Today I got the call I've been waiting for, from Marsons Fiat of Newcastle-under-Lyme. The 500C had arrived.

Bit of cloak and daggers as it's not officially launched until next week, as I'm sure you all know, but I was given a sneak preview.

If I had any doubts beforehand they were certainly ironed out today. It looks fantastic, and I was really surprised just how quiet the roof actually is. You can hardly hear the motor at all.

It was just like the one shown in the Portbury 'rag week' thread. Passadoble Red, Lounge, with black roof.

I asked also about the ridiculous waiting times estimated on here and they said that 12 weeks was still the norm for the 500C. Plus, if you go for a standard spec, for example, white lounge, red roof, standard alloys then it may even appear much quicker.

All-in-all I was very impressed and I'm looking forward to placing my order.

Steve

If only they did an Abarth convertible.....(daydreams)
Not a bad looking little motor actually, similar waiting time to the Abarth and priced similarly too, so choose wisely!

Hi WhitePOP,

This is certainly interesting news. However i am a bit concerned with the design of the roof, the mechanism seems quite complicated, which means in a few years time, it may cost a bomb to replace the hood??

I have a Punto 1.2 convertible, and it seems that the cost of replacing my hood is almost half the price of my car...perhaps I should go for the Triumph Stag instead???

The sunroof design is actually very simple,yet clever. Its operation is smooth and fast.

I want this one

BTW I found 116 pictures on here incase theres a few of you still wondering what they look like. http://www.netcarshow.com/fiat/2010-500c/

1500 are allocated for the UK this year.

Saw the ad on tv last night ...looks Glad you got to see it in the flesh

I still want them to make this one! (didn't take me long, it was just for fun really!)

Useful for carrying tall plants I suppose

They'll make it. Hopefully without the vile stripes :devil:

Who's going to be the first to say "Seen it, drove it, ordered it"?

worked on one already

Do you mean PDI?

.........infacted I farted in one aswell (chewing gum makes me windy)

worked on one already

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So, what 'work' did it need?

ahhh you see, jumping to conclusions.....work has many meanings

good

T14086 said:

worked on one already

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...was the roof leaking already?

T14086 said:

.........infacted I farted in one aswell (chewing gum makes me windy)

Click to expand...

Hope the roof was open!

I really like the 500c but I'm a sucker for 2CVs and original 500s. I do think even at the higher premium it will sell very well, look at how many mini rag tops you see.

Is it good enough to get me out out the Abarth? Just try prying the key out my cold dead hand

Am pleased that at least one person who has seen it in the flesh likes it. This is a relief as I have ordered one without seeing it which is possibly not one of my better decisions but never mind. Mine will be a lounge in Pasodoble Red with black roof too.

Perhaps if you do order one now there will be a wait of 12 weeks. The extended wait times mentioned on here probably refer to the fact that if, like me, you ordered back in April the expected delivery time was late June and from what I have been told by Fiat the cars have not even gone into production yet. Last I heard mine was at status 10 with scheduled build date of 27th July - a few days before the factory goes on summer hols so not holding my breath...

Still it is good to hear that a dealer has one in the showroom and hopefully my own dealer will have one in next few days or week or so that I can look at. In the meantime I just have to keep looking at the promo pics and videos and keeping fingers crossed for an Indian Summer which extends towards December.