OK, the chap picked up my MR2 this morning, the loans arranged if I want it so I can now definately order one!!!

Just one problem, the non availability of a 1.2 to try out thing is, Id like a car before summer comes so I ought to get in soon
Decided to keep with std wheels as cant choose any of them, climate, azure and spotlights.. not sure on rubbing strip yet

Cant afford 1.3 for months as I need to get a car for the wife soon and we are off on hols April and October... so its a 1.2 or bust, should I just go for it? Have to drive past dealers on Thursday, so that will be the day!

Teh right ups on the 1.2s seem pretty good but it depends on preference. i have all engines being described as the pick of the bunch depending on drving style.

The 1.2 complete the real retro package IMHO. A small petrol that needs to be revved to make good progress and it by all accounts is a sweeter engine than the 1.4.

The 1.3 for the most relaxed drive

The 1.4 somewhere in between, probably the best choice if you want the zingy revs and sound of the smaller petrol but a bit more poke so there isn't quite so much required of the driver to keep the engine spinning.

We went for the 1.4 as the wife is used to a bit more power from her 147 2.0 and she probably wouldn't rev the thing like I will, but still likes the Italian sound

I guess it depends on requirements, the petrols can be noisier on motorways so if you are planning long drives you may prefer to wait for the 1.3.

Cheers
baldrick

Noise isnt an issue, I drive a Panda everyday! I like a bit of noise and dont mind gearchanging to keep the momentum up. Just did a comparison with the Panda 1.2 on the site and the 500 seems better, its just 5kg heavier too.
Just really got to decide weather or not to have those side strips, they do spoil the lines a bit...

The 1.2s maximum torque comes in at 3,000 rpm where as the 1.4 comes in around 5,00 so you really do have to rev the 1.4 to get the most out of it. Up to 3-3,500rpm both the petrols will be pretty close in terms of performance. To get the extra power that the 1.4 has you will need to constantly rev the engine.

Also just so you know, the 1.2 is 10bhp up on the 1.2 fitted in the Panda and is also lighter, so should feel livelier compared to your Panda. The way I looked at it was I can't afford the extra for the diesel and didn't want the 1.4 engine. I decided to bite the bullet and just go for the 1.2 without test driving it and just go for it. Auto Express did say the 1.2 was 'sluggish' compared to the 1.4 Mini One, but then again that's got 25bhp more so it's hardly suprising.

At the end of the day, if you like the 1.2 in your Panda, the 1.2 in the 500 isn't going to differ that much. It's the same engine just with the 1.4 block on it to give VVT and the emissions have been reduced. £35 tax!

Of course it's up to you buddy, but I know what I would do

Nuovapanda does cc make that much difference from air con i had cc in my last golf anf I wasn't that fussed i prefer the normal air con it was a bit of a faff setting the temp on both sides of the car, that's if that is the same thing Linda doesn't do that many miles so i am hoping normal air con will be fine, and yes those side strips are bugging her too i prefer it without them but they don't look awful do they

Andy, the side protection strips don't look too bad. I was considering going for them when I saw the Chazure demo car. But decided not to in the end as I want to keep the lines as clean and unfussy as possible. It just means when I park my car at Tesco it will be the furthest away from the store with the hope that no one will ding it!

Regarding Climate Control some people think it's far superior to standard aircon, whereas other like me find standard aircon to be all they need. Keep an eye on this - https://www.fiatforum.com/500/132428-automatic-climate-control.html - thread as I'm sure there will be losts of for and against comments in there

nuovapanda if you find that your 1.2 is a little sluggish you could always get a remap to give it a bit more poke. We've ordered the 1.2 without driving it and if you look in this months top gear the Hamster tests it and says the 1.2 is his favourite engine.

Suasexed said:

The 1.2s maximum torque comes in at 3,000 rpm where as the 1.4 comes in around 5,00 so you really do have to rev the 1.4 to get the most out of it. Up to 3-3,500rpm both the petrols will be pretty close in terms of performance. To get the extra power that the 1.4 has you will need to constantly rev the engine.

Click to expand...

Certainly the 1.4 has a more peaky power and torque band as it is in a higher state of tune, however, it still manages to produce more torque at 2000rpm than the 1.2 peaks at 3000rpm and is producing the 1.2s max bhp figure of 69 at about 3250 revs compared with the 1.2s 5500.

So you could equal 1.2 performance at much lower revs. However, given the extra power available high up I guess the feeling will be that it wants to rev more all the time. So I do agree the 1.4 will be the more frenetic ride. Which suits me with my Alfa petrol background

Some power charts here:

http://nuova500.co.uk/portals/0/500pics/500RttF/Power1400.jpg
http://nuova500.co.uk/portals/0/500pics/500RttF/Power1200.jpg

cheers
baldrick

Thanks for all the help... the only way Ive got to go into 500 ownership is with a 1.2 so that will have to be it. The CC only works the whole car, not individual like your Golf, its just nice that it keeps the temp. setting even.
The strips dont look bad and I like the badge on them, thing is if I got a ding cos I dint have them I would be well naffed.

Go for the 1.2 its another step on from the 1.2 in our panda. Also we have had the climate control in our panda and have not bothered with it in our order for a new 500. We just find it fussy to use and can never get quite where you want it. So it's a 1.2 with just plain old air-con for us....oh and the side rubbing strips which i think is better than getting the doors trashed by our kids.

Good luck

Yoshi

Dealer rang today, I told him of my concern over the 1.2 and he said to come back and try a Panda... DOH, why didnt I think of that! Obviously it will be a little bit slower but will def. give me an idea, its been 3 years since I last drove one and Ive really forgotten how it was, so thats what Im going to do