation of the planet.

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Ah it's so clear to me now, the rotation of the planet means a 1400cc engine has a winder turning circle than a 1200cc in the same car. Thanks.

Didge3 said:

Ah it's so clear to me now, the rotation of the planet means a 1400cc engine has a winder turning circle than a 1200cc in the same car. Thanks.

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Spot on

I learned all about playing call of duty.

Didge3 said:

What am I missing here, why is the turning circle in the 1.4 worse than the 1.2?

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Didge, the 6 speed transmission is the reason for the poor turning circle on the 1.4. The Abarth 500 also has a rubbish lock even though it has a five speed gearbox.

is it me - or should i say

TURN THE F.IN WHEEL!

doesn't the 500 have city function? not that hard surly!


ziggy

I wish they'd put that 6sp box in the TA version.

Why? It wouldn't make the car any quicker, you'd just be changing gear more.

Multi speed gearboxes are merely to cope with the inadequacies of the torque curve shape of modern diesel engines which often have a torque peak which is merely 250rpm wide and will completely drop off the boil if you aren't 'on it'.

That's if you could perform the maneuver without the epas failing.

That's if you get out of the dealer after your s&s issues