General Looking at buying options

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General Looking at buying options

Scorg

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Hey all

Due to unfortunate issues to the Stilo plans to get a 500 maybe brought forward to around about May time (holiday to go on first).

Now what I have been looking at is to find a 2 year old 1.4 Lounge spec model, saw some on fiats approved search, but that’s got no use to me being that it never covers Scotland.

So that leave Arnold Clark as the main source up here. Now I talked with a dealer on Friday about this and they seem pretty intent to try push me towards a brand new 1.2 Lounge rather than getting a 2 year old 1.4 Lounge or Sport.

They seem to be suggesting that on the finance deals, both will come out at a similar price per month, even though the 1.4 will be £3000 cheaper.

Now I don’t know what to do with this one, pros and cons to both.

Now I normally drive a 1.2 16v in a Brava and am very used to how that engine reacts, but I have also driven a 1.2 8v in a Panda on a long drive and performance wise I wasn’t comfy with it on the motorway, while I know the 1.4 will feel better.
I guess what I am wondering, is the extra 9bhp noticeable between the Pandas and 500's version of the engine and how they are on motorway speeds.

I'll be trying a 1.2 out on Tuesday but any feedback on this would be great.
Also any feedback on the pricing and financing would be great as well, as that parts leaving me baffled over which option is best.
 
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i have a 1.2sport which i have had for a year now i do 60 miles a day on the M25 i am very happy with the way it goes it will do 70 + ;) and handles very well i had a 1.4 for a week and think the 1.2 is just as good if not better plus £35 a year road tax
 
I was in two minds whether to have a 1.2 or 1.4 after being used to a larger engined car. Having driven both I did find the 1.4 slightly quicker, but not enough to warrant the extra cost and in the end bought the 1.2 and it is very nippy. I have never regretted my decision it is comfortable on long or short journeys and is great on the motorway too.

The best way to make up your mind is to test drive both engines and make sure you include a motorway trip on your test drive and then decide ;)
 
My 1.2 was great at most things. Just to note if you do take 2 extra people or a large load in the boot often, your find yourself using the gears alot on the long hills.

Regards
Carl
 
Cheers all for the feedback on the 1.2

Now any of the 1.4 guys want to give some of their thoughts too? ;)

I have to admit, either way, with whatever option I would go with, it still works out better compared to the Brave for fuel efficency and road tax cost.

I'll be trying the 1.2 out on the dual carrageway section on tuesday so I know how it will go.
Has anyone here driven the 1.2 in the Panda and then in the 500 ?

I usually dont have others in thec ar with me and the boot only has stuff going in it if luggage was going on holiday.
 
I am pleased with my 1.4. Accelerates to ??? smoothly and easily, has no problems climbing hills and I find that makes it a relaxing car to drive. When you want to overtake, no problem. That said I have never driven a 1.2 so I can't compare the two, but I have no regrets on buying the 1.4
 
Hi Scorg,

I'm in the vehicle finance industry - the reason for the apparently cheaper deal on the new car is due to bonuses and discounts available on the new car to the finance company. This means that a new car often works out cheaper to finance than an older one with a lower retail price. I can run some comparable quotes for the finance if you like - to make sure Fiat aren't taking the rates too high. Watch out for admin fees - there shouldn't be any, but it is a way that they make extra money out of you!!!

Good luck!

ClareBear701
 
I am pleased with my 1.4. Accelerates to ??? smoothly and easily, has no problems climbing hills and I find that makes it a relaxing car to drive. When you want to overtake, no problem. That said I have never driven a 1.2 so I can't compare the two, but I have no regrets on buying the 1.4

Cheers for the feedback there :)
I've only had a quick 10 minute go in a 1.4 but I do recall it being rather nice (reminded me of my old Rover 214 100bhp)


Hi Scorg,

I'm in the vehicle finance industry - the reason for the apparently cheaper deal on the new car is due to bonuses and discounts available on the new car to the finance company. This means that a new car often works out cheaper to finance than an older one with a lower retail price. I can run some comparable quotes for the finance if you like - to make sure Fiat aren't taking the rates too high. Watch out for admin fees - there shouldn't be any, but it is a way that they make extra money out of you!!!

Good luck!

ClareBear701

If that is not a problem then that would be superb!
What sort of details would you need ??
I'd be comparing them to Arnold Clark rather then Fiat. They seem to do their own thing in everyway compared to Fiat.
 
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Hi Scorg,

Probably best if we email away from the forum to chat on this one so it doesn't clog things up.

I'm new to this, so I'm not sure if you can access myemail address - let me know if you can't. I'm guessing you know your way around the forum....

ClareBear
 
AC do there own finance arranging. They even set there own rates. So unless they give you a low rate on a new car and a massive rate on a second hand car there is no way new will be cheaper.

The only reason the salesman was pushing a new car over a second hand one is because of his targets which will have a specific number of new and used cars.

I used to sell cars for AC Fiat in KDY so know exactly how they think. ;)

Look at the numbers, £3000 difference but the same monthly payments! Doesn't work out unless they try stiff you on the interest rate on the second hand one.

If you have any more info regarding how there numbers work out. I'll be glad to give you the ammunition to go back in with. :)
 
Probably best if we email away from the forum to chat on this one so it doesn't clog things up.

The whole point of the thread is to discuss different options, so it would actually be in the OP's best interests for you to discuss it on the open forum so that others that know about the subject can comment on whether the advice you are giving is valid or not.
 
It's all PCP quotes listed with AC Fiat at the moment, everyone lists the 149 deposit and £149 per month on the 1.2 pops with £4k to pay up at the end of the 4 years (with a rather limiting 6k miles per year agreement)

When the person I talked to brought up a basic quote on the 1.4 it came in at £157 :s Seems they did ramp up the rates for used in comparison.
 
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