I don't know if this is the right place to ask a question but I don't know who else to ask. On the front panel of the car is a light that says code and yet there is not mention of it in the handbook and nobody seems to be able to tell me what it is for. Please advise.

garthtuxford said:

I don't know if this is the right place to ask a question but I don't know who else to ask. On the front panel of the car is a light that says code and yet there is not mention of it in the handbook and nobody seems to be able to tell me what it is for. Please advise.

Click to expand...

As I'd mentioned the 500 area is your best bet.

I bought a 1.4 lounge so I can't really comment on the 1.2 or the diesel aside from saying I just can't bring myself to buy a diesel. The idea of a fiat 500 that sounds like a clattery farm tractor was a turn off. The 1.2 just felt that little bit too small. I drive on a motorway to work so the 1.4 was a better option.

Re discounts I think its safe to assume the answer is there are no discounts. This is a car thats selling faster than Fiat can get them here. You might twist their arm to get a dealer supplied freebie thrown in, say mats or something but I'd be very surprised if you could weasel a discount out of anyone.

Re: 500 advice...

valencia100hp said:

With petrol now more expensive than diesel

Click to expand...

T'other way round!

Re: 500 advice...

valencia100hp said:

IMHO the 75hp multijet is not very good value for money when compared with the 1.2. The petrol version is only slightly less economical and has poorer in gear acceleration yet costs much less.

Click to expand...

I think it really depends upon driving style and what you are used to. Those preferring diesels would find the 1.2 hard work and gutless at low revs, whilst petrol heads will find the 1.2 zings along quite happily with plenty of revs and lots of gear changing.

If one engine was a dog it would be easier to give objective advice. We know the calculator isn't going to decide so it comes down to preference on driving style.

Cheers
Baldrick

Re: 500 advice...

Interestingly enough we had a petrol v diesel debate over lunch at work on Friday and it quickly becomes clear that there are very few objective people about! Petrol heads start shaking when they hear arguments about low down torque, great fuel economy and resale value and the derv drinkers shuffle in their seats when reminded about tractor like start up noise, higher servicing bills and the escalating cost of diesel.

My feeling is that the 500 diesel is overpriced when you consider it dosen't have the rear discs, ESP nor 6 speed box of the 1.4 petrol.

It should ideally sit between the 1.2 and 1.4 petrol models- and for a little more than the 1.4 FIAT could offer the 95hp version used in the Lanica Ypsilon with all the afforementioned mechanical upgrades.

Re: 500 advice...

valencia100hp said:

My feeling is that the 500 diesel is overpriced when you consider it dosen't have the rear discs, ESP nor 6 speed box of the 1.4 petrol.

It should ideally sit between the 1.2 and 1.4 petrol models- and for a little more than the 1.4 FIAT could offer the 95hp version used in the Lanica Ypsilon with all the afforementioned mechanical upgrades.

Click to expand...

Having the convenience of the standard £1400 price difference between the different engines/trim levels is clearly going to lead to some options being better value than others. From memory you are the first person to point out the anomaly between the pricing of the 1.4 and diesel.

Good point.

Re: 500 advice...

valencia100hp said:

My feeling is that the 500 diesel is overpriced when you consider it dosen't have the rear discs, ESP nor 6 speed box of the 1.4 petrol.

It should ideally sit between the 1.2 and 1.4 petrol models- and for a little more than the 1.4 FIAT could offer the 95hp version used in the Lanica Ypsilon with all the afforementioned mechanical upgrades.

Click to expand...

Diesel engines are more costly to produce hence the hike over the 1.2. Look at any range and the equivalent diesel in power terms is more expensive than the petrol equivalent.

Diesel engines are more complex and have to be built stronger to withstand the higher combustion pressure (hence the extra weight) which impacts the cost of production.

I believe the extra money is purely for the engine and if you added the other bits the diesel would be more expensive to produce than the 1.4. Just my theory though

Cheers
Baldrick

Re: 500 advice...

T14086 said:

Has anyone seen the amount of mini's (bmw) in Fiat dealers secondhand for sale

Click to expand...

Yeah! AC Edinburgh is full of shabby looking trade-ins....it looks like a random 2nd hand car dealership on the forecourt rather than a dedicated FIAT reseller!

They got this real dull looking grey bini in pride of place at the turn in to the garage....they used to have their paso red with white stripe 1.4 there but that went even after 4 weeks of being a demo!

They also got a gas guzzling merc CLK petrol and al sorts of other sh*t knocking around, had to stop myself falling asleep looking at all that...

They had a beautiful 1.2 inside with the red leather...the red leather looks soooo much nicer in real life and smells good too! I wish I hadn't changed my mind now...but at least I get the secret compartment...gonna need it for the tomtom one xl I just bought! HE HE...Jeez I can't wait...supposed to be picking it up today!

Re: 500 advice...

It should ideally sit between the 1.2 and 1.4 petrol models- and for a little more than the 1.4 FIAT could offer the 95hp version used in the Lanica Ypsilon with all the afforementioned mechanical upgrades.[/quote]

but the diesel would be quicker than the 1.4
i think fiat should have done it like this
1.2 80bhp
1.3d 100bhp
1.4 120bhp
abarth 180bhp

Re: 500 advice...

white 500 said:

It should ideally sit between the 1.2 and 1.4 petrol models- and for a little more than the 1.4 FIAT could offer the 95hp version used in the Lanica Ypsilon with all the afforementioned mechanical upgrades.

Click to expand...

but the diesel would be quicker than the 1.4
i think fiat should have done it like this
1.2 80bhp
1.3d 100bhp
1.4 120bhp
abarth 180bhp[/quote]

120bhp is a fair bit to squeeze out of a 1.4l normally aspirated engine. Then there's the fact that it hurts economy and also CO2 emissions and you'll see why they didn't launch a 120bhp 1.4. Don't worry though.... in a year or two the multiair engines will be out with approximated 10% more power and 10% better economy. Also 180bhp is a crazy amount in a car as small as the 500. I think the Abarth has enough power as it is.

Re: 500 advice...

x7ers said:

with the price of diesel being at least 10p more per litre most places and the fact that the car is £1300 more to start - we chose the 1.2 petrol. it`ll take you years to regain the extra money spent on the diesel engine in fuel economy, 1.2 is economical enough imo

stick with 1.2 petrol - cheep tax £35 year-unsure about diesel tax

good luck whichever way you turn

Click to expand...

i pay £120 a year for my 1.2

Re: 500 advice...

Punto_Rich65402 said:

i pay £120 a year for my 1.2

Click to expand...

What is its rating in grammes/m? 500 1.2 and 1.3 are both 119 g/m so they are assessed as for the £35 tax band.

Re: 500 advice...

Exoticaholic said:

What is its rating in grammes/m? 500 1.2 and 1.3 are both 119 g/m so they are assessed as for the £35 tax band.

Click to expand...

02 Punto 1.2 is band C can't remember exact rating.

Re: 500 advice...

Exactly my point. With the same taxation on both vehicles there is a 1400 quid difference.

This is a much bigger margin than compared with other small cars on the market e.g Mini Cooper, Lancia Ypsilon, Fiat Panda, Kia Picanto or Toyota Yaris.

I'm not knocking the multijet -it's new engine compared to the FIRE petrol model so is still probably much costlier to produce but it really does look like the price difference is more a marketing gimmick than really justified by level of performance or economy.

It will interesting to see what price scale and model range they will come up with when the multiair 2 cylinder is launched. Perhaps maintain the 1.2 as entry level, upgrade the multijet to 90hp and pitch the multiair at the same price...