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General Looking for 1.4L Auto test drive

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General Looking for 1.4L Auto test drive

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Astro500

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Hi,

I'm in Lincolnshire, UK, and looking for a 1.4L auto test drive. Anyone know of where I can go? Anyone have one that they would be happy to demonstrate?

I had a look at a dealer in Lincoln, and they claimed getting a test drive is nearly impossible.

It's the only thing stopping me putting down a deposit.

Best regards,
Astro500.
 
RobW said:
little or no chance of this as dealer will not order as a demonstator!
Click to expand...
Ditto. If it was me I'd go for a testdrive in a dualogic 1.2 and a manual 1.4 and if you can't drive a manual have someone else drive it to see if it's got enough poke.
 
Why auto 1.2 and manual 1.4???

Manual is not an option. :(

Rather surprised dealers won't have a demonstrator. I'm not keen on the idea of buying something I haven't tested and seen for myself first.

I also want to see what the ride is like, especially if the different models affect the ride. I can't see the dealer taking it back for a refund if I really don't like it for some reason, either.

Best regards,
Astro500.
 
Last edited:
Astro500 said:
Why auto 1.2 and manual 1.4???

Manual is not an option. :(

Rather surprised dealers won't have a demonstrator. I'm not keen on the idea of buying something I haven't tested and seen for myself first.

I also want to see what the ride is like, especially if the different models affect the ride. I can't see the dealer taking it back for a refund if I really don't like it for some reason, either.

Best regards,
Astro500.
Click to expand...

Well you're not going to get a 1.4 dualogic (it's not called an auto) to testdrive so you'll have to testdrive a 1.2 dualogic to see if the box is satisfactory for your needs and then a 1.4 to see if that engine is suitable for you.
 
Oh, I see.

From what I've been reading, it seems the 1.4 is better for motorway driving.

Time to find a dualogic to test-drive.

How's the turning circle of whichever one it is you have?

Differences between 1.2 and 1.4 that I found so far:

* 1.4 is a bit more powerful, and appears that once it is rolling, is nippy (according to an owner of both, it is sluggish below 2000 RPM???). Not too concerned really.

* 1.4 has disc brakes all round

* Turning circle is slightly wider than the 1.2 due to slightly different steering arrangement

Best regards,
Astro500.
 
Last edited:
Astro500 said:
Rather surprised dealers won't have a demonstrator.
Click to expand...

It's a simple case of economics. They simply can't afford to run every different combination of engine and gearbox, so they run what they sell most of.

Fiat dealerships are required to run one petrol and one diesel 500 as demonstrators. The biggest selling petrol variant by a huge margin is a 1.2 manual, so that is what the majority will run.

Some dealerships do run more than one petrol 500 demonstrator, but the vast majority do not.

O.K, so not having a 1.2 and 1.4 16v Dualogic for you to drive may lose them your business, but not having a 1.2 manual will lose them hundreds of sales. Put yourself in their position and think what you would do.
 
I appreciate that, but some of these dealers are part of a larger network, and surely if they had 1 of each (1 manual, 1 DualLogic) that they share between them in the group, that it means they have *something* available?

I'm not so concerned if it is a 1.2 or 1.4 I test drive - I'm interested in the ride in general, handling, and how the gearbox behaves.

Best regards,
Astro500.
 
Astro500 said:
I'm not so concerned if it is a 1.2 or 1.4 I test drive - I'm interested in the ride in general, handling, and how the gearbox behaves.
Click to expand...

You should be, as the 1.2 drives/handles very differently to the 1.4 16v, regardless of trim level.

It's a popular misconception with the 500 that the Sport is the 'sporty' model, where in fact the 1.2 Sport drives in exactly the same way as the 1.2 Lounge or Pop, and the 1.4 16v Sport drives in exactly the same way as the 1.4 16v Lounge or Pop.
 
Astro500 said:
I appreciate that, but some of these dealers are part of a larger network, and surely if they had 1 of each (1 manual, 1 DualLogic) that they share between them in the group, that it means they have *something* available?

I'm not so concerned if it is a 1.2 or 1.4 I test drive - I'm interested in the ride in general, handling, and how the gearbox behaves.

Best regards,
Astro500.
Click to expand...

my Mum bought the first Grande Punto Dualogic to come in to the UK and had to wait 6 moths for it to be made, sometimes you just have to trust what you want and make a decision
 
Astro500 said:
I appreciate that, but some of these dealers are part of a larger network, and surely if they had 1 of each (1 manual, 1 DualLogic) that they share between them in the group, that it means they have *something* available?
Click to expand...

If you're ever down in Cardiff or Newport I can get you a drive in a 1.2 Dualogic.

We always run one for that very reason ;)
 
It's a popular misconception with the 500 that the Sport is the 'sporty' model, where in fact the 1.2 Sport drives in exactly the same way as the 1.2 Lounge or Pop, and the 1.4 16v Sport drives in exactly the same way as the 1.4 16v Lounge or Pop.
Click to expand...
I'd read somewhere that it was specifically the trim level that affected the ride. I even asked the dealer today about it and he said the same thing. I'm not doubting you - just seems that this is rather more widespread than it should be.

I had noticed that the engine affected the suspension type and brakes, not the trim level.

Which gives the firmer ride - 1.2 or 1.4? (I'm so close to dragging out my CC I nearly caved in earlier and signed for one - I had to walk out there and then).

Best regards,
Astro500.
 
Last edited:
Astro500 said:
I'd read somewhere that it was specifically the trim level that affected the ride. I even asked the dealer today about it and he said the same thing.
Click to expand...
Then he doesn't know what he is talking about :rolleyes:

Astro500 said:
I had noticed that the engine affected the suspension type and brakes, not the trim level.
Click to expand...
That's correct. The 1.4 16v comes with discs all round on all trim levels. The 1.2 has drums on the back on all trim levels.

Astro500 said:
Which gives the firmer ride - 1.2 or 1.4?
Click to expand...
The 1.4 16v has firmer suspension, again on all trim levels
 
Sounds like it is just about settled then!

I had a look over at the Panda forum, and it seems that generally people are quite pleased with the DualLogic.

I'm not too surprised about the dealer TBH - they seem a bit like the customer is an inconvenience to them. :rolleyes:

Cardiff.... a bit too far away unfortunately. Thanks for the offer though. (y)

Best regards,
Astro500.
 
Scrogg said:
It's a popular misconception with the 500 that the Sport is the 'sporty' model, where in fact the 1.2 Sport drives in exactly the same way as the 1.2 Lounge or Pop, and the 1.4 16v Sport drives in exactly the same way as the 1.4 16v Lounge or Pop.
Click to expand...

Do all 1.4s come with the sport button? Without sport button on I find the throttle response to be really sluggish.
 
Scrogg said:
It's a simple case of economics. They simply can't afford to run every different combination of engine and gearbox, so they run what they sell most of.

Fiat dealerships are required to run one petrol and one diesel 500 as demonstrators. The biggest selling petrol variant by a huge margin is a 1.2 manual, so that is what the majority will run.

Some dealerships do run more than one petrol 500 demonstrator, but the vast majority do not.

O.K, so not having a 1.2 and 1.4 16v Dualogic for you to drive may lose them your business, but not having a 1.2 manual will lose them hundreds of sales. Put yourself in their position and think what you would do.
Click to expand...

My question is this: If you are unable to test drive the car you want to order because the dealer doesnt have it as a demonstrator and there isnt a suitable car near by because all other dealers are forfilling Fiats requirements and for "economics" reasons only have what sells can you not just order it then when it arrives take it on tha long test drive with the sales guy before you accept it and if you dont like the car reject it ?
 
Jake_in_notts said:
My question is this: If you are unable to test drive the car you want to order because the dealer doesnt have it as a demonstrator and there isnt a suitable car near by because all other dealers are forfilling Fiats requirements and for "economics" reasons only have what sells can you not just order it then when it arrives take it on tha long test drive with the sales guy before you accept it and if you dont like the car reject it ?
Click to expand...

no because you have specially ordered it and the car is yours :rolleyes:
 
Damn. I was wondering the same thing.

I can't see how they can do it then. You're ordering blind with no ability to test the product before hand because they are telling me (the prospective customer) that they don't have demonstrators. That raises an interesting legal question.

I'm going to call trading standards to see what their view on it is.

Best regards,
Astro500.
 
Hi,

They say that if you place an order, and pay a deposit, it is likely you are entering a legally binding contract. Once this happens, you have no rights under law to return the vehicle (except for the situation relating to faults, defects etc.).

The only possible way it could be done is if you get in writing prior to ordering that they agree that you can return the vehicle if you are unhappy with it for any reason as a result of being unable to test drive it first.

Best regards,
Astro500.
 
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