So, having picked up my 500 (as sig) on Friday, I realised I haven't posted a piccy or a status update. Here goes (usual disclaimer, this is all IMHO etc);

What I like;
Sport interior- IMHO it is *so* much better than the Pop interior- feels more upmarket. The lounge check pattern did funny things with my eyes, so can't comment much on that as I didn't spend much time in it.

Engine- With caveats as below- OK, the 1.2 is *seriously* slow. But, it feels nice and light and eager without being overly revvy. It also has the cutest under the bonnet look of evar! it's tiny! Nice idle exhaust note I noticed tonight

Economy- Over first half tank, 48.5mpg without trying. On a new engine and a green driver I reckon that's pretty exceptional

Sound system- The standard (non-interscope) system is pretty damn good, easily comparable to the family mercs system. Needs some tweaking (EQ and loudness especially) to get it going, but I still think it's a lovely little thing. Same with the steering wheel controls, once you figure them out.

Brakes-Did a rapid stop test tonight, excellent.

What I'm not so sure about;
Engine- Keeping her below 3250ish atm. Opened her up a bit on the way home and I felt it got harsh quite rapidly- maybe it's a wear in thing, iirc some others have felt this gets better

Gearbox- It's started to get a bit quieter now, but just occasionally it feels a bit "graunchy"- hard to describe, just not quite as light as I remember the demos being (caveat- they had 2000+ miles on them so might have been driven in a bit)

Clutch- Noticed this one tonight coming home. Seems graunchy, especially on the 1-2, 2-3 transitions. Bit noisy too, although that might be me being picky. Will keep an eye on it, give it to 1000 miles and see what it's like then.

Seat- I think I might have a bit of a squeaky drivers seat base. Think I've seen this mentioned somewhere so will do some searching. Might be my works passcard or something though. Not a big deal

Other thoughts;
BNW gets dirty rather quickly (<200 miles and it's FILTHY!), ordered some cleaning stuff after reading a rather useful guide in the car care forum.

Am I being an absolute fud, or is the "secret" glovebox compartment impossible to open. I still can't work it out! :bang:

Generally, it is an excellent little car. Well worth the wait

ha ha it's very secret and you have to have the 'knack' to open it.

The 1.2 engine does bed in after a few thousand miles and so some of the things above might not be so apparent. I'm sure someone more 'tekkie' will respond.

Yes it does loosen up & get quicker. It loves revving, & I'm surprised yours was harsh. I tend to drive it fairly economically most of the time, but enjoy having the odd spirited drive.

Front end grip is great on the twisties...

Hmmm, maybe it's a relative thing. I came from a K11 micra, tiny engine with 16 valves that *loved* to rev

zanes said:

Hmmm, maybe it's a relative thing. I came from a K11 micra, tiny engine with 16 valves that *loved* to rev

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The 1.2 is more torquey and doesn't need to be revved out to get power. Better off changing up.

Hmmm. Iirc it hits peak @ 3000rpm (and, I think I can actually feel it. Starts to get going at 2500rpm). I took it to about 4000 and it started to feel a bit harsh. Will give it a bit longer.

OrangeSport said:

Yes it does loosen up & get quicker. It loves revving, & I'm surprised yours was harsh. I tend to drive it fairly economically most of the time, but enjoy having the odd spirited drive.

Front end grip is great on the twisties...

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While the back end couldn't care less and just does its' own thing.

murano16v said:

while the back end couldn't care less and just does its' own thing.

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Hell yeah!!!!

OrangeSport said:

Yes it does loosen up & get quicker.

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I pray this is true, otherwise after todays hill climbs I shall be getting rid.

Also, *still* can't open the sodding glovebox. Google, you failed me!" :bang:

zanes said:

I pray this is true, otherwise after todays hill climbs I shall be getting rid.

Also, *still* can't open the sodding glovebox. Google, you failed me!" :bang:

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What sort of hill are you going up and are you trying to go up in 5th?

Define "sort of hill"!

Reasonably steep, quite twisty. Getting up in 3rd, did not feel like it had any pull at about 2500rpm.

Here's a google map of the hill, switch on terrain. Best I can do I'm afraid!
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Fro...n&ct=clnk&cd=1&geocode=FR8jFQMditvc_w&split=0

zanes said:

Define "sort of hill"!

Reasonably steep, quite twisty. Getting up in 3rd, did not feel like it had any pull at about 2500rpm.

Here's a google map of the hill, switch on terrain. Best I can do I'm afraid!
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Fro...n&ct=clnk&cd=1&geocode=FR8jFQMditvc_w&split=0

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We've got worse hills around here Put it down into 2nd. It's only a 1.2 you know!

zanes said:

I pray this is true, otherwise after todays hill climbs I shall be getting rid.

Also, *still* can't open the sodding glovebox. Google, you failed me!" :bang:

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There is one hill on the way to work that i can only get up if i have a good old run up at it! it is not quick and has not got noticeably quicker the more miles I have done (now 4,666).

Re 'glovebox', find the catch at the leading edge and pull, hard, it feels like its going to break and then it opens (or breaks...). I put some stamps in there!

Luxy said:

There is one hill on the way to work that i can only get up if i have a good old run up at it! it is not quick and has not got noticeably quicker the more miles I have done (now 4,666).

Re 'glovebox', find the catch at the leading edge and pull, hard, it feels like its going to break and then it opens (or breaks...). I put some stamps in there!

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i would disagree here- after the 500m run in period, i started to drive my 1.2 a little harder....it now has 4800m and is noticeably torquier, more tractable, smoother, rortier and pulls harder too.

much much better....but best not buy a 1.2 normally aspirated car from any brand if you want big speed....

the 1.2 500 is perfectly capable and has a charming and fun drivetrain.

"...is noticeably torquier, more tractable, smoother, rortier and pulls harder too..." Yikes, I assume that means you think it's faster!

I don't expect big speed from this car, I have a proper grown up car for that, but it still disappoints me!

Luxy said:

I don't expect big speed from this car, I have a proper grown up car for that, but it still disappoints me!

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It shouldn't be that bad. Not fast, but quite happy at a steady 80+ with a few people on board & a full boot. Fun & nippy rather than quick off the mark but a good laugh on lanes etc.

The only time I get reminded it's a little 1.2 is if I try to pick up speed up hill on a motorway in 5th. Other than that it's fine.

just squeeze the clip for the secret glovebox, it is quite stiff. The squeaking seat seems to be the leather effect covering rubbing on the back rest or plastic sides on our. Try adjusting the seat height/tilt and see if it goes. I find our car runs a lot better on shell/BP. Has more punch as well and I never used to belief the fuel hype stuff. Can't say fuel effects my golf but the 500 seems sensitive.

My 1.2 pop was very sluggish on hills at first but its much better now.Coming up to 4k miles. I have a dualogic though so it might be different performance. But today I left a big car standing on a big hill out of Brighton. He was going to try and overtake but I got into the fast lane ahead if him and pulled away and he was way behind me in seconds!! Tee hee. I just love that.

Luxy said:

"...is noticeably torquier, more tractable, smoother, rortier and pulls harder too..." Yikes, I assume that means you think it's faster!

I don't expect big speed from this car, I have a proper grown up car for that, but it still disappoints me!

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yes it is faster- but i have to question what you were expecting...also i drive my car in isolation- not jumping out of a more powerful car into a less powerful one- thats always going to show up the 1.2s relative lack of go...the 1.2 will do a 100mph and 0-60 in about 12.5 seconds- perfectly adequate...it also pulls very well from low down, making for a relaxed drive, and has great economy.

performance is always going to be a little subjective....so fast to me is slow to someone else.

however....realistic expectations play a part here...the 1.4 would have been a better choice for you possibly.

keeforelli said:

however....realistic expectations play a part here....

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Agreed

I've got a scrappage 1.4 1997 Astra at the moment which is the trade in for my new Fiat 500 1.2 Sport. Its got 69 BHP (about the same as the Fiat)

When I drive the Astra its got no power, but I know that and drive accordingly. I dont try overtaking many things, just sit back and enjoy the journey. When it comes to hills, I quite often start talking to the car... "Come on.... Come on....." (but thats just me )

My other car has 305 BHP and 560 NM Torque and accellerates like a stabbed cat. If you are not careful it will snap your neck. But thats another story

Keep the expectations real for the car your driving and if it still disappoints you, trade it in for a bigger engine