Having owned the Panda 100HP for just over a year now and had a sneeky pre-launch test drive in the new 500 1.4 Sport (same engine as 100HP) can anybody suggest something about the 500 which would make me want to change?:chin:

I do like it......but I've already had a Micra.

hpScot said:

I do like it......but I've already had a Micra.

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*runs for cover, dons flak jacket and helmet*

One word

Residual.

Cheers

D

NCAP 5 and Euro 5?

£35 road tax (on 1.2 and 1.3) ...build quality... style? Just depends if you want one or not

Re the Micra... the Japs never ever have an original idea... they just cant... the Micra was inspired by the old 500, thats why the new 500 looks to some like a Micra.
Did you know that you can actually buy a Micra in Japan that has been made to actually look like a 500... its hideous.

Back on topic, buy one because you actually want to, never mind build, residuals and all that rubbish, buy the car cos you like it... easy.

hpScot said:

I do like it......but I've already had a Micra.

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I thought that a tiny little bit from certain pics, but to me, in real life it looks nothing like a Micra...thats why I've ordered one

Go to your dealer, have a play with one (a 500, not a dealer).

Then we will no need to talk you into it, the car does that.

hpScot said:

...can anybody suggest something about the 500 which would make me want to change?:chin:

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Yet to see one in the metal so I can't really comment, but if you do bow to the pressure could I offer you £2182.76 (cash, mixed denomination), a bottle of Laiphroag and all the smokey bacon crisps you can eat for your 100HP?

Schwenck said:

Yet to see one in the metal so I can't really comment, but if you do bow to the pressure could I offer you £2182.76 (cash, mixed denomination), a bottle of Laiphroag and all the smokey bacon crisps you can eat for your 100HP?

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That's a pretty compelling case you put forward there.

Having both seen it in the metal and driven the 1.4 Sport I do like it - but perhaps it's just not different enough for me to make the change from the HP right now. Mind you if I could convince my better half that she really should trade her current car in for one.................:chin::devil:

Perhaps as a replacement for the Panda 100HP in a year's time - now that's a different matter. Should allow enough time for the current ordering rush to die down and let FIAT get to grips with any new model technical 'timebombs' introduced at the factory - I'm bearing in mind my current whistling brakes and 'creaking' steering wheel woes here.:bang: Downside to placing an early order on a new model in my opinion - just to be one of the first. Manufacturers are notorious for letting early bird purchasers 'test drive' new models.

Oh and I've never been influenced by depreciation, residuals, road tax or even fuel economy.......hmmm, well perhaps in the case of the 1.2 Micra......so I can discount these criteria.

You really can't if, like me, you've pretty much driven FIATs and ALFA's all your life.

So many cars......so little time.

When I got my Micra in early 2003 there were loads of little changes from a very early 52 plated one, even the whole dash assembly was modified. I still had umpteen recalls and things go wrong, so, like you I shall wait a while and as you say let Fiat iron all the faults out.
To be fair, as far as new models go, Fiat have a pretty good rep. regarding recalls and bits failing, my Panda was superb and was a very early 2004 model.
Thing is, they are really rushing to build these 500s, be beter as you say, when the rush slows up a bit and they get the new line going in Italy, if they ever do.

Schwenck said:

Laiphroag

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If you like this try Morrisons' own 10 year-old Islay. It's at least as good.

Regards,
Tony.

i can understand a certain reluctance or justification for not buying early build cars because of the teething faults but is the 500 really that new? Baring mind its been on sale in europe for a year "ish" is there anymore risk getting a car now than in 1 year? The only reason i can see to wait is to be able to get a discount when the initail interest drop, maybe its a great time to buy a mini ?! I dont think I can bend down enough to get in one though

As for glitches, it's unlikely as most of the mechanicals are well proven Panda parts.

tonywalk said:

If you like this try Morrisons' own 10 year-old Islay. It's at least as good.

Regards,
Tony.

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Does it taste like TCP? :yuck:

Do it we've had ours in Italy since December last year and have our order placed for the Abarth due in July this year.

G.P.S said:

Does it taste like TCP? :yuck:

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Mmm, TCP, now you're talking; that's a man's drink... May be some of 'Nurse McCreadie's Surgical Bruise Lotion' as a chaser?

Schwenck said:

Mmm, TCP, now you're talking; that's a man's drink... May be some of 'Nurse McCreadie's Surgical Bruise Lotion' as a chaser?

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I like your style - long lost brother me thinks.

Schwenck said:

Mmm, TCP, now you're talking; that's a man's drink... May be some of 'Nurse McCreadie's Surgical Bruise Lotion' as a chaser?

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Only if they're at least 10 years old

hpScot said:

I like your style - long lost brother me thinks.

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In a sort of Charles Dickens sort of way; you got the money and the brains, I got the looks and the noble impoverishment...

Not helping you with your dilemma though this, is it? I'd say, play it cool for now and save your pennies until the Abarth is launched. Now that I have at least seen one in the metal (or rather two, red one with the white chequered-at-the-end side stripes sat outside my local dealer and a sort of powder blue one returning from a test drive) I can only imagine the Abarth is going to look a right little belter, 'special' in that 100HP way. Then you can decide if the 'big-bang' turbo or the subtler free-spinning Sport is more your bag.

My offer stills stands by the way.