John R Smith
Member
Well, the little 500 1.4 Sport is loosening up quite nicely now, although I have only managed to put 600 miles on the clock so far. I have pretty much given up on trying to keep to a rev-limit for running-in – in typical Italian fashion, the car seems to only want to be driven one way - fast. So although I haven’t pushed it beyond 6,000 rpm yet, it has spent a fair bit of time snarling along between 5,000 and 5,500. In fact, the faster it goes, the better it feels. Road imperfections that spoil the ride at 30 mph just add to the fun at 80, the steering hardens up, and the 500 becomes a real driver’s machine. The brakes are certainly up to the job, too, which is just as well – the ventilated discs are sharp enough that I found myself braking much too early for the first couple of weeks.
There is only one downside to all this highway insanity. The fuel consumption never gets better than 40 mpg, and in fact has averaged just 37 mpg since I picked the car up. For the performance, I suppose this is pretty fair, but it is not quite the petrol-sipping eco-box that you might imagine. While we are on the subject of highway hooliganism, may I mention that uphill traffic-light starts are much more fun with the ASR switched OFF. A good dose of right foot then results in some gratifying tyre squeal in first and second gears (what me, Officer, good Lord no, as you can see I’m old enough for a bus-pass, must have been that hooly behind me in the Fiesta ST . . . .)
So this is all good stuff and well worth the dosh. All the bits that matter seem to work well - engine, brakes, steering, suspension, excellent Michelin tyres are fitted, wipers wipe, seats are good, mirrors are first-rate. If you crawl about underneath everything is well-built and tidily put together. Don’t ask me about the radio, CD player, Bluetooth or any of that nonsense, I have never switched them on. Stand back and it looks great, Italian no question, traditional (rather than retro), but as up to the minute as you like. It still reminds me of my Italian motorcycles, not least for the way in which it leaves me feeling slightly breathless at the end of a fast drive.
Still, we have to remind ourselves that even the 1.4 16v 500 is not really fast, just a tepid hatch by today’s standards. For something tarmac-melting we shall have to wait for the Abarth. Having said that, it is surprising how few cars have challenged the bambino over the past four weeks – mostly the red whizzer has been in the outside lane, leaving others consumed by envy and hopelessly caught in the wrong gear, despite their very often superior ccs. The 500 has so far confirmed my belief that it is much more fun to drive a car (or bike) which has enough power, but not too much. One which you can drive to the limit often enough to have fun, without endangering your life or your licence.
John
There is only one downside to all this highway insanity. The fuel consumption never gets better than 40 mpg, and in fact has averaged just 37 mpg since I picked the car up. For the performance, I suppose this is pretty fair, but it is not quite the petrol-sipping eco-box that you might imagine. While we are on the subject of highway hooliganism, may I mention that uphill traffic-light starts are much more fun with the ASR switched OFF. A good dose of right foot then results in some gratifying tyre squeal in first and second gears (what me, Officer, good Lord no, as you can see I’m old enough for a bus-pass, must have been that hooly behind me in the Fiesta ST . . . .)
So this is all good stuff and well worth the dosh. All the bits that matter seem to work well - engine, brakes, steering, suspension, excellent Michelin tyres are fitted, wipers wipe, seats are good, mirrors are first-rate. If you crawl about underneath everything is well-built and tidily put together. Don’t ask me about the radio, CD player, Bluetooth or any of that nonsense, I have never switched them on. Stand back and it looks great, Italian no question, traditional (rather than retro), but as up to the minute as you like. It still reminds me of my Italian motorcycles, not least for the way in which it leaves me feeling slightly breathless at the end of a fast drive.
Still, we have to remind ourselves that even the 1.4 16v 500 is not really fast, just a tepid hatch by today’s standards. For something tarmac-melting we shall have to wait for the Abarth. Having said that, it is surprising how few cars have challenged the bambino over the past four weeks – mostly the red whizzer has been in the outside lane, leaving others consumed by envy and hopelessly caught in the wrong gear, despite their very often superior ccs. The 500 has so far confirmed my belief that it is much more fun to drive a car (or bike) which has enough power, but not too much. One which you can drive to the limit often enough to have fun, without endangering your life or your licence.
John
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