Well, I can now buy one... just sold the MR2, got a loan so what do I buy?

I want a 1.2, not sure weather to go for 16s as I dont like jittery sound of the ride, but those 16" multis are lush!

Go for a test drive in your locals demo. If the 16" feel to harsh get the 15"s.

Hey Nuova you don't mess about do you cha cha azure is the way to go and the blue check interior which I know you don't like looks great in the flesh I have the same problem with wheels Linda won't mind 15 inch but i would get her 16s if I thought they were better but when you look at the car it's hard to tell the difference. Are you going for esp as I don't think we will as Linda works from home and doesn't do a lot of miles what's your opinion, or should it be bought at that price? Go on tell me what spec you want as I know you will have studied it for a long time I knew from your posts you would not be able to wait 2 years no chance
Andy

If I was to order again I'd go for Yellow with 16" Multispokes in Sport spec with the brown ambience.

If you're not after lots of kit then a Pop is great value, although the plastic steering wheel looks a bit dodgey and cheap, so the £350 leather steering wheel + Blue&Me is a must. If you want the Ivory ambience then it's got to be a Pop or a Lounge. I prefer the Lounge spec overall compared to the Sport, but a yellow 500 just screams out for the brown interior!

What are your thoughts on spec bar the engine and the multispokes? Congrats on selling the MR2, I feel all giddy for you! It's well exciting!

andy armitage said:

Are you going for esp as I don't think we will as Linda works from home and doesn't do a lot of miles what's your opinion, or should it be bought at that price?y

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I think ESP is a no brainer on the 500. As it's only £200 it's well worth it, most manufacturers, including Fiat with the Panda, charge £400+ for it. Plus it include traction control and a hill holder assist to stop you rolling back on slopes. I've watched some ESP demos on Youtube and it's pretty astonishing. ESP isn't exactly glamourous, but it could well save your life.

Blimey. Only a few weeks ago you were one of the most negative people on the forum about the 500 with these sorts of comments (and this was one of the tamer ones )

nuovapanda said:

OK, Im leaving the new 500 section for good, youre all weirdos anyway
BTW, its still pants

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Now you are a reformed character and can't wait to get one. Amazing what a few weeks and seeing the car in person can do I hope you enjoy it when it arrives.

Suasexed you really think Linda should have it even for low mileage? She has a smart car at the moment which does have traction control, how does it all work is the esp the traction control and how does the hill start thing work?

Well done Nuovapanda nice goin!!! I would definitely spec the ESP if you're not going for a 1.4 sport as that hill holder is magic and esp is esp....it reacts quicker than spiderman saved me sliding off in a friends slk once
Although shame on fiat for not making it standard accross the 500 range...would have been perfect if they did!

Lounge is Definitely best value for money with fixed glass roof and split folding rear seats interior boot light and illuminated vanity mirror for your fairer passengers....

Although sport is SO cute esp. with that rear spoiler.

Anyway it's all up to you now...good luck...

ESP is an absolute miracle...doesn't matter how many miles u do, I would always recommend it...don't want to spoil your order Andy if you've already placed it....but for me it's been brilliant...not sure how it works on the fiat but on the merc it reduces power to certain wheels and increases to others if it thinks the cars gonna slide....basically it keeps you on the road before you even know you're gonna slide off!!! It's Brilliant!
Hilholder works by simply holding the car still for 2 seconds on a hill after you take your foot off the break to put the car into gear and move away...that way you don't have to handbrake start...also really worth having...anyway don't worry if you don't have it, the 500 really safe anyway

andy armitage said:

Suasexed you really think Linda should have it even for low mileage? She has a smart car at the moment which does have traction control, how does it all work is the esp the traction control and how does the hill start thing work?

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It doesn't matter how many miles you do, you can lose control of your car at anytime. Whether it be skidding on ice, oily road or having to swerve suddenly to avoid an obstacle. ESP isn't traction control. ESP monitors the motion of the car and when it senses the car is likely to skid it brakes individual wheels to keep the car controlled.

More information here...

http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/application.jsp?nodeId=02Wcbf123FLbtv
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Stability_Control

Check out these clips...





Hill Holder works by keeping the brakes applied for a second or so whilst you move your foot off of the brake pedal and onto the throttle - only when you're on an incline though

I know, Im eating my words... after seeing one next to a new Panda I was wrong, you were all right
In my defence, I have been following the whole story since seeing the Trepiuno at Geneva in 2004

Yep those vids say it all. It HAPPENED to me in icy conditions and, although I wasn't going too fast in it and I wouldn't have been hurt it saved my friend's rather expensive new SLK...after we'd stopped we were both silent, pale and...grinning

nuovapanda said:

I know, Im eating my words... after seeing one next to a new Panda I was wrong, you were all right
In my defence, I have been following the whole story since seeing the Trepiuno at Geneva in 2004

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I was the same, ready to go and get myself a 100HP and there was a 500 sat next to it. The 500 just had something about it that made me want one even more. It's amazing still, how close the final 500 looks towards the Trepiuno concept. Fiat have done a fantastic job

Just googled on images trepiuno concept....Can't tell the difference!!! That really IS an achievement, that Fiat could bring out a car so faithful to the concept!!! Didn't know about the concept car:chin:

nuovapanda said:

I know, Im eating my words... after seeing one next to a new Panda I was wrong, you were all right

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The Panda is a great little car without a doubt but the 500 just has a timeless style to it that makes it look so much fun and gives it that desirable factor. Have fun spec'ing it

nuovapanda said:

In my defence, I have been following the whole story since seeing the Trepiuno at Geneva in 2004

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Wasn't just me then lol! When I first saw it I had to have one as soon as I could get one if they made it .

N500SHP said:

Wasn't just me then lol! When I first saw it I had to have one as soon as I could get one if they made it .

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And me! It was love at first site for me too The 500 is more classic and retro and the Trepiuno more modern looking. I don't know which I prefer... both gorgeous!

When I saw the Trepiuno in Geneva I though WOW, it had something about it thats hard to pinpoint... at the time I was awaiting delivery of a new Panda.
I am very excited by the thought of a new 500, but I do have a very bad memory of what happened with that Panda in 2004, so Im a little nervous to say the least.

What happened with your 2004 Panda?

It was damged in transit... someone repaired it... had overspray everywhere, mising badges, you could see grey primer on a front wing and there was paint all over black trim.
Dealer, Fiat and transport company all denied doing it... took two months before they did anything, then sat at bodyshop for six weeks with nothing being done in that time... eventually someone paid for it and was a good job but you could still find evidence of the damage... I eventually gave it back to dealer, they sold it and didnt pay my finance and I got a bad credit score, which I appealed against and got removed.
Dealer went bust soon after
Got £250 from dealer as compensation and £100 from Fiat, plus a god awful Punto Mk2 while it was off road. Swore Id never buy new again