Hi

I am new to the forum and have a few 500 questions,

I currently do a 50 mile round trip to work on the motorway, I love the 500 and really want one but need to know if its the best choice for my commute and if so should I go for the 1.4 over the 1.2...

I also would want the 500c just for some fun during the summer (if we have one)

I have no interest in diesel cars as have had bad experiences in the past so that rules that out.

Hope my questions are not too silly but I thought you guys who drive these cars every day would be best to ask.


Thank you

Bobby

Hi Bobby and welcome.


I bought a 500 nearly 5 years ago, and test drove a 1.2 500c. Liked the roof a lot, but the 1.2 didn't have enough go for me so I bought a new hatchback with the Twinair engine (couldn't afford a cabrio).


I assume you are looking at used, as the 1.4 hasn't been available for a couple of years now. I haven't driven one, but if Ahmett sees this post I'm sure he can advise on the 1.4's merits.


The Twinair is the most economical on paper, but in the real world the 1.2 will probably be at least as good on motorway runs. The Twinair has great performance for its size, though, with excellent mid-range torque and a great sound. Not smooth at low revs like a 4-cylinder though.


Best to try a few and decide which you like best. As with any car, look for service history. With the TA engine it's vital that the correct spec of oil has been used. I've had no engine problems at all in 38000 miles.


Happy hunting.

From my ownership of the 1.4 it doesn't return great MPG figures compared to what I see here from people with 1.2 cars. If economy most importance get either the 1.2 or 0.9

I have seen somewhere not sure if it was this forum but the wheels make a particular importance, steel wheels being the best for MPG.

I bought the 1.4 as the 1.2 seemed a little gutless but again that is personal opinion.

My only gripe with the 1.4 is the terrible turning circle which is from what i learn due to the 6 speed gearbox used in the car.

Thanks for the reply, I really like the idea of the Twinair but had concerns over such a small engine on the motorway, I am aware it has more power than the 1.2 but it seems like such a tiny engine to rack the miles on.

Yes i am after a used car and am only looking at the 1.4 because of my daily milage that said if people think the 1.2 or even the 0.9 would be capable of the high miles I am happy to entertain.

I am yet to test drive one but I am the kind of guy that get sucked in by the lifestyle of a car, I used to only drive classic minis which on paper are not the most relaxing drives but i loved the small car feel and am hoping to recapture this in a 500 seeing that minis are no longer mini...

BobbyDarko said:

Thanks for the reply, I really like the idea of the Twinair but had concerns over such a small engine on the motorway, I am aware it has more power than the 1.2 but it seems like such a tiny engine to rack the miles on.

I am yet to test drive one but I am the kind of guy that get sucked in by the lifestyle of a car, I used to only drive classic minis which on paper are not the most relaxing drives but i loved the small car feel and am hoping to recapture this in a 500 seeing that minis are no longer mini...

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Hi,
the TA is MUCH more entertaining to drive.. BUT needs a little more expensive servicing, and ?IIRC the 500 TA cannot have the 6 speed box..??

my Punto TA has the 6 speed BUT the exhaust note IS intrusive at 65+ MPH

it will do 50MPG on M-way though - and is ZERO VED

the 500's are now SO popular. you'l have no problem finding them on car lots for convenient test drives..
narrow down which engine you require.. then drive at least 3 of that type,
there are a few "lemons" out there..!!
popular 1st car

Charlie - Oxford

Having had the pleasure of owning both a 2011 plate 1.2 POP and a 2013 plate TA, I agree, the TA is a far more 'entertaining' drive. There are no problems with it motorway running, ours was on the M1 5 days a week with no issues. As has been mentioned though, you need to find a TA that has been properly looked after (as our old one was!), the correct oil is a must, a proper service history etc.

The 1.2 is a good engine choice too and actually, from a noise perspective, well, much quieter and in some ways I preferred that.

The 500's aren't without their issues. Do your research and expect to deal with some of the common faults that have afflicted plenty of us.

Really appreciate all the advice, I think as much fun as the TA sounds I think with the amount of mileage I am doing it's probably not the best bet.

Really do need to get a test drive.

Thank you bobby

BobbyDarko said:

Really appreciate all the advice, I think as much fun as the TA sounds I think with the amount of mileage I am doing it's probably not the best bet.



Really do need to get a test drive.



Thank you bobby

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If you do a long motorway commute, then consider if you are spending a lot of money on a car do you want cruise control.

No fiat 500s have cruise control and although it's not the end of the world it's worth considering.

I nice relaxed motorway jaunt with the roof down on a sunny day with the cruise set to 70 is a very nice and relaxing place to be.

Cruise control is great but as a lover of quirky cars it's something that tends to allude me lol, my previous car had it and while it's great for the 25 miles I drive to work on the m25 I am not overly fussed, I would much rather be in a car that makes me smile.

Cheers bobby

Just know aswell unless you purchase an arbarth model the 1.4L engine is no longer an option and hasn't been for quite some years now.

I am not after a new car and so long as the miles are low age does not concern me too much, I have been looking at 2011 cars.

Thank you

Bobby

not driven a 1.2 or 1.4, but our 85TA is a blast. such fun, best mpg on a run of 100+ miles was 60mpg, but its only got 1800 miles on it so not run in yet.. its a Jeckle and Hide to be sure. One advantage ( so I've gathered) of the TA, is the fact that it has 'very long legs'. It will happily pull 80+ in 4th. so at 60-65 mph cruising in top, its only tickling along. It really is quite amazing for only 875cc.

Pathaleon said:

Just know aswell unless you purchase an arbarth model the 1.4L engine is no longer an option and hasn't been for quite some years now.

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Strange, as it remains the usual choice over here. The TwinAir is only available in the Panda for us! Current model range in NZ - now three models, more than ever before! - from official website:
http://www.fiat.co.nz/docs/FIAT_Price_List_2016_January_1st_RRPs.pdf

Anyway that was only for your interest I reckon the original poster Bobby should get an Abarth 500, even if it means buying an older car.

Failing that, I'd recommend Lounge rather than Sport or Pop, as it's nice to have the various refinements. Then again, Lounge hasn't been available in NZ for a while

Fuel economy of our current 1.4 is a lot better than the previous 1.4 500 that I owned. We get 6.4L/100km as an overall average.

-Alex

Not sure about NZ, but AU is still only an Euro4/5 country, does the 1.4 meet Euro6 in any guise?

BobbyDarko said:

Thanks for the reply, I really like the idea of the Twinair but had concerns over such a small engine on the motorway, I am aware it has more power than the 1.2 but it seems like such a tiny engine to rack the miles on.

Click to expand...

I'd go for the TA, if the budget stretches that far you can get a 105hp TA with six speed, power of a 1.4 with the economy of the 1.2 (give or take), my TA85 is more economical on the highway than my Prius.

I don't see the correlation between mileage and engine size, if worst come to worst, a replacement TA engine with low miles can be bought for $800 (here). The TA engine isn't even that small, I've ordered a twin turbo Renault Trafic with a 1.6 - in a van that can weigh 5 tons at GCM.

BobbyDarko said:

Really appreciate all the advice, I think as much fun as the TA sounds I think with the amount of mileage I am doing it's probably not the best bet.

Really do need to get a test drive.

Thank you bobby

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from the new panda section;

Peter Rawlings

Location: Llanddewi Brefi, Ceredigi

Re: Cross TA - it's noisey, yeh?



I have been off a while....it seems this has caught everyone's attention!

I think the "problem" is me!!

Now with 1600 miles in nearly 3 weeks (back to my Doblo for the long commute when the weather hold methinks!) I love this car, the sound as everyone notes, and the fact is has settled down to an ok note at 70mph and 3000 revs. My recent cars have all been big turbo diesels and generally well sound insulated so are both swift and quiet - the Cross has taken my a while to get my ears tuned! There is a sort of drone at cruising speed which is not tyres, but I can live with that.

Also, for the first 1000 I did not push the revs much beyond 2500. Now I am driving it normally and it is great. Grins all around. Reminds me of being 17 in my mini back in 1970, but much more sophisticated and adept. Sits brilliantly on the road, hugs the bends, and roars along when I put my foot down.....so, I think I have graduated to being a Cross driver now, at least on tarmac!
__________________
Pete.......2016 Panda Cross TA, cancan red!

That's interesting , my 1600 revs higher than that at those speeds, if nothing else it opens my options up when it comes to engine size.

Really living all the feedback from everyone


Bobby

I have a three year old 500C TA with 30000 done. Loved every mile of it and my car returns high 40's mpg. I have been quoted £500 to have cruise control fitted to the canbus system.
My advice is try them all and pick the one that suits.

I love the 1400 engine, very free revving and plenty of power. Another plus is that it sounds great. Mines just done 30000 miles and runs a treat. Dualogic not for everyone (loads on here about that) but ive got no choice as it is used by my wife who cant feel her left leg after a stroke. Ive learned to adapt to it and despite all the negative comments you will read, once you learn how to use it, its fine.
My ideal car would be the 1400 in my seicento, on a manual 6 speed gearbox, but i cant afford a divorce lawyer who would get me out of that one.

It's good to here all the great info on the fiat 500 thanks and keep it coming.

Bobby